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MacGregor Point Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide


Wondering if MacGregor Point Provincial Park is worth a visit? We definitely thought so!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is one of Ontarioโ€™s best spots for camping and outdoor adventures.

Itโ€™s known for its trails, wetlands, and a long stretch of Lake Huron shoreline.

Families come here for the beaches in summer, the birding in spring, and even skating through the woods in winter.

In this guide, Iโ€™ll share what makes the park special, what you can do here in every season, and tips for camping at the parkโ€™s campgrounds.

Pros and Cons of MacGregor Point Provincial Park – Quick Guide

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of MacGregor Point Provincial Park:

Things We Liked

  • Nice private campsites
  • Beautiful Day Use Beach
  • Clean Amenities
  • Large trees for shade & privacy

Things We Did Not Like

  • Long distance to power pedestals at many sites
  • Swampy Camper’s Beach

MacGregor Point Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at MacGregor Point Provincial Park is pretty easy.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Park Sign

We booked our stay at MacGregor Point in August and had a pretty tough time getting a preferred site.

This is definitely a popular park!

And while we didn’t manage to get the site we wanted, it was still pretty nice.

In fact, I don’t think you could go wrong with most of the sites at this park!

โ˜‘๏ธ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

MacGregor Point is open for camping all year long from January 1st to December 31st.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park Address:
1593 Bruce Road 33, RR#1, Port Elgin, ON, N0H 2C5
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/MacGregorPoint


Arriving at the Park

Once you arrive at the main entrance to the park, there is about a 2 km drive to the gatehouse.

There, you will find some vehicle parking, as well as two long RV parking spots outside the gatehouse.

The gatehouse was pretty small, but it did not double as a park store, so no big deal.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Gatehouse

In fact, we were only able to check in and grab a printed map there.

We had to head to the Park Store in order to get my park patch, as well as purchase ice and firewood.

Interestingly enough, there is a pretty cool bat house located adjacent to the gatehouse parking lot. Be sure to check it out!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Bat House

We arrived well past the 2 o’clock check-in time, so we were able to head straight to our site.


MacGregor Point Provincial Park Map

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Map
Photo Credit – Ontario Parks

Navigating the Park

We found that while it was a big park, MacGregor Point was really easy to navigate.

There were enough large signs to help you find your way around the park, the beach areas, and the campgrounds.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Chapmans Ice Cream Sign near the Park Store

And trust me, you really do need to pay attention to the signs just to find your way to your site!

We found it a little confusing at first, since there are 3 major campground areas, but each area has three campground sub-loops.

And since both the major campgrounds and all the sub-loops are named, we were mistakenly looking for the sub-loop name when we first arrived.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Campground Sign

Instead, you need to first navigate to your main campground area first. Once inside, you can then look for signs pointing you to your sub-loop.

Once inside the sub-loop, there are signs with the actual campsite numbers.

It’s a lot, right??

The main park roads were paved and smooth. And while the one-way campground roads were narrow and unpaved, they were in decent condition.


Parking

From what we saw, the parking lots located throughout the park are more than sufficient in size.

There were 2 large parking lots at both the Camper’s Beach as well as the day-use beach area.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Beach Parking Lot

The Visitor’s Centre and the Park Store also had their own parking lots, as well as one near the gatehouse, one at the comfort stations, and one at a few of the trail heads (though they were quite small).


MacGregor Point Provincial Park Camping

MacGregor Point Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles.

From car camping to tenting, rustic cabins, Yurts, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all.

You will also have the choice between electric and non-electric sites.

Just keep in mind that not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites. So you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Empty Campsite

MacGregor Point Provincial Park has 3 main campgrounds – Huron, Nipissing, and Algonquin Campground.

Each main campground has 3 sub-loops (as we mentioned earlier).

All in all, MacGregor Point is home to 344 campsites.

The Algonquin campground offers only electric sites. However, both Nipissing and Huron offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites.


Campgrounds at a Glance

Huron Campground

  • Sub-Loops – Iris Grove, Hawk Ridge, Grouse Landing
  • 118 Campsites
  • Iris Grove has electric sites
  • Hawk Ridge & Grouse Landing have only non-electric sites
  • Water taps
  • Vault Toilets
  • 1 Comfort Station with shower
  • Garbage & Recycling
  • Wooded and private sites

Nipissing Campground

  • Sub-Loops – Deer Drive, Foxway, Egret Circle
  • 104 Campsites
  • Deer Drive has only non-electric sites
  • Foxway & Egret Circle have electric sites
  • 2 Laundry Stations
  • 2 Comfort Stations with showers
  • Vault Toilets
  • Water taps
  • Garbage & Recycling
  • Wooded and private sites

Algonquin Campground

  • Sub-Loops – Ash Woods, Cedar Land, Birch Boulevard
  • 136 Campsites
  • Electric Sites only at all 3 loops
  • 3 Comfort Stations with showers
  • 3 Laundry Stations
  • Vault Toilets
  • Water taps
  • Garbage & Recycling
  • Wooded and private sites
  • Birch Boulevard has both Rustic Cabins & Yurts (soft-sided structures)


Rustic Cabins

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is home to 10 Rustic Cabins.

These roofed accommodations are a great way to experience the park if you are not into tent or car camping and don’t have an RV.

Located in the Birch Boulevard loop of the Algonquin Campground, these cabins sleep up to 5 adults and are pretty cool!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Rustic Cabin

The cabins come equipped with a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, and counter space. There is even a gas fireplace for heating.

You will also find a dining table and chairs for indoor meals, a queen bed and a double bunk bed with decent mattresses to sleep on.

Outside, there is a gas barbecue, a picnic table, and parking for 1 vehicle.

There is a central comfort station with flush toilets and showers within the campground loop.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Comfort station near cabins and yurts

If this sounds like a great way to glamp in the park, keep in mind that you will need to bring your own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

There is also a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the rustic cabins or on-site at any time.

Another thing to note is that check-in time for the cabins is 4 pm, and check-out is 10 am.


Soft Sided Shelters (Yurts)

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is home to 7 soft-sided shelters or Yurts.

These round and roofed accommodations are another option for people who don’t want to rough it!

But just a heads up, the yurts are a little more “rustic” than the cabins.

Also located in the Birch Boulevard loop of the Algonquin Campground, these yurts sleep up to 6 adults and are pretty interesting to see.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Yurt

The yurts come equipped with a dining table and chairs for indoor meals, two sets of double/single bunk beds with mattresses, lighting, electric heat and an electrical outlet.

Outside, there is a fire pit, a kitchen shelter, picnic tables, a propane barbecue with a side burner, and parking for 1 vehicle.

There is a central comfort station with flush toilets and showers within the campground loop.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Yurt Deck with BBQ

Don’t forget, you will need to bring your own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

There is also a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the yurts or on-site at any time.

Another thing to note is that check-in time for the yurts is 4 pm, and check-out is 10 am.


Group Camping

MacGregor Provincial Park also offers two large group camping sites that can accommodate 9-36 people.

The sites have access to water taps, picnic tables and vault toilets. However, if you need to use the comfort stations, it will be a bit of a drive.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Group Camping Sign

One of the two sites does have trailer access, but does not have electrical service.

Unfortunately, the group sites are not located centrally in the park.

They can be found furthest from the main entrance, making it necessary to drive to the beach, Park Store, day-use area or the Visitor’s Centre.


Our Campsite Experience

During our first visit to MacGregor Point, we stayed in the Iris Grove loop of the Huron Campground.

The campsite was a good size, level with a packed dirt pad, and had plenty of mature trees for privacy.

The sites are set back from the road with an angled driveway, making it easy to back in our Teardrop Trailer.

The site was so private that we could not see our neighbours to either side or behind us, and only had a partial view of the site across the street from us.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Our Campsite

Our biggest complaint about this site (#349) was the placement of the electrical pedestal.

You had to safari through poison ivy-infested woods to reach the pedestal, which could barely be seen from the site (it actually took us a minute to locate it).

We actually didn’t have enough electrical cord to reach the pedestal!

As a result, we had to awkwardly position our camper in the middle of the site in order for our 75 feet of electrical cord to reach!

Good thing “Nellie” is small and does not take up much space!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Yellow electrical pedestal hiding in the forest
Yellow electrical pedestal hiding in the forest

We then had to squeeze our dining tent up front, while the back side of the camper had unusable space.

Guess we need to buy a few more feet of electrical cable!

All in all, we really did enjoy the site!

It was super quiet, a 2-minute walk to the vault toilets, and about a 5-minute walk to the comfort station with showers.

A water tap was located not even a minute away.

The second time we visited this park, we stayed in the Algonquin Campground. Our site was in the Ash Woods loop and was absolutely fantastic.

Witches in the Woods - Our site decorations

Once again, the site was totally private. Only this time, our electrical pedestal was at the end of the driveway.

Much more convenient AND we only had to use a short extension cord to reach it!


What Amenities Does MacGregor Point Offer?

Onsite Amenities – Quick List

  • 344 campsites
  • Playground in the campgrounds as well as at the beach
  • Showers and flush toilets
  • Several Laundromats
  • Park Store
  • Visitor’s Centre
  • 2 Beaches

Comfort Stations

Comfort stations with showers are centrally located in each of the three campgrounds.

You will also find a comfort station with flush toilets located in the day-use area off the beach parking lot.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Main comfort station

Vault toilets were located at Camper’s Beach, as well as in each of the campground areas.

We found the comfort stations to be quite clean and well-kept. The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was excellent.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Vault toilets

Because we only had one comfort station in the Huron Campground that serviced all three loops, the showers were quite busy in the evenings.

John and I went for our shower at 10 pm and still had to wait for our turn!


Laundry

A coin laundry is available in every comfort station in the Nipissing and Algonquin Campgrounds.

Unfortunately, there is no laundry in the Huron Campground.

The laundry room was clean, but quite small compared to some in other parks.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Laundry

The one we checked out in the Algonquin Campground only had one washer and dryer, as well as a large laundry sink.

There was nowhere to sit and no counter to fold clothes on.

The cost for one load in either machine is $2.50. The machines only take Loonies and quarters, so you will need exact change.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Laundry Sign

Park Store

The Park Store is located off the main roadway and is a pretty good size.

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, totes, and more.

You will also find a variety of groceries and camping items that you may have forgotten when packing for your trip.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Park Store

Of course, the best part was their ice cream selection!

Not only did they have a freezer filled with novelty ice cream, but they also had a great selection of Chapman’s scooped ice cream.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Ice cream counter in Park Store

John was quite happy with his choice of Strawberry Cheesecake and Black Cherry flavours.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Ice cream cone at the Park Store

I was thrilled to find 6 flavours of Slush Puppies! That is one thing that we haven’t seen in a park store before.

And considering I have a dairy sensitivity, it was awesome to have this option on a sweltering August weekend!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Slushy station in the park store

During our October visit, however, the Slushie machines had been packed away. Totally disappointing given that it was a gorgeously warm day.

John still got his scooped ice cream, so at least all was well in his world! Ha!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Ice Cream from the Park Store in October

Visitor’s Centre

The Visitor’s Centre at MacGregor Point Provincial Park is quite small, but pretty well done.

You will find several displays about the birds and animals that can be found in the park and the surrounding area, including a small library of books for all ages.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Visitor Centre outside

They also had several interactive activities for young kids, including a microscope, a colouring area, a tank with a live snake and an aquarium with a turtle to observe.

The Huron Fringe Shop is also located inside the Visitor’s Centre. You can purchase a variety of items like stuffed animals, clothing, books, and more.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Huron Fringe Shop

Outside, there is a small flower garden, a small picnic shelter with tables, a bike rack, and access to the amphitheatre.

Lastly, you will find access to hiking trails and vault toilets right off the parking lot.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Bike rack at Visitor Centre

Day Use Area

I didn’t find the day-use area at MacGregor Point to be too spectacular, unfortunately.

Located adjacent to the beautiful beach and closest to the park entrance, the day-use area was quite small.

You will find 2 large parking lots in the day-use area as well as a comfort station.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Vault Toilets at Day Use Beach

There were some picnic tables in the area, but no picnic shelter.

We also did not see a playground, which is too bad considering the nice one that is located near the Camper’s Beach.

According to the park map, you will find the Dog Beach and exercise area on the far end.

And while there were a couple of dogs in the water, we honestly did not see any signage indicating which part of the beach was for dogs.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Dog beach in day use area

And as much as the day-use area wasn’t fantastic, the beach most certainly makes up for it. But more on this later!

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.


Boat Launch

There is no boat launch at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.


Playgrounds

I thought that it was really great that the campgrounds also had a playground that was decent.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Playground

The play structure was in good shape and a lot nicer than some of the ones we have seen in other parks.

There was also a playground at the Camper’s Beach that was even nicer!


MacGregor Point Provincial Park Beach

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is home to 2 gorgeous sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Huron.

During the summer, you will find that the water is shallow, crystal clear, and quite warm.

Both beaches are a short drive from the campgrounds and have plenty of parking.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Entrance to day use beach

Camper’s Beach

During our stay, we visited Camper’s Beach for the day.

This beach was a little closer to our campground, which is why we chose it.

It’s in a pretty protected bay, so the water was calm and there was only a bit of a breeze.

This beach has vault toilets and a really nice playground adjacent to it, making it very family-friendly.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Playground at Campers beach

With several sand bars, you could actually go out pretty far before the water got deep, which was nice.

But just a heads up, the first 10 feet of shoreline leaves much to be desired.

The water is shallow, but the sand feels slimy, and you sink into it. There isn’t anything floating in the water, and no visible algae, but the sand makes the water cloudy, and it just feels gross!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Overview of Campers Beach

Thankfully, once you pass that initial piece of shoreline, the water becomes perfectly clear, the ground becomes normal packed sand, and the water is still less than waist deep, so kids can stand and play.

I love the fact that he water is a gorgeous turquoise colour. You could almost imagine yourself somewhere tropical!

The lake was also quite calm during our visit in August, so we definitely took advantage and did plenty of paddleboarding.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Paddleboard at Campers Beach

Day-Use Beach

While we didn’t use this beach during the day, John and I rode our bikes over to check it out in the evening.

The beach was also in a protected area, so the water was quite calm.

And as I mentioned before, there is a comfort station at this beach, but no playground.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Day Use Beach

However, if you have your fur babies with you, this is the place to be.

The sandy beach was nice, with a wooden boardwalk for access (just like the Camper’s Beach).

But when John waded out into the lake, he found that it did not have that initial slimy shoreline.

The bottom was packed sand, not squishy.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Wooden boardwalk to the day use beach

Just something to keep in mind. We know which beach we will be visiting next time we camp in this park!

And if you didn’t already know this, MacGregor Point is home to some incredible sunsets!

In fact, the park even has an area called “Sunset Point” that separates the two beaches.

Unfortunately for us, the clouds didn’t cooperate, so we were not treated to one of the infamous sunsets.

MacGregor Provincial Park - Sunset

There are a few things to keep in mind when heading to the beach. One is that there are no lifeguards on duty and no roped swimming area.

Signs are everywhere, and this is pretty common at all Ontario Parks.

Secondly, dogs are not allowed at Camper’s Beach at any time.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Dog beach

But as I mentioned, the dog beach is located on the far end of the day-use portion of the beach and didn’t look any different.

Dogs are even allowed to be off-leash while in the water.

And lastly, Lake Huron can get pretty rough at times, so you need to be careful. If we paddled out too far, the wind hit, and the current made it more difficult to get back.


What Services Does MacGregor Point Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at MacGregor Point.

Water

There is one sanitation station at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. It is located right by the gatehouse.

There you will find two lanes equipped with two fill stations.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Water fill at sanitation station

However, there is another water fill station, which is a completely separate loop from the dumping station.

You will find this loop before you even reach the gatehouse, as soon as you enter the park.

I was also surprised to see that there were 4 water fill taps in the loop!

There are 2 water fill taps on the driver’s side and 2 on the passenger side.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Second water fill area

You will find water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Water tap in campground

Dump Station

The sanitation area is located almost directly behind the gatehouse.

As with the fill station, you will find a total of 2 dump stations.

There are two lanes, with one dump station and one water fill station located in each lane.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Trailer dump at sanitation station

The dump stations come first, so if you want to fill your trailer, it might be better to head to the other fill station during busy times.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.


Garbage and Recycling

There was a garbage/recycling loop located just before you get to the dump station on your way out of the park.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Garbage and recycling area

There were also smaller garbage and recycling stations located at the entrance to each of the campgrounds.


Wi-Fi

This is one park where you will definitely need to embrace the idea of unplugging.

First of all, there is no public wi-fi available in the park.

Secondly, I had little to no cell reception in most areas of the park and on the trails.

The only place where I was able to consistently send and receive texts, was at the beach.

I was able to make phone calls pretty much anywhere in the park, but checking emails was definitely out of the question for the most part.


Things to Do at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

If, like me, you enjoy getting out and experiencing all that a park has to offer, you’ll be happy to know that MacGregor Point has a variety of activities to keep everyone occupied.

If you enjoy riding your bike, MacGregor Point is home to some really great mixed-use trails.

In fact, 4 out of 5 of the trails at MacGregor Point are bike-friendly!

A couple of the trails are wide and flat and perfect for family biking. Just be aware that some areas (and trails) can get rocky and uneven.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Us at Sunset Point

Another option is to ride your bikes on the park roads.

As I mentioned earlier, while the main roads were paved, the campground roads were not.

However, they were in really good shape, so we saw plenty of kids riding up and down the campground roads.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - John riding his bike on path

I also noticed that there were racks to lock up your bike at the comfort stations, playground, and at the beach.

And if you love to ride, but didn’t bring your bike, there are bike rentals available from the park store.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Bike Rental at the Park Store

They have a variety of bikes to choose from, including kids’ bikes, fat bikes, bike trailers for the littles, and adult-size bikes.

They even have helmets and baskets available!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Helmets and baskets available with bike rentals

2. Go for a Paddle

As I mentioned earlier, both beach areas are pretty sheltered, so the water was calm and shallow enough to make going out for a paddle pretty easy.

We saw many people out on paddleboards and kayaks throughout the day.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Us Out paddling

Because there is no boat launch in the park, getting a large canoe out probably isn’t possible.

We didn’t notice any life jackets available for rent at the park store, so make sure to bring your own if you plan to paddle out in the lake.


3. Take the Plunge

We love swimming in Lake Huron.

The water is crystal clear, clean, and turquoise on a sunny day.

And because the water stayed pretty shallow for a good way out, there were plenty of families with kids enjoying a dip.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Me at Campers Beach

Our only advice is to keep in mind that the water can get rough on this lake, especially further out.

So, aside from the fact that we had that squishy entrance that I mentioned, swimming was quite enjoyable.

In fact, we even had the chance to see a large snapping turtle swimming near us.

I was quite surprised how far from the shore it had ventured. And trust me, we stayed out of its way!

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - In the water further from shore

Too bad we didn’t have our camera with us!


5. Take Part in the Discovery Program

According to the website, MacGregor Point Provincial Park offers a pretty good Discovery Program for kids.

During July and August, kids can pick up a Discovery Activity Book from the Park Store and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park.

Ontario Parks Discovery Activity Book

There is also a weekly calendar of events posted throughout the park, including childrenโ€™s programs, curriculum-based programs for schools, guided hikes, the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, a Nature Study Series and campfire programs. 

And don’t forget to head to the Visitor’s Centre for some fun activities.


6. Do Some Birding

While we are not avid birders, MacGregor Point offers some great opportunities to bird watch during the spring and fall migrations.

More than 200 species of birds have been sighted in the park, including the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Great Egret.

I have to say, however, that I barely heard even one bird while at our campsite. It was actually pretty quiet.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Birds of MacGregor display

Each spring at MacGregor Point, you will find the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, which marks the return of migrating songbirds.

The festival lines up with the time when birds arrive and begin setting up their territories.

While the main focus is birding, there are also activities on butterflies, wildflowers, astronomy, photography, nature art, and even poetry.

It runs every year for ten days, starting on the Friday after the Victoria Day weekend.


7. Enjoy a Hike

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is home to 5 hiking trails. The trails were quite nice, and most were very easy to manage.

While we didn’t have a chance to hike all of them, we were able to bike through all but one.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Bird Blind on Tower Trail
Bird Blind on the Tower Trail

The trailheads are located throughout the park, but the signs were a little on the small side.

Just a heads up, not all have parking spaces adjacent to the trailheads.

Deer Run Bike Trail

  • Length: 3.7 km (loop)
  • Duration: 35 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy

The Deer Run Trail is a mixed-use trail that is perfect for cyclists and those looking to go for a stroll.

The trail takes you all through the interior of the park, making it a safe way to travel with younger kids if you want to avoid the major park roads.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - John riding his bike on Deer Run Bike Trail

We found the trail extremely easy to ride on, so hiking or walking it would be a breeze as well.

As a bonus, it’s a great way to stay out of the sun on the hottest parts of the day.


Huron Fringe Trail

  • Length: 1.2 km (linear)
  • Duration: 35 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy

The Huron Fringe Trail loops around the Visitor Centre.

The entire tail is made up of boardwalk, so it’s really easy for those with mobility challenges.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Huron Fringe Trail boardwalk

We really liked this trail, especially in the fall.

In fact, during our fall visit, we were even lucky enough to feed the Chickadees.

Witches in the Woods - Feeding the Chickadees on the Huron Fringe Trail

These cute little birds would eat the seeds right out of the palm of our hands.

You will also come across a viewing area that overlooks Turtle Pond.

Keep your eyes out for turtles! We found one partially submerged in the water and mud while enjoying the afternoon sun.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Turtle basking in Turtle Pond

This is one of two trails in the park where bikes arenโ€™t permitted.


Old Shore Road Trail

  • Length: 6 km (linear)
  • Duration: 4 Hours
  • Difficulty: Easy

This trail runs along the Lake Huron shoreline.

This trail was once used by pioneers to travel between Goderich and Southampton.

Today, it offers great views of the shore and beach, with viewing platforms along the way.

The trail is also open to cycling and cross-country skiing.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Post showing Old Shore RoadTrail

While the park advises that most sections of this trail are wheelchair accessible, the problem is that they aren’t all in succession!

We rode this trail and found that while most of it is flat and even, there were many sections that had rocks on the path or tree roots, which would make it difficult for those with mobility issues.

This is especially true for the part of the trail that runs onto Sunset Point.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Part of trail on Sunset Point

This part of the trail is made from loose stones, so we ended up walking our bikes out to the Point.

And holy cow did we get eaten alive by the black flies on this trail!

For reference, we were on the trail in the early evening during the second week of August.


Lake Ridge Trail

  • Length: 4 km (loop)
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate

This trail makes a longer loop through the parkโ€™s interior.

The ground is rough, so itโ€™s best for hikers with sturdy shoes.

Itโ€™s named after the ridge of glacial Lake Nipissing that stood here about 5,500 years ago.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Rough hiking trail

A short side path leads to a boardwalk with views of a former beaver pond and lodge.

Signs along the way share stories about an old logging road, early settlers, and the forest.

This is the second trail in the park where bikes arenโ€™t allowed.


Tower Trail

  • Length: 3.5 km (loop)
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy

We really enjoyed this trail.

It not only goes through a pretty nice wooded stretch, but also circles a wetland.

It’s great for spotting waterfowl and other wildlife.

In fact, during our visit, there was a sign just past the lookout tower advising that there was an Osprey’s nest nearby.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Bird of Prey Caution sign on Tower Trail

The sign said proceed quickly and with caution… if you dare!

Not really, but it certainly made us feel like it!

The observation tower gives wide views of the marshy area, with places to sit and take it all in.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Tower on Tower Trail

A little farther on the trail, there is an offshoot of the path that takes you to a bird hide. This lets you observe the waterfowl from the water level.

You will also find signs along the trail that explain the wetland environment.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Sign on Tower Trail

We chose to ride the full trail, and it was pretty rough and rocky in many areas.

Wheelchairs and strollers would be able to use the stretch between the parking lot and the tower, but would need to turn around at that point.

And even then, there are a few rough patches on that section as well.


Kempfs Trail

  • Length: .8 km (linear)
  • Duration: 20 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy

To be honest, I would not even consider this a hiking trail.

Kempf’s Trail connects the main park road with the Old Shore Road Trail, and is super short.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Trail Sign

Itโ€™s named after a former landowner from this part of the park.


8. Take Part in the Spooktacular Witches in the Woods Event

One of the best parts about camping at MacGregor Point in October is the Witches in the Woods weekend.

Itโ€™s held every year right after the Canadian Thanksgiving and is one of the most popular Halloween events in Ontario Parks.

Witches in the Woods - John and I in costume at our campsite

The campground comes alive with decorated sites, kids in costumes, and plenty of activities like trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and guided hikes.

Even though we don’t have any young children, John and I still had a blast during this event.

We couldn’t get over how many kids were trick-or-treating and the amount of time and effort that people put into decorating their campsites!

Witches in the Woods - Scary circus campsite

We would DEFINITELY recommend camping in the park for this awesome weekend event!


9. Have Fun Playing in the Snow

It seems a little strange to add this to our list of things to do in MacGregor Point Provincial Park, but given that it is open year-round, it’s worth mentioning.

So if you happen to be brave enough to try winter camping, then you have quite a few options for keeping busy.

Not only can you go skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and winter hiking on many of the trails, but there is also ice skating available at this park.

Skating outdoors in the provincial park

Yup! The ice-skating trail is actually the premier winter attraction (and best-kept secret!) at MacGregor Point.

The 400-metre skating trail offers an awesome outdoor experience.

And if you are a night owl, the lights stay on until 10:00 pm every night so you can skate under the stars.

This is definitely on my Ontario Parks bucket list!

Thereโ€™s also a large ice pad for anyone who wants to play hockey.


Is MacGregor Point Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at MacGregor Point to be pretty accessible.

All the comfort stations allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Accessible Viewpoint
Accessible Viewpoint

The Park Store and Gatehouse were also barrier-free.

During our walks through the campgrounds, however, we did not notice any designated barrier-free campsites.


Are Pets Allowed at MacGregor Point?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

As we mentioned earlier, you will find a small pet beach area at the far end of the day-use area.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Dog at the beach

And while we saw a few dogs frolicking in the water, we actually did not see any signs posted saying that dogs were allowed.

(It shows a dog area on the Ontario Parks map, however.)

The dog beach was just as sandy and pleasant as the regular beach, just a little smaller and surrounded by rock.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed in the other areas of the beach.


Is There Winter Camping at MacGregor Point?

Yes! MacGregor Point Provincial Park is not only open for winter camping, but for a whole bunch of winter activities as well (as we mentioned earlier).

As a four-season park, you have the option to winter camp overnight in the yurts or rustic cabins, bring your own RV, or, if you are really brave, tent camp!

We are actually considering staying in the rustic cabins for a weekend, just to see what it’s like.

By that point, we will have tucked “Nellie” (our Teardrop Trailer) in for her long winter nap.


Our Park Rating

5 Stars

We give this park 5 out of 5 stars for having:

  • Private Campsites
  • Beautiful Beach
  • Well-maintained park
  • Great Amenities
  • Hike & Bike Trails

Final Thoughts

After a couple of visits to MacGregor Point, I can honestly say that this park sits in my top favourites!

We really enjoyed the beautiful beach and the wooded private campsites, as well as the many hiking and biking trails.

Our only regret was that we didn’t book a longer stay!


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