Point Pelee is the smallest of Ontario's National Parks, but a kayak trip to its inland marshes did not disappoint. Read on to learn more about exploring this birding hotspot from the unique vantage point of a kayak!
A lookout tower and pedestrian boardwalk provide a means of exploring Point Pelee's marshes from land, but being on the water provides a unique vantage point.
Our Recommended Trip
Put In / Take Out: 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4. A beautiful launch is available by the Marsh Boardwalk.
Trip Length: 1-5 hours, depending on how much of the marshes you want to cover.
Cost: Point Pelee National Park admission fees apply, no additional launch fees were required.
Degree of Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. The marshes are large and shallow and can get choppy on windy days. Be aware of the channel marker (windsock) that marks the return, as it is easy to get disoriented when out in the marshes.
Cost: Point Pelee National Park admission fees apply, no additional launch fees were required.
Degree of Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. The marshes are large and shallow and can get choppy on windy days. Be aware of the channel marker (windsock) that marks the return, as it is easy to get disoriented when out in the marshes.
Point Pelee had one of the nicest launches we've ever seen, with accessibility features and ramps! What a treat compared to most of the launches we use!
Gear Recommendations
Life jackets and all Transport Canada required safety gear are always a must. Sunscreen and sun hats are definitely recommended when you're on the water.
We recommend bring binoculars along so you can get up close with the many birds you'll see while paddling.
We recommend bring binoculars along so you can get up close with the many birds you'll see while paddling.
End of Summer Highlight
Having never been to Point Pelee National Park, I really had no idea what to expect when friends of ours suggested a kayak trip last fall. Point Pelee is the smallest of Ontario's National Parks, but it did not disappoint. In fact, we can't wait to go back, and would love to make this visit an annual trip!
While I think the park would be fun to paddle at any time of year, our trip in September was beautiful - the weather was gorgeous, and there was a lot of bird activity in the park. We did a Friday night sunset paddle on Lake Erie, launching at Pelee Wings (see outfitters below), and then spent Saturday exploring the marshes on our own. While the park does not offer camping on site, there are many campgrounds and cottages nearby. We stayed with friends at their cottage and drove into the park to explore.
While I think the park would be fun to paddle at any time of year, our trip in September was beautiful - the weather was gorgeous, and there was a lot of bird activity in the park. We did a Friday night sunset paddle on Lake Erie, launching at Pelee Wings (see outfitters below), and then spent Saturday exploring the marshes on our own. While the park does not offer camping on site, there are many campgrounds and cottages nearby. We stayed with friends at their cottage and drove into the park to explore.
Starting out along the channel past the boardwalk.
Small shore birds sit on one of the higher spots in the marsh.
A trumpeter swan in East Cranberry Marsh.
Looking out over the sand bar to Lake Erie. We stopped for lunch on this sand bar.
Birders Paradise
Much to my surprise, more than two thirds of Point Pelee National Park is covered in marshes, and the area is a UNESCO designated Wetland of International Significance - the park has recorded close more than 370 species of birds here, and it is a major rest stop for migratory birds, as well as monarch butterflies, on their route across Lake Erie. The park was created in 1918, as a result of the efforts of early ornithologists, and it has become one of the premier birdwatching destinations in North America. It is also one of Ontario's dark-sky preserves, making it a hot spot for stargazing as well.
The sheltered marshes are a great spot to explore. While the Blue Heron Marsh is a restricted area, you can paddle along the Thiessen Channel, which follow past the boardwalk, and out into Lake Pond. While this paddle is fairly quick, you can extend your day by exploring the bays and inlets that surround the Lake Pond, including West Cranberry Pond, East Cranberry Pond, and Redhead Pond. We spent about 6 hours on the water, including a break for lunch.
We found that it's easy to get disoriented out in the marsh, but Park Staff have posted a red windsock near the entrance back into Thiessen Channel, which will help you find your way back to the launch.
Our visit in September was supposed to coincide with the monarch and broadwing hawk migrations, but unfavorable wind conditions in the days leading up to our trip meant we were a couple of days early. We were initially a bit disappointed by this, but we got over it quickly when we discovered several trumpeter swans, and then a pair of noisy sandhill cranes. I had never seen a sandhill crane before, but we identified them by their large size, red heads, and loud honking noises. What a great experience!
We spied snakes, turtles. When we stopped for lunch on the sand bar that separates the marshes from Lake Erie, we spied rare semipalmated sandpipers, and more varieties of terns and seagulls than we could identify.
The sheltered marshes are a great spot to explore. While the Blue Heron Marsh is a restricted area, you can paddle along the Thiessen Channel, which follow past the boardwalk, and out into Lake Pond. While this paddle is fairly quick, you can extend your day by exploring the bays and inlets that surround the Lake Pond, including West Cranberry Pond, East Cranberry Pond, and Redhead Pond. We spent about 6 hours on the water, including a break for lunch.
We found that it's easy to get disoriented out in the marsh, but Park Staff have posted a red windsock near the entrance back into Thiessen Channel, which will help you find your way back to the launch.
Our visit in September was supposed to coincide with the monarch and broadwing hawk migrations, but unfavorable wind conditions in the days leading up to our trip meant we were a couple of days early. We were initially a bit disappointed by this, but we got over it quickly when we discovered several trumpeter swans, and then a pair of noisy sandhill cranes. I had never seen a sandhill crane before, but we identified them by their large size, red heads, and loud honking noises. What a great experience!
We spied snakes, turtles. When we stopped for lunch on the sand bar that separates the marshes from Lake Erie, we spied rare semipalmated sandpipers, and more varieties of terns and seagulls than we could identify.
Retrieving a Mylar balloon that had been carried on the wind and ended up in the marsh. We try to gather up garbage that we find on our travels.
Additional Reading
Monarch Migration Photo and details on Point Pelee Facebook Page
Details on Bird Migration from Friends of Pelee
Details on Bird Migration from Friends of Pelee
Outfitter Options
Kayakers on Thiessen Channel, heading in and out of the marshes at Point Pelee National Park, as seen from the lookout tower.
