Park Information

Our History

Discover a rich & vibrant culture

Dreams Coming True

Cape Croker Park was a dream come true when it opened in 1967. Now as then, the Park provides seasonal employment for community members and students.

Another dream came true in 2018 – Ziibaakdakaan Maple revived the tradition of making ziiwaagmide, maple syrup in our centuries-old ziibaakdakaan, maple sugar bush. The following year, a new state-of-the-art processing facility was up and running. At sunrise in the early morning of March 9, 2020, a "First Tap Ceremony" was held at the start of the maple sap run. Guests from far and near attended and enjoyed a feast of pancake and maple syrup. This ceremony was held to pay respect to the ancient maple forest who provides so much – sap for medicine and maple syrup, fire wood for heating and cooking, shade on hot summer days, and beauty all year round.  The plan is to have an annual First Tap Ceremony on the full moon closest to the first sap run.

An Ancient Coral Sea?

We have a traditional story about a great turtle rising up out of the water to become land. Indeed, when you are on top of Jones Bluff or Sydney Bay Bluff, you are standing and walking on land that was once under water. We also have stories about catastrophic floods and how the islands in Georgian Bay came into being after the ice age. These stories of the land are traditional stories; some people call them geo-myths. They are based on empirical observation and experience.

Some 430 million years ago the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula was part of a great barrier reef living in a warm tropical sea. The sea was part of the supercontinent, Pangea. And this whole area was located about 10 degrees south of the equator. Between the first two dinosaur periods (Triassic and Jurassic), Pangea broke apart. North American slowly drifted to where we are now, which is almost halfway between the equator and the north pole. The 45th parallel is just a couple of degrees north of Rabbit Island (Barrier Island). You can see the island from the Park’s boat launch.

If you were around 10,000 years ago, after the ice-age, looking out from the on top the escarpment would be as if looking out over the Grand Canyon. Hard to imagine, but it’s true. A giant beaver (castoroides ohioensis) figures prominently in a story that tell of this time and the flood waters that fill up that great expanse.

What does this mean, "Outside of Canada"?

We are part of the Anishinaabek Nation or Three Fires Confederacy, a confederacy in existence longer than the Dominion of Canada. Our people are the Ojibway also known as Chippewa, Odawa and Pottawatomi. Our language is Anishinaabemowin. We call ourselves Anishinaabek.

Our history tells us that we have inhabited the Peninsula and traditional territory since time immemorial. During the mid-1600s and early 1700s, as part of the Three Fires Confederacy, our ancestors fought and died reclaiming these territories from the Iroquois. We have been at peace with our southern neighbours since that time.

Boundry Road SignChippewas of Nawash

A large beautiful sign greets you at the Boundary Road – You are now entering Neyaashiinigmiing, Home of the Chippewas  of Nawash. To help orientate you, there is a map of our community with key locations. The rocky edge of the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail are indicated. A yellow ball with the number 12 shows you where Cape Croker Park is located.

In the upper right hand corner of the sign, you will see our nation’s emblem. There is a Red Thunderbird, trees, animals, fish, pipe, drum, feathers and strawberries. Every image on that emblem represents an aspect of our nationhood.

There is a scrolling banner at the bottom of the emblem. This banner is surrounded by the dates of three major Treaties: 1836, 1854 and 1857.

The banner also includes the word UNCEDED. This word applies to 1854 – Treaty No. 72 – the Saugeen Peninsula.

The first treaty, Treaty 45½, promised to protect “for ever” our lands from “the encroachment of the whites.” Eighteen (18) years later, that promise was broken with Treaty No. 72. We were then told that if we surrendered the Saugeen Peninsula that we would be able to “ride in carriages and roll in wealth.”

During the negotiations, our people reserved "to ourselves" various areas of land, including "all that tract of land called Cape Croker... all which reserves we hereby retain to ourselves and our children in perpetuity."

Neyaashiinigmiing (our name for Cape Croker), Saugeen Reserve and Chief’s Point are all that remain with us. Between 1857 and 1899, Owen Sound, 6000 acres in the Colpoy’s area and all the islands around the Peninsula, we lost to treaties.

Unceded means that the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation never ceded or legally signed away Neyaashiinigmiing to the British Crown or Canada. The lands that were “ceded” became part of Canada.

When you visit Cape Croker Park, you are technically stepping outside of Canada.

Learn more about our nation's history

Check our new Cultural Programming to learn more about our natural and cultural history.

The Original Original mark of excellence assures visitors of a quality tourism experience that directly supports Indigenous individuals, families and communities.
Learn More

The Rememberer

Are there bears here – what kind – how big – how many – what do they eat?

bears

Stories tell us that along time ago, Mkwa took care of the first Anishinaabe children, fed them and kept them warm. Another story tells us that each year during Mkwa Giizis or Bear Moon also known as February, bear cubs venture outside their cozy dens to play. If their play is brief, then winter will be long. If they stay out, then spring is fast approaching.

The bear is known as a healer and peacekeeper who taught our people about the medicines. Some of our people have bear names like Mkoons (Little Bear) or Mko-kwe (Bear Woman). Some of our people belong to the Mkwa Dodem (Bear Clan). Some people have bears as "spirit helpers."

Seeing a bears in a natural setting like out in a field or crossing the road somewhere is an exciting and memorable experience. However, this is not necessarily so in a campground or on someone’s deck. This is why we built garbage depots, purchased recycling bins and closed our dump. In doing so, we have given responsibility to our campers and visitors to help us keep bears safe. Bear is called The Rememberer because Bear always remembers where to find food.

Help us protect our bears and all other critters who share their world with us.

  1. Store food in your vehicle at night.
  2. Take your bagged garbage to the Garbage Depot every evening.
  3. Do not scrap your leftover food into the fire pit or around your campsite
  4. Wash out your recyclables before putting them into the bins.
  5. Keep your campsite clean.
  6. Day visitors please take your garbage and recyclables with you.

Our Park attendants will be around to encourage your continued assistance in keeping bears safe.

Facilities

Cape Croker Park

Day Use

The Pavilion picnic shelter is the perfect backdrop for group picnicking. The beach is another popular day use site perfect for a picnic, for swimming or for launching boats of all sizes. Nearby is the beach volleyball pitch. There are 10 km of hiking trails within the Park – Ginebik Miikaans (Snake Trail Boardwalk), which is part of the Bruce Trail, Waazh Miikaans (The Rockfall Caves), and a few shorter trails. The playground is a popular location for children.

Washrooms

Barrier-free showers and flush toilets located in The Maples and The Beaches campgrounds. Outhouses are in convenient locations throughout the camping areas.

Showers

Showers are located at The Maples comfort station.

Laundromat

The Park offers a coin laundry facility at The Maples comfort station.

Rentals

The Pavilion and the Arbour are available for day use rentals. Contact the Park Office to make bookings.

Supplies

The Campground Office sells water, ice, firewood, propane, maple syrup and snacks. The 401 Convenience and Pedoniquott’s Gas Bar are located just a short drive from the campground.

Services

The campground offers a trailer pump out and holding tank pump out service.

WiFi

WiFi is access in the Upper Ninaatgoog (Maples) and Waasmowing Enaabiising (Hydro) areas. The site directs you to GBTel for payment. You can purchase hours or days of WiFi Access.

2024 Fee Schedule

Cape Croker Park

Camping

Campsite: Basic
$42.50 / night
Campsite: Premium Waterfront/View
$45.50 / night
Campsite: Hydro 20 AMP
$45.50 / night
Campsite: Hydro 30 AMP
$52 / night
Campsite: Hydro 30 AMP & Premium
$53.50 / night
Campsite: Hydro 30 AMP & Water
$54 / night
Campsite: Hydro 50 AMP & Water
$54.50 / night
Additional Camper Fee
$5 / night
Additional Vehicle Fee
$15 / night
Cabin (1-2 Adults)
$100 / night
Cabin (3 Adults)
$105 / night
Cabin (4 Adults)
$110 / night
Reservation Fee (NON-REFUNDABLE)
$15 / site
Specific Site Guarantee (Lock in Fee)
$20 / site
Seasonal Vehicle Fee
$100

Day Use Fees

Daily Vehicle Permit
$15 / day
Off-Season Day Use
$10 / day
Overnight Parking
$15 / night
*Rates are based on one (1) family or two (2) adults per site.
A maximum of four adults only are allowed per site.

Discount Rates

*Bruce Trail Members: 10% Discount on overnight campsite fees (please show card upon registering) Save 10% when camping 6 nights or more

Group Camping: "The Birches"

Group Campsite Fee
$175 / night
Damage Deposit
$175
Per Person, Youth (6–17yrs)
$2.50 / night
Per Person, Adult (18yrs+)
$5 / night
Group Campsite Vehicle Permit
$6.50 / night
*Maximum of 35 campers allowed, Damage Deposit MAY be refunded after site inspection. Discounts available for Youth Groups & Charitable Organizations.

Park Store

Firewood: Bagged
$10
Showers (auto timer approx. 5.5 minutes)
$1
Washers/Dryers
$2 / cycle
Trailer Pump Out – In Park
$35
Holding Tank Pump Out
$50
Prices subject to change without notice
Cash, Debit, Visa, MasterCard, & American Express Accepted Here!
*For any campsite or availability inquiries, contact us:
Call 519-534-0571 or email reservations@capecrokerpark.com

Park Rules

Cape Croker Park

A Message from Park Management

Our campground was developed as a family campground. We want to keep it that way. You can help to maintain the ambience and atmosphere of this place. Our rules are guides to ensure you and other Park visitors have an enjoyable, safe and memorable camping experience.

Common complaints over the years:

  • dogs off leash
  • owners not picking up after pets
  • speeding on park roads
  • excessive noise
  • alcohol carried off a campsite

Please take a few minutes to review these rules.

General Camping Rules

All campers must be registered at the Campground Office.
One family (parents and their dependent children) OR a maximum of 4 adults per campsite is permitted.
Visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Only registered campers are permitted to remain in the Park or enter outside of visiting hours.
No excessive noise at any time. All musical instruments and audio devices must be turned off at 11 p.m.
Other than when otherwise prohibited by park management, alcoholic beverages may be possessed in the Cape Croker Park. Possession and consumption by any person must be in compliance with the Ontario Liquor License Act. (Alcohol is permitted on occupied/rented campsites only.)
Cannabis may be consumed by campers at their registered campsite. Smoking tobacco or cannabis, or using an electronic cigarette (vaping), is permitted on a registered campsite only.
Campers and Park visitors are responsible for their garbage and recyclables. Garbage must be bagged and placed in the Garbage Depots. Recyclables must be rinsed (at your campsite) and sorted into plastics and aluminum/steel food and beverage containers.

Day visitors please take your garbage and recycling with you.

Our community facility is not able to recycle glass bottles and jars, milk and juice boxes, cardboard or cereal boxes, so please take these with you and recycle from your home. Chi miigwech.
Every person using a campsite shall at all times maintain the campsite in a condition satisfactory to Park Management. When vacating the campsite, they shall restore the campsite as near as possible to its original condition.
The owner or person in control of a domestic animal must maintain physical control of the animal. Leashes must be no greater than 2 metres in length. Domestic animals are not permitted in swimming areas.
Campfires are permitted in designated fire pits only. No person shall start or maintain a fire except in a designated fire pit.
Scavenging for firewood from Park lands is prohibited. Purchase firewood from the Campground Office. This is to protect our forest from campers, invasive insects and pathogens.
No person shall pick or remove flowers, plants or trees or wildlife, or take any natural souvenirs from the Park.
No person shall remove, damage or deface Park property or damage or deface any relict, artifact, or natural object or any site of archaeological or historical interest.
The maximum speed on main park roads is 30 km/h. The maximum speed in camping areas is 15 km/h. Please abide by these speed limits.
No person camping in the Park shall operate an All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dirt bikes or any off-road vehicle anywhere on the Park property, including trails.
The use of generators in all over-night camping areas is prohibited.
Non-compliance with park rules may result in charges and/or eviction.
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