Long Beach Conservation Area – June 2017
Long Beach CA is not a new park for us as we’ve visited it a few times now. It’s closer proximity to home and work makes it a good stopover park, or quick getaway park when we still have work obligations. This is exactly why we booked it. I was still on holidays after we left Long Point Provincial Park, but Dave had to go back to work for three days. It’s less than 30 min for him to drive to work from the campground. Staying here allowed us to stay out camping and extend our time out to a full two weeks. We arrived on Tuesday at a pull thru recommended to us by park staff.
Campsite #101
Our site was on the corner on the convergence of three roads. There was zero privacy but that would have bothered me a lot more had it not been three weekdays with no traffic and a very quiet park. The site quality was good with a level gravel pad, grass cut short and easy access to the hydro and water hookups. I did scope out some sites in the North Campground which is much, much more private that we definitely could fit our fiver on. I’ll make sure to book one of them the next time.
The weather cooperated nicely and I enjoyed some good outdoor time walking the beach and campground roads. Lake Erie’s water level is much higher than usual but there’s still a decent size beach.
As you can see from the photo above, the boat launch is just a concrete pad into the lake. We could not have launched our boat here. The park superintendent told us of a launch just down from the park, but with Dave working all day, we didn’t have time to get out. We still enjoyed the time we had at Long Beach. It’s close proximity to home allowed me to check in on our cat and pack more things in preparation for our nine days at County Shores. I was also able to take laundry home and finish it up on the Friday before we left for our last park.
While sitting outside around the fire one night we were treated to the howls of coyotes very close by! The following night we heard a racket coming from the garbage bin area. It turned out to be a raccoon trapped in one of the garbage containers. The park staff got it out the next morning. A very beautiful sight one night was the full moon over Lake Erie. Sometimes it amazes me that you can be so close to civilization and still have experiences like these. So awesome!
Any day camping is a good one, even if the site isn’t the greatest or time at a park is limited. Dave and I really enjoy being out. Long Beach is actually on our list to try seasonal one day providing we can find a site that will work for us.
So if you’re thinking of visiting Long Beach, here are a few things to think of: first, the sites in the South Campground, or Lake Erie side have no privacy. This area is mostly seasonal and the only two transient sites with a lake view are not very nice at all. I’d stick to the North Campground if you’re looking for privacy. The sites are pretty big with for the most part a nice natural barrier of shrubs or trees between. Some are serviced, some are not, so check closely when booking. The road the campground is on is not usually very busy, but I did notice during the week some light truck and motorcycle traffic.
Remember this is a park along Lake Erie and so ticks are common. Take your typical precautions and you should be fine. The beach isn’t bad. There are actually two at the park. The boat launch will accommodate smaller boats and non motorized craft. The bass fishing (from previous visits) is awesome! We kayak fished here one June and caught some very decent size bass not too far off shore. There is a playground, pavillion, small park store and if you leave the park and head right – some nice ice cream places in the little town of Long Beach. I believe there are some hiking trails but I’ve never hiked them so I can’t comment on the trail quality.
Give this park a try if you’re looking for something in the Port Colbourne/Wainfleet area. Here are some links:
Long Beach Conservation Area Reservations:
Long Beach Conservation Area:
https://npca.ca/conservation-areas/long-beach
Sue and Daves RV Adventures 