The Killbear Point Lighthouse stands at the tip of a rocky peninsula in Killbear Provincial Park, one of the most photographed spots on Georgian Bay. The first light was built here in 1904 to guide ships into Parry Sound, and the white and red tower remains a beloved relic of the area’s shipping past. It sits at the very entrance to the sound, with wide water views in every direction and the islands of Georgian Bay scattered on the horizon.
You reach the lighthouse on the Lighthouse Point Trail, the shortest of Killbear’s three main hikes. The 800 metre loop takes about 25 minutes and is rated easy to moderate, winding through the park’s varied vegetation before opening onto exposed pink granite and wind-shaped pines. The rocky point is a natural gathering place. Campers spread picnics on the smooth stone, couples claim a quiet corner, and at sunset the crowds grow as everyone watches the light go gold against the bay. A pretty sand beach waits at the end of the loop for a swim.
Killbear Provincial Park itself is one of Ontario’s great camping destinations, with 880 campsites that fill up fast in summer. The park is known for its classic Georgian Bay landscape: smooth Canadian Shield rock, towering white pines bent by the wind, and sandy beaches that feel almost out of place this far north. The other trails are worth your time too. The 1.6 kilometre Twin Points Trail circles two rocky headlands, and the 3.5 kilometre Lookout Point Trail climbs through the woods to a high view over the bay. Keep an eye out for the famous Killbear Tree and the cliff jumping rocks at Harold Point.
The lighthouse is the park’s signature landmark and the perfect short walk for any visitor. Bring sturdy shoes, the rocks can be slippery, and stay for the sunset.