Getting to the
Bruce Peninsula

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula is a relatively easy driving trip. Here are driving directions from three regions to the peninsula.

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula: Driving Directions

Driving directions to get the area have been provided from three specific geographic locations; the Toronto or more commonly known GTA region, the Buffalo and New York State entry point, and finally from the south-western Ontario and the State of Michigan area.

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula:
From Toronto (GTA)

  • Travel north on Highway #10 from Brampton through Orangeville to Primrose (junction of Highway #89)
  • Turn left (west)
  • Follow highway to Shelbourne
  • At Shelbourne, turn right on Highway #10 and continue on to Owen Sound, through Flesherton, Markdale and Chatsworth
  • At Chatsworth Highway #10 joins Highway #6 (ten minutes south of Owen Sound)
  • At Rockford (5 km south of Owen Sound) you can turn left (at the traffic lights) and follow the Owen By-pass to Springmount.
  • Or, you can continue through Owen Sound to Springmount.
  • At Springmount, follow route #70 through Shallow Lake to Hepworth.
  • At Hepworth, turn right at the traffic lights (the only traffic lights in the village) and follow Highway #6, north through Wiarton and on to Tobermory.

Elapsed time:

Brampton to Owen Sound - 2 ½ hours

Owen Sound to Tobermory – I hour

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula:
From Buffalo, New York,
via Hamilton, Ontario

  • At Buffalo you have three options to enter Canada. From I#90 west of Buffalo cross the border via the Peace Bridge into Fort Erie, Ontario
  • Or; east of Buffalo pass through Niagara Falls, New York and cross the border at Lewiston.
  • The third crossing point is located between the other two crossing points and enters Canada at Niagara Falls, Ontario.
  • From all three crossing points, connect with the QEW expressway to Hamilton through St. Catherines, Ontario
  • At Hamilton cross the Burlington Skyway to Highway 403 westbound. Follow 403 west for about 3 miles to Highway 6 north.
  • Travel north from Hamilton on Highway #6 through Guelph, Fergus, Mount Forest, and Durham to Chatsworth. (Ten minutes south of Owen Sound)
  • At Chatsworth Highway #6 joins Highway #10 and continues north to Owen Sound.
  • At Rockford (5 km south of Owen Sound) you can turn left (at the traffic lights) and follow the Owen By-pass to Springmount.
  • Or, you can continue through Owen Sound to Springmount.
  • At Springmount, follow route #70 through Shallow Lake to Hepworth.
  • At Hepworth, turn right at the traffic lights (the only traffic lights in the village) and follow Highway #6 north through Wiarton and on to Tobermory.

Elapsed time:

Hamilton to Owen Sound – 3 hours

Owen Sound to Tobermory – 1 hour

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula:
From Michigan & SW Ontario

  • Cross into Canada from Port Huron, Michigan to Sarnia, Ontario
  • From Sarnia, follow Highway 406 to Highway 21 north
  • On Highway 21 travel north through Grand Bend, Goderich, Kincardine, and on to Southampton.
  • Follow Highway 21 through Southampton.
  • After you cross the bridge over the Saugeen River you have two options:

    1. Turn left and head towards Sauble Beach or

    2. The best route; Stay on Highway 21 through Elsinore and Allenford to Alvanley.
  • Note: If you wish to start your trip from Owen Sound stay on Highway 21 and continue for 10 minutes from Alvanley to the center of Owen Sound. At the corner of 10th Street and 2nd Ave. West, turn left (north) to begin your journey. (Extra Note: Highway 21 becomes 10th Street upon entering the city of Owen Sound)
  • At Alvanley turn left (north) and in a few minutes you will pass through Parkhead and then Hepworth.
  • At Hepworth continue straight ahead (north) through Wiarton and on to Tobermory.

Elapsed time:

Sarnia to Southampton – 3 hours

Southampton to Alvanley – 15 minutes

Alvanley to Tobermory – 1 hour

Discover More About the Bruce Peninsula

Getting to the Bruce Peninsula is a relatively easy driving trip. Here are driving directions from three regions to the peninsula.

Barrow Bay Ontario a Picturesque Georgian Bay Community owes its origin to the once-thriving Bruce Peninsula lumbering industry. Today it is a quiet summer get-away!

Bruce Peninsula Lumber History details the impact of the forest products industry on the development of the region.

Bruce Peninsula Lumbering provided the stimulus to develop and grow the pioneer economy on the newly settled Bruce Peninsula. 

Bruce Peninsula Municipal Politics: No matter what the venue, or the issue, seldom is a popular decision made that suits everyone. 

Bruce Peninsula Travel Routes were often a matter of debate because in the early years, land travel was virtually unattainable for settlers and lumbermen alike.

Aboriginal History: Bruce Peninsula has a long indigenous heritage not just for the native nation living there today, but for other native groups as well.

Aboriginal History: the 1836 Treaty made promises to the native peoples of the Bruce Peninsula which did not last long before everything changed again.

Aboriginal land history continues the story of aboriginal land issues on the Bruce Peninsula. How it happened is a point for discussion by everyone.

Settler Impact on Bruce Peninsula Natives was not only from the imposition of treaties, but also from British military plans.

"Half Mile-Strip" Treaty made it possible for a relatively smooth overland connection to be built between Owen Sound and the Lake Huron shoreline.

Catherine Sutton: aka Nahneebahweequay was a hero, fighting for her Indigenous rights and those of her family.

Allenford United Church history details not only some important information about that community's church, but also about one of the founders of this Ontario community.

Colpoys Bay Vista - Awesome! A short drive from either Wiarton or Owen Sound is one of the most magnificent views to be found in the province of Ontario!

Dyer's Bay Ontario: Began as a Lumbering Settlement and today it is a wonderful vacation retreat.

Elsinore Ontario is the southern-most point on the Bruce Peninsula, located about half-way between Owen Sound and the Lake Huron shoreline.

Forest Products on the Bruce Peninsula contributed greatly to the growth and development of that region of the province of Ontario.

Gillies Lake: aka Ghost Lake has a mysterious past as its original name, Ghost Lake, implies.

Great Grey Owls on the Bruce Peninsula was a surprise discovery for ornithologists and others. Sadly, the story of their visit had an unfortunate conclusion.

Pioneer Campers: Hope Bay mostly considered the peninsula untamed wilderness and some of the locals were not about to disappoint them!

A Pioneer Community: Driftwood Crossing, at the southern-most part of the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula was at the midpoint between the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron coasts.

Pioneer Missionary James Atkey arrived on Colpoys Bay to minister to the native community near Oxenden until a treaty uprooted his parishioners.

Pioneer tourists first visited the Bruce Peninsula in the 1800s and the region continues as a great recreational and tourism destination today!

Pioneer Vacations on the Bruce Peninsula got an eerie start in the Hope Bay region of the peninsula.

Lighthouses  Lighthouses were vital to Georgian Bay Sailing.

Sauble Beach Ontario has seen it all. A fishing outport; a sawmilling centre; and an internationally acclaimed tourist resort area!

Sauble Beach  This popular beach is known as Canada's Daytona Beach.

Lion's Head  Sailors often sought refuge from the stormy Georgian Bay waters in its well-protected harbour.

Park Head  Grand Trunk Railway in Park Head Ontario was an important railway depot on the Bruce Peninsula when in 1894 the first train chugged through Park Head.

Stokes Bay  Welcomed fishermen as their first non-native visitors. Today, if you are a fisherman, you will also probably want to try your luck landing a walleye, lake trout or any of the other game fish that live in the coastal waters of Lake Huron.

Tobermory Ontario has a rich history and, is the northern- most destination point for travellers visiting the world famous Bruce Peninsula.

Tobermory Ontario Tourism is focused on shipwreck diving which has become so popular that tourism has become an important part of that community's economy. 

Tobermory pioneers experienced a life in a community that was anything but the tourism hive of activity that it is today.

A Flowerpot Island cruise is not only entertaining, but it is also very educational as you will see things that you have never viewed before!

Wiarton Ontario  This historic community was a great place to live in the early settlement days and still is a busy tourist stop on your way up the Bruce Peninsula.

Wiarton  had ambitions to Succeed but while success brought them a railroad and other ventures did not have a sweet ending for many in the town.

Wiarton Ontario’s First Newspaper  A catalyst in supporting road construction and bringing the railway to Wiarton in hopes of making the town the economic leader of the area. But disappointment looms...

Wiarton news: 1890s, as seen in the pages of the local newspaper revealed problems typical of today's communities 

Wiarton Beet Industry was to be a great boost to the town's economy. Instead, it left most people with a bad taste in their mouths.

Travel the Bruce: Owen Sound to Wiarton  A wonderful journey from Owen Sound to Wiarton.

Travel the Bruce: Wiarton to Tobermory  Relaxing and historic journey.

Bruce Peninsula  The Bruce Peninsula is a compelling place, with a rich history, to visit. Once you have traveled there, we guarantee that you will return, again and again!

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