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.

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The Great Lakes Raconteur

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 Sound 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.
  • All three crossing points, connect with the QEW expressway to Hamilton through St. Catharines, 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 Sound 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 crossing 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 centre 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

Now that you a three routes to choose from, it is time to pick the one most appropriate for you and head to the Bruce Peninsula. Enjoy your trip!

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.

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.

Bruce Peninsula winters could be difficult, especially in pioneer times when transportation connections were limited to only a few months each year.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

  1. History Articles
  2. Bruce Peninsula
  3. Getting to the Bruce Peninsula

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