Southernmost point of Canada at Point Pelee a popular spot for birders and other nature lovers!
By Harold Merton
Photos by Harold Merton
Many people don't realize it but the southernmost point of Canada is
about the same latitude as northern California. Canada's southernmost
point is the tip of Point Pelee near the city of Leamington, Ontario.
Point Pelee is a National Park but there are some privately-owned cottages
still situated on the land. The park is well known as a birders' paradise
and the people who love other aspects of nature flock here as well. Point
Pelee has a long and exciting history. When you visit the park you will
be able to watch a free video presentation outlining this exciting history
at the Visitor Center.
It is interesting to learn about the lifesaving stations that were necessary years ago because of the many ship groundings that took place at this peninsula during violent storms. Most people go to Point Pelee for the nature. If you love to see butterflies and birds you will thoroughly enjoy your visit because butterflies use this area as a stopping point on their long journeys. Birds also are very plentiful and there are a great number of rarely seen birds that frequent the area. The staff at the National Park have statistics on birds and butterflies that will amaze you.
When you first enter the Point Pelee area you head south through what appears to be a typical lakeside residential area. Part way down the peninsula you reach the official park entrance gates where at some times of the year you pay a fee to enter. We visited in September and were not required to pay at that time. You travel further south until you reach the Visitor Centre, a modern building with many displays, a theater, gift shop and washrooms. We spent a considerable amount of time there looking over the displays and watching the video presentations on both the park history and the butterflies.
Just outside the Visitor Centre (which has a very large parking lot) you catch the free tram that takes you further south towards the point. The public are no longer permitted to drive the last few miles to the tip and the park operates the tram system to carry visitors to the end of the road. After your guided trip on the tram you arrive at the terminus of the road. You exit the tram and head for the boardwalk. You enter the boardwalk at a washroom complex complete with a large map on the wall that points out you where you are and highlights "the tip of Canada".
A large 42 sign painted like at Canadian flag marks the 42 parallel position
on the land that juts well into Lake Erie. As you stroll down the wooden
walkway, you pass through heavily-treed areas that are the home to countless
plants, birds, animals and butterflies. Areas that are of particular interest
are marked with signs including a special area that is a popular roost
for migrating Monarch butterflies.
When you finally reach the end of the wooden boardwalk you step onto a
dirt trail that will wind the last little distance to the end of the wooded
area just a few hundred yards from the tip of Canada. The tip is a typical
beach-style area but has water on both the left and right sides. Dead
trees and driftwood dot the sandy area just past the final lifesaving
station.
For some reason most people stop at this point without walking on the
sand. Elizabeth and I decided that if we were going to the tip of Canada
we were going to the end and we walked until our shoes hit the water.
The gulls own the tip! Hundreds of them gather at the southernmost point
and they dislike you disturbing their territory by walking that last few
yards. It makes for a good picture though when you walk into their midst.
One or two start to fly then the whole flock takes to the air.
At the landmark tip you can then turn around and look north knowing you
are farther south in Canada than anyone else at that point in time. We
were alone and it was an interesting observation. Signs warn against entering
the water at any time because it can be very dangerous. We were satisfied
to have stepped into the lake at the very southernmost tip of Canada.
Point Pelee is a nature wonderland and is being preserved by the Government
of Canada. It is unique and a destination that many people will enjoy.
If you go make certain that you are prepared by wearing appropriate clothing,
especially long pants, good shoes and bring bug repellant. At one time
there was a problem with ticks at Point Pelee and people need to come
prepared.
Visiting the tip of Point Pelee added to our list of most southerly points. We also visited the most southerly point of the United States in Key West several years ago. If you love nature walks then Point Pelee is for you!
Pelee Island is Just a Few Miles off Shore