The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park is an iconic natural wonder. A few hours north of Toronto, The Grotto sea cave is surrounded by rock cliffs above the turquoise waters of the Georgian Bay. After visiting for the first time, it’s not hard to tell why the Bruce Peninsula has become even more popular in recent years. If you’re in the area, it’s worth adding The Grotto hike to your list!
Last Updated: January 2026
It was mid-September 2021 when I had the chance to visit Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula. I was travelling with 20 peers from across Canada for Ocean Bridge, an environmental conservation program organized by Ocean Wise. Over the course of a week, we participated in hands-on learning focused on freshwater and ocean conservation. And as part of the program, we travelled to The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park. Needless to say, I was thrilled to explore this piece of Canada!
During my time on the Bruce Peninsula, our group and facilitators referred to the area as the Bruce / Saugeen Peninsula — called the Saugeen Peninsula by the Ojibway First Nations. The Saugeen / Bruce Peninsula is part of the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nations.
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The Grotto Trail Map (Bruce Peninsula National Park)
About The Grotto hike on the Bruce (Saugeen) Peninsula
Location: Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Distance: 4 km loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 78 metre elevation gain
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Family-friendly: Yes, but not stroller-friendly.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must remain on a leash.
Features: The Grotto hike features an impressive sea cave in the cliffs above the stunningly turquoise Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron and one of the five great lakes. Visitors can expect to hike through wooded forests and natural wetlands, with rugged lakeside cliffs and boulder beaches adding to the landscape. Watch your step on the rock cliffs. You can find beach access beyond The Grotto to swim in the crystal-clear waters on a sunny day.
Directions to The Grotto (Tobermory, Ontario)
The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of the most popular hikes in Ontario. If you’re driving from Toronto, head north on Highway 6 and turn right on Cyprus Lake Road about 10 km south of Tobermory. Continue driving for another 5 km to find the parking area. Visitors can use the Cyprus Lake P1 parking lot to access The Grotto and Indian Head Cove.
Due to very high demand during peak season, Bruce Peninsula Park requires advanced parking reservations for The Grotto. When the parking area reaches capacity, you cannot access The Grotto sea cave. It’s important to note that Parks Canada does not allow drop-offs once the parking area is full. If you’re planning to stay nearby, check out these accommodations in Tobermory.
Note: Advanced reservations are required for The Grotto parking from May 1 to October 31. The parking fee is $12.25 per vehicle for 4 hours. Make your advanced reservation online or call 1-877-737-3783 (1-877-RESERVE).
The Grotto Hike — One of the Easy Hikes in Ontario
The Grotto hike will take somewhere around 30 minutes to reach the main sea cave. Plan for at least 1.5 hours for the 4 km roundtrip or longer if you want to spend time by the water. We started on the well-packed Georgian Bay Trail, crossing the bridge beside Cyprus Lake, and then taking the left-hand turn onto Marr Lake Trail. Then we continued beyond Boulder Beach on the Bruce Trail and soon reached The Grotto cave, formed from thousands of years of intense wave action by the Georgian Bay. After swimming in the brisk waters, we returned via the Georgian Bay Trail to complete the loop.
During our visit, I loved exploring the rock cliffs with views of these turquoise waters. The natural landscape of the Bruce (Saugeen) Peninsula rivals the most picturesque I’ve seen. As an initial visit, hiking the Bruce Trail (at least, a tiny portion of the 900-km route) was worthwhile. Now I want to backpack the distance from Tobermory to Niagara… someday!
Read next: Lion’s Head Lookout: Beautiful Bruce Peninsula Hike in Ontario
Swimming at The Grotto & Georgian Bay
If you have time and it’s warm enough, I highly recommend swimming in the beautiful Georgian Bay waters. Don’t forget your bathing suit and towel. Many visitors spend time at Indian Head Cove and hang out on the ledges near The Grotto. If you keep going, you can often find more secluded swimming spots. There are plenty of rock ledges to go around, bearing a striking resemblance to a Mediterranean beach scene. You can find outhouse toilets and change rooms next to The Grotto.
Note: Use caution near the cliffs as there have been injuries and fatalities in the past. There are no lifeguards, and swimming is at your own risk. Children should be closely supervised at all times.
About Lake Huron & Georgian Bay
Did you know that Lake Huron, at 59,600 square kilometres, is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the world? Not too far away, Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area at 82,103 square km. That being said, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan together can be considered one body of water due to their identical surface elevation and connectedness by the Mackinac Strait. So, that means Lake Huron-Michigan can actually be called the largest freshwater lake in the world, at 117,611 square km! How cool is that?
Lake Huron and Georgian Bay surround the Bruce (Saugeen) Peninsula, and sadly these waters are being contaminated by human activity. When I visited, we tested the water quality and found traces of microplastics in the Georgian Bay. When plastics enter lakes and oceans, they break down into smaller bits and these tiny plastic particles harm animals and entire ecosystems. You can learn more about microplastics and take the pledge to keep plastics out of our lakes and oceans.
Read next: Your Complete Guide to Pukaskwa Coastal Trail in Ontario
What to Bring for The Grotto Hike
Before you head out, double-check your day pack to make sure you have hiking essentials. While The Grotto isn’t a long trip, still bring a water bottle (or a water reservoir) and a snack. Most visitors will be fine with trail runners (and some may even go barefoot!). If it’s sunny outside, don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. No matter the weather, I suggest bringing a rain jacket in case the clouds roll in. In the summer months, bring your bathing suit and towel to enjoy a refreshing dunk near Indian Head Cove.
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Know Before You Go: The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park
Parks Pass: You will need to purchase a day pass or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
Parking: You can park in the Cyprus Lake P1 parking lot. During the summer, parking fills up quickly and requires advanced reservations.
Toilets: You can find toilets at the trailhead and outhouses near The Grotto. If nature calls when you’re not near an outhouse, dig a cathole at least 70 big steps away from the trail and water sources.
Garbage: There are no garbage bins along the trail. If you pack it in, remember to pack it out. Don’t leave anything behind and help keep wildlife wild.
Pets: If you bring your dog, please keep them on a leash. Always pick up after your pet and consider bringing a smell-proof bag to carry out full bags.
Safety: When I visited, there was no climbing or swimming in The Grotto cave due to physical distancing requirements. Use caution near the cliffs.
When To Visit: The Grotto and Indian Head Cove are very busy during peak months of July and August. Summer long weekends tend to be very popular in Bruce Peninsula National Park. If you have flexibility, consider visiting in the shoulder season or on a weekday. In peak season, be prepared for longer wait times, limited parking, and large crowds.
What To Wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. I’d also recommend bringing a rain shell along.
What To Bring: I recommend bringing a water bottle, snacks, and a first aid kit (just in case). If you’re looking for a great day pack, you can’t go wrong with the Osprey HikeLite 18.
Accessibility: This path is not wheelchair accessible and is not meant for strollers.
Drones: All national parks in Canada are no drone zones. Please leave your drone at home.
Thanks for reading! Have you explored The Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park? What was your experience like? Leave a comment below.
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In 2021-2022, Thomas participated in the 11-month Ocean Bridge program through Ocean Wise, a global conservation organization on a mission to protect the ocean. As an Ocean Bridge Ambassador, he created a series of blog posts for outdoor enthusiasts to share information and spark motivation for ocean and freshwater conservation.
Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
