Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area: These 54 acres located at the southwest end of Amherst Island, with picturesque views of Lake Ontario and Long Point Marsh, were acquired by Loyalist Township with the support of the Natural Spaces Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program – a joint initiative of the Ontario Heritage Trust and Ministry of Natural Resources. The Township is responsible for the stewardship of these lands to protect valued natural heritage for present and future generations. Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed and provide natural water quality improvement, flood
protection, shoreline erosion control and even help moderate global climate conditions. Protecting the wetlands also protects us.
The Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area contains Provincially Significant Wetland; Significant Woodland; Dune Habitats; Breeding Habitats for species at risk and is part of the larger Amherst Island habitat recognized as a Globally Significant Important Bird Area. Endangered species rely on this habitat.
Access to the beach is sign posted in two areas – from the parking area and across from the viewing platform. Sand Beach is an unsupervised public beach so please do not swim alone. Children should be supervised by parents or adults.
Please refrain from crossing the dunes or vegetation anywhere other than the two access paths – this is to preserve the dunes and aid their regeneration.
Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area has just one of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com
Region(s): Lennox and Addington CountyNearby towns and cities: Napanee
Trail feature tags: Boardwalk | Lookout | swimming | Wheel chair accessible
Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area characteristics
Length: Not knownDifficulty: Easy (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Wheelchair accessible
Fees: none
Flora & Fauna:
Not yet reported.
Amenities: none
Attractions: lookouts
Contact:
Township of Loyalist
Find it: 5493 Concession Rd 3, Amherst Island
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 44.1146430
Longitude: -76.7320350
Are dogs – on leash – allowed on the trails?
Laurel, Sand Beach Wetlands C. A. is a public park in Loyalist Twsp and their policy on public parks is that all dogs must be leased. You might want to check further with the Township at 613-386-7351