Ipperwash Beach

Ipperwash Beach is a small community in the municipality of Lambton Shores in Southwestern Ontario.

Understand

History

The Ipperwash Crisis was an Indigenous land dispute that took place in what was then Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995. Several members of the Stoney Point Chippewas (Anishnaabeg) band occupied the park in order to assert their claim to nearby land which had been expropriated from them during World War II. During a violent confrontation, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) killed unarmed protester Dudley George. In 2009, ownership of the land in the park was transferred to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

Get in

By car, there are three ways to get into Ipperwash Beach:

  • West Ipperwash Road-Kettle Point
  • Ipperwash Road-Ravenswood
  • Army Camp Road-Lambton Shores

From Sarnia, it's 60 km east on Highway 402 and then north on County Rd 21 (Forest Rd).

From London (Ontario), it's 76 km northwest on County Road 17.

Get around
  • Bike or walk the beach. But if thinking about travelling outside Ipperwash, best to bring a car.

See

Do
  • Ipperwash Beach is one of the longest freshwater beaches in Ontario, with shallow waters that are ideal for children. The water quality is tested weekly from late May until early September. Warnings are posted when the levels of E. coli exceed the guidelines. There are no lifeguards. Only a small portion of the beach is public land; most of the lakeshore is privately owned all the way to the edge of the water. Five access points provide free parking, washrooms, and public access to the lake 🌍 Area 1 (on East Parkway Drive, west of Army Camp Road, including a large parking lot) 🌍 Area 2 (on East Parkway Drive, east of Sandy Lane 🌍 Area 3 (at Ipperwash Road and East Parkway Drive) 🌍 Area 4 (on West Parkway Drive, west of Beachway Drive) 🌍 Area 5 (on West Parkway Drive, east of West Ipperwash Road.)
  • Golfing at Indian Hills (18 holes) or Our Ponderosa Campground (9 holes)
  • Hiking the Dunes and Trails
  • Kettle & Stony Point Annual Pow Wow, 9236 Lake Road, Kettle Point, ☏ +1 519-786-2125. mid-July. The Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point invite everyone to experience their 2-day Annual Pow Wow. Experience the culture and history of the Chippewa people and watch the competition Pow Wow featuring drumming, dancing, singing, arts, crafts, and food. Adult $9, child/youth $6, 6 and under or 60 and over free. (updated Jun 2019)

Buy
  • Arbour Acres Variety Store, 9612 W Ipperwash Rd. Convenience store with liquor, beer and a chip truck. (updated Jun 2019)
  • Thunderbird Crafts Trading Post, 6312 Indian Lane, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, ☏ +1 519-786-4775. Daily 10AM-6PM. A family-owned and -operated Native trading post in the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. Crafts range from quilts, blankets, moccasins, mukluks, paintings, baskets, beadwork, to quillwork. A wide selection of Native music, instructional and historical books to learn and understand the history and be able to make crafts yourself. (updated Jun 2019)
  • Points Preference Supermarket, Lakeshore Rd at W Ipperwash Rd. Daily 9AM-6PM. (updated Jun 2019)

Eat

Sleep
  • Sunnyside Trailer Park, N-731 Army Camp Road, Ipperwash, ☏ +1 519-243-2952. or +1 519-539-9377. 105 sites, 30 transient sites, electrical, water, tent sites, trailer rentals, toilets, showers, swimming pool, nature trails. 
  • Silver Birches Family Campground, 9537 Army Camp Road, ☏ +1 519-243-2480, fax: +1 519-243-2480, . 140 sites, 10 transient sites, electrical, water, dumping station, propane, tent sites, trailer rentals, toilets, showers, laundry, general store, rec hall, organized activities, swimming pool, watercraft, nature trails 
  • Carolinian Forest Campground, 9589 Ipperwash Road, ☏ +1 519-243-2258. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 145 sites, 25 transient sites, electrical, water, dumping station, tent sites, toilets, showers, general store, rec hall, organized activities, swimming pool, mini-golf, nature trails. Serviced sites: daily $60, long weekend $225, weekly $370, plus 13% tax. (updated Jun 2019)
  • 🌍 Our Ponderosa Cottage and RV Resort, 9338 West Ipperwash Rd, Forest, ☏ +1 519-786-2031. 
  • Ipperwash Beach Motel, 9668 Ipperwash Rd, ☏ +1-888-634-5554. Free Wi-Fi, pets allowed, air conditioning, microwave and refrigerator in room, kitchenettes, barbecue facilities. A 2-minute walk to the beach. Onsite chip truck serving lunch and dinners. $90-120. (updated Jun 2019)
  • Village Inn Motel, 7424 Lakeshore Road (at the intersection of Ipperwash Road and Highway 21 (Lakeshore Road)), ☏ +1 519-243-3535. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, AC, satellite cable, and free Wi-Fi. (updated Jun 2019)

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