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Rondeau

Rondeau P.P. is located at the end of Rondeau Park Rd., in Morpeth, ON. The park is on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie, with a long sand beach, innumerable boardwalks, interesting history, and scenic marshes. I have visited in September 2024 and April 2025.

History (next 5 sections)

Our story starts in the 1840s, when Rondeau was first being developed. This was the year that the Harrison Trail was carved, which still acts as the spinal cord of the park. The government was alotting properties down both sides of the peninsula, but there was no true industry that put Rondeau on the map - that was until 1881. This was when the Bates family (see Bates Conservation Area) established a fishery on the west edge. This helped grow Lakeshore Road into the town-like string of homes it is today. Anyways, the fishery was very near to fishing the blue walleye (a species only found in the Great Lakes) to extinction, so the government stepped in. They didn't close the fishery, but established Rondeau Park in 1894, the second provincial park. This, combined with how recreational parks were becoming more popular at the time, allowed Rondeau to flourish, and the first pavilion was built in 1896 (see right).

The park's first superintendent was a man called Isaac Gardiner (the namesake of Gardiner Road within the park), and he was instrumental into growing the park. He was fond of dance halls, and that's what the first threes pavilions were used for. Not only this, Gardiner planned a hotel, mini-putt course, bike rentals, and more. AND Gardiner populated the land with white-tailed deer from Algonquin Park, and at one point there were hundreds within park boundaries. Moving on, Rondeau progressed throughout the 1900s, and through both world wars, whilst the South Point Campground was established. This campground featured around 200 campsites, 3 comfort stations, and a lighthouse, which had been there since 1848. The park was booming, having over 820,000 visitors in just 1966 alone. Despite this, the park had undergone a change in reputation.

This reputation included one of drunkards, drugs, and partying. This was seen as a great misalignment with what the then new management thought the park should represent. And so, during the mid-60s, they relocated the South Point Campground to the north end of the park, what was then called Rondeau Bay Campground. Combined with the fact that the tip of the peninsula was eroding, this was a great plan. It was around this time that a massive portion of marsh in Rondeau Bay was flooded (as seen on the map right), resulting in the construction of a long spur of sand on the southwestern part of the park, almost connecting the peninsula to nearby Erieau. Regardless, it was the 60s, and the park needed new attractions that wouldn't result in the return of the park's previous negative reputation. Before the park changed management, the park added it's first visitor centre in 1963, which was located nearby the modern day park store. Even though this followed the new ecologic approach that the new management wanted, making it flawless came with hiccups. Hiccups including the relocation of the building to Gardiner Road in 1968 (after the change in management) and the removal of an exhibit which was considered too frightening for the children of the park. This exhibit was human bones dug up from the park boundaries - what kind of kid would ever be scared of that?

Rondeau in 1954 (note that the South Point Trail is a road going through the campground)

Rondeau in 2011 (see how the peninsula is thinner and where the land had been cleared in the north)

What remains of the lookout tower and access to it.

This brings us to Rondeau Park in it's semi-modern form, although we have a few differentiating factors. The first of which is the current lack of a pier, visible in both photos above (northern end of Rondeau Bay, almost a continuation of modern day Rondeau Avenue). This pier was a hassle for the park to maintain. Basically, every year, Rondeau Bay freezes, but only a few feet deep. This ice sheet begins to float and shift under the pier, which can end up toppling it, which it did - 6 separate times. After the sixth time, the park was tired of rebuilding it, and said goodbye in 2014. These ice sheet problems also took out several portions of marshland throughout the 60s (making the peninsula even thinner), and the lookout tower in the same year as the 6th pier rebuild. Some other small differences include the fact that the South Point Campground Main Road was turned into South Point Trail (which was then split in twain recently), the removal of several roads disturbing the marsh, and

All of this begs the question "what next?"

Well, Ontario Parks created a management plan for the park in 1991 that was controversial, so the cottagers lobbied for new plan - which they got. This plan (seen on the right) outlined what the province wanted the park to grow into. As you can see, lots of the improvements have been completed since then, including the maintenance area's designation, the vehicle turnaround, the Lake Erie day use area (although not officially called that), and the improved entrance. Yet, due to the ambitious nature of this plan, many of the ideas have not been followed through with, or even followed up on. The idea of a Lake Erie Campground (see the map right) is especially interesting, as it would show us the political strength of the cottagers. In 2024, Jason Travers (director of Ontario Parks) signed a bill saying that the cottagers could stay at Rondeau until 2038, which was an extension of two bills signed two and five years earlier, respectively. What is clear to see, however, is that the park is not incredibly ambitious to redefine how it is running, and it is content with being a moderately popular park known for its stellar birdwatching. Don't get me wrong, Rondeau is a popular tourist destination, but it seems as though, at least for now, it's gonna stay the way it is.

Now that we're done that, some etymology. The word "rondeau" is obviously French, and when literally translated, it means "round water". This is a reference to the peninsula's round shape jutting out into the water. "Rondeau" is also a type of French poem, coming from the same two words.

What the Park Offers

Rondeau offers:
- spectacular birdwatching, especially during the fall season. See the "Marvels of Migration" pamphlet available at most parks along Lake Erie
- 11km of Caribbean-esque sand beaches
- motorboating on Lake Erie
- paddling and watersports on Rondeau Bay
- great biking, very flat trails
- hunting (in season) for waterfowl
- fishing for muskellenge, northern pike, spotted gar, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, and bowfin

TULIP TREE TRAIL GUIDES AVAILABLE AT THE VISITOR CENTRE.

The trails at Rondeau (in decreasing length) are:

Marsh Trail - 7km, easy

This one way trail offers spectacular birding. Due to a storm a few years ago, the lookout tower has been removed. Despite this, this trail is easy to explore and easy to enjoy. (bikes permitted)

Harrison Trail - 6.3km, easy

Straight down the middle of Rondeau is the Harrison Trail. This trail goes right from the campground to the South Point E Trail. Use it as an access road to see everything else. (bikes permitted)

South Point Trail W & E - 5.2km, easy

This continuation of the Harrison Trail was formerly a loop, but due to Lake Erie's power, has created two separate halves of beauty. Walk straight to the end of the peninsula. (bikes permitted)

Spicebush Trail - 1.5km, easy

Looping around a marsh is the Spicebush Trail, with great opportunities to view the spicebush plant and unique wetland ecosystems while on numerous boardwalks and bridges. (bikes not recommended)

Black Oak Trail - 1.4km, easy

This easy trail provides good opportunities to go over rolling hills and to see the black oak tree. (although flat enough to bike, the sign says not to due to pedestrian traffic)

Tulip Tree Trail - 1.2km, easy

Another pretty loop is one that starts at the visitor centre and goes through many bridges/boardwalks. See the trail guide to see how this trail teaches you to leap back in time. (bikes not permitted)

Warbler's Way - 0.8km

Very short trail offering nice birdwatching. Simply for accessing the Harrison Trail from Rondeau Rd. (bikes permitted)

Visiting the Park

Drive in on Rondeau Rd. Pass the boat launch and gatehouse. The first left is the campground section. The next road is Rondeau Ave. on the left and Water St. on the right. You'll also see the park store. If you turn left onto Rondeau Ave., you'll pass the playground, dump, and Harrison Trail to continue onto Lakeshore Rd., offering two churches, 11 beach access points (including a dog beach), scenic cottages, the visitor centre, and access to Tulip Tree and South Point East Trails. If you continued straight onto Rondeau Road instead, you'll find Warbler's Way Trail, and Spicebush Trail, before the road ends, turning into a bike and pedestrian only trail. This bike/pedestrain only trail leads to South Point West Trail and Gardiner Ave., an easy way to access the visitor centre. To access Black Oak Trail, turn right onto Bennett Ave. from Lakeshore Road, or left from Rondeau Road. To access the Marsh Trail, take Water Street to the parking lot.

Interesting Species

Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.

White Tailed Deer - once over 600 lived in park boundaries!

Gartersnakes and foxsnakes, the latter of which being very rare outside of this region

Variety of turtles

Rabbits

Wild turkeys

Blue jays

Northern cardinals

Warblers and finches

Tips and Advice

BRING YOUR BIKES! Very bikable park.
BRING YOUR BINOCULARS! Very birdable park.
Don't skip out on the visitor centre!
Come here for a long weekend. Easter weekend is great for birding. Take advantage of the park's early opening.
If you'd like to come in the summer, come for a short June weekend just to enjoy the beach. The park is packed.
If you would like to see the remnants of the campground in the SPOTLIGHT section, there are two options. I would recommend biking the South Point West Trail because it has more remnants (the old pavement underneath your feet), is quieter, and it just feels like an enchanted forest when going through. But if you're walking, I would recommend South Point East because it is shorter and accessible by a parking lot at the end of Lakeshore Road. You could even take the Harrison Trail all the way to the tip, joining the South Point East Trail in the process.
Day trip to the town of Rondeau Beach, the town of Ridgetown, or nearby Keith McLean.
Take the routes recommended on the bottom.

SPOTLIGHT: Lake Erie's Power

If you've visited Rondeau's visitor centre or has hiked this park before, you'll probably know that Lake Erie has eroded the southern tip of the park, splitting the South Point Trail in twain. Well, Lake Erie is also one of the factors to blame the relocation of Rondeau's campground. South Point Campground (as it was then called) was founded on the Pointe aux Pins (the tip), and used what is now the South Point Trail to access it. South Point Trail West used to just be a continuation of Rondeau Road, before swooping around the bottom to meet South Point Trail East and Lakeshore Road on the other side. It offered over 100 campsites and provided amazing Lake Erie views. You can still see remnants on the shore today (see right), although majority of it has been cleaned for relocation to the north, ecological reasons, and safety purposes. Ask about the history in the visitor centre, the workers are very helpful.

Opinions

Nash

This is one of the province's best parks. The scenery, the beaches, the trails, the marshes, the birdwatching, the everything, it's beautiful. Easy 9.5/10.

Easter 2023

Easter 2025

Overview Map: www.ontarioparks.ca/pdf/maps/rondeau/park_map.pdf

Campground Map: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/pdf/maps/rondeau/campground_map.pdf

Using the map above, I recommend picking one of these three on the way to the point, and a different one on the way back. They are all equally easy and navigable, all being flat. The only different being that red and blue are paved, while green and yellow are gravel and dirt.

Note that all of these connect except the yellow one, which is officially called the Marsh Trail.

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