Lion's Head

Lion's Head is a small town in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada.

Understand
Lion's Head is about halfway up the scenic Bruce Peninsula. It is named for a (now partially-collapsed) natural rock formation resembling a lion on the face of the cliffs abutting the town. Though with a winter population of only about 1,000, the town explodes in the summer with seasonal residents and visitors. Hours from the nearest major urban settlement, and abutting the massive Georgian Bay, the area features southern Ontario's darkest night skies. Lion's Head is a popular but crowded place for stargazing, hiking, and water activities. The number of tourists, at times, overwhelms available parking, tourist facilities, and the beach. Parking between the marina and the beach is often strained. Many visitors make Lion's Head their base to explore the wider region, including nearby Tobermory, which in peak season is often jam-packed or even totally sold out.

Climate
The area has four somewhat distinct seasons. Cold, snowy, and blustery winters, as well as warm, comfortable summers are the usual pattern. Summer mornings are usually cool but do warm quickly before 9 or 10AM. Rain showers are common, along with thunderstorms, and a few severe thunderstorms per year. Tornadoes are less likely in the region, unlike the far southern part of Ontario.

Visitor information

 * Northern Bruce Peninsula Tourism - Lion's Head
 * Bruce Couny Tourism - Lion's Head

By car
Lion's Head is approximately 3½ hr northwest of Toronto. It can be accessed by taking Highway 410/10 through Brampton, Orangeville, and Shelburne, then highway 6 near Owen Sound to the Bruce Peninsula. The stretch of Highway 6 on the peninsula has seen a big increase in traffic. Speeding is an increasing problem as are accidents.

By bus
The Parkbus from Toronto to Tobermory, which operates sporadically on weekends in the summer, stops in Lion's Head in both directions. Owen Sound, approximately 1 hr to the south, is regularly served by GOST buses from Guelph. Owen Sound often has car rentals available for further transport, or a taxi to Lion's Head is about $100.

Bruce Peninsula Transit cancelled its scheduled bus service in June 2018.

On foot
The 885-km Bruce Trail from Niagara Falls to Tobermory along the Niagara Escarpment passes through Lion's Head.

Get around
Small and compact, Lion's Head is perfectly walkable. Street parking is free everywhere in town.

Paddling
There is good kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and other water sports available from the Lion's Head marina and in the wider region.



Shops

 * Dandy Lions
 * Aunt Donkeys
 * The Cottage - Women's Clothing
 * Aunt Donkeys
 * The Cottage - Women's Clothing

Agricultural

 * Lion's Head Farmer's Market (Saturdays 9AM-noon)
 * Garden In Thyme

Eat

 * Cindy Lou's
 * Marydale's Family Restaurant
 * Mom's Pizza
 * Harvest Moon Bakery
 * Harvest Moon Bakery
 * Harvest Moon Bakery

Camping

 * Marina Campground
 * White Bluff Campground
 * Heron Point Campground
 * Hope Bay Campground

Indoors

 * Beach Motel
 * Lionheart Guest House
 * Nellie's B&B
 * The Cat's Pajamas
 * The Cat's Pajamas

Connect
The town is served by a Canada Post office. Cellular service is available though sometimes spotty. Hotels and restaurants often offer free Wi-Fi. The only bank is an RBC Royal Bank, which has a 24-hr ATM. There are two gas stations in nearby Ferndale, where the road to Lion's Head meets highway 6.

Go next

 * Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula National Park, and Fathom Five National Marine Park
 * Manitoulin Island
 * Sauble Beach
 * Wasaga Beach
 * Collingwood
 * Owen Sound
 * Guelph
 * Waterloo Region
 * Toronto