Scenic Views · Camping & Hiking · Ontario
A clifftop lookout on the Bruce Trail above Isthmus Bay near Lion's Head, Ontario, with views over Georgian Bay's cliffs and water. A rocky 2-hour hike each way; parking must be reserved in summer.
Lion's Head Lookout sits on the Niagara Escarpment cliffs above Georgian Bay, with views along white limestone cliffs and over clear green water. Reviewers call it one of the best views on the Bruce Peninsula, and there are several more lookouts along the way. The edge is sheer, and one visitor found it unnerving.
The hike is the main event. It's roughly 7 km return by the shorter route, and most people take about two hours each way with stops. The trail isn't steep, but it's rocky, rooty and often damp, which makes ankle rolls and slips common. Boots are far better than sneakers.
From mid-May to mid-October you need to reserve and pay for parking at the Bruce Trail lot on McCurdy Drive. When it's full there's overflow parking at the Lion's Head arena, and a free weekend shuttle has run from there in peak season. A longer loop takes five to six hours.
Go early, both for parking and to finish in daylight; one reviewer was turned away without a reservation and walked extra distance. Avoid the trail in rain, when the rock is slippery, and don't start late in the day. Keep well back from the cliff edges, especially with children.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 139 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
