Updated for 2024
There are so many beautiful beaches in Hamilton and Burlington! Most are free or cost a small fee to visit for the day. You can’t go wrong with a trip to the beach near Hamilton or the surrounding area. They are close by, and each offers something a little different from the others.
We’ve gathered information on the best beaches near Burlington, Hamilton and Niagara to help you plan a beach day to remember.
Notice: Some beaches close when the water isn’t safe for swimming. Further down in this list, you’ll find links to water safety resources.
More Fun In The Water:
- Stay cool at a Splash Pad. You can find them all here.
- Take the family rafting on the Grand River.
- Looking to cool down quickly? Try creek walking.
Burlington Beach
Address: 1100 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1A7 | website
My favourite thing about Burlington Beach is its proximity to my home! This is one of the most popular beaches near me, and we spend a lot of time here every season. This spot is a popular destination, so expect crowds on hot days.
Burlington Beach has a sandy shore and shallow water. You can walk far into the lake and the water won’t go higher than 4 feet.
Plan for a full day at Burlington Beach because they have washrooms, outdoor showers, a snack bar and a playground, too. With its popularity, parking can be difficult. Arrive early to get a parking spot, and if possible visit on a weekday.
You can find the parking prices and restrictions here.
Christie Lake Conservation Area
Address: 1000 ON-5, Dundas, ON L9H 5E2 | website
Christie Lake has a 360-metre-long sandy beach and is a great location to enjoy the sun! Build sandcastles, get some tanning done and relish the views of the conservation area. As far as local beaches go, this one is just a stone’s throw away!
Our readers rate this as one of the best beaches in Hamilton, especially for canoeing and paddle boarding. Extend your visit and play some disc golf.
No reservations are required. Watch their Twitter page for real-time capacity updates. Hamilton Conservation will close access and parking when they reach capacity. Admission to the conservation area is required. Fees are: Per 1 vehicle and driver: $16.00, Per passenger over 5 years of age: $5.00, Walk/bike in: $5.00.
Kelso Beach
Address: 5234 Kelso Road, Milton, ON, L9E 0C6 | website
Did you know we had such a great beach so close to home? Kelso Beach has a lake for swimming, camping, picnics, canoe rentals, and stand-up paddle boarding. There is a lifeguard on duty.
Reservations are required. Kelso Beach is part of a 35-hectare lake. Lots of room to play with kids, put chairs on the beach, sunbathe, and play volleyball. After your swim, grab a snack at the beach concession stand.
While you’re here, you can also take a stroll along the boardwalk, try a boat rental, or go fishing.
Pricing: Adults $10.50, Seniors $8.25, Kids 5-14 $7.25, Kids under 5 are free. Reservations are suggested.
Halton Region performs regular checks of the water quality. It’s part of their Beach Monitoring Program. They check many beaches, including Kelso Beach. Click here to see the current water quality conditions at Kelso.
Emerald Lake
Address: 7248 Gore Rd. Puslinch, ON N0B 2J0 | website
Emerald Lake is a local favourite and our readers thought it was one of the best beaches near Hamilton! It has everything you could want for a day at the beach – and then some! This RV resort and water park is a popular destination for families because of its numerous amenities.
At Emerald Lake, you can enjoy the 5-acre spring-fed lake and the 5-acre spring-fed quarry. The quarry has a water trampoline, a rock climbing wall and a catapult. You’ll also have access to the 2′ deep kiddie pool, the 200′ water slide, their 3,200-square-foot splash pad, beach volleyball courts and a basketball court.
Families of all ages rank this as one of their favourite beaches near Hamilton.
Pricing:
- Ages 3 & under are free
- (Weekdays) $20 + TX (ages 4 – 64)
- (Weekends) $25 + TX (ages 4 – 64)
- (Seniors – Everyday) $13.27 + TX = $15
Some notes from Emerald Lake’s website: No reservations necessary to visit the waterpark for the day. We do have lifeguards on duty, but it is your responsibility as parents to watch your children. No one under the age of 12 is permitted to go to the water park without adult supervision.
Lakeside Park Beach, Port Dalhousie
Address: 1 Lakeport Rd., St. Catharines, ON, L2N 5B3 | website
This has always been one of our favourite beaches near Burlington and Hamilton. The shallow Lake Ontario water is great for younger kids to play in. The sand was warm and perfect for castle building and beach volleyball. They also have a snack bar in case you forget drinks. The beach itself is free to access, but you do need to pay for parking in the lot.
But possibly the best feature is the working antique carousel at Lakeside Park Beach in Port Dalhousie. It’s over 100 years old and each ride is only 25 cents! This is a staple on the ActiveParents summer bucket list!
Valens Conservation Area
Address: 1691 Regional 97 Rd, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S7 | website
Valens is another one of the Hamilton beaches that has glowing reviews from seasoned campers. Readers raved to us about the facilities and cleanliness. I love the swimming area at Valens. We got multiple times throughout the summer.
Spend the day, or camp overnight, rent a canoe and unwind with the family.
No reservations are required. If the beach reaches capacity, Hamilton Conservation will close the parking lot and beach access. Watch their Twitter page for real-time capacity updates. Admission to the conservation area is required. Fees are: Per 1 vehicle and driver: $16.00, Per passenger over 5 years of age: $5.00, Walk/bike in: $5.00.
Bay Beach – also known as Crystal Beach
Address: 4155 Erie Road, Fort Erie, ON | website
The beautiful, clear waters are where Crystal Beach in Fort Erie got its name. The waters are ideal for canoeing and kayaking, some stand-up paddle-boarding, and swimming. Washrooms and change rooms are available for your convenience. Please leave your pets at home, they are not permitted on the beach.
Non-Residents can purchase a day pass to visit Crystal Beach. When you visit on a weekday, passes are $5 per person. When you visit on a holiday or Friday through Saturday, passes are $10 per person. Children 12 years and under are free.
Residents can purchase a full season pass for only $10 per person. You need to be a taxpayer, and it covers all household members. To help lower costs for families, children 12 years old and under can access the beach for free all season.
Turkey Point
Address: 194 Turkey Point Rd., Turkey Point, N0E 1T0 | website
Not exactly one of the beaches near Burlington, but this one comes highly recommended so we added it. Turkey Point is an Ontario Provincial Park and it’s open May 3, 2024 to October 27, 2024. It is a 2km wide beach boasting beautiful sand and ideal conditions for busy families. Turkey Point doesn’t have lifeguards on duty.
Life jackets are available to rent, and both paid and free parking are available close to the beach.
Long Point
Address: 350 Erie Blvd, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0 | website
Long Point is another Provincial Park that we highly recommend. I think it’s one of the best beaches near Burlington. Lots of families raved about it and we finally made it there last summer.
The beach is massive and clean, and the Lake Erie water was great. The parking lot fills up quickly, and people come and go all day long. Street parking is also available in various locations. I took this photo below when we were there, and although it looks busy, there was a ton of space. We didn’t have anyone within 10 feet of us the whole time.
Know Before You Go…
Wondering if the water is clean and clear? We like to use a few resources to check before we jump into any body of water. Use one, or try a few and make sure they’re all on the same page.
Halton Region’s official water safety resource
Hamilton’s official water quality resource
Niagara’s official beach water testing results
If you’ve been to one of these beaches, share your review below and let other families know what to expect from their day trip. And please use the easy share buttons below to share this story with your friends!
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