This 'breathtakingly beautiful' Ontario park has 10 km of white sand beaches and rolling dunes

Rolling sand dunes, velvety-soft shores, and sparkling waves might sound like something you'd find on a tropical vacation, but you can enjoy all this and more without leaving the province. This Ontario provincial park is a little slice of paradise, and it's a beautiful spot for a summer day trip.

Located about 3 hours from Toronto, the park offers beautiful swimming opportunities as well as hiking, paddling and more.

You can spend a day soaking up the sun on dune-filled shores, building sandcastles and imagining you're somewhere in the tropics.

Pinery Provincial Park is a dreamy summer oasis situated on the shores of Lake Huron.

The park boasts 10 kilometres of silky shores, making it an idyllic spot for swimming. According to Ontario's Blue Coast, its "scenic white sand" adds to its appeal.

The shoreline is surrounded by coastal dune ecosystems, giving the park its tropical feel.

In addition to swimming, you can enjoy some of the park's scenic trails. The Nipissing Trail takes you to the top of Pinery's "oldest and largest dune ridge," while the Cedar Trail leads through "one of the rarest North American habitats of the Oak Savanna," according to the park's website.

You can also canoe or kayak through the Old Ausable Channel for some extra summer fun.

Pinery is located close to the charming town of Grand Bend, which, according to Lambton Shores, is known as "one of Canada's best beach towns."

Here, you'll find an additional stretch of sandy beach, as well as cute shops, ice cream parlours and more. You'll want to stay late to catch a sunset, as the area is renowned for its stunning fiery skies.

If you're looking for a dreamy beach getaway, this coastal Ontario provincial park is worth checking out.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.