Ipperwash Beach - city in Lambton County, Ontario, Canada

Ipperwash Beach is a small community in the municipality of Lambton Shores in Southwestern Ontario.

Understand

History

The Ipperwash Crisis was an Indigenous land dispute that took place in what was then Ipperwash Provincial Park, Ontario in 1995. Several members of the Stoney Point Chippewas (Anishnaabeg) band occupied the park in order to assert their claim to nearby land which had been expropriated from them during World War II. During a violent confrontation, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) killed unarmed protester Dudley George. In 2009, ownership of the land in the park was transferred to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.

Get in

By car, there are three ways to get into Ipperwash Beach:

• West Ipperwash Road-Kettle Point
• Ipperwash Road-Ravenswood
• Army Camp Road-Lambton Shores

From Sarnia, it's 60 km east on Highway 402 and then north on County Rd 21 (Forest Rd).

From London (Ontario), it's 76 km northwest on County Road 17.

Get around

• Bike or walk the beach. But if thinking about travelling outside Ipperwash, best to bring a car.

See

• Kettle Point Kettles
• Former Canadian Army Base Stony Point
• Water Festival at Kettle Point
• Sand dunes
• Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Reserve

Do

• Ipperwash Beach, 43.21678°, -81.96649°. Ipperwash Beach is one of the longest freshwater beaches in Ontario. It has shallow waters that are ideal for children, but there are no lifeguards. There are 3 main access points to the beach just off West Ipperwash Road, Ipperwash Road and Army Camp Road. Free parking is available in lots off the beach on West Parkway Drive or East Parkway Drive. You can also pay to drive and park on the beach between Centre Sideroad, Kettle Point and West Ipperwash Road. No vehicles are permitted on the beach (heading east) between West Ipperwash Road to Ipperwash Road or East Parkway Drive. No overnight camping is permitted. Public washrooms and picnic areas. The water quality is tested weekly from late May until early September. Warnings are posted when the levels of E. coli exceed the guidelines. 2019-06-18
• Golfing at Indian Hills (18 holes) or Our Ponderosa Campground (9 holes)
• Hiking the Dunes and Trails
• Swimming
• Suntanning
• Camping (trailer parks and campsites available)
• Kettle & Stony Point Annual Pow Wow, 9236 Lake Road, Kettle Point, +1 519-786-2125. mid-July. The Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point invite everyone to experience their 2-day Annual Pow Wow. Experience the culture and history of the Chippewa people and watch the competition Pow Wow featuring drumming, dancing, singing, arts, crafts, and food. Adult $9, child/youth $6, 6 and under or 60 and over free 2019-06-18

Buy

• Arbour Acres Variety Store, 9612 W Ipperwash Rd. Convenience store with liquor, beer and a chip truck. 2019-06-18
• Thunderbird Crafts Trading Post, 6312 Indian Lane, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, +1 519-786-4775. Daily 10AM-6PM. A family-owned and -operated Native trading post in the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. Crafts range from quilts, blankets, moccasins, mukluks, paintings, baskets, beadwork, to quillwork. A wide selection of Native music, instructional and historical books to learn and understand the history and be able to make crafts yourself. 2019-06-18
• Points Preference Supermarket, Lakeshore Rd at W Ipperwash Rd. Daily 9AM-6PM. 2019-06-18

Eat

• Joey Little’s Pizza & Subs, 9111 West Ipperwash Road, Kettle & Stony Point (Kettle Point Plaza), +1 519-786-5287. Su-Th 3–8PM, F 11:30AM–10PM, Sa 3–10PM. 2019-06-18
• Ipperwash Beach Club (formerly WallyGators), 6543 WParkway, +1 519-243-5040. M-W 11AM-10PM, Th-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Local beers and wines, live music, varied menu. 2019-06-18

Sleep

• Sunnyside Trailer Park, N-731 Army Camp Road, Ipperwash, +1 519-243-2952. or +1 519-539-9377. 105 sites, 30 transient sites, electrical, water, tent sites, trailer rentals, toilets, showers, swimming pool, nature trails.
• Silver Birches Family Campground, 9537 Army Camp Road, +1 519-243-2480, silverbirches@execulink.com. 140 sites, 10 transient sites, electrical, water, dumping station, propane, tent sites, trailer rentals, toilets, showers, laundry, general store, rec hall, organized activities, swimming pool, watercraft, nature trails
• Carolinian Forest Campground, 9589 Ipperwash Road, +1 519-243-2258. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 145 sites, 25 transient sites, electrical, water, dumping station, tent sites, toilets, showers, general store, rec hall, organized activities, swimming pool, mini-golf, nature trails. Serviced sites: daily $60, long weekend $225, weekly $370, plus 13% tax 2019-06-19
• Our Ponderosa Cottage and RV Resort, 9338 West Ipperwash Rd, Forest, 43.18916°, -81.98942°, +1 519-786-2031.
• Ipperwash Beach Motel, 9668 Ipperwash Rd, +1-888-634-5554. Free WiFi, pets allowed, air conditioning, microwave and refrigerator in room, kitchenettes, barbecue facilities. A 2-minute walk to the beach. Onsite chip truck serving lunch and dinners. $90-120 2019-06-18
• Village Inn Motel, 7424 Lakeshore Road (at the intersection of Ipperwash Road and Highway 21 (Lakeshore Road)), +1 519-243-3535. Fridge, microwave, coffee maker, TV, AC, satellite cable, and free Wi-Fi. 2019-06-18

Connect

Go next

• Forest, Ontario
• Sarnia
• Grand Bend, Ontario
• London (Ontario)
• Port Huron (Michigan)