Not only is this spot known as one of the most ecologically diverse national parks in Canada, two thirds of its entire area is also covered by its 1,000 hectare<\/a> marsh, anchored by a scenic, floating<\/a> boardwalk that meanders through cattail matts and lily pad blossoms.<\/p>\n \u201cWetlands are known for their remarkable biodiversity, and the marsh at Point Pelee is no exception,\u201d according to Parks Canada.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe marsh does not only offer opportunities into wildlife. Visitors to the marsh can immerse themselves into another world.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, at this spot, guests can set their sights on one of the largest marshes<\/a> in southern Ontario and one of the few large ones left in the Great Lakes system.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although the area became a national park in 1918, it was officially named a Ramsar site by 1987 to promote the conservation of its wetlands.<\/p>\n However, despite its beauty, the health of the marsh at Point Pelee is in decline, according to Parks Canada, with one of the \u201cmost concerning issues\u201d being the loss of open water.<\/p>\n \u201cSince the 1950s, open water habitat has reduced by 10 per cent, or 100 hectares \u2014 that\u2019s 140 soccer fields,\u201d Parks Canada states.\u00a0<\/p>\n To combat the threat, Parks Canada will be working to manage invasive species at the march \u201cwith the goal of restoring the diversity of open water and edge-water habitats.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cStaff plan to create approximately eight hectares of ponds and channels, and undertake targeted removal of invasive species within areas of concern,\u201d Parks Canada states.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Point Pelee boardwalk provides sights to its 1,000 hectare marsh.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ray Akey\/Dreamstime<\/p>\n As these restoration efforts work to secure the marsh\u2019s future, visitors can still witness the stunning destination for themselves by traversing the one-kilometre marsh boardwalk loop trail at the park that takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n And while you\u2019re there, try out one of the other six hiking trails to extend your adventure. The 2.75-kilometre Woodland Nature Trail strolls through old forest habitat in the park and the one-kilometre Tilden Woods Trail journeys by mature swamp forest and savannah.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ll be visiting in the winter, be mindful that the trails are not maintained.\u00a0<\/p>\n The park can be found on a land mass that juts 15 kilometres into Lake Erie, about a one-hour drive south of Windsor. The \u201codd-shaped\u201d peninsula was formed over time by sediment deposits along its beach, according to Destination Ontario.<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking of its sandy shores, if you\u2019ll be making the trip in the warmer months, the park\u2019s beach is the longest continuous natural beach in Essex County at 20 kilometres long.<\/p>\n Bird lovers will may also be excited to learn that over 370 species<\/a> have been spotted in the park.<\/p>\n And should the cosmos call your name, Point Pelee is also designated as a dark sky preserve<\/a>, meaning millions of stars are visible to the naked eye at night. Appointed by the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2006, the honour is given to parks that have \u201cthe best places to explore the night sky in Canada,\u201d according to Parks Canada.<\/p>\n Coming up on Feb. 21, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be at the park with telescopes for star gazing. A dark sky night will also run next month on March 14.<\/p>\n Aside from dark sky nights, the park at Canada\u2019s southern tip is open from 7 a.m. to dusk in the winter months. Admission to Point Pelee, located at 1118 Point Pelee Dr. in Leamington, can be purchased online<\/a> for $7.75.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6997855d1eed0.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n