Pinery Provincial Park

Start: August 15, 2025 - 09:30 AM End: August 15, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Experience the Old Ausable Channel right from the water! Join naturalists for a paddle along the channel and learn about the species that call it home. Rent one of our canoes or bring your own. Please arrive by 9:15 AM if renting a canoe or kayak. Please meet at the park store dock.

Start: August 15, 2025 - 11:00 AM End: August 15, 2025 - 12:00 PM

Join a Park Naturalist for a program full of digging, dirt, mystery, and fun. Learn what an Archaeologist is, what they do, and how they are important to understanding the history of Pinery and beyond. Please meet at the Children's Program Area/Chalet.

Start: August 15, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 15, 2025 - 14:00 PM

Join a Park Naturalist at the Visitor Centre to take a short tour of the live exhibits and learn about these special reptilian creatures!

Start: August 15, 2025 - 21:00 PM End: August 15, 2025 - 22:00 PM

Community science initiatives have one important piece that make them successful: YOU! Learn how to contribute to science projects ethically and safely by attending a presentation and getting some hands-on experience with bats, moths, and other nighttime creatures.

Start: August 16, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 16, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Fearsome fangs, a haunting call in the night, a nightmare slithering through the grass… some animals have a bad reputation, but do they really deserve it? This begs the question; why can’t we be friends? This is not a designated accessible trail, please be prepared for uneven terrain. Location: Wilderness Trail

Start: August 16, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 16, 2025 - 14:00 PM

After being displaced from the area for a hundred years, Black Bears recently made a small come-back in the area. Learn about their lifestyle, history, and tips for camping in areas with known bear occurrences. Located at the Park Store.

Start: August 16, 2025 - 15:00 PM End: August 16, 2025 - 16:00 PM

Birds of prey may look a little scary, but they are a very important part of a healthy ecosystem with some interesting physical features. Join a Park Naturalist to learn what a raptor is, how to identify one, and why we need to protect them! This program is intended for younger audiences, but all are welcome. Location: Visitor Centre Indoor Theatre.

Start: August 17, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 17, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Welcome to the neighbourhood! Join a Park Naturalist on the Riverside Trail to learn all about the strange and mysterious lives of amphibians.  This is not a designated accessible trail, please be prepared for uneven terrain.

Start: August 17, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 17, 2025 - 14:00 PM

Have you ever wondered what people used as medicine before hospitals and pharmacies? Drop by Riverside Trail Dock to discover some traditional medicinal plants, how they have been used for centuries, and the gifts that they hold. Turn left at the fork to quickly access the program.

Start: August 17, 2025 - 15:00 PM End: August 17, 2025 - 16:00 PM

Amazing adventures can be found anywhere when you look close enough. Join a Park Naturalist at the Visitor Centre to explore the wonderful world hidden in the grass. This program is intended for younger audiences, but all are welcome.

Start: August 18, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 18, 2025 - 11:00 AM

“What is it about Pinery that makes it so fun and special anyway??” the stranger asks. “I’ll tell you why!” you say. Work together with a Park Naturalist to figure out how to tackle this scenario and explore why Pinery has become a favorite park to so many.

Start: August 18, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 18, 2025 - 14:00 PM

Microbes may be invisible to the human eye, but they are working hard behind the scenes to keep Pinery’s ecosystems alive and thriving. Join a Park Naturalist to chat about the secret world of these mighty microbes all around you! Located at the Park Store.

Start: August 18, 2025 - 15:00 PM End: August 18, 2025 - 16:00 PM

Why did the turtle cross the road? Join a Naturalist to find out! Learn about the kinds of turtles in Pinery, their lifestyle, what threats they face, and how you can be a turtle hero. This program is intended for younger audiences, although all are welcome. Location: Visitor Centre indoor theatre.

Start: August 18, 2025 - 18:00 PM End: August 18, 2025 - 20:00 PM

Pinery isn’t a place, it is a community. Come and gather with fellow Pinery visitors at the Chalet area. There will be puzzles and board games, space to run around, and a cozy campfire. Limited picnic table seating is available. Feel free to bring your own camp chairs or blankets for extra comfort.

Start: August 19, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 19, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Pedal the Savanna Bike Trail with Park Naturalists and learn about Pinery's Oak Savanna and some of its inhabitants. Rent one of our bikes or bring your own. The bike hike will be leaving at 10:00 AM. If you are renting a bike, please allow time to stand in line. Please meet at the bike rentals building at the park store.

Start: August 19, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 19, 2025 - 14:00 PM

This isn’t TikTok, and it’s not even a TikTok about Ticks, it’s a Talk about Ticks! Join a Park Naturalist at the Park Store to learn about why these creatures (and their associated illnesses) are proliferating in the park, and how to stay safe on the trails.

Start: August 19, 2025 - 20:45 PM End: August 19, 2025 - 21:45 PM

Several prey species found dead in Pinery Park; Killers yet to be identified... Calling all forensic naturalists and scientists! Put your investigation skills to the test and assist Pinery Discovery staff in figuring out the identity of the culprit. Come to the Visitor Centre for two days leading up to the program to investigate the crime scene, and attend this evening program to experience the mystery’s thrilling verdict. Location: Outdoor Theatre.

Start: August 20, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 20, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Calling all Future Naturalists! Join a Park Naturalist at the Chalet to learn about some of Pinery’s amazing Species-at-Risk and what you can do to help. Limited craft kits are available to create an at-risk creature to take home.

Start: August 20, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 20, 2025 - 14:00 PM

Hats off to our favorite rooted friends! All are welcome at the Pinery Tree Party, hip and happening at the Park Store. Join a Park Naturalist to learn how different trees survive and thrive throughout the park.

Start: August 20, 2025 - 14:30 PM End: August 20, 2025 - 15:30 PM

Come meet park naturalists, get ‘oozy and goozy,’ and explore the aquatic life and history of the Old Ausable Channel! Fishing hooks are often found at this dock, so please wear close-toed shoes. Please meet at the dock on the park store bridge.

Start: August 20, 2025 - 20:45 PM End: August 20, 2025 - 21:45 PM

Join Pinery’s Bat Technician to venture into the wild world of bat conversation. Learn about amazing abilities of the bats that call Pinery home, how they help our environment, and the ways that the park and academics are working to help our flying friends. Located at the Outdoor Theatre

Start: August 21, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 21, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Come join a Park Naturalist at the Children’s Program Area to explore nature though colour. There’s so much brightness in Pinery, let’s take a look at some real stand outs and what makes them special.

Start: August 21, 2025 - 11:00 AM End: August 21, 2025 - 12:00 PM

Uncover the vital role of soil in sustaining life – from feeding us, filtering water, and supporting plants, animals, and ecosystems. Join a Park Naturalist on the Carolinian Trail to dig into the living ecosystems that are healthy soils. This is not a designated accessible trail, please be prepared for uneven terrain.

Start: August 21, 2025 - 13:00 PM End: August 21, 2025 - 14:00 PM

What do you see when you look up? Explore the clouds above while chatting with a Park Naturalist about Pinery’s weather, water, and cloud formations. Don’t forget to spin the Wheel of Clouds in an interactive activity. Located at the Park Store.

Start: August 21, 2025 - 20:45 PM End: August 21, 2025 - 22:00 PM

Join Park Naturalists at Riverside Trail to stroll into the kingdom of some of Pinery’s nocturnal creatures. No pets and no flashlights please. Please wear sturdy footwear.

Start: August 22, 2025 - 09:30 AM End: August 22, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Experience the Old Ausable Channel right from the water! Join naturalists for a paddle along the channel and learn about the species that call it home. Rent one of our canoes or bring your own. Please arrive by 9:15 AM if renting a canoe or kayak. Please meet at the park store dock.

Start: August 23, 2025 - 19:30 PM End: August 23, 2025 - 20:30 PM

Join Park Naturalists to learn how rolling waves and grains of sand created Pinery. Stroll along the shoreline as day turns to dusk and marvel at the world-renowned Lake Huron sunset. Please meet at Dunes Beach Lookout.

Start: August 25, 2025 - 18:00 PM End: August 25, 2025 - 20:00 PM

Pinery isn’t a place, it is a community. Come and gather with fellow Pinery visitors at the Chalet area. There will be puzzles and board games, space to run around, and a cozy campfire. Limited picnic table seating is available. Feel free to bring your own camp chairs or blankets for extra comfort.

Start: August 26, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 26, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Pedal the Savanna Bike Trail with Park Naturalists and learn about Pinery's Oak Savanna and some of its inhabitants. Rent one of our bikes or bring your own. The bike hike will be leaving at 10:00 AM. If you are renting a bike, please allow time to stand in line. Please meet at the bike rentals building at the park store area.

Start: August 26, 2025 - 20:30 PM End: August 26, 2025 - 21:30 PM

In 2022, Pinery Park welcomed back some special species after a long goodbye due to ecosystem imbalance. Learn about how the Mottled Duskywing was successfully re-introduced to Pinery, possibly paving the way for other Species-at-Risk butterflies to come back home to Ontario. Located at the Outdoor Theatre

Start: August 28, 2025 - 20:30 PM End: August 28, 2025 - 21:30 PM

Join Park Naturalists at Riverside Trail to stroll into the kingdom of some of Pinery’s nocturnal creatures. No pets and no flashlights please. Please wear sturdy footwear.

Start: August 29, 2025 - 09:30 AM End: August 29, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Experience the Old Ausable Channel right from the water! Join naturalists for a paddle along the channel and learn about the species that call it home. Rent one of our canoes or bring your own. Please arrive by 9:15 AM if renting a canoe or kayak. Please meet at the park store dock.

Start: August 30, 2025 - 10:00 AM End: August 30, 2025 - 12:00 PM

Join the mission to keep Pinery’s beaches healthy, clean, and beautiful. Connect with Park Naturalists to learn more about Pinery’s beaches, what threatens their integrity, and help become a part of the solution by actively cleaning up our beaches and making artwork with what we find. Express your creativity and care for the Park all in one place! Location: P9 Pavillion.

Start: August 30, 2025 - 19:30 PM End: August 30, 2025 - 20:30 PM

Join Park Naturalists to learn how rolling waves and grains of sand created Pinery. Stroll along the shoreline as day turns to dusk and marvel at the world-renowned Lake Huron sunset. Please meet at Dunes Beach Lookout.

Start: October 24, 2025 - 17:00 PM End: October 26, 2025 - 17:00 PM

Pinery may be sunny in the summer, but it can quickly turn spooky with the darker days, colder nights, and silent forests. Events and activities will be available from Friday to Sunday for those brave enough to join us for ghastly and ghostly fun.