Cabot Head Lighthouse is located on Cabot Head; the north-eastern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. There has been a lighthouse on this point since 1896. The original was torn down and is replaced with an automated version. We visited the site prior to its opening for the season, which was a good thing. There was no one there but us.
Shore drive to Cabot Head
The light station, which is used as a museum, was closed as was a second building but access to the grounds and trails were open. The property is manned by volunteers and we were told they are down to one volunteer. The buildings may not be open very long.
The trails lead to various lookout points around the tip. At each lookout is a mounted placard interpreting the setting, including information on how nature created and altered the landscape. The Bruce Peninsula is actually a reef left over from 465 million year old ocean that once covered the area. The rocky outcrops show how layer upon layer was built up and fractured.
I think the best part of day was getting to the site. The drive along the 7.5 km gravel road follows the shoreline. The changing views of beach, trees, cliffs, and lake are amazing. During peak summer season access is provided by a shuttle bus as the parking lot is tiny. The bus picks up and drops off near the village of Dyer’s Bay, 11 km from the site.