St. Joseph Island in the Summer

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All Year Events, Festivals, Markets and Shows

Check out the Calendar of Events on the Township of St. Joseph website for things to do on St. Joseph Island this summer; the brochure is an excellent list of all things fun on St. Joseph Island.  It shows the events for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and is the best place to find out about concerts, markets, the car show, parades, and so much more.  Another great place to keep updated on current events is the St. Joseph Island Community Page on Facebook.  Some of our yearly favorites are the Hilton Beach and Richards Landing Community Nights, Harvest of Artists and the Ernie Eddy Memorial Kids Ice Fishing Derby but I really had trouble writing a short list because they are all so good.

Boating/Fishing

If you’re bringing a boat there are multiple boat launches around the island but the two that have services are at the Richard’s Landing Marina and Hilton Beach Marina.  If you don’t have a boat but would still like to get out on the water, Phil Nadjiwon (@philnadjiwonfishing) offers fishing guide services. You can contact him at phil.nadjiwon@gmail.com or message him on Instagram. Check out the Partnered Experiences page.

Physical Fitness

  1. Swimming

If you don’t know someone who has a cottage there are 5 public beaches that are each unique and interesting and should all be visited.  W.I. Park (Women’s Institute Park) in Richards Landing has a beautiful sandy beach with two rafts and the park has play equipment for younger kids.  Forbes Park in the village of Hilton Beach also has play equipment and along with W.I. Park are favorites.  Both have washrooms and are walking distance to other attractions.  Twin Lakes Park is located on an inland lake and is nice and warm, Big Point Park and Beech Beach are a bit of a drive but still worth it.

2. Hiking/Walking Trails

On the Rustling Maples Retreat property there is a system of trails that go through the maple bush in amongst the sap lines.  Feel free to bring your ATV to ride them and to let your dog be free to run.  I can provide you with a map for the on property trails after booking.

Centennial Grounds Trail System in Richards Landing

This is a system of 1.5 km loops that great for easy walking or biking.  The main trail is great for strollers and little ones. Check the Township of St. Joseph site for trail maps.

Stribling Park

This unmaintained walking trail is a beautiful quiet place to walk, watch birds and even watch a freighter go by on the St. Mary’s River.

Mountainview Centennial Park

This is one of my favorite places to walk, its quiet and peaceful and the trails are marked with coloured arrows.  Part of the park is used as a Disc Golf Course and also has a fantastic hill for tobogganing in the winter. 

Fort St. Joseph Trails

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site has beautiful trails and maps and while your there check out the Fort and grounds and get a tour.

Gravel Point Preserve Hiking Trails

The Kensington Conservancy is a land trust that believes in conservation and preservation of our lands and waters.  Their new hiking trail is an easy-moderate 1.5 km loop.  Be sure to check their website here for rules for walking in the Conservancy.

Hilton Beach Boardwalk and Marina

The Marina at Hilton Beach is a beautiful place to walk and see the big boats or sit in the shade on one of the benches or walk the boardwalk through Forbes Park.

3. Biking

Biking is very popular on St. Joseph Island because of the paved roads and scenery.  This is from the Township of St. Joseph website “St. Joseph Island offers a magnificent connective cycling trail destination south of the Lake Huron North Channel Cycling route.  It is a perfect Drive-and-Ride destination.  The roadways are surface treated hardtop in good condition with minimal traffic and beautiful treed canopies.  Rolling hills, pastoral views, waterfront routes, abundant wildlife, Canadian Shield, and markets are just a few of details of this 70 km circle route.”  You can get the Waterfront Trails map from the site here.

  4. Pickleball

There is a Pickleball court located in Richards Landing beside the Women’s Institute Park.  Information on scheduling a time to play can be found on the Township of St. Joseph website also keep up with the news on the St. Joseph Island Community Page on Facebook.

  5. All-Season Surface

In the Village of Hilton Beach there is a multi-use concrete pad that serves as a skate/BMX park, basketball court, and hockey rink.  Located across from the Waterfront Centre.

Parks/Gardens/Museums

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site and the St. Joseph Island Museum are two great places to go and find out about the history of St. Joseph Island and see the beautiful and interesting sites.

Adcock’s Woodland Gardens is a beautiful large garden that is a bit of a drive to get to but so worth it.  It is open year-round and admission by donation.  No dogs allowed though

Restaurants and Shopping

If you are looking for a bite to eat or to pick up a few items at the grocery or hardware store you can pretty much find what you need here on St. Joseph Island although some of the restaurants and tourist shops aren’t open everyday or have limited hours in the summer and may not be open in the spring/fall/winter so it’s best to call before heading out. Check out their websites or Facebook pages below for accurate information.

Grocery

Restaurants

Shops

These are just a few of our favorites.  For a complete list check out the St. Joseph Island Chamber of Commerce website.

Hardware Stores

Ice Cream/Convenience

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