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Public beaches, amenities and visit rules in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
St. Catharines maintains three Lake Ontario beaches with free beach access. Seasonal beach hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking fees at two beaches are separate from entering the beach.
Key information
St. Catharines maintains three Lake Ontario beaches with free beach access. Seasonal beach hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking fees at two beaches are separate from entering the beach.
On this page
Compare all three municipal beaches
| Beach | Parking summary | Named features |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeside Park | 80 spaces plus 5 accessible;2 free off-site areas | Washrooms, picnic, volleyball, Waterfront Trail |
| Sunset | 150 spaces;3 free off-site areas;10 trailer spaces | Washrooms, picnic, small-craft boat ramp |
| Jones | Free on-site lot | Protected bay; Welland Canals Trail |
Sources: Public beach visits
Beach rules and changing conditions
Keep dogs leashed. Smoking, vaping, alcohol, feeding wildlife and unapproved public performances are prohibited. Amplified music is not permitted, although small portable speakers are allowed.
Barbecues are not permitted unless a permanent city-constructed structure allows them. Events over 150 people require city approval. Visitors may be subject to entry searches.
Niagara Region samples Lakeside and Sunset between Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends. Check actual results before swimming; the generic beach listing is not a current water-quality clearance. The source’s Sunset reopening notice refers to a June 2026 grand opening and is not a live construction report.
Sources: Public beach visits
Every city-maintained beach
Lakeside Park Beach
1 Lakeport Road, St. Catharines, Ontario
Port Dalhousie beach with public washrooms, picnic area, volleyball and the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
Sources: Public beach visits
Sunset Beach
1 Lombardy Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario
A 365 m sandy Lake Ontario beach with public washrooms, picnic area and a daytime small-craft launch.
Sources: Public beach visits
Jones Beach
142 Broadway Street, St. Catharines, Ontario
Beach on a protected Lake Ontario bay with free on-site parking and the Welland Canals Trail.
Sources: Public beach visits
Sources: Public beach visits
Questions and answers
Is there a fee to enter the beach?
The city describes beach access as free; parking can be charged separately.
Source: Public beach visits
How many municipal beaches are listed?
Three: Lakeside Park, Sunset and Jones.
Source: Public beach visits
Can I barbecue anywhere on the sand?
No. The city restricts barbecuing to permanent city-constructed structures where permitted.
Source: Public beach visits
Are small portable speakers banned?
The rule permits small portable speakers while prohibiting amplified music.
Source: Public beach visits
Can I host an event for 200 without approval?
No. Events over 150 people need city approval.
Source: Public beach visits
Who samples the swimming water?
Niagara Region Public Health samples Lakeside and Sunset during its stated summer testing season.
Source: Public beach visits
Does this guide confirm today’s safe-swimming status?
No. Check current sampling results and posted conditions before entering the water.
Source: Public beach visits
Sources: Public beach visits