lsws locations Willow Beach in Sutton on Lake Simcoe (refreshing every 30 seconds)

Willow Beach (map)

Check the traffic before you go!

This is camera 56 at located on the east side of Highway 404 and the south side of Sheppared Avenue East. You can also view the whole city. This image appears courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (COMPASS).

Willow Beach is located on the south shore of Lake Simcoe, which makes it favorable for winds ranging from west, north to north east and possibly east. The water does not become deep until further away from shore, which makes it a great site for beginners and learning beach starts.

You can get there by driving north on highway 404 to the end which is Davis Drive. Turn right (east) at the lights on Davis Drive, then north on highway 8 (Woodbine Avenue). Most of your drive will be at 80km/h. You'll pass Shawneeki Golf Club on your right (east). You'll pass a Zehrs and a McDonalds on your left just as you get in to Keswick. If it's summer, the washrooms are open at Keswick. If it's winter, you might want to stop here for the washroom. Keep going through Keswick past the Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons/Swiss Chalet (also great washroom stops) on the left (west) side of the street. The lake will appear in front of you as you drive north. The highway will veer right (east). Now you have two choices:

1. If you keep left (north) instead of turning, you'll be on Woodbine Avenue. Follow this through until you get to Metro Road North. Turn right (east) at Metro Road North. Drive past Civic Drive and you'll eventually pass the marina on the left (north) side of the street.

2. Follow the road to the right (east) until you get to Civic Drive. Turn left (north) and you'll pass a small model airplane airstrip. Wave to them as you go by! Keep going until you get to Metro Road North. Turn right (east) at the stop sign. You'll eventually pass the marina on the left (north) side of the street.

Keep going and you'll eventually see a park on your left (north) side just east of McNeil Road. Here you'll find a couple of parking lots. In the winter the smaller one off McNeil is closed but the bigger ones is usually open and free to park. Sometimes in winter when the activity has packed down the snow enough, you can even park on the ice. In the prime of the summer, you may have to pay up to $15 to park. Lake Simcoe will be on the other side of the park, across a road called Lakeside Drive. This is the large public access part of the beach. At the ends of the public access area are privately owned beach front access points. You can't use these, they're private.

If you want direct access to the lake, keep going until Kennedy Road. Turn left (north) and you'll drive right into the general store. The parking here is difficult in the summer time, but can be fine in the winter.