Visit Hilton Beach
Hilton Beach is first and foremost a prime Great Lakes boating and sailing destination. The Marina is one of the largest, best-serviced and most scenic marinas on the North Channel. It is the perfect port from which to explore one of the prettiest areas of the Great Lakes.
Explore the many small islands in the Channel, sail under the St. Joseph Island bridge, watch huge freighters go up the channel to Lake Superior, hop on your boat to grab dinner at one of the several restaurants in the area, discover the many fishing hotspots, and even work your way up the St. Mary’s River to Sault Ste. Marie.
It is called Hilton Beach, after all. The Village itself is home to Forbes Park, a beautiful sand beach on the North Channel. The Park connects up with the boardwalk, which runs all the way to the Marina. Featuring several sets of playground equipment and change rooms, plan to spend the whole day at the beach.
If swimming isn’t your thing, the Village offers several parks and recreational facilities offering baseball, basketball, playground equipment, skateboard and BMX equipment, outdoor chess & checkers, several picnic areas, a scenic fishing pier, and a hockey rink in the winter.
Spring is a very special time of year in Hilton Beach, when the maple syrup starts to flow. In late March to mid-April, several maple syrup producers tap tens of thousands of sugar maple trees across the Island. St. Joe is home to the largest producers in Ontario. Gilbertson’s famous sugar shack restaurant opens up during this time, offering an incredible maple-centric menu. Go on a sugar shack tour and see how this delicious superfood is made, and gobble up all the pancakes you want at the Maple Syrup Festival, the first two weekends of April annually.
A busy schedule of Summer events will provide something to do every week. Arts at the Dock is a large arts show which takes over the Hilton Beach waterfront and community hall in July. The Classic Car Show brings over 100 classic vehicles to the main drag — all that chrome is a sight to behold. Community Night is for the kids, with a parade, games, and good food. The Open Air Market features fresh veggies and baking along with handmade crafts, every Summer Saturday under the tent.
The local Lion’s Club runs a pancake breakfast (with real maple syrup, of course) on the fourth Saturday monthly. The Holly Jolly Christmas Craft Show rounds out the year in November.