Vacation rentals in Goderich

Located on Lake Huron in western Ontario, Goderich has traditionally focused more on industry than tourism. It’s still home to a major lakeside salt plant, as well as the world’s largest underwater salt mine. But the town also has pretty lake beaches, several parks where you can hike, and a historic downtown core, which, unusual for a “town square,” is actually shaped like an octagon. Goderich is a convenient base for sampling the region’s emerging wine-making and craft brewing industries, and for exploring other nearby towns, including Blyth, home to a well-regarded summer theatre festival, and stately Bayfield. A 45-minute drive to the south is Pinery Provincial Park, with some of Lake Huron’s nicest dune-backed beaches.

On a rainy day, head an hour north to the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton, a modern museum where you can learn about the region’s culture and history. You’re also within day-tripping distance of Bruce Peninsula National Park, where you can explore its rocky coves, blue waters, and the remains of several shipwrecks beneath the bay. Tip: If you’re a lake surfer, the Kincardine area north of Goderich has some of Lake Huron’s best waves.

Summer and fall are the best times to stay in one of Goderich’s cottages for rent. This is when you can enjoy the beaches, hiking trails, and other outdoor activities. Everything is open, and the weather is usually warm and comfortable. A number of businesses and attractions along the Lake Huron shore are seasonal, operating only from June through September or October, which makes the snowy winters and unpredictable springs much quieter times of year. Intrepid, experienced surfers do make their way to the lake during the colder months, when the waves often come crashing along the shore. Don’t consider wintertime surfing without a thick wetsuit, hood, booties, and gloves.

Huron County Museum

If you’re curious about the history of this Lake Huron region, stop into the Huron County Museum, which shares stories of the area’s local culture and heritage. Nearby, you can visit the Huron Historic Gaol, a distinctive octagonal structure that housed the county jail between 1841 and 1972.

Bayfield

Stroll the main street in this small town 20 minutes south of Goderich, where the historic buildings now house shops, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. Bayfield has a beach along Lake Huron and a pretty harbor, too. The town’s Pioneer Park, above the lake, is a scenic spot for a picnic lunch.

Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail

Hikers and cyclists can travel the 127-kilometer (79-mile) former rail route that runs from Guelph in Central Ontario to Goderich on the Lake Huron coast. You don’t have to ride the whole route to enjoy the trail. You can follow the path along the lakeshore in Goderich, or walk or bike east from town to explore the countryside.