Do you know how to describe the shoreline at your vacation rental? Any property manager or vacation rental host should know the lay of the land (and water!) in and around their cottage or cabin. Hear about seven kinds of shorelines, what they are useful for, and how to be safe around them.
Freshwater lakes can have various shoreline types, each with unique characteristics that affect their appropriateness for various activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and wildlife observation. Here are some common types of shorelines found around freshwater lakes. See which one best reflects your shore!
Sandy Beaches
- Characteristics: Composed of fine sand or gravel, gentle slopes into the water, often with clear, shallow water.
- How You Can Enjoy Sandy Beaches:
Sandy beachfront vacation rentals are often the most attractive shorelines for families. Who doesn’t love the feeling of walking on the warm sand, digging your toes in, and building sand castles? It’s also the softest, driest ground for spreading out a beach towel or a picnic basket and whiling away the hours as the water rolls gently upon the shores.
One great example of a warm, sandy beach is Grand Bend on Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. The beaches of Lake Huron are all lovely (Wasaga Beach included!), with Grand Bend being the most notable for tourists, whether cottaging in the pines or camping in the dunes. Lake Erie is also home to many sandy beaches, each with its own unique community. My favorite is Little Beach in Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada, as it holds my childhood memories.
Rocky Shores
- Characteristics: Consists of large rocks, boulders, and cliffs. Can range from gentle rock slopes to steep, jagged cliffs.
- How You Can Enjoy Rocky Shores:
- Fishing: Often good for fishing, as the rocky terrain provides habitat for fish.
- Scenic Views and Wildlife Observation: Provides picturesque landscapes and opportunities to observe wildlife like birds and amphibians.
- Swimming: Generally not ideal for swimming due to uneven surfaces and potential for injury, though some areas may have safe spots.
For those who love a good rocky shore, these often remote, craggy shores are great for sunning oneself on (with a towel of course!) or grounding. It was these very shorelines that attracted the famous Canadian painters, The Group of Seven. We have a ‘rock’ beach at our cottage in Muskoka. Muskoka’s exquisite Canadian Shield shoreline is a marvel for geologists and nature enthusiasts alike, beloved for its rugged characteristics. For those who love the famed art group, a variety of The Group of Seven paintings grace the sides of buildings in downtown Huntsville, Ontario.
Pebble and Cobble Beaches
- Characteristics: Made up of small to medium-sized rounded stones and pebbles, sometimes mixed with sand.
- How You Can Enjoy Cobble Beaches:
- Swimming: Can be suitable for swimming, though entry can be tricky due to the uneven ground.
- Boating: Small boats can be launched, but the shore may be challenging for larger boats.
- Rock Collecting and Exploration: Great for exploring and collecting interesting rocks and shells.
A good example of this kind of shoreline is Old Woman Bay, a family favorite in our house for skipping stones. It is in Lake Superior Provincial Park, just south of Wawa in Northern Ontario, Canada. With no shortage of stones to admire and step upon, it is truly a pebbly, cobbly beach. Old Woman Bay’s shoreline contrasts sharply with Pancake Bay Provincial Park, just an hour down the Trans Canada Highway. Pancake Bay is as sandy of a beach as they come with 3km of sandy beach and beautiful blue Caribbean-style water.
Wetlands and Marshy Shores
- Characteristics: Soft, often muddy ground with vegetation like reeds and grasses. These areas are frequently inundated with water.
- How You Can Enjoy Wetlands and Marshes:
- Wildlife Observation and Bird Watching: Ideal for observing various bird species and other wildlife.
- Fishing: Good for fishing, particularly for species that thrive in shallow, vegetated waters.
- Swimming and Boating: Generally unsuitable for swimming and difficult for boating due to shallow, muddy waters and dense vegetation.
Hardy Lake Provincial Park in Torrance, Ontario, is one such destination for hiking and observing wildlife. While the only activity permitted in the park is hiking (it’s a non-operating park, as in no camping, fishing, etc.), the Township of Muskoka Lakes maintains its trails. There is so much beauty to observe in parks like Hardy Lake, with opportunities to travel lightly and apply Leave No Trace principles. Much of nearby Algonquin Provincial Park‘s terrain is similar to Hardy Lake.
Gravel Beaches
- Characteristics: Composed of small, loose stones larger than sand particles but smaller than pebbles.
- How You Can Enjoy Gravel Beaches:
- Swimming: Can be suitable for swimming, though the texture underfoot may not be as comfortable as sand.
- Boating: Often suitable for small boat launches; however, larger boats may have difficulty.
- Fishing: Can be good for shore fishing.
An example of a gravel beach can be found in Pukaskwa National Park, located on the northern shore of beautiful Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada. The park exhibits a variety of natural landscapes, including the Pebble Beach trail, which leads to a stunning gravel and pebble beach. This shoreline is characterized by smooth, rounded stones and yields spectacular views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. It’s a great spot for hiking, exploring the beach, and enjoying the natural beauty all around you. However, the water can be quite cold, and the beach’s composition makes it less ideal for traditional beach activities like swimming and sunbathing compared to sandy beaches.
Cliffed Coasts
- Characteristics: Steep, often vertical faces of rock or soil, sometimes dropping directly into deep water.
- How You Can Enjoy Cliffed Coasts:
- Scenic Views: Excellent for scenic views and photography.
- Diving: This could possibly be suitable for cliff diving where the water is deep enough, and safety precautions are taken.
- Swimming and Boating: Generally not suitable for swimming or boating access due to the steep drop-off.
Have you heard of The Scarborough Bluffs? Situated along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario in Toronto, the Scarborough Bluffs is a cliffed coast that stretches for about 15 kilometers and features tall, steep cliffs made of clay, sand, and silt. The bluffs rise up to 90 meters above the lake, yielding stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape.
The area is a popular destination for walking, hiking, and photography due to the scenic beauty of the cliffs and the lush parks and beaches at their base. However, the bluffs can be unstable, and erosion is a concern. Visitors are advised to remain on designated trails and avoid getting too close to the edges. Swimming and other water activities are available in the parks along the shoreline, but the cliffs themselves are not suitable for direct water access due to their steep and unstable nature.
Man-made Shorelines
- Characteristics: Constructed shorelines such as seawalls, bulkheads, or riprap (rocky structures).
- How You Can Enjoy Man-made Shorelines:
- Boating: Often includes docks or piers, making them ideal for boat access and launching.
- Fishing: Can provide good fishing spots, especially around structures where fish congregate.
- Swimming: Not typically designed for swimming, though some areas may have designated swim zones.
Lake Michigan has several notable man-made shorelines, particularly around major urban centers. A few examples include Chicago’s ‘Lakefront Trail and Promenade.’ Chicago has an extensive, developed lakefront with parks, beaches, and a multi-use trail stretching for about 18 miles. The lakefront includes features designed for family fun and adventure, like Navy Pier, Oak Street Beach, and North Avenue Beach, as well as breakwaters and seawalls that protect the shoreline. The Lakefront Trail is popular for walking, biking, and jogging, while the beaches are used for swimming and sunbathing.
Similarly, Chicago’s sister city, Toronto, offers miles of man-made shoreline along Lakeshore Boulevard, popular amongst residents for running and cycling, with a dedicated bike path.
Shorelines and Your Guests
Each type of shoreline offers unique experiences and opportunities, and the best choice depends on the desired activity and local conditions. When choosing a spot for activities like swimming or boating, safety considerations such as water quality, water depth, current (undertow), and underwater obstacles should also be considered.
When you share your shoreline with guests, ensure they understand the safely enjoyed aspects of the shoreline and anything that might require caution to arm them with the knowledge to help keep all their family members safe.
