Greig's Scenic Caves

Greig's Caves

Useful Information

Location:	407 Scenic Caves Road, Lion’s Head, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. About 25 km south of Lion's Head, on Route No 9. Turn into Scenic Cave Road and follow it for 4.8 km. (44.955163, -81.141264)
Open:	Adults CND 10, Children (3-12) CDN 5, Children (0-2) free. [2022]
Fee:	MAY to Thanksgiving daily 9-18, last entry 17. [2011]
Classification:	Karst cave Sea Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Greig's Scenic Caves, 407 Scenic Caves Rd., Wiarton, ON, N0H 2T0, Tel: +1-519-377-8762. E-mail: Don and Lisa Greig, 109 Blue Jay Cres., R.R. #4, Markdale ON, N0C 1H0
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1926	ground with caves purchased by Charles Greig for CND 3,400.
1960s	caves opened to the public, initially for an admission charge of CND 1 per car.
1971	Charles Greig died, Carrie Greig continued the business.
1981	portions of the movie Quest for Fire was filmed on location in the caves.
1986	Carrie Greig died, Jackie and Rae Greig continued the business.
1987	new entrance from the county road.
~1997	closed due to old age.
2000	inherited by Don Greig, leased and reopened.
2007	closed again.
2011	reopened by Lisa and Don Greig.
2014	filming location for the cave szene in Against the Wild with Natasha Henstridge.

Description

Greig's Scenic Caves consist of 12 natural sea caves in Niagara Dolomite along a one kilometer long trail first opened and named after Charles Greig. They are said to be Ontario's largest natural limestone caves. However, there are three sites with caves open to the public on the peninsula extruding into Lake Huron. They are in the limestone of the Niagara Escarpment and there is karstification, but the loacation at the foot of the cliff implies that they were most likely enlarged by the waves of Lake Huron. Such erosional caves made by waves are called sea caves, even if the waves of a lake did it, not the sea. So probably the term littoral cave is better in this case. The caves were created by a post glacial lake of melting water about 5,000 years ago, which had a much higher level than todays Lake Huron. The site was a location for the movie Quest for Fire in 1981 and Against the Wild with Natasha Henstridge in 2014.

The caves have been operated as a tourist site by three generations of Greigs, since the 1960s. The ground was originally purchased by Charles Greig in 1926. He showed the caves to neighbours, and when they finally became rather popular from word of mouth he began to request a small fee. At the moment the site is owned by his grandchild Don Greig, who operates the business with his wife Lisa.

There is a trail along the Niagara Escarpment, where the natural caves are located. The caves are not developed, except for this rather rough trail. It is necessary to wear appropriate clothes, sturdy boots, and bring a torch. We also recommend a helmet with a headlamp, because this will allow you to use your hands otherwise. However, the caves are not big enough for cave trekking tours, and people who do not have a torch will nevertheless see most of the caves. The visitors must sign a waiver before they enter. There is a picnic area with portable toilets, snacks and refreshments are sold. Only 10 of the original 12 caves are located on the property of Don Greig and thus only those 10 are open to the public.