Grand River Marina & Lake Erie Boat Access — Maitland Shores Resort

Maitland Shores Resort has a private marina on the Grand River at 659 Port Maitland Road, Dunnville, Ontario — positioned at the mouth of the river where it enters Lake Erie. The marina gives resort guests direct water access to both the Grand River and open Lake Erie without trailering to a public ramp, paying a separate launch fee, or dealing with crowded public facilities during peak season.

For boaters, anglers, waterfowl hunters, and anyone who wants to spend serious time on the water, the marina is the anchor that makes Maitland Shores different from most campgrounds on Lake Erie in Ontario. You arrive with your boat, launch from the property, and have both a major river fishery and open Great Lakes water accessible within minutes.  The resort’s full-hookup RV sites, ATV trails, and 300 acres of waterfront property complete the picture.

 What the Maitland Shores Marina Offers

The Maitland Shores marina, a private facility available to resort guests, is located on the Grand River at Port Maitland. The marina includes a boat launch ramp, dock access, and space to stage gear before heading out onto the river or Lake Erie. The river channel at the mouth of the Grand provides a sheltered, calm entry point before opening into Lake Erie, which is particularly useful for guests launching larger vessels or heading out when conditions on the open lake require caution.

Unlike public boat ramps in the Port Maitland and Dunnville area — which can be congested during peak walleye and perch season — the resort’s private marina gives guests more controlled access with significantly less congestion. Contact us before your trip to confirm current marina availability, dock access details, and any applicable fees during your planned stay dates.

Direct Access to Lake Erie & Grand River

The Grand River mouth at Port Maitland connects directly to Lake Erie, making the transition from the marina to open lake water a short run from the dock. Once on Lake Erie, boaters have access to open water, protected coves along the Ontario north shore, and some of the most productive walleye and yellow perch fishing on the Great Lakes. The Grand River itself is a recognized fishery in Haldimand County, with walleye and pike as the primary target species in the lower river section near Port Maitland. Having both fisheries accessible from one marina is a genuine advantage that most campgrounds on Lake Erie in Ontario cannot offer.

 Watercraft Welcome at the Marina

The Maitland Shores marina accommodates a range of watercraft — fishing boats, bass boats, pontoon boats, bowriders, and pleasure crafts can all be launched from the Grand River ramp. Personal watercraft, including Sea-Doos and Jet Skis, are also welcome at the resort. Kayaks and canoes can be launched directly from the riverbank without using the main ramp. Guests trailing larger vessels should contact us in advance to confirm ramp clearance and trailer parking capacity before their arrival. All watercraft must comply with Transport Canada boating safety regulations when operating on the Grand River and Lake Erie.

Boating & Fishing From the Marina

The primary draw of the Maitland Shores marina for most guests is fishing, and the location at the mouth of the Grand River on Lake Erie is one of the best-positioned fishing bases in all of Haldimand County. Anglers launching from Port Maitland have immediate access to two distinct fisheries: the lower Grand River for walleye and pike,and the western basin of Lake Erie for walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. Both fisheries can be worked in a single outing — morning hours on the river, then a run out to Lake Erie as conditions allow. For serious anglers, this combination is hard to find at a single private campground in southern Ontario.

Walleye & Perch Fishing on Lake Erie

Lake Erie is consistently rated as one of Ontario’s top walleye and yellow perch fisheries. The western basin — accessible from the Maitland Shores marina at Port Maitland , produces strong walleye numbers throughout the open-water season, with jigging, trolling, and live bait presentations all producing fish depending on time of year and water temperature. Yellow perch are abundant across the lake and are a popular target for both casual and dedicated anglers fishing out of Port Maitland. Smallmouth bass fishing along Lake Erie’s rocky shoreline sections is also productive for structure anglers. A valid Ontario fishing licence is required for all anglers fishing Lake Erie or the Grand River.

Grand River Fishing Access

The lower Grand River at Port Maitland is a well-known walleye and pike destination in Haldimand County. Fish move in and out of the river from Lake Erie throughout the season — walleye runs in spring and fall concentrate fish in the river channel near the mouth, while the slower upstream sections hold fish through the summer. Launching from the Maitland Shores marina gives anglers access to productive mid-river sections that cannot be reached from shore, significantly expanding the water available to fish compared to bank anglers at the same location. Shore fishing is also available for guests who prefer not to launch a boat on any given day.

RV Camping With Marina Access at Maitland Shores

Maitland Shores combines full-service RV camping with private marina access in a way that most Lake Erie campgrounds in Ontario do not. The marina is on the same property as the RV sites — not a separate facility you drive to. For boaters doing multi-day stays, this means your boat stays in the water or at the dock between outings, your trailer stays parked on-site, and your RV is within walking distance of the dock. The logistics that eat into a normal trailer boat trip — loading, driving, launching, recovering, driving back — are mostly eliminated when you are based at the resort for a full weekend or a full season.

Full-Hookup RV Sites for Boaters

Full-hookup RV sites at Maitland Shores include water, sewer, and 30- or 50-amp electric connections. Pull-through options are available for guests arriving with truck-and-trailer combinations hauling larger boats. Sites are grassed, level, and spacious enough to accommodate most standard tow vehicles and trailer setups without difficult maneuvering. Individually metered electrical sites mean you pay only for what you use. Trailer parking is available on-site once your boat is launched, keeping your setup consolidated in one location throughout your stay.

Seasonal Site Guests & Marina Use

Seasonal site guests at Maitland Shores particularly value the marina access. Many seasonal guests keep their boats at the dock or in the water throughout the camping season — heading out whenever time and conditions allow, without the logistics of trailering on every visit. Winter storage for both RV units and boat trailers can be arranged through the resort for seasonal guests who want to leave their setup on-site between seasons. Contact us directly to discuss current seasonal site availability and winter storage pricing for the coming season.

Other Activities at the Resort

The marina is the water access point, but Maitland Shores offers considerably more than boating across its 300-acre Lake Erie waterfront property near Dunnville. Guests who come primarily to boat often end up spending mornings on the water, afternoons on the ATV trails, and evenings at the recreation hall. The combination of activities available without leaving the resort property is one of Maitland Shores’ strongest advantages over single-activity campgrounds in the region.

ATV Trails on the Property

On-site ATV and dirt bike trails wind through the Maitland Shores property, giving boating guests something productive to do on days when lake or river conditions are not ideal for heading out on the water. Trails are suitable for beginner and experienced riders. An RC vehicle area is also available on the property. ATVs are also practical for hunters on the property during the fall season — moving decoys and gear efficiently across the 300 acres without multiple foot trips.

Hunting in Haldimand County

The Grand River marshes and surrounding Haldimand County agricultural land support strong deer, goose, and duck populations through the fall season. Guests who combine a fall boating trip with waterfowl hunting use the marina particularly well — duck hunters can access marsh areas on the Grand River by boat that are not reachable on foot. All hunting requires valid Ontario licences and must comply with provincial regulations. Contact us before your trip to confirm current hunting access details and property rules.

Frequently Asked Questions — Marina

Where is the marina located?

The Maitland Shores marina is located on the Grand River at 659 Port Maitland Road, Dunnville, Ontario, at the mouth of the river where it enters Lake Erie. The marina provides direct water access to both the Grand River fishery and open Lake Erie from a single launch point on the resort property.

 Is there a fee to use the marina?

The marina is available to resort guests staying at Maitland Shores. Contact us at (647) 212-1234 or info@rvparkontario.com to confirm current marina access fees and dock availability before your trip.

What types of boats can I launch?

The marina ramp accommodates fishing boats, bass boats, pontoon boats, bowriders, and pleasure crafts. Personal watercraft, including Sea-Doos, are also welcome. Kayaks and canoes can be launched from the riverbank. Guests trailing larger vessels should contact us in advance to confirm ramp clearance for their specific setup.

 Is trailer parking available?

Yes. Trailer parking is available on-site once your boat is launched. Pull-through RV sites also accommodate truck-and-trailer combinations for guests who want to keep their tow vehicle and trailer near their campsite throughout their stay.

Can I dock my boat overnight?

Dock access is available for resort guests. Contact us directly to confirm current docking arrangements, overnight dock fees if applicable, and availability during your planned stay dates. Seasonal guests can keep their boat at the dock throughout the camping season.

Do I need a fishing licence to fish from the marina?

Yes. A valid Ontario fishing licence is required for all anglers fishing on the Grand River or Lake Erie, regardless of whether you are fishing from a boat or from shore. Licences can be purchased online through the Ontario government website or at local sporting goods retailers in the Dunnville area before

your trip.

Book Your Stay at Maitland Shores Resort

Whether you are planning a weekend fishing trip, a full-season boating stay, or a combined hunting and boating trip in the fall, the Maitland Shores marina gives you direct water access to Lake Erie and the Grand River from the moment you arrive. Book online through Campspot for day and weekend visits, or contact us directly for seasonal site and marina docking inquiries.

Conclusion

Maitland Shores Resort gives boaters and anglers in Ontario something that is genuinely hard to find in one place — a private marina on the Grand River, direct access to Lake Erie, full-hookup RV sites right on the property, and a full range of outdoor activities from ATV trails to fall hunting. Whether you are coming out for a weekend walleye trip, a family boating holiday, or a season-long stay on the water near Dunnville, the marina puts you exactly where you need to be from the moment you arrive. Get your site booked and your boat ready.