Summer at Bon Echo Provincial Park

Bon Echo Provincial Park located approximately 2 hours east of Toronto or 2 hours west of Ottawa is a wonderful park for summer camping. Reservations must be made in advance through the Ontario Provincial Park Reservation System.

Several types of accommodations are available at the park including sites for recreational vehicles, tents, as well as yurts and cabins. Lots are well organized with most having access to a dedicated comfort station which has hot water facilities, showers, and flushing toilets. My recommendation for those who wish to be close to the water is to choose a site called, "Fairway" which is within walking distance to the main beach as well as launch facility for canoe and kayaks. An alternative site which is more secluded and within the lush forest is Sawmill. This particular site is beautiful with its greenery and offers nature lovers the feel of being secluded though lots are not too far spaced apart.

Bon Echo features several lakes, including part of Mazinaw Lake, the seventh-deepest lake in Ontario. The southeastern shore of Mazinaw Lake features the massive 100 m (330 ft) high Mazinaw Rock, an escarpment rising out of the water, adorned with over 260 native pictographs.

Things To Do

Canoe

One of the most popular activities to do is to canoe on Mazinaw Lake. For those who do not own a canoe the visitor centre offers canoe, kayak and stand up paddle board rentals. The water although deep is generally very calm and suitable for families with young children. A short paddle will take you to the face of Mazinaw Rock to view the pictographs.

Hike

Abes and Essens Lake Trail – 3 interconnecting looped trails: Clutes 3.5 km (1.5 hours); Essens Lake 9.6 km (4 hours) and Abes 17 km (7 hours) moderate to difficult. Some sections offer panoramic views that are particularly spectacular in fall. Hike for a day or camp at one of the five campsites along the trail (campsite reservations are required).

Bon Echo Creek Trail: 1 km (40 minutes), linear, easy Take a leisurely walk along the Bon Echo Creek.

Cliff Top Trail – 1.5 km (1 hour), linear, moderate to difficult This trail is only accessible by water. Stairs and a pathway take hikers to the top of Mazinaw Rock to three observation decks overlooking the lake.

High Pines Trail - 1.7 km (1 hour), loop, moderate Hikers pass a variety of forest and wetland communities including tall pines, groves of hemlock and quiet forest ponds.

Shield Trail - 4.8 km (2 hours), loop, moderate Follow a section of the old Addington Road as it crosses the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield where you will see hardwood forests, cedar lowlands and a beaver swamp.

Swimming

There are three natural sand beaches recommended for swimming. The Main Beach is located in Lower Mazinaw Lake, South Beach is located in the day use area, and North Beach is in Sawmill Bay campground. These beaches are marked with buoys.