Ontario Parks Insider Report on Grundy Lake

Grundy Lake Provincial Park has it all. It's far enough away from urban areas to lessen the weekend crowds but close enough to lessen the boredom the kids have to endure during the car ride. One viewing of Madagascar 2 and a couple episodes of Scooby-doo and you'll have the family setting up camp under a rich canopy of northern pine and spruce. Campsite choice is excellent at Grundy; all are well maintained and laid out for tent or trailer.

Hiking trails are also supreme. The park offers three main loop treks ranging from 2 to 4 kilometres in length, and all take you on a spectacular tour of the region's natural attractions: barren rock of the Precambrian Shield, tranquil stream, dense forest, beaver ponds and vibrant wetlands (one being home to an impressive Great Blue Heron nesting site, also known as a rookery). And according to Grundy Lake regulars, after a long hike it's tradition to take a twilight swim at "The Rock" - located on the east side of Grundy Lake, between White Pine and Red Maple campgrounds.

But the best part about Grundy Lake is that the half-dozen lakes making up a good portion of the park are all motorboat free, which in turn provides great canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Paddling on Grundy Lake, Gurd Lake and Gut Lake are popular day outings. Grundy Lake's ultimate plus, however, is the backcountry sites. Ten interior sites have been added to Grundy, Gurd, Beaver and Pakeshkag Lakes. These are perfect for families wanting to try out interior canoe and kayak tripping, experience a more natural (and less crowded) camping experience, but still want to be close to all the conveniences of the campground (showers, laundry, firewood, Natural Heritage Education Programs) just a short paddle away.

And for those rainy days, drive 15 minutes north of Grundy Lake to visit the French River Visitor Centre or into Sudbury just 60 kilometres north to visit Science North.

Copyright Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2008

For more information, go to the Grundy Lake listing on CampSource.

Ontario Park Insider

If you would like to be informed about important dates, events and news, as well as special offers from Ontario Parks and their partners, sign up for the Ontario Parks Insider. The current issue (April 8, 2009) contains articles on featured campgrounds, gearing up for spring, wildflowers of the provincial parks, and more.

New Pictures of Mono Cliff Provincial Park

Mono Cliff Provincial Park
Originally uploaded by Richard Cleaver

Mono Cliffs contains a significant section of the Niagara Escarpment, including crevice caves, an upland limestone plain, and talus slopes. The park features two prominent masses of rock, separated by erosion from the main rock body. When this occurs, the resultant feature is called an outlier. Botanists have noted that the local vegetation includes a particularly rich diversity of ferns. This park is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System, and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. The park offers parking lots, toilets, and trails for hiking. The natural features in the park are fragile.

Pictures of Mono Cliff Provincial Park, Penetangusishene, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Mono Cliff Provincial Park pictures or add your pictures to the Mono Cliff Provincial Park Group on Flickr.

Visit the Mono Cliff Provincial Park listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Killbear Provincial Park

Killbear Provincial Park
Originally uploaded by Richard Cleaver

This Georgian Bay peninsula is a water lover's paradise for swimming and sailing, fishing and boating. Camp by a sandy beach, on a rocky shore or under the trees. Hike to lookouts for views of Parry Sound, that lonely white pine on a windswept rock or one of Georgian Bay's spectacular sunsets.

Pictures of Frontenac Provincial Park, Penetangusishene, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Killbear Provincial Park pictures or add your pictures to the Killbear Provincial Park Group on Flickr.

Visit the Killbear Provincial Park listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Frontenac Provincial Park

Frontenac Provincial Park
Originally uploaded by Richard Cleaver

Situated on a southern arm of the Canadian Shield north of Kingston, this semi-wilderness park features granite outcrops, vast wetlands and mixed forests, plants and wildlife. Trails wind through rugged terrain to Moulton Gorge, the Arkon Lake Bog, the Black Lake homestead and the Crab Lake mines. From Otter Lake, hikers and canoeists head into the interior for glimpses of osprey and kingfisher, deer and black bear, coyote and fox, and abundant beaver. Wilderness skills courses are offered in summer and winter.

Pictures of Frontenac Provincial Park, Penetangusishene, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Frontenac Provincial Park pictures or add your pictures to the Frontenac Provincial Park Group on Flickr.

Visit the Frontenac Provincial Park listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Awenda Provincial Park

Awenda Provincial Park
Originally uploaded by CampSource

Nippissing Bluff drops 60 metres into Georgian Bay. Across the water is Giant's Tomb, an island where the spirit Kitchikewana rests. Below the bluff, sand, cobble and boulder beaches in sheltered Methodist Point Bay offer the best swimming. Like the kettle lake inland, they are signs of a glaciated past. From the shoreline fen to forest bog, on spirit walks and owl prowls, explore a unique convergence of wildlife and geography.

Pictures of Awenda Provincial Park, Penetangusishene, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Awenda Provincial Park pictures or add your pictures to the Awenda Provincial Park Group on Flickr.

Visit the Awenda Provincial Park listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp

Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp
Originally uploaded by CampSource

Come in and enjoy Canadian hospitality and a friendly family campground atmosphere on scenic Marble Lake. Some 1200' of shallow sandy bottom waterfront free of leeches/algaes/motorboats and sandy beach awaiting you. We put in all our efforts to make your vacation, or just a short stay, unforgettably good. Live music events, BBQ's, Fireworks, Hay Rides and more. Free of charge Kids-Klub in July & August. Free showers, clean washroom/laundry facilities. Seasonal sites, rental trailer/cabin/cottage available. Close to trail system. Open January to November. There is plenty for the family to enjoy. Challenge the great outdoors with nearby hiking through wilderness, white water rafting or moose & elk watching. You'll love it!

Pictures of Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp, Bancroft, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp pictures or add your pictures to the Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp Group on Flickr.

Visit the Bancroft Tent & Trailer Camp listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Driftwood Beach Park

Driftwood Beach Park
Originally uploaded by CampSource

Driftwood Beach Park, a family oriented seasonal RV park and campground on beautiful Lakelet Lake. Located west of Clifford Ontario, this family retreat offers Ontario's finest in recreational camping.

Pictures of Driftwood Beach Park, Clifford, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Driftwood Beach Park pictures or add your pictures to the Driftwood Beach Park Group on Flickr.

Visit the Driftwood Beach Park listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.

New Pictures of Highland Pines Campground

image-01
Originally uploaded by CampSource

Only an hour from the city, you'll find it easy to leave the hustle and bustle behind in our natural setting. Located on the north shore of Lake Belwood, near the historical towns of Fergus and Elora, Highland Pines is the perfect family camping place. Lake Belwood is a Grand River Conservation Authority lake that has an abundance of boating, water skiing and fishing. Launch your boat from our ramp or enjoy our beach for a swim – and don't forget to build a sandcastle with the kids! Our campground is open for your family to enjoy from early May to Canadian Thanksgiving.

Pictures of Highland Pines Campground, Belwood, Ontario have been added to CampSource. View the Highland Pines Campground pictures or add your pictures to the Highland Pines Campground Group on Flickr.

Visit the Highland Pines Campground listing on CampSource for contact information, facilities, rates, directions, campground reviews, and more.