Outdoor Family Adventuring

No shade to Algonquin Provincial Park or Killbear; they are two crown jewels in the Ontario Provincial Parks system! We absolutely love them but it seems like they are always the first parks suggested to families who are new to camping and I want to highlight three parks that I don’t feel get enough love as perfect first timer campgrounds!

Here we go!

1. Samuel de Champlain – What a gem. Located between North Bay and Mattawa, this somewhat northern park is newer to us, and shot to the top of our lists after our very first trip in 2021. Read about that trip here!

• Campgrounds
  • There are two campground areas within the park both of which are walking distance to their own beaches on Moore Lake. The Amable du Fond River crashes between the campgrounds and there are some stellar waterfront sites in this park (check out sites 170 and 171!)
• Beach
  • Moore Lake is small, calm and invites a feeling of seclusion that I’m always chasing in a provincial park. Both beaches are sandy shored, shallow water and outfitted with a little playground making it a perfect beach for little learn to swimmers. The park store offers a free PFD rental program! Score.
• Hiking/Activities
  • There are 4 hiking trails the park starting with two under 2kms and rated easy (Forestry Research Trail and Wabashkiki Trail) and two that range in length from 2.5kms to 9kms and rated as difficult and strenuous (Kag Trail – steep climbs!, and the Etienne System Trails). Something for everyone in the family!
  • This park is famous for the natural lazy river created by the rapids – remember to bring your tubes and enjoy a few relaxing hours on the river!
• Day Trip
  • 20 minutes down the road you will find where the Mattawa River and the Ottawa river meet and marry – worth a quick drive to see I think, especially if the little humans need a car nap and the grown ups need a Timmies. I also HIGHLY recommend the Eau Clair Gorge hike which is local to the park AND 30 more minutes down THAT road you will find the Kiosk campground (Algonquin PP) if you want a little afternoon dip, because why not!? North Bay is about an hour away and has a few fun activities for a pit stop on the way home (top recommendation from me is the Heritage Train and Carosel at the waterfront)

2. Bon Echo – I don’t know if I have the words to adequately explain how perfect this provincial park is. It is rugged, beautiful and can easily keep you busy all day every day. Seriously, we stayed for 5 nights and didn’t finish our list!

• Campground
  • There are 2 campgrounds inside this park: Mazinaw, which encompasses Sawmill, Midway and Fairway loops, and Hardwood Hills which is separated from the main park, much more private and again, provides a sense of seclusion I’m always looking for but can’t always find.
• Beach
  • When you google ‘Bon Echo Provincial Park’, you will find image after image of imposing cliffs rising from Mazinaw Lake and it is as impressive in person as it looks on your screen. The main beach is fine, but we really love the North Beach – you get a perfect view of those imposing rocks!
• Hiking/Activities
  • Bon Echo is a hiker paradise with 5 trails rated easy-moderate and under 5kms (one of these is only accessible by canoe – aptly named the Cliff Top Trail, this hike brings you to the top of Mazinaw Rock to observation decks overlooking the lake), and the others are Shield Trail, High Pines Trail, and if your furry friend is joining the Pet Exercise Trail. For the more advanced hiker families, there is also the Abes and Essens Lake Trail, rated moderate/difficult and comprised of 3 interconnected trails totaling 19kms of hiking adventure
  • Canoeing – Mazinaw Lake is so friendly to new paddlers and this is a must do activity while camping here – just remember to get to the rental kiosk to line up about 30 minutes before it opens because they do go quickly! Hot tip – if you miss out, go back around 4 pm, and you will likely be able to rent one until sunset.
• Day Trip
  • Honestly, the park provides all the activity you can imagine but if you want to explore the surrounding areas you can check out Land O’Lakes Rescue Petting Farm, or the small town of Tweed which is far too adorable (and stocked with a Valu-Mart and LCBO if snacks are dwindling).

3. Bonnechere Provincial Park – a bit of a secret, and well worth the drive! Located in the Ottawa Valley, in the town of Killaloe, this park is smaller but also more amazing for families than most realize.

• Campground
  • Bonnechere is home to 3 campground areas: Tall Pines, River Loop and Sandy Flats and each are exactly as their names suggest. We stayed in Sandy Flats and our site was giant; perfect for our little ones who used the extra space to run the sillies off after a long day. Also Sandy Flats has this lovely mini comfort station made of pine that is unique and neat and worth a mention!
• Beach
  • Gosh, Round Lake is quite the beauty and you’ll have a hard time leaving this beach! Gorgeously sandy, this beach is shallow and warm and outfitted with an accessible entry which isn’t always found (although it should be!)
  • The park store is located on the beach where you can rent PDFs for your little non swimmers (this is a free rental program at Ontario Parks!), along with canoes and kayak rentals; you can also buy some snacks and borrow a book from the lending library tree if you’re a beach bum like me and plan to set up for the afternoon!
• Hiking/Activities
  • Inside the campground you will find the 2km McNaughton Trail, rated as easy, which walks you through the important cultural history of the area utilizing the traditional local First Nations way of teaching. It is a unique way to immerse yourself in the land you are visiting
  • The Bonnechere River runs through the park (and many sites back right up on to it!) so if you’re a paddler, you will have a great time exploring!
• Day Trip
  • Travel about 50 minutes north-ish and you are at the Sand Lake Gate of Algonquin Provincial Park where you will find the gorgeous Barron Canyon hike (1.5km loop, rated as easy) and the High Falls (cheater) Trail (4.0km, rated as moderate) – both of these hikes are friendly to little legs and incredibly beautiful
  • Barry’s Bay is nearby and I recommend a stop if you’re out for a local drive – the town is cute, the people are nice and I just love cottage town vibes.

Hopefully one of these parks have piqued your interest and you book a trip soon. Please leave me a comment telling me which of these three parks has piqued your interest enough to book a trip!

Happy camping friends!