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P.O. Box 5004, 670 Concession 18 East Penetanguishene, ON, L9M 2G2

Latitude: 44.843699 Longitude: -80.002699

(705)-549-2231

http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/awenda

Camping Dates – May 8, 2015 to October 13, 2015

Opening and Closing (Day Use) – April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016

Early 2000’s

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Awenda Provincial Park was founded in 1975 and covers 2915 hectares on the northern tip of the Penetanguishene Peninsula on Georgian Bay. There are 333 campsites – 102 of which are electrical. The park has a picnic shelter, a park store, rentals, and a day-use area.  Awenda offers Radio-Free, Dog-Free, and Group camping sites. Swimming is available at five beaches within the park; three pebble beaches, one pet beach and one sandy beach (the fourth and furthest beach). Pets are only allowed on the designated pet beach area.

What Makes The Park Special?

Awenda has 17 archaeological sites which prove that the area has been occupied by humans for as many as 11,000 years! Biologically, the park includes a huge variety of habitats: upland deciduous forests of red oak, sugar maple and beech trees; lowland deciduous/coniferous forests of cedar, red maple, birch, hemlock and balsam fir; two sphagnum bogs; beaches; shoreline fens and dunes. During your hikes you will see evidence of the post-glacial shore of Lake Algonquin and  be awed by vistas of the Algonquin AND Nipissing Bluffs. Awenda also offers one of the largest stretches of Old Growth Forest in Canada, totalling 243 hectares.

Awenda includes the Giant’s Tomb Island, which is only accessible by boat – on calm days you can access it by canoe or kayak. The island’s extensive and undisturbed shoreline and upland forest protects many different habitats, including shoreline beaches and dunes, raised beaches, beach terraces and boulder beaches. The island does not offer overnight camping, so plan a calm day to enjoy this beautiful, secluded island.

In terms of wildlife and biodiversity, Awenda is bursting at the seams. The park has over 200 bird species, 41 mammal species, a diverse representation of reptiles (10 snake species, 5 turtles species and 1 lizard) and amphibians (10 species of frogs and toads, and 6 species of salamanders). Some of the Provincially significant species are as follows: Cerulean Warbler, Canada Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bald Eagle, Eastern Hognose Snake and Eastern Fox Snake.

Awenda is a large, secluded Provincial park that is fairly accessible to most areas of southwestern and central Ontario. We visited Awenda for many years as our “go to” park and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. The drive into the park is spectacular. It is a long, winding, tree canopied road that makes you feel at peace. We found the park was always significantly cooler than the small town of Penetanguishene, which was refreshing on some of those blisteringly hot trips. The park offers a variety of trails, varying in length, difficulty and habitat. Some of the trails seemed to be perfect for mountain bikers, while others would be fantastic for young children. Overall, the trails are one of the major features that we loved about Awenda, and so will you.

The beaches are quite far from the campgrounds, which therefore requires a long hike both ways, or a trip in the car. The first three beaches are quite nice but with large rocks. The fourth beach is probably the nicest, but is also the furthest walk from your vehicle. We never found the beaches to be overly crowded and it was wonderful to have a specified pet beach, since very few places are pet-friendly. Be careful when taking your dog to the beach because there are large submerged rocks that could hurt them if they are overly rambunctious. For a spectacular view of the stars on a clear night, the beach is the place to go – amazing.

Trail down to the beaches.

Reflection on Kettle’s Lake.

Awenda Provincial Park Trail Map

Trails in order of length:

Beaver Pond Trail • 1 km (30 mins) loop• Easy, barrier free, boardwalk • See old and new beaver activity • Views of Nipissing Bluff •  Look for wildlife, wildflowers and birds.

Nipissing Trail • 1 km return (30 mins) linear • Moderate, 155 step staircase • Walk down Nipissing Bluff (dominant glacial feature in Awenda) • View the forest canopy.

Robitaille Homestead Trail • 3 km return (1 hour) linear • Easy – moderate • Fairly steep hill leads to an ancient dune system • Remnants of old stone buildings and fence rows • Near the end is an old field that provides excellent opportunities to see and photograph butterflies on warm, sunny days. Please stay off the dunes and away from the cliff edges.

Beach Trail • 4 km return (1.5 hours) linear • Easy, flat • Takes you along the shoreline to the 4 beaches • Views of Giant’s Tomb Island.

Brûlé Trail • 4 km return (1.5 hours) linear • Easy, flat • Beautiful forest path through Sugar Maples and Red Oaks.

Wendat Trail • 5 km (2 hours) loop • Easy, hilly • Trail winds around Kettle’s Lake • Shoreline views • Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest • Canoe rentals available • Great trail for a picnic.

Bluff Trail • 13 km (3.5 hours) loop • Moderate • Accessible from several locations • Travel through a high bluff and a low wetland • Views of the Georgian Bay earlier and later in the season.

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Boating

Hiking

Natural Heritage Education

Other

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Boat Launch

Day Use Area

French

Non-Electrical Sites

Pet Swimming Area

Rentals

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Family Discovery Day at Discovery Harbour  • July 25-26, 2015 • Live entertainment, children’s activities, pioneer demonstrations, guided tours and more • Find details here.

Natural Heritage Education • offered once a week in the summer at the park • Check the Park Tabloid, online or the Park Store for details.

Penetanguishene Winterama • Held in February • Bonfires, Outdoor BBQ, live entertainment, snow sculpture competition, Sno Pitch tournament, dances, bowling, museum events, and so much more! • Check out the schedule of events.

Beaches • 4 separate beaches within park boundaries • Balm Beach, Midland • Waubashene Beaches – non-operating park  (Latitude: 44.74823486 Longitude: -79.71977796).

Conservation Areas • No conservation areas close by.

Discovery Harbour • 93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene • Recreation of 19th century community and replica of British sailing ships • Visit The Harbour and get 50% off admission to Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons. Information, hours of operation and rates.

Huronia Museum • 549 Little Lake Park, Midland • Replica of a “pre-contact” Huron/Ouendat village with a lookout tower, wigwam and full-sized longhouse • Hours of operation and admission fees.

Lighthouses • Hope Island Lighthouse, Midland (accessible by boat) • Victoria Harbour Rear Range Light, Victoria Harbour • Beausoleil Island Light Range, Honey Harbour (open to public via boat or water taxi) • Brefeuf Island Light, Honey Harbour (not open to public, accessible by private boat or by Hiking Georgian Trail on the island) • Christian Island Lighthouse (take ferry to island from Cedar Point).

Local Trails

• Penetanguishene Trail • 5.5 km  paved trail • joins up with Copeland Creek Trail, Tiny Trail, Discovery Harbour Trail • Trail Map

• Tay Shore Trail • Midland to Waubaushene • 18.5 km paved trail • Takes you through small villages with historic plaques, rest stops and picnic areas Trail map

• Tiny Trail • Penetanguishnene to Elmvale • 23 km crushed stone and asphalt • multi-use, including snowmobiles • See 11 new bridges along the old historic railway • Access points and parking shown on map • Trail Map

Penetanguishene Centennial Museum • 13 Burke Street, Penetanguishene • Visit a museum that celebrates the history of one of the oldest settlements west of Quebec City • Offers events all year round • Sunday Evening Concerts held during the summer • More information on the museum and events.

Provincial Parks • Six Mile Lake (Latitude: 44.88824 Longitude: -79.75216), and Waubashene Beaches – non-operating park  (Latitude: 44.74823486 Longitude: -79.71977796).

Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons • Hwy 12 East, Midland • Amazing reconstruction of 17th century Jesuit mission • Visit Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons and get 50% off admission to The Discovery Harbour. Hours of operation and rates.

Wye Marsh • 16160 Hwy 12 East, Midland • An “Important Bird Area” • Wetland conservation offering educational and recreational opportunities • Features an interpretive centre, trails to hike, bike or ski (rentals available), guided eco tours, canoe tours • Year round activities • Learn more about the Wye Marsh

Sources:

“Awenda Provincial Park Information.” Welcome to Awenda Provincial Park. Ministry of Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2015. <http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/awenda>.

Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario. (1990). Awenda Provincial Park Management Plan.[Queen’s Printer for Ontario].

Web log post. Friends of Awenda Park. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2015. <www.awendapark.ca>.