Nestled Between Ottawa And Toronto Is Canada's Scenic Provincial Park For Hiking, Camping, And Lake Fun

Bon Echo Provincial Park is located in Eastern Ontario, next to one of Canada's most populated and highly developed areas. The placid lakes and lush forests that make up the park's interior are a respite from the commercial bustle of the Golden Horseshoe. Plenty of the reviewers that rate this park on Google mention its peaceful atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings.

The park is located a three-hour drive from Toronto, Canada's biggest city, and about 2 hours and 10 minutes from Ottawa, the nation's capital. This gives visitors a choice between Toronto-Pearson International Airport and Ottawa-Macdonald–Cartier International Airport. The closest airport to the park is actually Norman Rogers Airport, 90 minutes away in Kingston, but its reach is not international. Most of the flights are operated by Air Canada and only go to Toronto.

The closest town to the park is the village of Cloyne, home of the Pioneer Museum and a convenient place for campers and outdoor enthusiasts to grab supplies and gear. Visitors should buy a vehicle permit from Ontario Parks to get into the park faster and reserve their spot. For those that are camping, reservations and permits are strongly recommended, especially for weekend visits. The park is open from mid-May to mid-December, and the exact dates vary from year to year, so travelers need to check the website for updated information.

Bon Echo Park offers visitors plenty of space with more than 500 campsites, making it the area's largest place to stay. This impressive selection includes remote campsites and sites for tents, RVs, and campers, in addition to offering shelters and cabins for rent. Some of them require a hiking trail to reach, and there are several trails in the park to enjoy. So, grab those special camping gadgets on your wish list and prepare for adventure. 

Most of these campsites are on the western shores of Mazinaw Lake, across the water from Mazinaw Rock and the Indigenous pictographs. This is southern Ontario's only major pictograph site, but there are also several American examples of this awe-inspiring ancient rock art. More camping is available with canoe-in and walk-in camping sites deep in the park's interior, and a few are accessible via the Abes and Essens Trail. You can find the trailhead on the western side of Bon Echo Lake at the end of the designated parking lot. AllTrails rates the trail as Moderate and describes it as ideal for both day hikes and overnight backpacking trips.

The Clifftop Trail runs along the eastern shore of Mazinaw Lake from the top of Mazinaw Rock. AllTrails rates it as Moderate and gives it a 4.7 stars. It's not a long trail, but the elevation gain to reach the top makes it somewhat challenging. A review on Google describes the stellar views from the lookouts, "These platforms provide breathtaking views of Mazinaw Lake, including its upper and lower basins [...] and the vast forests of Bon Echo Provincial Park."

Mazinaw is by far the biggest lake attached to the park, and it is divided into an Upper and Lower portion, separated by a thin passage called The Narrows. Guided tours on boats and ferries that offer close-up views and detailed information are available through the Friends of Bon Echo Park. Be advised that these tickets sell fast, and they need to be reserved online weeks in advance. 

Mazinaw is also a popular fishing spot for trout, bass, northern pike, and more. It's the only lake in Bon Echo Park that allows motorized vehicles, and launches are available at the Lagoon and Bon Echo Creek. The Lagoon is also where you can find canoe and kayak rentals, conveniently located next to the main beach and across the water from the Clifftop Trailhead. Most visitors come here to see Mazinaw Lake, but there are several other lakes within the 20,495 acres that make up Bon Echo Park.

Joeperry and Pearson Lakes are entirely within the confines of the park and share a boat launch, but this is for smaller, non-motorized boats only. There's a portage of almost 550 yards between the parking lot and the launch, so be prepared to carry your boat and gear before getting on the water and canoeing to the campsite. For those exploring the area who want to see other local rivers and lakes, Algonquin Provincial Park is only about two hours away and includes one of the most scenic campgrounds in Canada.