This page is in NO WAY affiliated with Ontario Parks! |
PARK MAP.....NEW.....Online map of the park with campsites and descriptions. There are still a few bugs to be ironed out of the new map. Please let me know if you find any. |
This page is used by an increasing number of paddlers
each year. Every effort is made to keep the info provided as up to
date and accurate as possible.
If you find this page useful
in planning your trip then please be sure to take detailed notes when
in the park.
Upon
your return be sure to email
me with any updates/changes/site descriptions so we all
benefit.
Thanks go out to many different
people who in the past have contributed to the info on this page.
(You know who you are).
Three Legged Lake access
issues.... read.
The
official map of the park can be purchased at these locations.
If you know of any other places to purchase the map let me
know.
online.....http://www.fedpubs.com/mpchrt/maps/massasauga.htm
MEC
(Toronto) 400
King Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1K2
(416)340.2667
MEC
(Burlington)
1030 Brant Street,
Burlington, Ontario L7R 0B2 ( 905)333.8559
Adventure
Guide (Waterloo, Ont.) 382
King Street North, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z3, (519)
886-3121
Sojourn
(Barrie, Ont.)
31 Commerce Park Drive,
Unit A3, Barrie, Ontario L4N 8X1 ( 705)739.9694
Adventure
Attic (Dundas) 28
King St. W. Dundas ON, (905)-628-2929
Open
Air Books (Toronto) 25
Toronto Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2R1 (416) 363-0719
Grid
Reference! Please read.
The
park has a nasty habit of closing and changing site numbers. So
I've added a map reference number for each site.
This
is taken from the Massasauga
Park Map....NOT
topo maps. The park map has a letter
grid for Longitude
(east-west) and a number
grid for latitude
(north-south).
So...here's
my system. Site #1 for example is located on the Mass. park map
at ( L7-7.4 )
East-West first....North-South second.
Each grid is divided into
10 equal parts...just like topo grid references.
When using this list please reference it with your map to be certain that we are talking about the same location!
The site description is based on my criteria of what
makes a good campsite. Keep in mind that most of these sites are best
suited to small groups.
Flat, soft tent pads are a very rare
thing in The Massasauga. There are few sites which have more
than one reasonable tent pad, so if you're camping
with a group
be sure to be the first to set up your tent! What these sites lack in
comfort they more than make up for in beauty.
These descriptions make sense to
me, but they may puzzle anyone else.
A great site should
have the following in descending order of importance (the law
according to Bluewater)
--A
large point jutting out into the lake preferably pointing west. (Or
large exposed outcrop)
--Ample
trees to erect a rain shelter / wind break.
--Must
be set apart from other sites, not in a high traffic area.
--Relatively flat
tent sites. More is better.
--Good
fishing close by, right off the site is better.
--Close
proximity to other activities (ie: hiking trails, huge trees etc.)
--Easy landing and
haul up for canoes.
--Good
swimming, either sand beach or fresh water, with no slimy or weedy
wading.
--Good
layout, ie firepit and tent pads spaced out, thunderbox private, in
good repair.
--Good
condition, ie clean, free of broken glass, not overused, good
deadwood supply.
Site
|
Mass. |
Description
(+) = good attribute, ++ = outstanding |
|
- |
|
001 *** (Spider Lake) |
L7-7.4 |
Great view, not too much vegetation, excellent swimming. Picnic table. (although the big boulder is much more fun to use as a prep station.) |
002 **** " |
L7-6.9 |
Close for first night. There is a wall of logs making a
mini-shelter around the fire pit location/ kitchen,
complete |
003 *** " |
M2-6.7 |
Small site. Room for 2-3 tents. Ok view. |
004 *** " |
M1-6.5 |
Thick vegetation. Sand beach. Good swimming. |
005 ***1/2 " |
M0-6.3 |
Beautiful sand beach. The entire site is right on the
beach. |
006 ***1/2 " |
L4-6.2 |
Nice site. Good swimming. Room for 2 small or a large tent. |
007 *** " |
K7-6.3 |
Very private in a large bay. Inviting fire pit near shore surrounded by sloping higher rock. Deep water swimming right off rocks. Protected and cozy feeling under whispering pines . |
008 ...............Closed |
- |
Closed....the description
remains for when it reopens. |
009 *** |
K4-6.6 |
Good site. Adequate wood. Good landing. 2 semi-improved
tent pads. |
010 ...............Closed |
- |
CLOSED.
Recent reports say this site is now closed. |
011 *** " |
J5-7.2 |
+Large point nice view. +Good fishing site. --High
traffic flow past the site. |
012 * " |
J3-7.3 |
-High up on the rock face which gives you a great view of the lake. The approach to the site has a bit of poison ivy growing there. The swimming is great. There is plenty of room for tents. Starting to become a little sparse for wood. |
013 *** " |
J7-7.5 |
+Sits in a very small secluded bay with a good view from a
large point. |
014 **** (Spider Lake) |
K8-7.2 |
The site is located on top of a VERY high cliff / rock
face.....Don't sleep walk! |
015 *** " New |
K4-6.9 |
+Small point facing west + Central location on Spider
Lake. |
016 **** " |
I9-7.5 |
++Set high on a large point facing SE. |
017 ****Closed " |
I4-8.1 |
Closed....the description remains for when it reopens If it had a better view from the kitchen...and even a single twig of firewood left....it would be perfect. Set on a huge point, with lots of room for tents. Spectacular view from the top of the cliff. |
018 *** " |
H3-8.3 |
+Room for 3-4 tents. |
019 **** " |
J4-8.2 |
+One large (though slightly tilted) tent pad + a
smaller tent area -Firewood scarce...go for a paddle! |
020 *** " |
J3-8.4 |
Decent site. Rather small, room for 2-3 small tents + nice view of a scenic central location. |
021 **** " |
J7-8.4 |
Very nice, high point in narrows. +Sheltered with a
great view. |
022 *** " |
J5-9.3 |
Two tent pads - one is at a rather bad incline,
the upper one is better. High canoe traffic area. Decent
swimming. |
023 **** " |
J2-9.6 |
Very nice, 3 tent pads, +sheltered. -Very buggy when in
season. Faces east. (no sunsets) |
024 *** " |
J9-9.5 |
+Great view. -Very rough high point. Difficult
put in- take out. |
025 *** " |
J4-9.8 |
+High point, +nice view, -buggy. --Tent pads are small and
uneven. |
026 *** " ......Moved |
J8-10.2 |
-No sun morning or evening. +Has a great rock outcrop
where the fire pit |
028 *** " |
I7-10.6 |
+Nice fireplace up high on the rock facing west.
-very difficult landing for canoes |
029 **** " |
I4-10.5 |
+Great fire pit, sits out on the rocks surrounded
by large log benches. Expansive site. |
Send
me information!
|
||
030 *** (Clear Lake) |
J3-11.7 |
Average site. +Clear Lake is beautiful. |
031 ***** #32 on old maps |
J3-12.2 |
+Large flat rocks for docking, sunning, washing etc. + Small
sandy beach area for |
033 **** " |
I8-11.7 |
Small site with nice point facing south. |
034 *** " |
J4-12.9 |
+Very nice. Sheltered sand beach. +Sunning rocks
protected from the wind. |
101***Canoe Lake
|
|
It is a nice site lots of pine trees. 3-4 spots for tents. Not far from the portage and you could walk from the portage to the site. Seems like deep water to swim from but not a great take out. Lots of wood for fires but not much sun all day. |
102** |
M1-5.8 |
Small site, 2 people fit comfortably but wouldn't recommend more. Very hilly, rocky, rooty ground (except pad). Somewhat sheltered but still on an outcrop, with morning sun. Good flat tent pad - only one, decent firepit and grill. No garbage and TONS of firewood from fallen
trees. Swimming ok, a bit mucky |
103 *** (Canoe Lake) |
L5-5.4 |
Best site on Canoe Lake as far as privacy
goes. - Picnic Table! |
106 **** |
I6-6.3 |
Only one decent tent pad. Rocky site, but beautiful. Perfect raised fire pit with nearby rock perfect as your kitchen counter. Little traffic. Excellent bass fishing on nearby Westphal Lake. Rocky Shore. No beach. Plenty of shelter from trees. |
107 ***Creswicke Lake |
H4-6.6 |
Beautiful west facing site with great sitting area, tent pad,
sandy beach on one side and rock to jump off on the
other. |
108 ***Speyer Lake |
|
Small lake but the Bass fishing is amazing! Site is on a low point on the lake surrounded by a marshy area. It is low lying and a bit moist after rain. Room for one tent comfortably and a nice kitchen area with fire pit. |
111*** (Spider Bay) |
E7-9.2 |
-Very rocky, devoid of vegetation! -Only ONE tent spot.
|
200 ** (Spider Bay) |
G7-9.2 |
+Secluded. -Very small. --brushy. --Rough tent pads
|
201*** |
G4-10.9 |
Very private. Swimming on site is a bit swampy but there's a great swimming spot just across from it. |
202 **** (Three Finger Bay) |
F7-11.8 |
+Very nice high granite point. Ok tent site. ++Very
scenic area! |
203*** (Clear Bay) |
H4-12.3 |
Nice site, but on a busy overnighting bay. |
204 **** |
I1-11.8 |
Very nice site. 3 levels, Good wood supply. Soft tent
pads(2 or 3). Fair swimming. |
205*** |
H1-12.4 |
+ Flat rocky expanses near water for sunny tenting on rock or
open sleeping. |
206*** |
G8-12.7 |
Nice large site on a sandy beach; lots of tent area. |
209 **** |
H6-13.7 |
+Small beach, with very good swimming. Small site with tent
pads set back |
210**** |
H2-13.7 |
+Huge granite point facing east. +Great swimming site! |
211*** |
H7-14.5 |
Located on a large point jutting out into the lake about
200metres East of Parkinson Island. Beautiful sunsets. |
212**(Port Rawson Bay) |
J7-14.5 |
+large site with smooth rock +room for 3
tents on smooth rock and moss. |
213****(Port Rawson Bay) |
K2-15.2 |
Both a sand beach and deep diving water. Many tent sites, but
not on pads |
215* (Port Rawson Bay) |
J8-15.7 |
New
site! |
215* Closed |
J7-16.3 |
*** Be sure to check when booking...Both
sites closed, moved, renumbered.???? The description
remains for future reference. |
217**** |
I8-16.5 |
+Large point facing SE. Good swimming site with large flat
open rock area. |
218*** |
H7-16.5
|
+Nice site located on a point facing southwest. |
219 *** (Gilman Bay) |
I4-16.8 |
-Very hilly site. Area for 2 small tents. Climb down to
water. |
220 *** " |
I3-17.3 |
++Set in a very private small bay with a good fishing shoal
nearby. |
221 *** |
I8-17 |
+Room for 3 large tents. Sheltered site, with large rocks for
swimming. |
302 , 304 & 305 *** |
I-21.5... |
All three are beautiful sites. Great morning sun, with a nice
sand beach |
307*** |
H3-20.7 |
+large flat sandy lot with a nice sandy put-in. You can follow
the sun around |
308*** |
H7-20.3 |
As of 2003 this site is 200metres NE of location printed on
the 1998 map. |
309*** |
H5-20.5 |
Secluded, isolated from motor boat traffic.
Easy approach for canoe or kayak |
310*** |
H5-20.1 |
+Very secluded bay...2 sites across the bay only 3 in the
whole area. |
311***1/2 |
|
Large site. No tent pads, lots of roots. - nice sand beach - very private, no boat traffic - Morning sun, afternoon shade - great swimming - rattle snake seen near site |
312*** |
G9-20.3 |
Fairly nice, on the east facing shore of the island. Large
area of exposed rock down to the water's edge. |
313**** |
G8-20.1 |
Very private, only campsite on the island, almost no traffic
in front. Very scenic, good hiking around the island. |
314*** |
H4-19.8 |
Secluded, sheltered flat tent areas.
Large flat rocks with some areas to wade around. A bit weedy in
spots |
315*** " |
G7-19.6 |
-small site, with two tent pads, one level, one "roller".
Situated on a small point |
317*** |
G6-18.5 |
Breezy western exposure, with good view. Some smooth
rock. Can be buggy in season. |
318*** |
G7-18.9 |
A muddy/weedy swale flows down to the beach from a swamp just above the campsite. There are no tent pads but plenty of sand. The feature of this site is the beach. Great for small children as it has a wide beach with a shallow waterfront that extends out about 50’ before the drop off. Tough for power boats unless you have a good anchor. Can be very windy.. west exposure. Fire wood is not too hard to find. |
320 *** |
F5-15.6 |
Good site. Sand beach, great swimming, good wood, clean wooded
tent sites(2 or 3), |
321*** |
F3-15.3 |
Similar to 322 in that a small bay is next to a rocky outcropping. The tent pads and picnic table are up on the outcropping so you need to haul all your gear up through the trees. Nice spot to sit and watch the boats go by (if you like that) Very buggy to head up to the thunderbox. |
322*** |
D1-21.3 |
There are 2 tent pads - a large one and a small one. Both pads are composed of raised, walled structures containing sand (luxury!). There is a good sand canoe pull up. The boys camp on nearby Loon Island (Camp Hurontario) offers shooting (.22 and shotgun). You can hear both firearms quite clearly from the site. The camp's website tells you when the camp is running and mentions the shooting. Go when it isn't running if you want to avoid hearing shots. |
323*** |
D5-20.9 |
Site 323 is on the opposite
side of the island from site 324. It is high, rocky and very
exposed. |
324***..Moved |
D3-20.7 |
##
Relocated.....AGAIN...was
on Wreck Island ...then it was on Woods Bay.....what a pain...
Check your map! |
325 **** |
C9-18.2- |
+Beautiful site in a sheltered inlet, with a small wetland out
front, and a beaver dam behind. +Very private +Large clear rock
area for fire, hanging out etc. |
326*** |
F8-20.3 |
+Nice beach. + rather isolated |
327*** |
F3-19.8 |
Nice site. Very protected spot. Nice view across the bay. Its not a large site but well "laid out" (potential for 3 good tent locations). Great swimming off the rocks. Faces east... no sunsets. |
328 , 329 & 330 |
F6-20.2 |
All three sites run together as one big campsite with
no real delineation between them. |
333*** |
F4-20.6 |
It is relatively private although fishermen and some touring
boats do pass by, but far enough from shore. |
..Relocated 334***1/2 (not quite 4*) |
E9-20.7 |
Older maps ( y2k and older )..show these two sites on
Pleasant Island. The 2003 map shows NO sites |
336*** |
E5-19.4 |
Sheltered in a bay, good fire wood, course sandy area. Poor
swimming No view. NO tent pad |
340* ...Relocated |
H1-19.9 |
340 - now located just 100 meters north of
site 311- no longer in Woods Bay, but instead located west
of |
401*** |
H9-22.4 |
+Shallow gravel sand area to land boats or for wading . The
campsite itself is elevated. |
402*** |
H5-22.5 |
Secluded site, with excellent swimming, beautiful smooth rocky point jutting into water. Nearby island across from site provides excellent buffer from distant motorized boat traffic & wonderful privacy screen. Large site with well placed firepit, picnic table, trees for erecting shelters or tarps and space for 3 tents on soft surfaces or more if willing to erect tents in woods. Excellent area for pulling up canoes. |
403*** |
I5-21.6 |
Four large tent pads. Long sand beach. Full shade. Small area
around fire pit, could probably fit 7 people. |
Send
me information! |
||
404 |
I8-21.6 |
Lots of heavy, fast boat traffic through the straight. Site is elevated for good views, 3 great sand tent pads. Beware of the Moon River Marine water taxi! If interested...ask me why. |
405*** |
I4-21.7 |
Campsite is elevated with good
views, secluded from sites to either side. Steep drop to
water. |
406* |
J1-21.7 |
Water access is very poor. Very steep sloping rocks to the water. Bad site. |
407 |
J3-21.7 |
No description yet. |
408*** |
J6-21.7 |
Limited view but it is private....at
least until a boat motors up the narrow channel. + Two excellent
tent pads. |
409 |
J8-21.8 |
No description yet. |
410 |
K1-21.8 |
No description yet. |
501*** (Blackstone Harbour) |
L1-17.2 |
Not bad. |
502** " |
L3-17.3 |
-small, high up and very overgrown. -Boat traffic. |
503** " |
L4-17.4 |
-small, high up and very overgrown. -Boat traffic. |
504** " |
L1-18.8 |
+Nice large site. +Poor sloped tent sites +Flat rocks
for launching |
505*** " |
L1-19.1 |
+Very large site + Good protected tent sites +Flat rocks for
launching |
506*** " |
L2-19.4 |
-Far too busy with all the boat traffic heading through
the narrows. Lots of good tent pads. |
507 * " |
L1-19.6 |
-Far too busy with all the boat traffic heading through
the narrows. |
508** " |
L2-19.7 |
-Far too busy with all the boat traffic heading through
the narrows. |
509*** " |
L4-19.8 |
+Nice site on an east facing point. +Good swimming +Nice
view. |
510** " |
M8-19.0 |
-Totally unprotected - few trees close by -No
privacy |
511*** " |
M3-18.8 |
+Nice beach +Protected site |
512**** " |
M1-19.0 |
+Nice large site + Sheltered from the elements
+small beach |
513* (Conger Lake) Closed |
This site no longer shows up on the y2k
map...probably closed! |
|
514*** " |
P8-18.5 |
- Easy docking. Room for 2 large tents on nice
even ground carved out in the trees. |
515*** " |
Q3-17.8 |
The site is on very uneven ground. No decent tent pads.
Poor swimming, weedy. |
516 " Closed |
This site no longer shows up on the y2k
map...probably closed! |
|
517*** " |
O7-18.7 |
+Nice view, +sunny location, +flat rocks for sunbathing.
|
519** " |
P2-18.5 |
-Fairly small - no good swimming or sunbathing. |
520**** (Little Blackstone Lake) |
N2-17.3 |
--Moved .............Check a new map for correct location. Large concentration of trees for shelter and wind break. Very low traffic area - no boat access, closest site is not visible from site and is 200m away. 2-3 tent sites, fairly flat. Excellent fishing on entire lake and directly off site. Very close to hiking trail. No sand beach, slimy rock to get into water, no weeds. Excellent layout. Firepit 10m from water's edge, picnic table, tent sites 50m back from firepit in woods. Thunder box not private - very close to tent sites Very clean. Excellent deadwood supply within 1 minute from site. Site not used often. Lots of shade. |
521** |
M8-17.3 |
Not much flat area for tent; nice sunsets; not very private (#522 is directly across a narrow channel) Deep swimming |
522*** |
M7-17.3 |
Not very private (#521 is directly across a narrow channel) Afternoon shade; deep swimming. |
523*** " |
M4-16.5 |
Nice large site. Rock takeout. Completely private. Great fire pit on rocks overlooking lake. Good high rock for jumping into water (about 12ft) and little or no weeds. Tent pad is decent size we fit our 4 man tent with plenty of space to spare. |
(Jenner Bay) |
- |
The only access to Jenner Bay is on the west side of Kinnear
Island. The north channel |
601*** (Jenner Bay) |
E3-13.1 |
-Good site, totally
secluded, private bay. Big long sandy beach.
|
602 ....New (Jenner Bay)
|
E4-12.9 |
Brand new site just carved out of the woods. The two tent pads
have many sharp |
602*** (Goose Neck Bay) Closed |
- |
There is now a site 602 on Jenner Bay. 602 on Goose Neck is Closed ...it wasn't very good anyway. |
603 |
E5-12.8 |
Access is very weedy and muddy. The landing is very grassy, or
underwater, depending on water levels. Good tree cover. |
604***1/2 (Goose Neck Bay) |
D9-10.9 |
+Huge flat granite point. +Huge site with room for 10
tents |
605*** " |
E1-10.7 |
- Two tent sites. -fire pit is located on a sloping granite
hillside. |
606** " |
E3-10.7 |
--Very small. -Tucked in the woods. +Good view of
the bay. |
|
Closed....this description is for the
old site on Gooseneck Bay...description remains for when it
reopens. |
|
607*** |
F4-10.4 |
Now located at the entrance to Goose Neck Bay. Small
site suitable for 2 tents. |
608* Closed |
- |
Closed....the description remains for
when it reopens. |
609 " |
E4-10.9 |
Send me a description! |
610*** " |
E6-11.0 |
-Only one good tent spot. +Large area of exposed rock for
sunbathing. |
611** " |
E7-10.9 |
Yuck! Too small. Stuck back in the woods. Buggy. |
Send
me information!
Site
descriptions, interesting places, bears anything...........
Please
include a location of the campsite in question so we know that it's
the same place!
Thanks for dropping by.......Blair Caron