Awenda Provincial Park
Encyclopedia
Awenda Provincial Park is a provincial park
in western Ontario
located on the northern tip of the Penetanguishene Peninsula on Georgian Bay
. The park occupies an area of 29.15 km². It is classified as a Natural Environment Park and therefore all land is protected.
Giants Tomb Island
has recently been added as part of the park. Recreational activities include swimming, canoeing and hiking. Geological features include the Nipissing Bluff and kettle lakes formed during the retreat of the glacier
s at the end of the most recent ice age
. The shoreline consists of a series of beaches with sand, cobble and rocks
Much of this area was logged around the beginning of the 20th century, so most of the forests here are second growth
. However, the park supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. The park is home to 32 species of amphibian
s and reptile
s.
Key camping rules include:
- No excessive noise after 11pm
- Maximum of one car per site, there exists overflow parking for each camp area. Extra vehicles will need to be parked in Additional Vehicle parking lots
- Maximum of 3 tents per site, and one dining shelter or tarp per site.
- Maximum of 6 adults per site, or one family unit. Infants must be registered and therefore are not exempt from the 6 people rule. A family unit does not include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and so forth. Two Adults and their children are a family unit.
- Alcohol is permitted on personal site only. Alcohol ban is in effect from opening day until the day after the May long weekend.
The park also contains over 30 KM of hiking trails, with a variety of shorter and longer trails. Highlights include:
Robitaille Homestead Trail - 3km return (1 hour approx - moderate difficulty level)
This trail takes you to an ancient dune system. The age of these sand dunes has been estimated at 11,500 years, from the time of the last glacial retreat. The dunes are a very fragile environment and it is prohibited to climb the hillside, stand on the edge of the bluff or climb down the bluff. The purpose is to allow plants to reestablish themselves and to preserve this area for future park visitors.
Wendat Trail - Loop 5km (2 hours approx - easy difficulty level)
This trail wraps around Kettle Lake following closely on sections of the shore. A good area for wildlife viewing, specifically for birds such as the blue heron, loons, and small birds. A built boardwalk brings you over wetlands and provides beautiful scenery
For a detail list of trails see http://ontarioparks.com/english/awen-hiking.html.
Canoes can be rented at the park to be used on Kettle's lake. No bike or kayak rentals available. Natural Heritage programs are schedules throughout the summer and include Owl Prowls, nature hikes, children's programs, etc.
Park wardens are on staff at all times and are constantly monitoring campgrounds in case of emergency. After 3am OPP handle all issues.
Other activities at the park include:
Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and snow-shoeing.
Provincial park
A provincial park is a park under the management of a provincial or territorial government in Canada.While provincial parks are not the same as national parks, their workings are very similar...
in western Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
located on the northern tip of the Penetanguishene Peninsula on Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
. The park occupies an area of 29.15 km². It is classified as a Natural Environment Park and therefore all land is protected.
Giants Tomb Island
Giants Tomb Island
Giants Tomb Island is an island with no permanent residents located in Southern Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada. It measures approximately 5 kilometres from north to south and 2 kilometres from east to west...
has recently been added as part of the park. Recreational activities include swimming, canoeing and hiking. Geological features include the Nipissing Bluff and kettle lakes formed during the retreat of the glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s at the end of the most recent ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
. The shoreline consists of a series of beaches with sand, cobble and rocks
Much of this area was logged around the beginning of the 20th century, so most of the forests here are second growth
Secondary succession
Secondary succession is one of the two types of ecological succession of plant life. As opposed to the first, primary succession, secondary succession is a process started by an event that reduces an already established ecosystem Secondary succession is one of the two types of ecological...
. However, the park supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. The park is home to 32 species of amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s and reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
s.
Park information
The park contains 6 public campgrounds with approximately 330 sites available and 3 group camping sites allowing for large groups to camp together. Several sites are equipped with electricity and available for RVs. Reservations are recommended and can be made through the Ontario Provincial Parks website http://reservations.ontarioparks.comCamp sites are available in quiet zones (radio free) and one area of the campground (Snake campground) is pet-free and radio free. Check in times for campsites is 2pm on the date of arrival and campers must be checked out by 2pm on the date of departure. However, with the use of the vehicle permit that is given at time of arrival a camper can use park facilities until 10pm on the day of departure. The park includes 5 beaches, one of which is pet-friendly and the only area of the park where pets are permitted off leash.Key camping rules include:
- No excessive noise after 11pm
- Maximum of one car per site, there exists overflow parking for each camp area. Extra vehicles will need to be parked in Additional Vehicle parking lots
- Maximum of 3 tents per site, and one dining shelter or tarp per site.
- Maximum of 6 adults per site, or one family unit. Infants must be registered and therefore are not exempt from the 6 people rule. A family unit does not include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and so forth. Two Adults and their children are a family unit.
- Alcohol is permitted on personal site only. Alcohol ban is in effect from opening day until the day after the May long weekend.
The park also contains over 30 KM of hiking trails, with a variety of shorter and longer trails. Highlights include:
Robitaille Homestead Trail - 3km return (1 hour approx - moderate difficulty level)
This trail takes you to an ancient dune system. The age of these sand dunes has been estimated at 11,500 years, from the time of the last glacial retreat. The dunes are a very fragile environment and it is prohibited to climb the hillside, stand on the edge of the bluff or climb down the bluff. The purpose is to allow plants to reestablish themselves and to preserve this area for future park visitors.
Wendat Trail - Loop 5km (2 hours approx - easy difficulty level)
This trail wraps around Kettle Lake following closely on sections of the shore. A good area for wildlife viewing, specifically for birds such as the blue heron, loons, and small birds. A built boardwalk brings you over wetlands and provides beautiful scenery
For a detail list of trails see http://ontarioparks.com/english/awen-hiking.html.
Canoes can be rented at the park to be used on Kettle's lake. No bike or kayak rentals available. Natural Heritage programs are schedules throughout the summer and include Owl Prowls, nature hikes, children's programs, etc.
Park wardens are on staff at all times and are constantly monitoring campgrounds in case of emergency. After 3am OPP handle all issues.
Other activities at the park include:
Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, cycling, and snow-shoeing.