Bon Echo Provincial Park
Home to wonders like Mazinaw Lake (the seventh deepest lake in Ontario) and ancient Indigenous pictographs on Mazinaw Rock, the cultural history, outdoor activities and vistas at Bon Echo Provincial Park will amaze even the most experienced adventurer.
Spanning 66 square kilometres, its notable features include Mazinaw Rock, the Walt Whitman Monument, a diverse range of bird species, abundant fish populations and trails leading up to observation decks with views of Mazinaw Lake.
Bon Echo Provincial Park | Destination Ontario
How to get to Bon Echo Provincial Park
Location: 16151 Highway 41, Cloyne
By car: Bon Echo Park is in southeastern Ontario, near the village of Cloyne north of the rural community of Kaladar. It is 280 kilometres away from Toronto—about a three-hour drive along the ON-401 East. There are designated areas for parking.
By transit: Parkbus is a private transportation company that offers limited, seasonal services between Toronto and several popular parks, including Bon Echo.
Know before you go
Advance reservations for the daily vehicle permit can be made up to five days before your visit to guarantee your spot and enter the park faster.
The pictographs at Mazinaw Rock can be accessed by canoe, kayak or boat. Powerboats are only allowed on Mazinaw Lake.
Things to do at Bon Echo Provincial Park
Discover more activities and experiences.
See the iconic Mazinaw Rock
Mazinaw Rock is a massive 100-metre-high cliff featuring over 260 red ochre pictographs clearly visible over 2.5 kilometres.
Celebrate Walt Whitman’s legacy
Paddle up to the Walt Whitman Monument, a giant stone etching of a Walt Whitman passage that marked the famous poet’s 100th birthday in 1920.
Hike along scenic trails
Take in spectacular panoramic views of clear lakes and surrounding forests on hiking trails, such as Bon Echo Creek or the more challenging Cliff Top Trail.
Find the perfect camp spot
Campsites feature picnic tables, fire pits and storage boxes.
Fish in clear lakes
Accessible by kayak or canoe, interior lakes are home to populations of yellow pickerel, lake whitefish, lake trout and northern pike.
Enjoy bird watching
Catch sight of great crested flycatchers, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons and other bird species.
Articles and itineraries
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Interesting facts about Bon Echo Provincial Park
Bon Echo Provincial Park is named after the astounding acoustical properties of the Mazinaw Rock that bounces sound across Mazinaw Lake.
“Mazinaw” is the Algonquin word for “picture” or “writing.” The pictographs depict a number of stylized human, spirit and animal figures, as well as other images. In 1982, the rock was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Some of Bon Echo Park’s lakes are stillwater lakes with glacier-hewn stone bottoms resulting in very cold and very clear bodies of water that are almost completely devoid of plant life and fish.
Accessibility Features
Accessible washroom
Service animals welcome
Support persons welcome
Last updated: September 13, 2024