10 Awesome Awenda Provincial Park Things to do

Hugging the shores of Georgian Bay, in the northern reaches of Simcoe County, sits Awenda Provincial Park. It’s often referred to by staff and generational visitors as a hidden gem. Covering nearly 3,000 hectares, the park is home to breathtaking beaches, tranquil forest trails, and enchanting campsites. There is a long list of awesome Awenda Provincial Park things to do to entertain and delight all visitors!

So, whether you’re looking for the next best camping destination or a place to learn about this incredible wild world, then this is your guide to Awenda!

A little about Awenda & why you should visit

Awenda Provincial Park is located in Tiny Township, roughly 10 minutes north of Penetanguishene. The park also extends into the waters of Georgian Bay and includes Giant’s Tomb Island as well.

Studies have shown evidence of Indigenous people living on the land that is now Awenda for 11,000 years. Most recently was the Wendat who had numerous villages in the area up until 1650. The park name stems from the Wendat language, and translates to ‘voice’ and ‘word’.

Between the mid-1800’s and mid-1900’s the land was farmed and lived on by various homesteaders. Two families of which hold strong ties to the park and are part of Awenda’s story. Then during the beginning of the 20th century, much of the land was logged.

While first purposed in the mid-1950’s, the park took time to come to fruition.  After extensive archeological and environmental surveys, Awenda opened as a Natural Environment Park in 1979.

There are countless reasons why you should visit Awenda! However, the easy answer is that Awenda has something for everyone! Campers, hikers, beach-goers, birders, history buffs, families and more will all find Awenda special!

And the best part is that Awenda is very accessible for visitors with mobility issues. Some top accessible areas include the Beaver Pond Trail and the viewing boardwalk and platform at Kettle’s Lake. Plus, there’s a beach mat along with all-terrain wheelchair. Even comfort stations in the campgrounds are accessible!

The park is a great place to learn to camp or about wildlife and more! Thanks to their summer interpretive programs and Ambassadors, even beginner campers will walk away with the core skills they need.

In addition to a wide variety of habits, Awenda is home to a wealth of wildlife! So, animal enthusiast like myself will love discover the park’s countless species, including endangered ones.

Where is Awenda Provincial Park?

Awenda Provincial Park is located about 2 hours north of Toronto, Canada. The park sits on the edge of a peninsula jutting into Georgian Bay, about 20 minutes north of Midland.

Awenda Provincial Park Trails

One of the best Awenda Provincial Park things to do is hike! The park is home to seven trails that vary from one to 13 km as well as easy to moderate in difficulty. Some are linear while others are loop trails. Plus, one is accessible! With 31 kilometres of trails, I’ve gathered all the top things to know about each trail as well as highlights to help you find your perfect fit.

Beaver Pond Trail

The best trail in Awenda Provincial Park is Beaver Pond Trail! At just under 1 km, this loop trail is easy to hike and is accessible for all park visitors.

Visitors will find various parking near the trailhead, which is found near the main beach and Beach Trail trailhead.

Once part of a flooded wetland due to a beaver dam, this enchanted boardwalk trail now crosses a creek. As one of the best boardwalk trails in Ontario, it winds its way through an area of the park that has been altered due to beaver activity as well as logging in the 1920’s.

Along the trail you’ll find various signage that shares information about the different plants you’ll find here, how the area was formed as well as stories from logging days.

In addition to being barrier free and easy, the Beaver Pond Trail is the best for bird watching in Awenda! I spotted a wide assortment of birds, from warblers to thrushes, during my numerous hikes of the trail. I heard even more!

Trail Specs: 700 metres loop – 20 minutes

Beach Trail

One of the most popular hikes in Awenda is the Beach Trail. This 4 km linear trail is easy and connects all four of the beaches in the park.

There are a number of parking lots along the main beach. Visitors will find the Beach Trail trailhead near the last parking lot of Beach 1.  

Highlights of the trail is all of the incredible views over Georgian Bay from the shoreline! These include sweeping vistas of Giant’s Tomb Island as well as the other nearby islands.

Another attraction along the trail is an accessible viewing platform. The platform offers views of the main beach as well as over the waters of Georgian Bay and Giant’s Tomb Island. Running along the platform are pieces of part of a shipwreck, the Reliever, that lies off of Methodist Point. There’s also a plaque sharing the story of the ship.

The Beach Trail in Awenda is also a great place for birding. During the spring many warblers rest in the forest along the shore of Georgian Bay on their spring migration. In addition, you can see shorebirds too like mergansers and sandpipers.

For prime viewing of birds, I recommend hiking the trail early in the morning. Even if you aren’t birding, the Beach Trail is a great spot to find quiet moments, beautiful beaches and awesome views.

Trail Specs: 4 km out and back – 1.5 hours

Bluff Trail

The largest of the trails in Awenda Provincial Park is the Bluff Trail. This loop trail is approximately 13 km and is considered a moderate hike.

A big attraction of the Bluff Trail is that it’s ideal for cyclers in Awenda. There are various access points to the trail throughout the park. You can start at the Trail & Activity Centre or at the entrance to the Robitaille Homestead Trail parking lot.

The Bluff Trail loops around Awenda, taking hikers or cyclist through the campgrounds, forests, and connects with other trails.

If you want to do a part of the Bluff Trail then start at the Robitaille Homestead Trail parking lot and follow the Bluff Trail to the top of the Nipissing Trail. From here you can take the Nipissing Trail down to the Beach Trail. It’s a great way to combine three trails in one for day trippers.

Park Tip: There are also side trails that connect the Bluff Trail with the Wendat Trail.

Trail Specs: 13 km loop – 3.5 hours

Nipissing Trail

Ascend the 155 steps of the Nipissing Trail and find yourself among the tree canopy! The Nipissing Trail is a short 500 metre trail that takes you up a staircase to enchanting heights.

This trail showcases one of the unique features of the park. The area of the trail was once a beach that 5 500 years ago was raised when a glacial lake receded. Now, the hill is known as the Nipissing Bluff.

Starting at the base, the trail winds through boulders similar to those found on the beach today. During the spring and summer, you’ll find all sorts of wildflowers along the trail. In the fall and winter, you’ll catch glimpses of Georgian Bay through the trees.

Thanks to the scenic staircase taking you up to the tree tops, the Nipissing Trail is another unique spot for birding in Awenda! With the trail leading up through the top of the upper forest canopy, you’ll be able to see birds that call this habitat home, like the Cerulean Warbler.

Park Tip: At the end of the Nipissing Trail, it connects with the Bluff Trail. This is great for those wanting to hike from the campgrounds as you can take the Bluff Trail to each of the campgrounds.

Trail Specs: 1 km return – 30 minutes

Brûlé Trail

Another one of the interesting Awenda Provincial Park hiking trails is the Brûlé Trail. At 2 km out and back, it offers a chance to see a different side of the park.

Visitors can access the Brûlé Trail from the Trails & Activity Centre on one end or from the entrance to the Robitaille Homestead Trail parking lot.

This trail is named after Étienne Brûlé, a young man who went to live with the Huron-Wendat in the early 1600s in the area. Along with learning their language and culture, he became an interpreter between the Wendat and missionaries. You can find a plaque dedicated to him near Beach 1.

At 2 km long (4 km if you take it to its end and back), it’s a relatively easy trail. It travels through part of Awenda’s upland mixed deciduous forest that was mostly logged in the late 1800s. Now, you can see the forest is returning back to its natural state.

Park Tip: Awenda is home to a variety of mushrooms that are found on numerous trails in the park. While many are edible, it is illegal to forage in Ontario Parks. It’s best to go by the rule of ‘take only photographs and leave only footprints.’

Trail Specs: 4 km return – 1.5 hours

Robitaille Homestead Trail

One of the quietest trails in Awenda is the Robitaille Homestead Trail. Chances are you’ll likely have this trail all to yourself!

The Robitaille Homestead Trailhead is located between Bear and Deer campgrounds. After an initial steep incline of the first 200 metres of the trail, it levels out and is quite easy.

As one of the two historic trails in the park, you’ll learn about some of the people who once called the land that the park occupies home. It’s also one of two trails that have trail guides available at the trailhead for a donation. I highly recommend you pick one up to learn more about the people, places, and landscapes found along the trail.

Along the trail are a number of information plaques sharing some of the park’s homesteaders like the Newberrys and Robitaille family. The first historic site is the remaining foundation of the Robitaille homestead. There’s a lovely lilac tree standing over it and a memorial bench that’s the perfect spot to read the trail guide. Further down the trail you’ll pass the old foundations of their barn.

The Robitaille Homestead Trail is home to varying habitats making it another great trail for birding. This area is home to a plethora of bird species include the rare Cerulean Warbler. While I didn’t spot one on my hike, I did see a scarlet tanager, veery, and chestnut sided warbler.

At the end of the trail is an ancient dune system that dates back 11, 500 years! One thing to note is that the dunes are fragile, stick to the forest edge and admire them from there and do not walk or climb the dune.

Trail Specs: 3 km return – 1.5 hour

Wendat Trail

One of the best hikes in Simcoe County is the Wendat Trail in Awenda Provincial Park! It’s another of the park’s historic trails and has a trail guide available at the trailheads to pick up for a donation. I highly recommend picking one up to learn about some of the interesting history and discoveries found in and around the lake!

This 5 km trail loops around a scenic kettle lake that is named Kettle’s Lake after one of the homesteaders. It’s a relatively easy trail and includes a number of boardwalks, crosses through various terrain and passes historic sites.

There are two trailheads. One is at Brabant Point, where you’ll find a flight of stairs leading down to a platform with tranquil views of the lake. The other trailhead is at Kettle’s Point, where you’ll find an accessible boardwalk and more dreamy views of Kettle’s Lake.

Along the trail, with the help of the trail guide, you’ll learn about how the land the park sits on, especially around this inland lake was home to Indigenous activity for 11,000 years.

In addition to the Indigenous people, you’ll learn about homesteaders like the Kettle and Brabant families. The trail even passes the ruins of the Brabant homestead and barn. Another local on the scene was Charles Beck, a notable lumber tycoon who logged in the area. His former estate in Penetanguishene is said to be one of the many haunted places in Simcoe County.

Both boardwalks offer great places for birding and spotting other wildlife. At the accessible boardwalk I saw flycatchers, warblers, Baltimore orioles, and heard red-headed woodpeckers. You might spot nesting turtles too! At the short boardwalk over the wetland, I spotted mating water snakes, a muskrat, red-winged black birds, and more!

Park Tip: The trail guide is also great for families as it includes fun scavenger hunt like challenges at each of the stops.

Trail Specs: 5 km loop – 2 hours

More Awesome Awenda Things to do

Learn More with the Park Ambassador Programs

During my visit I got to sample a taste of the additional programs that have been added to the Park Ambassador Program that Ontario Parks has put together. The Park Ambassador Program includes four summer experiences to heighten your visit. Each of the four experiences are available at Awenda as well as 20 other participating parks.

The Book an Ambassador experiences include: how to set up your campsite, how to build the perfect campfire, camp cooking skills, and learn what kinds of animals live in Ontario Parks.

These are all great programs for beginner campers as well as those looking for a refresh. Each session is approximately 30 minutes and for all four programs the staff come right to your campsite.

The how to set up your campsite is a great one full of beginner camping tips. Like, did you know your eating and fire area should be away from where you sleep?

I really enjoyed the how to build and start a campfire experience! During this program you’ll learn different three ways to build a campfire, what each is good for, as well as safety tips.

The how to set up your camp kitchen is a fantastic program for everyone. You’ll learn tips for both how to cook over the fire as well as the camp stove. In addition to safety tips, they also share camp cooking skills and recipe ideas!

Along with these programs, the ambassadors will offer drop-in activities. These include mock campsite set ups where visitors can learn and ask questions, ‘ask an ambassador’ where you can ask about where things are, attractions and more, as well as guided walks where you’ll learn where things are in the park.

Plus, before you even get to the park you can participate in one of their webinars. These will be available for your visit this summer and can be booked through the link here. The first is all about everything you need to know about how to book your first camping trip with Ontario Parks. The second is about tips and tricks for planning your camping trip.

Join One of the Discovery Programs

Along with ambassador programs, visitors can enjoy Discovery Programs at Awenda. The park offers a large selection of programs that fit all ages and interests.

I highly recommend joining one of the scheduled guided hikes! Taking place throughout the summer, these hikes are led by knowledgeable park staff and naturalists. I enjoyed a number of guided hikes led by the park’s chief Naturalist and learned about the various birds and wildflowers found in Awenda. One of which was how integral the poison ivy plant is to the park’s dune system.

There are also various children’s and evening programs taking place at Awenda throughout the summer. During these you’ll learn about unique aspects of the park including key conservation programs, like the turtle conservation project. A couple of cool activities are their owl and canid prowls, where you’ll learn about different species in the part and their roles. Many of these take place at the Trail and Activity Centre which is home to a large outdoor amphitheater.

Awenda Provincial Park is home to an incredible line up of events too! There’s the annual Awenda Corn Roast that takes place in August. Great for the whole family, it includes dining on roasted corn, fun activities for the kids as well as stories about the Indigenous people who once called the park home.

Another event and great reason to visit in the fall is Awenda Inspired! The park partners with OCAD (Ontario College of Art & Design) students for a day of painting and drawing en plein air (outside) throughout the park. At the end of the day the pieces will be hung around the Trail & Activity Centre for visitors to check them out. This annual event takes place every September.

The Discovery Programs will be posted during the last week of June on the Friends of Awenda Park site as well as some on Awenda’s Events page via Ontario Parks website. You can book them here.

Fun Fact: Awenda is one of the many Group of Seven locations in Ontario! Tom Thomson painted Giant Tomb Island three times!

Park Tip: Pets are not permitted on some programs like guided hikes and evening programs.

Go Birding

Pull out the binoculars and enjoy some birding at Awenda! If you’re an avid birder like me, then you’ll love that one of the top things to do in Awenda is birding!

The park has a wide mix landscapes and ecosystems, from upland forests to marshland and coastal shoreline. So, it’s no surprise that it’s home to around 120 breeding species of birds. The endangered Cerulean Warbler is one such bird that calls the park’s forests home. It is said that there are only about 500 to 1000 breeding pairs of Cerulean Warblers in Canada.

Even for non-avid birders, you’ll still spot a variety of species throughout the park. There are common birds like blue jays, various sparrows and chickadees. Plus, there’s awesome birds like trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, owls, and more!

I had the pleasure of seeing a few new warbler species while in the park. Plus, I went to sleep listening to barred owls.

Whether you’re a keen birder or just looking for fun things to do in Awenda, consider booking a guided hike. It’s a great way to learn about the different species in the park and you might see a cool bird you’ve never seen before!

Park Tips: One of the best trails in Awenda for birding is the Beaver Pond Trail! Not only is the trail accessible for everyone, but it offers prime habitat for a variety of bird species. I recommend hiking it in the early morning.

Enjoy the Awenda Provincial Park Beach

Another one of the top things to do in Awenda Provincial Park is enjoy the beaches! There are four incredible beaches in the park that line the shores of Georgian Bay.

The best beach in Awenda is Beach 1. The beach is a mix of sand and pebbles reaching out into the lake. It’s a short walk from the number of parking lots nearby, each of which has a short trail leading directly to the beach. There are also a few picnic tables and nearby washroom. Plus, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of Giant’s Tomb Island. It’s accessible with a beach mat and is great for families.

Beach 2 is a little further west and most of it is a pet-friendly beach. It’s the only beach in Awenda where dogs are allowed and must be kept on leash. The beach also has a couple of picnic tables and a nearby toilet.

On the curve of Methodist Point Bay is Beach 3. This is the sandiest beach in the park. It’s a sheltered bay and quiet spot to spend some time.

Awenda’s Beach 4 is the furthest from the parking lots and takes approximately 25 minutes to reach along the Beach Trail. This beach is located on the western edge of Methodist Point and offers a beautiful quiet spot to watch the sunset.

There are a few things to keep in mind about the beaches in Awenda. The beaches are not close to the campsites, so you’ll need to drive or bike. There are also no lifeguards at any of the beaches. If you need a personal floatation device (PFD), you can borrow one from the park with a refundable deposit.

Park Tips: The park can get very busy in the summer. Now you can book your day-use permit online up to 5 days ahead.

Go Canoeing

Paddling is another fun activity to do in Awenda! While the park is located on the shores of Georgian Bay, paddlers don’t usually hit up the bay. The water is often choppy and can change quickly.

The park is home to an inland lake that’s perfect for canoeing! Awenda’s kettle lake formed during the end of the last ice age when the glaciers in the area retreated.

Kettle’s Lake is a small but scenic lake that is motorboat free. So, it’s great for avid paddlers and beginners thanks to its calm waters. Plus, if you don’t own one, the park has canoe rentals available in July and August. In addition, PFDs are also available for a refundable deposit.

Kettle’s Lake is an ideal spot to soak in the serenity of nature. Plus, it’s a prime spot for spotting waterfowl and other birds and wildlife.

Go Biking

Whether you’re looking to mix up hiking with wheels or love cycling, then you’ll enjoy biking in Awenda Provincial Park! Many of the trail heads offer bike racks too.

The roads winding through the park are simply magical all year round. However, with the winding narrow roads, it’s imperative to use caution when biking along the roads.

There are a number of Awenda hiking trails that allow cyclists too! Beach, Bluff and Brûlé Trails are all multi-use trails. However, when on a bike, cyclist must yield to hikers. It’s also important to note that some of the environments around sections of trails is fragile. So, make sure to stay on the trail.

Beyond the park roads, the best biking trail in Awenda Provincial Park is the Bluff Trail. At 13 km it’s a comfortable ride that takes you throughout the park including campgrounds, forest, and more.

Catch a Sunset

One of the best places to catch a sunset in Ontario is Georgian Bay! So, if you’re looking for things to do in Awenda Provincial Park at night, head to Beach 1! The main beach is the best place to catch a sunset in the park. The parking lot is nearby, so it’s easy to navigate back to the car when the sun sets. Plus, you can sit on one of the picnic tables found along the beach or bring a cozy blanket to sit on the sand.

Enjoy Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Winter is a magical time to visit Awenda! The crowds of summer are gone and the blanket of snow across the park makes it a must experience. And if you’re looking for Awenda Provincial Park things to do in the winter then pack your cross-country skis and snowshoes!

The park is home to 17 kms of cross-country ski trails. Start at the Trail Centre, this cozy log cabin is heated and a great place to start off on the ski trails.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on skiing in Awenda. You will need to bring your own equipment as there are no ski rentals in the park. The trails offer a mix of single track and track your own due to the backcountry conditions of some. In addition, if you’re travelling with your pup, dogs are not allowed on the ski trails. However, they are permitted on the snowshoe trails.

One of my favourite winter activities in Ontario is snowshoeing! And Awenda is a fun place to go snowshoeing in the province.

Awenda Provincial Park Camping

For many summer vacationers camping is one of the top Awenda Provincial Park things to do! Awenda has over 300 campsites spread across six campgrounds, Turtle Hawk, Bear, Deer, Wolf, and Snake campgrounds. Plus, the park is also home to roofed accommodation. In a quiet corner of the park is the Stone Cottage made out of white and red pine.

I think that Awenda is one of the best Ontario Parks for camping! Each campsite is nicely spaced out from others and nestled in the forest. Thanks to the canopy of sugar maples and red oaks, you’ll love the shade in the summer. Campsites also have picnic tables and a firepit with grill.

Each campground is laid out in loops and contains a comfort station with accessible showers. In addition, each loop has its own set of vault toilets and drinking water taps. I was blown away by how clean both the toilets and comfort stations are! Plus, there’s laundry facilities in Turtle, Hawk and Bear campgrounds.

If you’re looking for the Awenda Provincial Park best campsites look at what each campground offers and excludes. For those looking for quiet, book one of the radio-free campsites in Bear, Deer and Snake campgrounds. In addition, Snake campground is dog-free. For those seeking electrical hook ups for RV or tent camping, book a site in Wolf or Hawk campground.

Tips for Camping in Awenda

To make your Awenda camping experience the best it can be I have a few tips. Some are reminders for avid campers, while others are helpful tips for beginner campers.

Book Camping Early – Camping in Awenda Provincial Park runs between mid-May through to mid-October. The park gets very busy in the summer, so book early for more availability. This means booking 5 months out. For more availability try booking for during the week or better yet, for the spring or fall. You can book through the Ontario Parks website here. Add Awenda to the park selection, then add your dates and search.

Buy Day Use Permit Early – New this year, Awenda is on the list of parks that you can buy your daily vehicle permit online five days in advance. This will come in handy for busy weekends in the summer! Plan ahead and buy your day use permit early so you don’t arrive at the park only to find out it’s at capacity. You can purchase your day use permit here.

Pick up a Map – When you check in at the Visitor Centre be sure to pick up an Awenda Provincial Park map. The park is large! Trails, campsites, and other sights are spread out. So, a map is very handy to know where things are in relation to each other and helps you find where you want to go.

Check Alerts – I recommend checking the website daily to check for alerts. These include fire bans or boil water advisories and alerts are updated daily.

Book an Ambassador Program – I also highly recommend booking some of the Ambassador programs for first time campers. They can help you sort out how to set up your campsite and teach you how to build a fire. And the camp cooking skills program is great for all campers looking for new fun food ideas and tips!

Visit Awenda’s Park Store – A great place to go during your stay is the Park Store! The store is located across from the Visitor’s Centre and is packed full of things for camping like food, essentials, and more. Plus, I recommend grabbing a piece of Awenda Provincial Park gear as a souvenir! A great purchase is one of their turtle t-shirts because the proceeds help fund Awenda’s Turtle Conservation Project.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Awenda Provincial Park

With a long list of things to do in Awenda Provincial Park, there’s something to suit everyone’s interest! So, whether you’re looking for a family camping trip or epic hiking trails or beautiful beaches, Awenda has it and so much more!

Frequently Asked Questions About Awenda Provincial Park

Disclaimer: This post was created in partnership with Ontario Parks, but all opinions expressed are my own.

PIN IMAGE FOR LATER REFERENCE!