Camping At Restoule Provincial Park
If you are looking for a more remote experience with Ontario Parks (which is not too far north), Restoule Provincial Park is your spot!
The park is located about 3.5 hours from Toronto, between the township of Restoule and Stormy Lake in the Parry Sound district (Almaguin Highlands), and very close to the edge of Algonquin Park. This campground was the furthest one that we visited and explored last summer. It’s a beautiful park full of dense forests, scenic lookouts with beautiful Canadian Shield cliff faces, and many lakes and rivers!
The park was greatly used by Aboriginal people, who began to canoe its waterways about 10,000 years ago. The lakes surrounding Restoule Provincial Park are part of the traditional canoe routes of the Dokis Ojibwa. Samuel de Champlain made his first visit here in 1651, and then the logging industry began around 1882 by European settlers (a forest fire bringing an end to it in the early 1900s). The mid-19th century brought on farming communities and the area was designated a provincial park in 1963. The community of Restoule was named after Ojibwa Chief Joseph Restoule.
Campsites
Things To Do
Things To Note
Eco Camping Tips
Gallery
Campsites
They do have a few different options for camping here.
Backcountry experiences accessible by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard (you can opt into more advanced multi-day canoe routes down the French River as well).
3 car camping lots: Putts Point, Bells Point (no electrical options), and Kettle Point Campground (97 electrical options).
Walk-in camping lots. There is a parking lot beside the lake, as the walk-in sites seemed to all be situated along (or very close to) the water.
Large group camping lots.
They even have an option for leasing a campsite for the whole season.
We chose a simple car camping site at Bells Point, which was basically on the complete other side of the park (a bit of a drive). Check-in at the welcome centre was straight forward and the staff was very polite and welcoming. They had plenty of firewood for purchase as well.
Our campsite was on the very back loop of our campground; therefore, it was quite exposed and not particularly private. It was a bit noisy at the beginning (lots are pretty close together) but everyone was respectful once the sun went down. Overall, it was nice spot because our entire site backed onto a forest, and it was large and comfortable. We were there in the early evening, so besides some foot traffic and an ambitious puppy that kept coming into our space (which we were not complaining about at all), there wasn’t too much commotion.
As a difference to our other camp stays that summer, our lot was on sand rather than gravel. We also did not see many chipmunks, just an abundance of bird species. Weirdly, for a lot that backed onto the forest, there were barely any mosquitoes. I did decide to scour the forest on my own and found the mother load of mosquitoes though. Complimentary buffet courtesy of a curious mind. Luckily, they respectfully did not venture out of the forest, making our evening by the fire quite enjoyable. The night was quite cooler than our prior camping trips, so that could have been the reason. What is great about Ontario Parks fire pits is that they have little grills on top (at least they have had them at every park I’ve been to).
Once we were unpacked, we headed to the closest lake opening to us - which was the one situated beside the walk-in campgrounds. There was a boat launch on one side and a swimmable beach area/dog beach on the other. The water is shallow and seemingly safe (though I’ve heard that in some sections there are holes, and the depth increases quickly, so be mindful of that). There was also a lot of seaweed. After dinner, we decided we would try to walk further to see if there was another beach access with a good sunset view. We ended up walking about 15 minutes away from the first beach and finding a much larger (and more tranquil) section of the lake. We were greeted by beautiful notes of orange, pink, and purple. There were only four other people there, quietly enjoying the view as well. We walked along the shore for a while, admiring the shadowy ripples of the calmly flowing water. The lake access points at this park are very serene in the evenings.
The interesting aspect of this campground was that the majority of lots were either really small or really large. We didn’t see many mid-sized options. I am not sure if this is a trend throughout the entire park. What was nice though, was that all of the lots in our campground were a quick 5-minute walk to the beach area.
The washrooms in our campground were fancy vault toilets, and I say fancy because they were outhouses but they contained a sink, soap dispenser, and a faux marble countertop. Outhouse…but make it luxe. They were about a 2-minute walk from us, which was ideal (seemed to be the case for everyone in our section), and they were clean and felt well maintained.
What was disappointing about our campground here (compared to the others) was that it had quite a bit of trash on the ground when we arrived.
We stayed at Bells Point Campground - lot 36 (August 6th-7th)
Things to Do:
Restoule Provincial Park is a birdwatchers’ paradise, as there are over 90 species of birds here - including the peregrine falcon and bald eagle. Although you may not see them, the park is also teeming with wildlife, including: wolves, coyotes, bears, moose, pine martens, and one of the largest herds of white-tailed deer!
This park is a treat for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, whether you are interested in fishing (some of the best fishing holes are here), biking/mountain biking (over 8km of double and single tracks), boating (kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding, and motorboating in some sections - there are 2 boat launches), swimming, and definitely hiking!
The park rents out mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards!
There are 6 trails that you can hike inside of the park: Fire Tower Trail (4.1 km loop though the forest, leading to a few points of interest - moderate), Grawbarger Trail (1km trail segments from campgrounds to the day-use area - easy), The River Trail (1.2 km linear trail along the river & through forests - easy), Rangers Point Trail (860 m access to waterfront picnic sites with great views - easy), Angels Point Trail (2.8km loop with great mountain biking trails - easy), Gibs Trail (4.8km linear trail through forests, leading to a lookout and swim spot - moderate).
If you are here for a short time, I highly recommend the Fire Tower Trail (it’s a must-see at this park):
Our absolute favourite part of this trip was the Fire Tower Trail. This trail was near the entrance of the park, and is about 4.1km, as mentioned. The majority of the hike traverses through beautiful mature forests, up to an old fire tower, and an epic scenic lookout point of Stormy Lake. It is a mix of natural trails, boardwalks, and some more challenging inclines on rocky ridges. I always love a good terrain challenge, though I would not recommend the entirety of this hike for small children or anyone who struggles with inclines. It is considered a moderate trail. There are three wonderful highlights as you make your way:
1. View of Amber Lake.
Once you reach the Amber Lake sign (and bench) continue along the path to the top and then veer right, where the path will take you to a higher vantage point of the lake.
I definitely jinxed us the night before, as the mosquitoes were out in full force by this point in our hike, but luckily bug spray did help a lot!
Amber Lake was actually named after a young woman named Amber who worked at the park, and unfortunately passed away in a car accident.
2. As you continue to climb further, you reach the site of origin (behind the name of the trail). The historic fire tower, which was constructed in 1954 and used until 1969. Standing at over 30 metres tall. Please keep in mind, this is not an accessible tower and it is definitely not climbable. It is preserved as a relic, authentic to the space.
3. From the tower, there is a slightly steep climb to get to the most picturesque part of the trail (popular opinion: the real showstopper here). Stormy Lake Bluff, which stands 100 meters high, with a panoramic view of Stormy Lake. This lookout is probably one of my favourites in Ontario, and perhaps it felt even more rewarding after the climbs it took to get there. The calm and powerful energy up here can meditatively take hold of you all day. There is a bench behind me (in the photo below) and the escarpment is full of open-faced Canadian Shield ridges, where you can take a long rest stop. If you arrive early and have time to kill, I recommend packing lunch and enjoying it beside this stunning view! Just make sure you pack out your trash of course. Bring binoculars if you can, you might get a glimpse of some great birdlife here!
This trail contains several heritage sites along the way, including an old mica mine!
Things to Note:
I highly recommend filling up your gas tank somewhere along the main highway (highway 11) on the way. We stopped in Huntsville to be safe, as there was quite a bit of a drive to get into the park itself.
There is a little market/shop about 11 minutes from the park, called ‘Mill Bay Market,’ which sells essentials. They have a variety of food products, including meats and produce. I do recommend stopping at a larger grocery store ahead of time though, or simply planning well to ensure nothing is forgotten.
The dog beach is nice but a bit small and beside a parking lot, as a heads up.
The trailer camp spots are a little tight to enter.
Some campsites are not leveled (and some have decent slopes) - take a good look of campsite pictures before booking.
Eco Camping Tips:
Opt for biodegradable and natural soap, toothpaste, sunscreen, bug repellent, and anything that may end up on the ground/in the water.
Try to buy organic food when possible, as to avoid pesticides and other chemicals that can be harmful for the environment. Also try to pack meals in larger containers (BPA-free), rather than purchasing single-use packaged items.
Remember to never leave food products outside, as animals can get to it.
Bring reusable sandwich bags, water bottles, cutlery, straws, etc. (if able). Also opt for reusable dishes and cups that you can quickly wash and wipe.
Bring a large water jug and fill it up at the water stations (if there are no stations, bring extra jugs of water).
Buy sleeping bags made of recycled materials.
Purchase camping stoves that can be refilled and reused.
Sort out your garbage and recycling. Ontario parks has bins for both.
Do not remove branches or bark from trees for fires. Use the dead brush on the ground and buy firewood from the park. Avoid bringing in outside firewood, as it can carry invasive and non-native species.
Never burn trash or anything that can contain chemicals, such as plastic or anything with toxic ink, paint, or glue on it.
Natural fire starters (instead of using lighter fluid): ethical soy/beeswax inside egg cartons, recycled woodchips, dried orange peels, cinnamon sticks/anise stars, pinecones & pine needles, shredded (plastic-free) paper/sawdust, and smudge sticks/sage.
Always use the fire pits, and not any other space.
Always pick up your trash! Make sure to scan the entire area before leaving.
Always have extra bags on hand for trash.
A few bug spray alternatives that I love are: peppermint oil, lime oil, citronella (a staple), tea tree oil, lavender, and eucalyptus oil. For an all natural bug repellent, you can literally mix a few essential oils with some witch hazel or rose water (or simply, regular water).
I always recommend reading about the history of a location (making sure to read about and acknowledge the Indigenous groups it belongs to), information about delicate species and environments, and how to respect and protect the land and others.
You can find the park details here: Ontario Parks
Detailed Park Breakdown here: Restoule Provincial Park Management
I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to the ancestral lands in the traditional territory of the Dokis and the Restoules, in the Robinson Treaty area. I wish to recognize the long history of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Ontario, and show respect to them today, with the understanding that they will always belong to them - whether physically or in spirit.
Stay tuned for the next adventure.