The Massassauga Provincial Park

Georgian Bay : The Massassauga Provincial Park

General Information: The Massassauga Provincial Park is south of Parry Sound. It is named for the Massassauga Rattle Snake, the only rattle snake and only poisonous snake in Ontario (while poisonous, its bite is serious but not likely fatal). The Massassauga rattler is a threatened species, with a small numbers trying to survive in an environment increasingly crowded out by cottagers. The park is suitable for both canoeing (inland lakes) and kayaking (inland lakes or the islands out in Georgian Bay). This page describes Pete's Place access point, which gives direct access to Georgian Bay. There is also an access point at Three Legged Lake for inland lakes - these may involve portaging. See the park web site for more info.

Note that provincial parks in Ontario have a can and bottle ban on for interior camping. You cannot bring any canned or glass-bottled products into the park (prescription medications excepted). All food products should be in reusable packaging if possible. There are a few kinds of beer sold in plastic bottles if that is a concern. The reason for the ban is a long history of non-degradable garbage and broken glass accumulating in the backcountry - do your bit to avoid the problem. If caught with cans or bottles in the backcountry, you can receive a significant fine from a park warden.

Directions: Follow highway 400 north from Toronto and take Exit 189 for Mactier. Continue north on Muskoka Rd 11/Hwy 612 for approx. 6 km to Healey Lake Road then west on Healey Lake Road approx 17km to Pete's Place on Blackstone Harbour. NOTE: There is no direct exit from Hwy 400 to Healey Lake Rd - you must take Exit 189.
Parking: Pete's Place, on Healey Lake Road. Permit holder's car there, other cars park at Moon River Marina, Woods Bay, down the road.
Put in: Launch at Pete's Place

Charts for area: Park map (you will need the map for campsite numbers). Also CHS 2202
Website: Ontario Parks web site
Guidebook

Water considerations: Mostly sheltered paddling. Ideal for early summer and fall paddling. Mid-week is best.
Wildlife: Bears are a possibility; food must be hung from trees. Consider yourself lucky if you see a rattler. Coyotes and wolves also can be seen.

Campsites: Select from a number of designated sites, no off-site camping allowed! Reservations recommended. NOTE: campsites are rotated yearly, current park-map shows the operating sites. Sites have cleared tent spaces and thunder boxes.

Costs: Check with Ontario Parks for current camping and parking fees.
Special considerations: Avoid mid-summer weekends; make early campsite reservations! There is a maximum of 9 people per site. Some boat traffic to contend with. Respect private islands and cottages.
Recommended: This trip is especially suitable to introduce novice paddlers to the beauty of the 30,000 islands. Intermediate paddlers can expand their horizon by including some of the outlying islands ( Wreck Island, Sans Souci, etc ). Wreck Island has an interesting hiking trail with interpretive signs along the way. The wreck of the Waubuno is easy to see in shallow water on the north side of Wreck Island close to the south end of Bradden Island. The wreck is not marked on the park map but it is shown on CHS 2202 (sheet 3).

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