Reviews of The Massasauga Provincial Park (Park)

Leah Van Raalte

beautiful park and lots of boating to do

Dave Warda

Fabulous

Matin Bozorg

Beautiful.

Jason Fowler

The Good: - Large park with a variety of terrain to explore - Mix of some interior (need to portage if moving to a different area) and some exterior sites that don’t need any portaging - Beautiful scenery in some of the park - Most sites have a picnic table and a bear box. The bear box is much more convenient than having to constantly hang food. - Relatively close drive and easy access from many urban centers The Bad: - Even in off season (October) the powerboat traffic is very high in the south end, Woods Bay and not that pleasant. I can’t imagine what it’s like mid summer. No point in taking any of the sites in the channels near Blackstone harbour or Moon Island (Captain Alan Strait), unless you have no choice or don’t mind a constant stream of powerboat traffic by your campsite. - Hunting is allowed in the Park, and I personally don’t feel MNR should be allowing this with such a populated Provincial Park or at least warning campers there may be active hunting in the area and to wear blaze orange. - We had inconsiderate hunters shooting ducks from their pontoon boat less than 200m from our campsite who knew where our campsite was (they boated by it). Not certain, but pretty sure shooting from boats is not legal, never mind that close of a proximity to campsites. - As well, got woken up by hunters shooting at 7:30am. - Thirdly, just while bushwhacking to the Moon Island trail, came across a hunter sitting up in a tree stand by is salt lick baited hunting spot. I’m not against hunting, just either needs some education for both hunters and campers, or it shouldn't be allowed.

Don Muir

Come here once and you're hooked. Lovely back-county P.P. Been her many times over the past 15 years. The addition of picnic tables on the sites was welcomed by this older canoeist. Very busy in the summer, can be difficult to reserve a prime campsite. Staff at the Ostler Lake office have always been friendly and efficient. Never did come across a Massassauga Rattler????

Hanks Chen

secret paradise

Jordan Stadler

Beautiful park! We enjoyed a great canoe trip in The Massasauga.

Tim Paquin

Great place to go canoe tripping.

David Conway

Great canoe tripping. Fantastic scenery, swimming fishing and all the bugs you want!

Elizabeth Bowes

My very favourite place to go in the summer. Fourth visit this year. Water was wonderful for swimming and paddling!

Mr Green Mr Blue

We were visiting this camp for last 9 years already and we were very satisfied till last long weekend (civic holyday 2016). All the time the staff did their job perfectly. Walked around and ask about bears or warned about them except last time. On Saturday we had a bear (6ft tall and around 150-180kg weight. superintendent S.Smith said "That more then Ontario record" and laugh) visiting in our site #501 at noon. He came right to the table while we were eating and try to steal cooler. (I took the video before we kicked him out). By 1pm we came to the office to report and to show the video. They said "Good luck." that was exact direction from them. By 5pm the bear came again and again. We saw couple times his face 10ft away from us. It wasn't fanny if you have 2 children under 8 years old on the site. By 9pm we decided to move few people to #502 those our friends and few to #503 which was empty. Whole this time from 5-9pm the bear was around us. He ripped the garbage bag hanged on the tree 15ft from the ground. He just climbed to the tree then sit on the brunch and broke it. The bag felt to the ground. That was terrible! For whole this weekend from Saturday to Monday no one from staff showed up, just for asking if all fine, even after we did bear report. That the last site in this bay. They always visited in the past, but not now. Can happed any thing, but looks like they don't care about that. When I spoke on Monday to superintendent S.Smith he told me "It's not our job to come around and every thing on our responsibility. Any problem you should call to 911. We have about 130 sites and we can't come to every report". I asked how many reports were on weekend? "Just two!" Just 2?! Not 20! just 2!!! At least he can sorry, but he wasn't friendly person at all. I don't think this type of people can work with public. Also on same time when I did report I told him some one block my trailer on the parking, but no reaction for that ether. I had to move my trailer next by hand. Another way I could scratch that car. So, make a decision go there or find other park with more responsible workers. This service is really downgraded. As I said for last 9 years we were on #501 three time and on other sites, because we are going around 20 people and occupying 3 sites, but never had this kind of attitude from the staff. I'm not sure we'll continue with this camp any more.

Kevin Tran

Relaxing place to spend your weekend.

Chris Meunier

A gem so close to the golden Horseshoe. Ontario is the paddling capital of the world. With over one million lakes plus rivers, stream and James Bay adventure options are endless. The Massassuaga PP is an amazing example of Canadian Sheild meeting a great lake with thousands of island and inland lakes too. I have been to the park roughly 10 times for backcountry trips of varying degrees. Massassuaga separates itself from Algonquin, Killarney, Quetico (to a lesser extent and) and Wabakimi as portaging can be avoided even on very long trips. And you can also go out to the rougher waters if you're prepared and expreinced. If you are a paddler and can't make regular trips to the further park - this park is great for shorter trip!

martin lister

Just as great as 25 years ago when I started annual family canoeing trips with my young family. We still go late each summer in the same Grumman canoe with my father's wannigan and harness leather burden strap(tump line).

Megan L

This is a beautiful park. I've gone there for 4 years now, we always try a different site. Smart to book your site ahead of time, sites get booked quickly. Every spot I've been on has been great. My favourite so far was on clear lake, the portages to get there were not too bad. Last year we were stalked by a bear at our site, but it caused no trouble and left us alone. Can't wait to go again this year, we just booked our site. I have not been to the park besides in September, but what a lovely time of the year to go.

Catherine Kupferschmidt

Great for people who are new to portaging - service everywhere, cottage country as well. Not so great if you want to escape civilization for a little while (constantly passed cottages on our 30km portage).

Shannon Bell

Fantastic park! Beautiful views, great campsite locations and spacing of the sites. Felt like you were really in the back 40!

Pat Jeppesen

So glad to have all the bear boxes at the sites.

Steve Cleland

Lots of snakes. Good lakes for canoeing

Cameron Hutchinson

Awesome easy access to canoe, kayak and boating, water access only from Three Legged Lake and Pete's Place access points, backcountry camping in the Archipelago on Clear Lake, Spider Lake's, Blackstone Harbor, Little Blackstone Lake, Captain Allen Straight and Moon Bay.

Matija R

Park rangers advised us to go out onto the lake despite weather warning. Got caught in a massive storm. After the storm there were no Ontario Parks boats out even checking if patrons were alright. The staff here do not consider the safety of their patrons. Beautiful park, but use it at your own risk.

Zheng Michael

If you have your own boat or kayaks this will be a great location for you. Staffs are very warm and welcome centre is very useful

Eddie Grizzly

My favourite park! Staff is very friendly snd helpful.

Jonathan Thomas

Perfect place for a family canoe trip. We start at the Three Legged Lake access point. From there short portage (one steep section) to spider lake which has plenty of good portages. Can get windy but lots of bays and to find protection. Love knowing what site I have and no rush to get there!

Hugh Needham

One star is not for the beauty; I dearly love this park. It is incredible. One star for the 2 year pilot program that made this a motor boat haven with no consideration for canoes or kayaks. Really a shame

Patricia Stewart

The entrance at Three Legged Lake is far too small to accommodate the surge of canoeists coming down the hill to the lake. Those with trailers should not be allowed to block the road.

John Jensen

Love this park. The lake is beautiful. There are numerous camp sites and the water is clean. You can drink it with a simple filter. Lots of wildlife, including bears. Bearboxes provided on many campsites. All campsites water accessible only. Canoes available for rent.

Andrew Cook

I went to camp, and I camped.

Katherine Lopez

First time camping here this weekend and I am blown away by the beauty of this place. I have never done a portage nor much camping so I was a bit hesitant to go but I am so glad I went. The campsites are all accessible by canoes and kyak only which is so cool, all the campsites are nice and far apart from eachother, so you feel like you're really remote. The views while paddling around were just phenomenal. The night sky is stunning, never seen stars so bright. The lake was warm and perfect for a swim. We saw turtles and lots of various birds and beavers while on our trip as well. Other campers were very friendly and kept a respectful distance while making conversation.the sites all have a picnic table, fireplace and a place to do your business. You get to do that with a view ! Being here really makes you feel like you're in another world. Would love to visit again.

Dan Pronovost

The best back country canoeing park that is so close to Toronto. Closer than Algonquin, and better scenery. It's a smaller park, and reservations are hard to get (book 5 months in advance, if not earlier).

Brian

I always enjoy coming here. Generally quiet(not a lot of boat traffic) with occasional spotting of bear and deer.

Leanne Bing

This park exceeded my expectations on my first visit. Very scenic paddling. Stayed on site 20, and site 206. Both were not too close to other cottages or camp sites. Site 20 had a nice rock outcrop with morning sun, fire pit, grill, privy and picnic table. Site 206 was really nice with Canadian shield and sand, three spots for tents, picnic table, fire pit, grill, privy. Gypsy moths were in full force, especially on site 206, which has more oak trees. Swam in the cool, clear water I thought there would be a lot of boat traffic, but there was very little in three-legged lake and spider lake area for a weekend in June.

Andrei Mel

Waist of time if you don't have a canoe or a boat. There are no trails, no fish around this shores plus you have to pay for the parking which is about 500 meters from the water down LOL.

umair hasan

Lots of motor boat here. It's not the best place for seclusion. It can get loud at times with big group of campers. We stayed at 508 and it was not private at all. The view in the late afternoon and early morning was great when it's not busy

Bryan P

Great backcountry camping close to the city. Three-legged lake is definitely the better access point. Well kept sites, especially for backcountry.