This is a wonderful park! We had the greatest site ... a walk in, with it's own little access to…read morethe waterfront. We were conveniently located, right beside the Dog Beach (we have two dogs who need to run and swim). The dogs had a great time doing doggy things: swimming, running and playing with new dog friends. Sadly, for the people, the swim wasn't quite as satisfactory, as it was quite shallow water, and we couldn't get a really good open-water swim. Then, we found a new possibility. We drove to the start of the Ranger's Trail, followed it, then cut down a path toward the lake to find a magnificent open water swim !location. Clear, calm water, and you can lounge on the rocks and swim in from them. The water gets deep very fast, so be careful! My walk-in site had the most amazing toilet. OK I don`t usually write toilet reviews, but this Clivus was something to behold. The port-a-let cubicle was clean and well ventilated. The ventilation was something that surprised me, as I'd never seen a ventilated vault toilet before. It was such a great toilet: no smells at all. The staff came and cleaned it three times a day. OK, on to the landscape, which is beautiful: rolling hills, mixed forest, Canadian shield. There are so many lakes 8in this area that, I am told, the kayaking is very good. I may not do kayaking, but I do love stargazing. We were lucky to be at Restoule on August 12, when the annual meteor showers arrive. It was also my daughter's birthday. We took a blanket and pillows down to the waterfront and looked at the stars, which appeared so much larger than they do in the GTA. Our goal was to see 12 shooting stars. Within 45 minutes, we had our targeted quota and more! It's a lovely little park, and if you like an electric site, their electric sites are relatively private and spacious. I found the staff quite friendly, but I did not have cause to interact with them very often. It is also close to nearby towns, in case you forgot something (I recommend Gerry's General Store in Restoule)

Restoule Provincial Park is located north of Algonquin Provincial Park along Hwy 534. The closest…read moretown is Township of Restoule which is just a few blocks (only one restaurant in the whole town). The closest large town is Town of Port Loring. I want to review it because it is a great park but is almost a best kept secret to Torontonians, though people living in up north frequent there. The park has 3 campgrounds, two are non-electrical (Putts Point, Bells Point) and one is electrical (Kettle Point). The campsites in Putts Point and Kettle Point campgrounds are in good condition. The sites in Kettle Point seem smaller than Putt Point's, where I stayed. I estimate that an average sized campsite in Putt Point is a large campsite in Kettle Point. However, Kettle Point is more popular and the sites get booked faster, because there are a lot of RV and trailers campers. I don't like the sites at Bells Point campground. There is a comfort centre in Kettle Point and another one in Putts Point. There is no comfort centre in Bells Point. They are both in good condition. The shower water is hotter in the morning and afternoon. It becomes lukewarm in the evening. The park has access to both Stormy Lake and Lake of Restoule. The water is really clear. Both lakes have boat launch ramps. During my long weekend stay, I saw people playing motor boating, water skiing, sea-doo, fishing, sailing (only in Stormy Lake), canoeing and kayaking. The park office gives out a water way map that shows the good fishing spots. I didn't see many swimmers, probably because the water is quite shallow in the beach areas. There is also a separate dog beach. Hiking and wildlife sighting are good as well. I saw a deer up close on the Angel Point Trail (took pictures too). The best and longest trail is Fire Tower Trail. It has a spectacular lookout point overseeing Stormy Lake. This park is honestly beautiful. The water is clear; the air is clean. It is so natural and unspoiled. Star gazing is lovely on the boat launch docks, so bring your telescope. There are additional reviews on this park on Tripadvisors, should you want more details.

Outdoor nature walk at its best. This conversation area is a beautiful spot for a hike within city…read morelimits. The trails are well maintained, it's common to see birds, chipmunks, squirrels, but sometimes you can spot a deer or a beaver. We take our dog on walks here a few times a month, and it's a great for him as there are so many smells for him to enjoy during the walk. This place is a family favourite. We have been enjoying this space for years and will enjoy for many more years to come.

I'm so glad to read the detailed reviews of this park from Allison and Laura, because my experience…read morewas super brief and kind of a blur. The camp store was full of cute, well-designed things right next to the rental shack with boats and the spot to get your firewood. We rolled in to our camp site just before sunset, quickly put up our tent and through on our swimsuits and ran to the end of our little dirt road to jump in the water in the last of the golden light. It was glorious. After dinner we walked around the campground and checked out the other beach where teens were playing and bugs were gathering hungry for blood. We tucked into bed early, really glad we'd gotten that perfect swim in. We were gone the next morning early, on to the next one.

I can't say I'm a big camper. I like my comfort and convenience, and cleanliness. It's my third…read moretime camping, and I know what to expect now. I was really happy with this park, and the facilities they had. All the toilets are flush toilets, so no pinching your nose and squating on top of a hole, afriad you'll fall in. And it wasn't too stinky either. There were 4 + 1 handicap showers. The 1st one had warm water. And I never saw a line up or had to wait. The facilities were kept some what clean, and I liked that. The site also had a beach that fell on to the Moore Lake. It was a nice secluded beach and perfect for a swim and to put all your stuff. They had rental canoes and kayaks you can take out to the lake. Algonquin Northern Outfitters down the street has cheaper ones than the park. The Park store has anything you could want (including ice cream) yum. And life jackets you can borrow. The park staff also organize some events every evening (perfect for kids) like star gazing or history hikes. There is also a small museum that explains the history of Samuel de Champlain and his trade routes. I also liked seeing the park staff patrol occasionally throughout the day. The park itself had a few trails that go along the Mattawa river. It was a tortuous 5 hr hike that had us wishing we had a machete to cut through the ruffage. I guess that's how M. Champlain travelled thru the trading routes. I like going to new places all the time, but if I had to choose one to come back to , this would be it.

We recently visited Arrowhead Provincial Park for their Fire and Ice skating nights. What an…read moreamazing experience! The skating trail is a 1.3km loop that goes throughout the forest and is lit at night with tiki torches on both the trail and the paths between the trail and parking. Beautiful surroundings, fire pits to stay warm, storage area for your belongings while you skate. Very family and community friendly. Both bathrooms and change rooms are available, along with skate rentals if needed. You do need to book in advance. Highly recommended!

Arrowhead Provincial Park is a nice medium-sized park with a few hiking trails and a great place to…read morecome see the Fall colors. Entrance into the park is easy to find, but entry is a bit slow because not everyone reserved a day pass and had to turn around. So don't forget to make a reservation ahead of time. Once you're in the park, drive to the visitor's center to get a printout of your day pass. I'm not sure why we're asked to print out the day pass only to also get another copy. The visitor's center is a good place to start as it's close to most place you'll want to see. Within a short distance walk is the Big Bend lookout. There's a small parking lot there, but it was a little flooded and park employees weren't allowing cars through. There isn't any hiking in this area, so snap that photo of the iconic landmark and go on your merry way. The lookout is fairly small and crowded with maskless visitors. On the other side is Stubb's Falls, which is an easy 2.6km loop trail. It's 1.6km to the falls on the side closest to the vistor's center, and 1km on the other side. The 1.6km trail is fairly dry, but the 1km side is very muddy, so make sure to bring waterproof hiking shoes. The falls themselves are very touristy and the majority of people who visit don't wear masks or keep their masks wrapped around their wrists. After the falls, you can head straight across to view a bridge and Arrowhead Lake. The beaches are pretty nice, but there are lots of mosquitoes here, so make sure to pack some repellant. I tried to park in this area to hike parts of the Arrowhead Lake Trail, but was turned away because parking was full. Overall, Arrowhead is a decent park, but there isn't too much to do or see here.

Park is nice, but has signs of overuse. Washrooms are kept…read moreclean. Some people abuse the facilities. I watched a guy come use the restroom, wash his hands and leave not turning the tap off. BEWARE... there is one spot in the park to get potable water, with no signage to tell you so....until you get to the campground and have to turn around go back on the highway to fill, and especially to dump your waste water.AND at the dump station there are only two dumps! We are waiting in a long lineup to dump and some people are very slow at going thru the process. I'm not amazed at any of this as it is run by the government. This is Ontarios premier park and not run very premier ....

Both times we camped there we lost power. The last time we woke up with no heat and it was -3…read more The bathrooms weren't working and the toilets were overflowing. Absolutely disgusting and we won't be back.

Inspiring views, challenging hiking paths and some surprisingly-useful services make this a…read moremust-stop destination if you're ever in Temagami. Often referred to as "Temagami Trails", this is the collective site for a number of trails that run along the highway and town and into the nearby Finlayson Point park site, ranging from easy (but long) beginner trails up to absurdly-difficult paths that cover extreme obstacles and challenging terrain. Visiting here was quite the experience, as I had the opportunity to check out three of the site's paths and visit the famed Fire Tower that is an easy landmark to spot from the town. While our original plan was to try out the area's toughest course, Peregrine, and the associated Beaver Trail, we discovered that it would have taken too long to cross over the sprawling site, and decided to set our expectations a bit lower, dividing and checking out a total of four courses. My friend and I started with the Old Fire Marshal's Trail - let me put this as a word of warning: if you don't have any proficiency with hiking, DO NOT USE THIS TRAIL. It's marked as a moderate hike, but its obstacles and steep nature are so challenging that it took us more than 40 minutes to get down a trail that normally would have taken 10 minutes. It goes almost vertically-downwards at points, and your only salvation will be making treacherous climbs across groups of rocks and the odd tree. If you fall, it's game over. Luckily, the nearby White Bear and Caribou trails are much, MUCH easier, taking a circuitous route through the heart of the White Bear forest and showcasing a number of photo-perfect opportunities in Lake Temagami. While it was tough due to the heat on the day we went, we nevertheless plowed through it and had the chance to see some spectacular views of the old-growth forest and lake. Having the chance to climb the Temagami Fire Tower was also a treat, as visitors are encouraged to ascend to the top, where they'll find some incredible views of the nearby town and surrounding municipalities. It really is worth the drive just for this - everyone should check it out. Overall, it was a great place to spend the day and offered a number of unique opportunities to see and learn more about the surrounding area. While the visitors' centre wasn't open, the free wi-fi was also much appreciated. Well worth a visit!

My knees were shaking, my heart pounding and my breathing labored: my excitement overcame my fear…read moreof heights as I ascended the 100 foot Temagami Fire Tower. Near the top, the spiral staircases narrow, room enough for only one person. You'll want to hold onto both railings and NOT look down. The last set of steps are as steep as a step ladder, then when you arrive to the top, you are rewarded by a 360 scenic view of over 40 kilometers of forests and lakes. You will be standing 400 feet above the town and 1300 feet above sea level. Take a minute to catch your breath and marvel at nature. If vertigo or fear of heights prevents you from climbing the tower, don't worry, there is an observation platform at the base of the tower that offers a beautiful view. A great pit stop if you're heading north. We were there at the perfect time: early Saturday morning before the tourists arrived. We had the place all to ourselves and took our time enjoying the solitude. The only thing that broke the silence was the birds singing sweetly in the trees. WARNING: do not approach the tower or surrounding area during a thunderstorm, unless you're a masochist and you enjoy getting hit by lightening. Also be careful on a windy day; I've read that the tower sways.

While I spoke about my recent excursion to Caribou Mountain in a related Yelp review…read more(https://www.yelp.ca/biz/caribou-mountain-temagami?hrid=j91AVwAzet-mQR2R2gAfWQ), the nearby Temagami Fire Tower deserves a bit of love too. It's worth noting that, despite being situated on the same site as a number of trails that run throughout Temagami, this is the more trendy, "tourist-y" part of the area, with a visitor's center and viewing platforms at its base. It is certainly a workout to climb up here, not just for the slightly-thinner air, but the fact that you're going to be ascending steep ladders and spiral staircases that might leave you with a bit of dizziness when you finally get to the top. Yet, the views are inspiring. This tower's history definitely shines through, having been the recipient of a major renovation some 20-plus years ago. Short messages and carved-in hearts from young lovers fill the wood paneling, both at the top of the tower and viewing platforms. It lends a lot of history to the sprawling views of the nearby forests, towns and other associated wildlife. I haven't seen views this good since my visit to Killbear Provincial Park last year. On the day we visited (a Sunday), it wasn't particularly busy. The most interesting people of note were a father who had brought his two children to climb the tower and hike two of the more challenging trails - I can only surmise that he was trying to punish them via physical exercise. It was relatively peaceful, and we didn't have to worry about people trying to crowd past on the ascent or descent up the tower. This is a great destination to check out if you're ever in Temagami, as it's literally a two-minute drive from the mainstreet and offers a lot of unique vistas and opportunities for cool pictures. It's just one of those places that proves why it's worth visiting Northern Ontario. Well recommended!

Had a great stay. Sites were big and clean and very well spaced apart. Didn't see the neighbors if…read moreyou didn't want to.

Only $30CAN per night! Rolled up on a beautiful Thursday at 9pm, just trying to get a bite and…read moresome smoked salmon/trout for breakfast the next morning, but the place was so nice, we rested our bones there instead of the other campsite we had planned to stay at. For $30 we got a spot 10' off the lake! Tons of room. Enough space for 3 tents. Had a table and fire pit built in. People seemed cool. Only there one night, and something bear-ish definitely crept past our tent and went for a midnight swim (loudly). The fishing was STRAIGHT. Caught a walleye after only 4 casts. Shoulda' ate it... The skeeters are why I have to withhold a star. Those Canadian mosquitoes are easily the most aggressive insects I've ever encountered. They didn't always bite you or leave you itching, but when they swarm, mahfucka's will LAND ON YOUR EYEBALL. No joke. I definitely huffed a few while smoking a jack too... The food at the front of the campsite (we got fish and chips) was only OK. The poutine style fries (covered in gravy and shredded cheese) were only OK too. The general store sold fishing/camping gear as well as limited groceries and such. Well, they also sold the best smoked salmon I've ever had. I bought rainbow trout, coho salmon, and atlantic salmon. The atlantic salmon, probably caught nearby and dated only 3 days prior, was drip down your forearm oily (which is a good thing when dealing with an oily fish-and besides, fish oil is about the healthiest thing in the world outside of blueberries). The coho and trout were tasty but nearly as good.

If you're willing to sacrifice a few odds and ends, Finlayson Point is a fantastic campsite to…read morevisit. Since coming here back in September with four of my buddies, I've been reflecting on the experience. As part of our now seemingly-annual camping trips, I found this to be a better overall experience than last year's stay at Sturgeon Bay -- but not without some caveats. There is no question that if you're looking for prime views of the lake and ease of access to nearby towns and activities, this is the place to go. A relatively-quiet space just outside the town of Temagami, this site is much further removed from the action and offers a lot of opportunities for hiking, boating and fishing. My friends and I stayed in the site's sole cabin, which has a prime view of the lake and featured a whole bunch of amenities and tools, including a barbecue, cleaning supplies and four beds. Despite the additional features, I wasn't as big on this cabin as my friends were. For one, the place turns into an absolute sauna at night, even with all the windows open and fans going. I ended up sleeping on the couch and could barely get any sleep for the first two days due to the heat and other external factors. That being said, the cabin was an undeniably beautiful place. Filled with plenty of rustic touches, it was incredibly peaceful when I just wanted to sit and read a book. The attached barbecue also came in incredibly handy, and I ended up cooking for the group for the majority of the trip. Most of the campsites are big, and it wasnt uncommon this late in the season to see couples and large families braving colder weather and bringing their RVs or camps to enjoy the season. In fact, the weather may have made it even busier, as I saw a number of people walking around nonchalantly with heavy raingear just days before the park closed for the season. The staff are a bit strict on the campers, but then again, we were acting like a bunch of schmucks on the first night and had built a campfire that was too large. Coming off the heels of a nearby forest fire, it's no surprise that we were read the Riot Act for it. The warden, Hannah, was fairly polite otherwise, and the rest of the staff were good. The warden's office doesn't have much in the way of amenities (only one central bathroom/set of showers, balanced out by unique services like a fish cleaning station), but it's adequate. Luckily, the site was fairly close to the town of Temagami. My friends were able to paddle down to the town (forgoing the truck) to pick up supplies. More than one review online has mentioned how the park is a nightmare for boats (to the point that it's been referred to as "the 407 of the north" on one forum), and it's hard to argue with that point. You'd best hope you have no plans to sleep regularly, because big boats and biplanes will roar past the lake in the middle of the night. I didn't even get any sleep for the first two days because of the constant noise from large biplanes flying at impossibly-low altitudes overhead, and my friends very nearly had a collision with a plane landing in the lake when they were out canoeing. It's also a bit tough for some trucks and vans, as the paths are narrow and it can be hard to maneuver around the site. There is no question that the park has character, though. Whether it was befriending some of the local wildlife (don't tell the staff that the chipmunks love chocolate bars) or dipping your feet into the lake at the docks at sunset, this is an impossibly beautiful site that offers a lot of great views and makes you feel like you're in the heart of cottage country. Well worth a visit if you're in the area. Recommended!