Awenda Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

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Awenda Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Awenda Provincial Park is simple enough.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We booked our September stay at Awenda and had no issues getting a preferred site.

But from what we saw, I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with most of the sites in this park.

☑️ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

Awenda is open for camping from the middle of May until after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Awenda Provincial Park Address:
670 Awenda Park Road, Tiny, Ontario, L9M 0B9
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/awenda

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Arriving at the Park

Once you arrive at the main entrance to the park, the gatehouse is right there.

You will find several long RV parking spots outside the gatehouse.

The gatehouse was pretty small, but because it is only used for registering guests, it really is sufficient in size.

We were able to check in, purchase firewood and ice, and grab a printed map there.

I was not able to purchase a park patch at the gatehouse, but instead had to head to the Park Store (which is right next door) for that. But more on this later.

We arrived just before the 2 o’clock check-in time, so it was okay for us to head straight to our site.

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Awenda Provincial Park Map

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Navigating the Park

There were more than enough signs to help you find your way around the park and to find the beach and day-use area.

One thing that you might want to keep in mind is that Google Maps seems to have a problem in this park.

While leaving for home, Google led us into an area of the park (near Kettle’s Lake) where we ended up in a parking lot instead of out on the main road!

And this, with our trailer in tow!

It’s a good thing the lot was relatively empty, and our Teardrop is pretty small, so we were able to turn around with little effort.

I’m guessing that Google does not recognize that the road is not open past this point.

Something to keep in mind!

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Parking

I have to say, there is definitely no shortage of parking at Awenda!

Not only was there enough parking at the gatehouse and at the Park Store, but the comfort stations, Trail Heads, campgrounds, and beaches all had plenty of parking as well.

The only exceptions, I would have to say, are Beaches 3 and 4.

There is plenty of parking near Beaches 1, 2 and the Pet beach, but these lots were a considerable walk from Beaches 3 and 4.

John and I really wanted to take our paddleboards out to Beach 4, where the water was super calm, but the walk with all of our gear would have been a challenge.

On the other hand, we were super impressed that there is actually a lot by the beaches that is designated for trailers and motorhomes only!

I haven’t seen this at any of the other provincial parks that we have been to.

That means that you could spend some time in the park before or after your check-in time. Awesome!

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Awenda Provincial Park Camping

Awenda Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles.

From car camping to tenting, a stone cottage, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all.

You will also have the choice between electric and non-electric sites.

Of course, not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites. So you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

Awenda is home to 333 campsites, all situated in six campgrounds.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Awenda, we stayed in the Wolf Campground.

We absolutely LOVED our campsite!!

The campsite was huge, with a packed dirt pad. We had plenty of trees for shade, and tons of privacy from the neighbours.

In fact, we could only see people on one side (the driver’s side of our trailer) and across the street.

Our Teardrop Trailer looked so tiny on the site! But this meant that we had plenty of space for our dining tent, and for us to play games and stretch out.

The vault toilets were around the corner, and the comfort station was about a 5-minute walk from our site.

Of course, our Teardrop has a bathroom, so this really was no concern for us!

A water tap was located right across from our site.

The only negative about our site, and many in this campground in fact, was the distance to the electrical pedestal.

We had just enough cord to reach the pedestal (about 75 ft), which was located right off the roadway, between our site and our neighbours’.

We actually had a bit of trouble locating it at first.

But after walking through the campground, we noticed that all the pedestals were roadside.

And considering how long the driveways for each campsite were, pretty much everyone was in the same boat.

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Accessible Campsites

Each campground at Awenda has a designated barrier-free campsite (sites #24, #96, #141, #193, #215, and #295).

Each of these sites comes equipped with a modified picnic table and has easy access to drinking water and the comfort station.

The sites were made of packed dirt, but did not have the paved pads that we saw at Earl Rowe Provincial Park last year.

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What Amenities Does Awenda Offer?

Comfort Stations

The comfort stations at Awenda were pretty typical, with flush toilets and separate shower rooms.

We found the washrooms and showers to be quite clean and well-kept.

The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was pretty good.

The comfort stations in each of the campgrounds were centrally located, making it pretty convenient for all campers.

We even had a pathway leading to ours, which made the trek much shorter than having to walk along the campground road.

You will also find quite a few vault toilets scattered throughout the campgrounds, in the day-use areas, and by the beaches.

They were all in great shape, but not-surprisingly, stinky!

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Laundry

A coin laundry is available in the comfort stations located in the Turtle, Hawk and Bear Campgrounds.

The laundry rooms were clean, with two sets of machines in each.

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Park Store

The Park Store is located adjacent to the gatehouse and is a little on the small side.

Inside, you’ll find Ontario Parks gear like hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, and tote bags.

There’s also a Keurig coffee maker, a freezer with novelty ice cream, a fridge stocked with different sodas, plus a few camping essentials you might have left at home.

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Visitor’s Centre

There is no Visitor’s Centre at Awenda Provincial Park.

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Day Use Area

The day-use areas at Awenda were quite nice, just a little small.

At each beach, you will find vault toilets. These are located across the path from the entrance to the beach.

I don’t recall seeing too many picnic tables at the beach, as there really wasn’t much in the way of grassy areas.

However, the beaches were nice and sandy, so plenty of room to spread out a blanket and enjoy the views of Georgian Bay.

If you head over to Kettle’s Lake, you will find a couple of different areas to sit and enjoy the lake views.

There are vault toilets and a couple of picnic tables, as well as a few benches near the water.

The only picnic shelter at Awenda Provincial Park is located near the Administration Office.

There, you will also find the amphitheatre, trail heads, and a few vault toilets.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use areas only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.

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Boat Launch

There is no boat launch at Awenda Provincial Park.

The closest boat launch facilities are in Penetanguishene.

While outboard motors are not allowed on Kettle’s Lake, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are.

There is even a wooden boardwalk that takes you down to the water’s edge, where you can easily launch your equipment from.

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Playgrounds

I thought that it was really great that 5 out of 6 campgrounds had a really nice playground located adjacent to the comfort stations.

The play equipment was modern and in great shape.

The only campground that did not have a playground was the Snake Campground.

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Awenda Provincial Park Beaches

Awenda Provincial Park is home to 4 sandy beaches along the shores of Georgian Bay.

During the summer, you will find that the crystal clear water is still quite chilly!

Beaches 1-3, and the pet beach, are all located on the east side of Methodist Point.

These beaches are sandy, with large rocks in the water. Most of the entry to the water also has large, smooth rocks, which can get slippery, so be careful!

However, we noticed that at each beach, a wide path had been cleared in the water. This path was sandy and would be much safer to use to get into the water.

You just have to look for it.

The water stays shallow pretty far out, but there is no designated, roped-off area for swimming.

The parking lots are closest to Beach 1 and the Pet Beach.

Just be aware that the water at Georgian Bay can get rough at times when the wind picks up.

Beach 4 is the only one located on the opposite side of Methodist Point.

This beach is huge, sandy, and calm, but just a little inconvenient to get to.

While there is a nice walking trail that takes you to this beach, it’s at least 20 minutes from the parking lot.

So, if you have a lot of gear or younger kids with you, we would recommend bringing a wagon.

On the plus side, this side of the Point seemed to be more sheltered, as the water was completely calm on the day we visited (compared to the small waves we saw at the other beaches less than an hour earlier).

We also noticed that the vault toilets at the beaches had adjacent change rooms, which would be super convenient!

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What Services Does Awenda Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at Awenda.

Water

There is one sanitation station at Awenda Provincial Park.

It is located just a short distance from the gatehouse and is home to fill stations, trailer dump, and the garbage/recycling area.

There you will find three lanes with two fill stations.

Depending on which lane you use, the fill station will work no matter what side your RV’s water tank is on.

And best of all, the third lane acts as a bypass lane. This means that even if two rigs are filling their tank, other people using the sanitation loop can leave without having to wait in line.

You will find water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

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Dump Station

The trailer dump is located just before the water fill station in the sanitation loop.

As with the fill station, you will find three lanes with two dump stations.

As with the fill station area, one of the lanes acts as a bypass lane.

So you don’t need to wait for trailers using the fill station to make your way out of the sanitation loop.

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Garbage and Recycling

The garbage/recycling area is located first in the sanitation loop.

You will find one set of bins for garbage, and a second set of bins for recycling.

The bins are bear-proof, so it takes a little more effort to open them.

Another thing that I noticed was how many large trash bins there were throughout the campground.

These bins were also bear-proof and definitely easy to spot.

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Wi-Fi

Unfortunately, Awenda Provincial Park has terrible cell reception pretty much everywhere in the park.

I was unable to make phone calls, send texts (although some texts would randomly come through), or go online at our campsite.

I think the most reception was possible while at the beach.

I’m also guessing that this might be the reason that Google Maps was not playing nice while we were in the park.

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Things to Do at Awenda Provincial Park

There were plenty of things to keep John and me busy during our stay at Awenda Provincial Park.

1. Enjoy a Bike Ride

Not only are there three mixed-use trails to bike on at Awenda, but you are more than welcome to ride on the campground roads.

The trails vary in difficulty level, with the easiest (Brûlé and Beach) being more than manageable for younger kids.

We found these trails to be mostly flat with a wide and clear pathway.

The Bluff Trail, on the other hand, is rated as difficult.

John and I rode this trail, and we would not recommend it for younger kids or those without a proper trail or mountain bike.

The Bluff Trail is beautiful, taking you through forests and wetlands, as well as through the campgrounds.

But it is also very rough terrain with large stones and roots over much of the trail, as well as being very hilly in some parts.

The main park roads are very smooth, with some hilly sections. They can get busy at check-in/out time, so be careful.

The campground roads are not paved, but they were in decent condition to ride on.

And just as a side note, I thought it was pretty awesome when we found a bicycle tune-up station at the trail head by the Administration Office.

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2. Go for a Paddle

While we had a nice sunny day during our September visit, it was still a little too chilly for us to want to take out our paddleboards.

Nonetheless, it was really tempting!

Kettle’s Lake would be the perfect place to go for a paddle.

The water was calm and much warmer than Georgian Bay.

As I mentioned earlier, the path down to the lake makes it easy to get your kayak, canoe or paddleboard into the water.

You will even find large wooden racks to store your canoe/kayak while you are not using it.

And if you don’t have your own equipment, but would love to head out on the water, Awenda Provincial Park offers canoe rentals.

The rental office is located between the Bear and Turtle Campgrounds

They also offer PFDs to rent if you don’t have your own.

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3. Enjoy a Refreshing Dip

Nothing like going for a refreshing (and we me REFRESHING) dip in Georgian Bay on a hot summer day!

While we didn’t venture into the water on our last visit, there were a few brave souls enjoying the last few days of summer.

As I mentioned earlier, the swimming area is not roped off. But from what we could see, the water stays shallow a good distance out.

And while the crystal-clear water was relatively calm while we were on the beach, Georgian Bay can get quite rough. Just something to keep in mind.

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4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

Like the rest of Ontario Provincial Parks, Awenda also has a Discovery Program for kids.

From late June to early fall, kids can pick up a Discovery Activity Book from the Park Store to explore the park.

There is also a weekly calendar of events posted throughout the park, including guided hikes, children’s programs, special events and evening programs.

In fact, our visit took place in September, and we still noticed several Discovery Program signboards for guided hikes put up in the campgrounds.

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5. Do Some Birding

While we are not avid birders, Awenda does offer some great opportunities to bird watch if you are interested.

The park is home to at least 120 breeding bird species, with Awenda’s upland forests even providing a critical habitat refuge for the endangered Cerulean Warbler.

John and I were quite surprised when a bird of prey swooped through our campsite one morning. It happened so fast that we couldn’t identify it.

But John said it had striped tail feathers.

Pretty cool, especially when the multitude of chipmunks started scattering and giving warning calls! Nature’s air raid sirens! 🤣🤣

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6. Try Your Hand at Fishing

If you are into fishing, both Kettle’s Lake and Georgian Bay offer a great place to enjoy the sport.

You can easily fish from shore or head out on a boat.

Bass, Northern Pike, pickerel and smaller panfish are commonly found in the waters between Awenda and Giant’s Tomb Island.

Bass and panfish are also found in Kettle’s Lake.

Just remember, if you are fishing in the park, you will need a fishing license and you will need to follow all fishing regulations.

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7. Go for a Hike

If you enjoy hiking, then Awenda Provincial Park won’t disappoint!

We found the trails to be quite enjoyable, and can’t wait to get back to the park to hike the ones that we did not have time for.

The Beach Trail is a mixed-use trail that is perfect for cyclists and those looking to go for a stroll.

The trail takes you along the Georgian Bay shoreline, with gorgeous views of Giant’s Tomb Island.

Not only is the Beach Trail easy to navigate by both bike and foot, but it is also appropriate for families with younger children.

And don’t forget to keep your eyes open for the Geological Treasure Hunt. You will find the map for the treasure hunt near Parking Lot E.

Then, find the posts that are located along the Beach Trail, scan the QR code, and it will tell you all about the area that you are standing in.

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This trail sits in a nature reserve zone, with most of the path on a boardwalk.

It takes you through an area shaped by past and present beaver activity, which is actually quite interesting to see.

Along the way, you’ll pass the remains of an old building and bridge from the logging days.

You’ll also get views of the Nipissing bluff and have plenty of chances to spot wildlife, wildflowers, and birds.

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As I mentioned earlier, John and I chose to ride this mixed-use trail.

This circular trail can be accessed from a number of locations within the park, including a few of the campgrounds.

It travels partly along a high bluff and partly through a low wetland.

In many places, the trail is made up of packed dirt that is riddled with tree roots and large stones.

The Bluff Trail also has several hilly areas, crosses the main park road at least twice, and travels along several areas of the campground roads.

We would recommend having a good trail bike to ride, and good hiking shoes if you choose to walk it.

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The Nipissing Trail is pretty short, but it is far from easy.

The trail is dominated by a 155-step staircase that allows hikers to descend 32 metres down the face of the bluff.

It is quite a scenic hike, but be prepared for a workout!

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This mixed-use trail passes through a portion of the park’s gorgeous mixed deciduous forest.

We found the trail to be similar to the Bluff Trail, but without the root and stone obstacles on the path.

Definitely better for riding your bike if you choose not to hike.

Lumbering and fires have obliterated the White Pines so that the majority of trees are now Sugar Maple and Red Oak.

And while the forest has been allowed to revert to its natural state, unfortunately, the White Pine has been unable to fully re-establish itself.

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The Robitaille Homestead Trail leads to an ancient dune system with an estimated age of 11,500 years!

The dunes are a very fragile environment, so it’s really important to keep to the trail and not try to climb the hillside, stand on the edge of the bluff or climb down the bluff.

On the way to the dunes, this trail passes an abandoned farmstead originally built in 1902.

You will be able to see the remains of the stone foundations and fence rows.

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This trail completely circles Kettle’s Lake.

The path takes you through forested areas and swampland with awesome views of Kettle’s Lake.

The trail, for the most part, is wide, packed dirt, and easy to walk on.

The area is a popular nesting spot for the Red-winged Blackbird, and the Great Blue Heron is often seen in the swamps around the lake.

The trail also passes the foundations of the Brabant farmstead house and barn, as well as having a couple of great lookout points.

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Is Awenda Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Awenda to be pretty accessible, including the comfort stations, Gatehouse, and Park Store.

Beach 2 not only had vault toilets with barrier-free access, but 2 separate accessibility mats on the sand.

Although I was a little confused about the placement of the mats. Usually, they lead from the pavement or boardwalk to the water’s edge.

Instead, these led from the trail (which was pretty accessible) to the middle of the sandy area of the beach.

There is also a beach-friendly wheelchair that is available for rent from the gatehouse.

And as we mentioned earlier, there are several sites in each campground that are barrier-free.

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Are Pets Allowed at Awenda?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Awenda Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground, but must be leashed at all times.

And as we mentioned earlier, there is a large dog beach located right next to the regular beach.

The dog beach looks just as nice as the regular beaches, with white sand, clear water, and a large shallow area to play in.

We did notice that more of the entrance to the water was a little on the rockier side, but there was still a sandy entrance for human toes!

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Is There Winter Camping at Awenda?

No! Awenda Provincial Park is not open for winter camping.

However, the park is open all year round for a variety of winter activities.

Awenda offers 17 km of trails to explore on either cross-country skis or by snowshoe.

Ski trails begin at the Trail Centre, a rustic wood-heated log cabin.

Dogs are not allowed on winter ski trails; however, the snowshoe trails are pet-friendly.

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Our Park Rating

We give this park 5 out of 5 stars for having:

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Final Thoughts

We had a really great time at Awenda and will definitely go back.

We really enjoyed the beautiful beach, the awesome hiking trails, and the incredibly private campsites.

So if you are looking for an Ontario Park with plenty of family-friendly activities and space to stretch out, then Awenda might just be the place for you!

Our only regret was that we didn’t book a longer stay!

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