Grundy Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

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Grundy Lake Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Grundy Lake Provincial Park is pretty easy.

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 stay at Grundy Lake for August and had a pretty easy time getting an awesome site.

Most of the sites at this park were pretty nice! So I really don’t think you can go wrong.

☑️ 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.

The park is open for camping from the beginning of May until after the Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October.

Grundy Lake Provincial Park Address:
20400 Highway 522, Britt, ON P0G 1A0
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/grundylake

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Arriving at the Park

When you pull into the park entrance, it’s just a quick drive to the gatehouse.

There’s regular vehicle parking there, plus several longer spots designed for RVs outside the gate.

Those extra-long spaces are a huge help when you’re towing a trailer. I really wish all provincial parks would add them.

The gatehouse also works as the park store. We picked up a printed map, grabbed some firewood, and I added a park patch to my collection.

If you need to pick up some ice, there is a small grocery store across the street from the park. But more on that later!

We timed our arrival for the 2:00 p.m. check-in, so once we were done at the gatehouse, we could head straight to our campsite.

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Grundy Lake Provincial Park Map

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Navigating the Park

Grundy Lake is a HUGE park. Even so, we found it easy to get around.

There are plenty of clear signs pointing you toward the campgrounds, day-use areas, and key spots throughout the park.

The main park road was newly paved, and heavenly to drive on with a trailer in tow!

The campground roads are one-way, fairly narrow, and not paved. Still, they were in good shape during our visit and easy enough to manage.

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Parking

The parking lots we came across around the park were a good size. We never had trouble finding space to park.

There were parking lots at the gatehouse, one at the comfort stations, at all beaches, at the Discovery Centre, the day-use area, and at the trailheads.

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Grundy Lake Provincial Park Camping

Grundy Lake Provincial Park supports a wide range of camping options.

You can book sites for car camping, tenting, group trips, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres).

If you prefer something quieter, there are also backcountry paddle-in sites.

You can choose between electric and non-electric campsites as well.

Just note that not every campground section fits every style of camping, so pay close attention to the site details when you book.

Grundy Lake Provincial Park has a whopping 9 main campgrounds – Balsam, White Spruce, Red Maple, Trailer, Jack Pine, White Birch, Hemlock, White Pine, and Poplar Campgrounds.

All in all, Grundy Lake is home to 488 campsites.

The Trailer Campground is the only campground that offers only electric sites.

The Balsam, White Spruce and Red Maple Campgrounds only offer non-electric sites.

All other campgrounds offer a mix of both electric and non-electric sites.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Group Camping

Grundy Lake Provincial Park also offers one large group camping site that is located adjacent to the Red Maple Campground and Grundy Lake.

The site has access to a water tap, picnic tables, and a nearby comfort station.

The group site can accommodate between 20 and 50 people.

Trailers of any kind are not permitted in the group camping area.

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Backcountry Camping

Grundy Lake Provincial Park is home to 10 backcountry campsites.

Backcountry campsites are a great option if you’re looking for a quieter, more private camping experience.

All 10 sites are accessible by canoe (except for B10, which is a hike-in or canoe-in site).

Each has a fire pit, picnic table, food locker, and box privy.

John and I explored one of the empty sites while we were out exploring with our paddleboards.

We were even able to access the backcountry sites (which were all vacant during our visit) from the Pakeshkag Lake Trail.

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Roofed Accommodations

Grundy Lake has one rustic cabin available. It’s located right on the water overlooking the lake and beach.

The White Birch Cabin sleeps up to five people with a queen bed and a twin-over-double bunk.

The 360-square-foot space includes a small kitchen area with a bar fridge, kettle, and microwave, a dining table, and an electric fireplace.

There’s also a large enclosed porch, an outdoor fireplace, and a deck with a barbecue and side burner.

Washrooms with flush toilets, water taps, and showers are nearby, and cabin guests can use all park facilities.

Check-in is at 4 pm, and check-out is at 10 am. There is a two-night minimum stay, or three nights on long weekends.

Pets and smoking are not permitted.

You’ll need to bring your own food, cookware, dishes, linens, towels, and chairs.

Parking for two vehicles is available, with one vehicle included in the fee.

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Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Grundy Lake, we stayed in the Jack Pine Campground.

Our campsite was fairly spacious with more than enough room for us to set up our dining tent.

While the sites were not completely private (I could still see my neighbours), there was more than enough shrubbery between sites to provide a good buffer.

Our site was a fair distance from the comfort station, which meant that we drove to the showers.

The showers were busy earlier in the evening, so we waited and headed over around 10 pm to skip the long lines.

Our closest water tap was about a 2-minute walk, so that was fine with us.

I think the only real negative that we experienced while camping at Grundy Lake was that the entire campground lost power for several hours during our stay.

After spending the day at the beach, we arrived back at our camper in the late afternoon, only to find the power out.

We checked to make sure that all was well at the pedestal.

When we couldn’t find a problem, we asked a neighbour, and were told the power had already been out for some time and that it was campground-wide.

Luckily, the power came back on that evening. This was the first time that we had ever lost power at a campground.

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What Amenities Does Grundy Lake Offer?

Comfort Stations

There are only 3 comfort stations with showers in Grundy Provincial Park.

They are shared between the nine campgrounds, so you can bet that they will get pretty busy around dinner time.

John and I chose to shower later in the evening, so we had a much shorter wait.

Balsam is the only campground that does not have a comfort station close by. You will have no choice but to hop in your car and drive.

Vault toilets were located near the beaches, as well as in each of the campground areas.

We found the comfort stations to be really clean and well-kept. The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was decent.

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Laundry

A coin laundry is available in all three comfort stations in the park.

The laundry rooms were clean and in great condition.

The one we checked out near our campground had two washers, two dryers, as well as a large laundry sink and folding counter.

All machines were in working order during our visit.

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Park Store

As I mentioned earlier, the Park Store is located inside the gatehouse.

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, water bottles, camping cups, and more.

What you will not find are small camping essentials, grocery items, or ice.

For that, you will need to go off-site.

Luckily, the Grundy Lake Supply Post is located right across the street from the main entrance to the park.

This huge shop had an awesome variety of groceries, ice, souvenirs, camping supplies, and even some sporting equipment and a gas bar out front.

Next door to the Supply Post was a smaller shop called The Pine Cone, where you could get hot food and scooped ice cream.

Between the two shops were some picnic tables with umbrellas, where you could enjoy your treats.

There even seemed to be a canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rental spot on the premises.

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Visitor’s Centre

There is no Visitor’s Centre at Grundy Lake Provincial Park.

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Discovery Centre

So, while there is no true Visitor’s Centre at Grundy Lake, there is a small building where you can go to learn about the plants and animals that call Grundy Lake home.

More like a shed than an actual building, the Discovery Centre is located right across the street from the main beach.

This is where the Discovery Program is run from, so it always seemed to be a hub of activity during the day.

There are tables and seating outside where kids can colour, craft, or take part in whatever special activity is going on.

This was one of the cutest kids’ areas I have seen in an Ontario Park! John and I spent at least half an hour talking to the park staff and looking around!

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Day Use Area

The day-use area at Grundy Lake is also located right across the street from the main beach.

There, you will find the park’s only picnic shelter, a beach volleyball court, picnic tables, vault toilets, a trailhead, the amphitheatre, and access to Gut Lake.

There was a large parking lot located adjacent to the main beach, as well as a comfort station with showers just a short walk away.

This is also where you will find Grundy Lake’s Learn to Fish program.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area 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 are no boat launches at Grundy Lake, as motorized watercraft of any kind are prohibited in all areas of the park.

What you will find are several canoe access points throughout the park.

These areas include parking lots, canoe racks, and even picnic tables, perfect if you were planning to canoe to a backcountry campsite.

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Picnic Shelter

As I mentioned earlier, there is only one picnic shelter at Grundy Lake. You can find it adjacent to the Day Use area.

It was pretty basic compared to the ones we have seen at other parks like Bass Lake (they have a built-in fireplace).

That said, you will find a large parking lot nearby, as well as picnic tables and vault toilets.

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Grundy Lake Provincial Park Beaches

Grundy Lake Provincial Park is home to six sandy beaches located throughout the campgrounds and park.

The Main Beach is located on Grundy Lake and is marked with buoy lines. This is where we hung out.

The water was tea coloured and pretty warm during our visit in August.

And while the beach is not very big, it is nice and sandy with some pretty big trees for shade.

In fact, we had to keep moving throughout the day, as the shade takes over most areas of the beach. Something to consider if you are a sun worshipper!

The roped off swimming area is nice and sandy with a pretty gradual drop-off.

We were able to easily launch our paddleboards into the lake from either side of the swimming area.

We also checked out several of the other beaches. These were all located within the individual campgrounds, which was really nice.

Most of these beaches were much smaller, but still had nice sandy entries into the water.

The campground beaches all had small parking lots as well as access to vault toilets within a 5-minute walk.

One thing that I noticed while checking out the various beaches was all the hand-painted wooden birdhouses hanging in the trees. They were EVERYWHERE!

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What Services Does Grundy Lake Offer?

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

Water

There are two water fill stations at Grundy Lake Provincial Park, which is awesome.

The first is located parallel to the main road between the gatehouse and the campgrounds.

We found this to be super convenient, as there was no need to go out of your way to fill when all you want to do is get to your site and settle in.

At this fill station, you will find two newly-paved lanes equipped with two fill stations.

Both fill stations are located between the two lanes, with one on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger side.

Since the fill area is one-way only, we ended up using the passenger side fill by hooking up our extra hose to the fill tap, so that it would reach our tanks.

Easy peasy!

The second fill station is located within the sanitation loop.

There you will also find two taps to fill your tank. The taps are located on either side of the single lane.

This means that only one trailer can use the fill station (no matter what side their tanks are on) at a time.

The fill station is located first in the sanitation loop.

So we would recommend using the other fill station during busy times, as you will inevitably get stuck behind multiple trailers using the dump station.

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

There is only one sanitation station at Grundy Lake Provincial Park.

The dump station is located between the gatehouse and the fill station, on your way to the campgrounds.

The fill station consists of a two-lane loop with two dump stations. Both dump stations are located on the driver’s side, which is where most rigs have their tanks.

And as I mentioned above, the dump station comes after the fill station, so you may get stuck behind people filling their tanks.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.

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Garbage and Recycling

You will find a central garbage and recycling area adjacent to the sanitation loop.

In this area, you’ll find multiple garbage containers, mixed recycling bins, and designated spots for small empty propane canisters and alcohol bottles.

Unlike Killbear Provincial Park, we did not notice smaller garbage stations within each individual campground.

One thing we did notice was this sign posted in the recycling area.

While many parks do have separate bins for alcohol cans and bottles, this was the first time that we actually knew where that money is going!

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Wi-Fi

If you need to stay connected during your time at Grundy Lake, cell service, unfortunately, is hit or miss.

Within the main campgrounds, you should be able to get enough service to text and call. Using data is a little more sketchy.

If you’re going to any of the backcountry sites, it’s definitely not reliable.

We found the best place to get service was at the entrance to the park.

There is a cell tower not far away, so we were at least able to map our way back home!

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Things to Do at Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Grundy Lake Provincial Park is an awesome place for outdoor recreation.

No matter what you like to do while camping, Grundy has it!

1. Enjoy a Bike Ride

As I mentioned earlier, the main campground road at Grundy is newly paved. It was an absolute pleasure to go for a bike ride here!

Of course, there are plenty of hills, and the non-paved roads to the campgrounds were a little rough in some spots, but all in all, it was great!

The main campground road even has a bike lane on one side. This makes riding with young children so much safer.

One little quirk I wanted to mention about that bike lane.

At one point, the lane actually crosses the main road to switch from the right side of the road to the left.

This does not happen at an intersection either. All of a sudden, the lane just goes diagonally across the street! Watch out for cars, as I’m sure noone is expecting that!

And if you are looking for a bit of a challenge, bikes are also allowed on the Pakeshkag Lake Trail.

John and I rode this 5.2 km out-and-back trail in about an hour.

It was hilly and rocky in many areas, but the lookout at the turnaround point was really nice.

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2. Go for a Paddle

One thing John and I always look forward to when we’re camping is paddleboarding. And Grundy was definitely a great spot for it.

The park provides access to Grundy Lake, Gut Lake, Gurd Lake, and Clear Lake.

There are so many kilometres of shoreline to explore with your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.

We spent the better part of the day exploring Grundy Lake with our paddleboards.

The water was relatively calm in the more sheltered areas of the lake, but got a little choppy when you headed too far from shore. Just something to keep in mind!

And if you decide to camp at one of the park’s ten backcountry sites, you can just paddle over!

If you didn’t bring along your own, Grundy Lake Supply Post rents out canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards along with lifejackets.

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3. Take the Plunge

As I mentioned earlier, Grundy Lake is a great spot for swimming.

The tea-coloured water is clean and warm enough for a comfortable dip.

It stays fairly shallow, even past the roped swimming area, which makes it a good option if you’re visiting with younger kids.

Just keep in mind that the water can get a bit rough once you head farther out.

We also liked that most campgrounds have access to a beach, usually just a short walk from your campsite.

And one last thing that I wanted to mention – Slippery Rock!

It’s exactly what it sounds like! A large rock on the shore of Grundy Lake near the Red Maple campground.

The rock must be covered in a ton of algae, because the kids were treating it like a water slide into the lake!

They even have a rope anchored to the rock to help you get back up to the top!

John and I were paddling by when we noticed the kids having fun. I was a little grossed out, not gonna lie!

But if you check online, many people include it as a “must-do” in the park. 🤢

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4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

During the summer months, the park runs a full schedule of educational programs.

You can join a guided hike with a park naturalist, learn about the Voyageurs and the area’s logging history, and get a better understanding of the Pre-Cambrian Shield.

If you want to learn about the local wildlife and plant life, head to the Discovery Centre to take a peek at their displays, or join one of the sessions with the park staff.

Evening campfires are held regularly, and you can stop by the amphitheatre or Discovery Centre to see what’s on.

The park also offers “Art in the Park” activities. We saw quite a few kids colouring and crafting outside the Discovery Centre when we dropped by.

As I mentioned earlier, we definitely thought this was one of the nicer set-ups that we have seen in any Ontario Park.

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5. Try Your Hand at Fishing

For anyone who loves fishing, Grundy Lake Provincial Park is home to 4 lakes that you can fish in.

Northern Pike, bass, panfish, walleye and crappie are commonly caught in the lakes around the park.

We saw people fishing from boats and even from the water’s edge.

Just be aware that you can’t fish in all lakes in Grundy Lake Provincial Park. Swan Lake, as well as the smaller bodies of water that run off it, are all off limits for fishing.

During our hike around Swan Lake, we saw some park wardens talking to a group of people who were fishing in a restricted area.

As we mentioned earlier, Grundy has a Learn to Fish program. This is a free, hands-on program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario.

The awesome two-hour program combines a practical teaching session with an hour of supervised hands-on fishing.

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6. Do Some Birdwatching

While John and I are no bird experts, we do appreciate some of the amazing birds that we see while camping.

And Grundy Lake Provincial Park had plenty to see!

Some of the birds that you are most likely to see include the Common Loon, Broad-winged Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl and the Great-horned Owl.

While not as common, you may also catch a glimpse of the Northern Saw-whet Owl and the Pileated Woodpecker.

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7. Enjoy a Hike

Grundy Lake Provincial Park is home to 4 hiking trails. The trails were quite nice, but were a little more on the difficult side compared to other parks we have visited.

We didn’t have time to hike all four trails, but we did manage to explore two of them and really enjoyed both.

The trailheads are spread out across the park and clearly marked with large signs, so they’re easy to find.

There are also decent-sized parking lots adjacent to the trailheads.

John and I really enjoyed this short trail, which takes you through a protected nature reserve within the park.

Along the way, you’ll walk over rocky ridges, pass a few lookout points, and move through different wetland areas.

It definitely isn’t an easy stroll, and would not be appropriate for people with any kind of mobility issues.

One of the highlights is the boardwalk section, where you can get a closer look at wetland plants and wildlife.

While we did manage to see a Great Blue Heron, beavers, waterfowl, bitterns, and other birds were a little more elusive during our hike.

You might also spot reptiles, amphibians, fish, deer, moose, and even carnivorous plants.

Our favourite part of the trail was the lookout point, which gave us gorgeous views of the area.

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For many visitors, this is one of the most popular trails in the park.

It passes through two very different landscapes. One section features the exposed rock of the Precambrian Shield, which plays a big role in shaping the area.

The other winds past lakes, streams, and wetlands that eventually drain into Georgian Bay.

There are several spots along the way for taking a break, enjoying a snack, or taking a few photos.

If you move quietly, you might spot a Great Blue Heron, other birds, amphibians, or even a fox, deer, or moose.

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This trail winds through thick forest and wetland areas. Along the way, you might see moose, deer, fisher, grouse, and a variety of other birds and mammals.

One of the main highlights is the Great Blue Heron rookery.

You’ll notice large clusters of sticks high in the tops of dead trees in the swamp. In the spring, some of these nests are active, so it’s worth bringing binoculars.

You’ll also pass a dammed rock fracture that helps control the water level of Bucke Lake and influences Grundy and Gut Lakes, as well as Nisbet Creek.

Beavers really know what they’re doing!

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This multi-use linear trail is 2.6 km each way and will take approximately 2 hours at a leisurely walking pace.

As we mentioned earlier, we decided to bike the trail. It took us roughly an hour, which included stops to take pictures and explore.

Pack a lunch and enjoy it on one of the picnic tables at the Pakeshkag Lake landing.

The trail will take you past the Beaver Lake wetland, which is a favourite with birdwatchers in the Spring.

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Is Grundy Lake Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Grundy Lake to be very accessible.

All the comfort stations allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

The Park Store and Discovery Centre were also barrier-free.

And while we didn’t notice any beaches with accessibility mats, we did see a sign saying that beach wheelchairs could be rented from the Gatehouse.

During our walks through the campgrounds, however, we did not notice any sites that were designated barrier-free campsites.

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Are Pets Allowed at Grundy Lake?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Grundy Lake Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

You will find two pet exercise areas in the park.

One is located near the Balsam Campground on Clear Lake. The second is located between the Hemlock and White Spruce Campgrounds on Gurd Lake.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the main beaches.

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Is There Winter Camping at Grundy Lake?

Grundy Lake does not offer winter camping.

In fact, the park closes fully for the winter season. That means you will not even find access for hiking or snowshoeing once it shuts down.

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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 such a great visit to Grundy Lake and wouldn’t hesitate to make the drive again.

We loved getting out on the lake and spending time on the hiking trails. If you enjoy being outside and keeping busy at camp, this park has a lot to offer.

Our only regret was not booking a few extra days.

Next time, we will.

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Pin This Post for Later!

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• Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Mikisew Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Killbear Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Restoule Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Arrowhead Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Grundy Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide