When we first moved to this region, I was in awe of the landscape of North Simcoe. You have your farm country, your woods and trails, and your waterfront and beaches. Sometimes you have bits of all of the above, especially when you visit the Provincial Parks.
During the pandemic, there was free access to these parks because there was literally nothing open or available for people to do. This was my first taste of exploring the area, because as you know, I am all about the freebie. As a family, we really enjoyed checking out Bass Lake due to the shallow waters and close proximity. We have since been more intentional about trying out new ones on day trips and explored quite a few places around Ontario. It has been a fun family hobby we all enjoy doing. We try to collect the park badges as a souvenir of our travels and it is fun to look back and see all the places we have been!
While the excursion is free in terms of having access to all the features of the park, the parking is not. It is not the best feeling to have to pay for parking every time you want to zip over to the beach and take a quick dip. As such, I am encouraging you to invest in a Summer Day Use Pass for this upcoming Spring/Summer season. Passes are valid as of April 1, which means it’s go-time NOW! It may seem like a hefty purchase up front, but it is one you will actually use. Or, by having a pass, you will be more intentional with trying to get your money’s worth and get outdoors. And it is worth it!
You can purchase your Summer Day Use Pass through the Ontario Parks online store, which is effective April 1, 2025 until November 30, 2025 for $75.00. If you check out any of the local parks four times, then the pass has done its job! In the summertime, when the public beaches are bustling, you can always zip over to a Provincial Park instead. But you don’t have to wait for the heat, explore the trails now! There are so many wonderful trails on the properties, which are great for families and dogs, too! I’m going to challenge you to visit once a month. That’s 8 months (which is actually longer than just ‘summer’) and 8 parks to check out. You’ll be glad you did!
The North Simcoe region is blessed to have not one, but three Provincial Parks in our vicinity.
Mara Provincial Park – This park offers a large beach, a beachside playground, fun trails, and plenty of space to enjoy a day on Lake Simcoe.
McCrae Provincial Park – With plenty of space to swim, fish, and explore trails for hiking or biking along Lake Simcoe’s shores, this park also features a boardwalk with views of a marshy area, great for spotting frogs, turtles, and birds. While there’s no play structure for kids, the natural surroundings offer a wonderful outdoor playground.
Bass Lake Provincial Park – The shallow sandbars on Bass Lake are perfect for swimming with toddlers and little ones. With a playground, easy bathroom access, and a snack bar, it’s an ideal spot for a short day trip or even a quick visit before nap time. However, be aware of occasional bacterial water advisories due to the shallow water and higher summer temperatures, so check in advance.
More parks exist within the 30-45 minute radius, including Wasaga Beach/Allenwood Beach. Springwater, Awenda and Six Mile Lake. Each one boasts of a unique landscape so it’s worth the trek. I’m obsessed with Allenwood, which has dunes and such a cool, costal vibe that is not really typical of our area. Zip over to Wasaga Beach and check out Nancy Island. I had never heard of this, but it’s a whole little island with historical significance…in Wasaga!
A bit further away is Killbear, which is a classic for the campers in the group. We did a day-trip there when camping on Franklin Island on Georgian Bay. The kids loved the Visitor Centre (especially when the rainy days arrived unexpectedly). With so many interactive games and exhibits, visiting the Provincial Parks can be quite educational. Not all sites have Visitor Centres, but many do.
This past summer, we went boating on Georgian Bay and saw (from afar) the Limestone Islands, which are now no longer accessible to visitors. It was another cool place to check out on our list as it has become a nesting site for birds and a nature reserve.
My family never did the camping thing or exploring when we were younger. This has been fun for me as an adult to do with my own children now. It’s a great way to foster curiosity in little minds, practice different skills like swimming, animal and plant identification, and hiking. It is also beneficial to forest bathe and feel the earth under your bare feet at the beach.
Where will you visit in the next few months? This Villager has Huntsville in mind and hopes to see Arrowhead and Algonquin this summer or maybe head the other way to the French River. Stay tuned! But first, it’s time to buy my Summer Day Use Pass.
