Ontario Parks
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Ontario Est. 1965 66 km²
A 100-metre granite cliff over Mazinaw Lake, painted with Anishinaabe pictographs.
Overview
Bon Echo is defined by the Mazinaw Rock — a sheer 100 m granite cliff dropping straight into a deep glacial lake — and by more than 260 Anishinaabe pictographs painted on its base. A short pontoon-boat tour is the only way to see the paintings up close. Three car-camping loops, canoe-in interior sites and the historic Dollywood cabins round out the offering.
- Mazinaw Rock — 100 m cliff over the lake
- 260+ Anishinaabe pictographs on the cliff base
- Interior canoe-in camping on Joeperry and Pearson lakes
- Cliff Top Trail — one of Ontario's best short hikes
Quick facts
- Size
- 66 km²
- Established
- 1965
- Mazinaw Rock
- 100 m sheer cliff
- Pictographs
- 260+ at the cliff base
Things to do
Mazinaw Rock cliff boat tour
Cliff Top Trail hike
Interior canoe-in camping
Rock climbing (permitted, top-rope)
Camping
Reservations: Required · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: Yes · RV: Yes · Glamping: Yes
- Mazinaw Lake, Sawmill Bay, Hardwood Hill campgrounds
- 10 interior canoe-in sites
- Dollywood historic cottages for rent
Campgrounds in and near this park
- Sandbanks Provincial Park
Picton, Ontario · 109 km away
Hiking
Cliff Top Trail
Moderate · 1.5 kmShort climb to the top of Mazinaw Rock — one of Ontario's best views for the effort.
High Pines Trail
Easy · 1.7 kmFamily walk through mature pine and a small waterfall.
Abes and Essens Trail
Hard · 17 kmLong day-hike with three loop options through interior lakes.
Wildlife
Common
White-tailed deer, Beaver, Common loon, Great blue heron
Signature
Black bear, Turkey vulture (nesting on the cliff), Peregrine falcon
Viewing tips
Vultures ride thermals over the cliff at midday; peregrines occasionally nest on Mazinaw Rock.
Safety
Cliff-edge hazard on the Cliff Top Trail — stay behind fences.
Photography
- Mazinaw Rock at sunrise from the water
- Pictographs from the cliff-base boat tour
- Cliff Top view over the lake
- Autumn colour on Hardwood Hill (early Oct)
Best time to visit
spring
May-June: quiet, cool paddling.
summer
Peak — book 5 months out.
fall
Late Sept-early Oct: peak colour on hardwood ridges.
winter
Day-use only; road access limited.
Peak: July-August + fall-colour week · Shoulder: June, September
Family & accessibility
Family
- Beach with lifeguards at Main Beach
- Interpretive centre with pictograph program
- Family-friendly Cliff Top hike
Accessibility
- Accessible sites at Mazinaw Lake
- Boat tour is wheelchair-friendly with advance notice
Reservations
Book through Ontario Parks Reservation Service — opens 150 days ahead of arrival.
Reserve nowSuggested itineraries
weekend
Cliff and Pictograph Weekend
Two nights at Mazinaw Lake, Cliff Top hike, pictograph boat tour, evening paddle.
canoe
Interior Loop
One night on Joeperry Lake, quiet paddle-in escape from busy frontcountry.
FAQ
How do I see the pictographs?
By the park's pontoon boat tour (extra fee) or by paddling to the cliff base yourself.
Is Cliff Top Trail safe for kids?
Yes with supervision — fences at all lookouts, but the drop is sheer.
Is rock climbing allowed on Mazinaw Rock?
Yes — top-rope only in a designated area, permit required.
Nearby
National parks
- Thousand Islands National Park · 119 km
- Rouge National Urban Park · 196 km
- Georgian Bay Islands National Park · 209 km
Other provincial parks
- Presqu'ile Provincial Park · 109 km
- Sandbanks Provincial Park · 111 km
- Algonquin Provincial Park · 138 km
- Arrowhead Provincial Park · 165 km
Plan this trip with a human
Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Bon Echo Provincial Park — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.
Talk to the Concierge
