The Complete Guide to Restoule Provincial Park

Restoule Provincial Park is a fantastic destination for camping, backcountry canoe tripping and other outdoor activities that’s often overshadowed by wildly popular Central Ontario parks like Algonquin, Killbear and Killarney. But with a spacious frontcountry area for car camping on the shores of Restoule Lake, beginner-, novice- and intermediate-level canoe routes, good fishing, hiking trails, mountain biking and more, this 2,619-hectare park located south of Lake Nipissing truly has something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to stay in a campground or venture into the backcountry, this article is your ultimate guide to a lesser-known Ontario Parks gem. 

Where is Restoule Provincial Park?

Restoule Provincial Park is located west of Highway 11 near the terminus of secondary Highway 534. To get there, exit Highway 11 at Powassan, about 20 minutes south of North Bay, and drive 45 minutes through a mix of small farms and Canadian Shield. You can also get there via Highway 522, which runs between Highway 11 and 69 and the communities of Trout Creek and Key River.

Despite being less than a three-hour drive north of the GTA, Restoule’s end-of-the-road location makes it relatively quiet and far more remote than its location in Central Ontario suggests.

Car Camping at Restoule Provincial Park

There are 278 frontcountry campsites at Restoule Provincial Park for car camping, divided into three campground clusters. Bells Point and Putts Point feature exclusively non-electrical campsites, with mature forests contributing to a quieter, more private feel. Bells Point is designed for tent camping and those with smaller RVs and trailers (less than 17 feet in length). Ten sites (campsites 151 to 160) are designated for walk-in camping, with sites 153, 155, 157 and 158 located right on the shores of Restoule Lake. Putts Point campsites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet and longer; sites 253 and 255 offer great access to the waterfront.

All 97 campsites in the Kettle Point campground feature electrical service and plenty of space for larger RVs and trailers. Waterfront campsites, including sites 428 and 430, are most popular and also priced slightly higher than non-waterfront options on inner loops.

All campgrounds are serviced with water taps and vault toilets, as well as two comfort stations with washrooms and flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities. Two private group campsites on the Restoule River offer space for groups of up to 25 and 60 people, respectively, located within 15-minute walks from the comfort station. Restoule Provincial Park also offers three barrier-free campsites at the Kettle Point campground.

Campsite Reservations

It’s a good idea to make campsite reservations at Restoule Provincial Park early to have the best choice of sites. You can make an Ontario Parks online reservation up to five months before your arrival date. Booking online allows you to review campground maps and campsite options, with photos to help you narrow down your choice and know what to expect. Reservations can also be made over the phone by calling 1-800-ONT-PARK.

Backcountry Camping at Restoule Provincial Park

Despite its relatively small size, Restoule Provincial Park offers several opportunities for backcountry camping—especially if you’re a paddler. Twelve backcountry campsites are available on Stormy Lake and the Restoule River; each features tent pads, a fire pit, a box privy toilet and a bear-resistant storage locker. Backcountry campsites can be reserved online or made in person (first-come, first-served) at the park office. 

Restoule Provincial Park Canoe Routes

Canoe tripping and kayak touring are the main backcountry activities in Restoule Provincial Park. Novice paddlers (or day trippers) can set off from launches at Stormy Lake or the main campground and paddle up to 30 kilometres inside park boundaries, with only one portage.

Experienced paddlers can tackle a longer circuit from Restoule Lake to Lake Nipissing and the upper French River, via Clear Lake, Bass Lake, Shoal Lake, several smaller creeks and the Restoule River. This 72-kilometre route has 14 portages and takes four to six days to complete. Backcountry permits are required for the portion of the route in French River Provincial Park, while the section between Restoule Provincial Park and Lake Nipissing (including Clear, Bass and Shoal lakes) is located on Crown land where Canadian residents can camp for free (non-residents require a Crown Land Camping Permit).

Canoe and Other Equipment Rentals

Canoe, kayak (single and double) and standup paddleboard rentals are available at Restoule Provincial Park, by the half-day or day. Adult and youth mountain bikes are also available for rent. If you have means of transport, canoe and kayak rentals can also be arranged at White Squall near Parry Sound, or Swift Canoe and Kayak in South River.

Restoule Provincial Park Maps

Ontario Parks has useful PDF maps of the Restoule Lake campground, backcountry, day paddling routes and hiking and biking trails on the park website. Maps by Jeff produces a detailed map of the French River area, including Restoule Provincial Park and Lake Nipissing, that’s perfect for paddlers. Also, check out Ontario Parks’ French River planning map for a great overview of the area.

Other Activities

Restoule Provincial Park caters to more than just paddlers. The park features six hiking trails ranging from less than a kilometre in length to the 4.8-kilometre Gibs Trail. The 4.1-kilometre Fire Tower Trail is a Restoule highlight, featuring mature forests and a challenging ascent to the top of the 100-metre-high Stormy Lake Bluff.

Restoule also offers high-quality mountain biking, including over eight kilometres of single- and double-track suitable for beginners through advanced riders. Local lakes provide good fishing for a wide range of species, including lake trout, walleye, bass, northern pike, muskellunge and whitefish.

The Restoule campground features a trio of sandy beaches for swimming and enjoying the sun, ranging from a secluded natural beach at Putts Point to beach volleyball at Kettle Point and a pet-friendly area at Bells Point beach.

Park Programming, Events and Tours

Like many Ontario Parks, Discovery programs led by skilled Ontario Parks interpreters are popular activities at Restoule Provincial Park. Natural history, outdoor art and kids’ programs are scheduled weekly through July and August, with event calendars posted at the park office and campground comfort stations.

Things To Do Near Restoule Provincial Park

Restoule Provincial Park is located adjacent to some of Ontario’s finest bicycle touring on the long-distance Voyageur Cycling Route. Specifically, experienced cyclists can check out the unique Old Nipissing Ghost Trail to ride into the history of the communities south of Lake Nipissing. Meanwhile, the village of Commanda celebrates its unique history at the local museum.

Read our Guide to Cycling Near North Bay for more ideas.

Restaurants Near Restoule Provincial Park

Take a trip to Barton’s Bistro at Bucks Lodge in the nearby village of Restoule for delicious smash burgers, panfried fish, salads and more. Bud the Spud is a classic chip truck on the road to Restoule Provincial Park.

Important Things To Know

Whether you’re staying at the drive-in campground or venturing into the backcountry, it is important to be bear-wise in Restoule Provincial Park. That means keeping a clean campsite and storing your food safely overnight, either inside a vehicle or a metal food storage locker.

Of course, it’s also imperative to be a good steward of the lands and waters. The best way to minimize your footprint is to learn and follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace.

Restoule Provincial Park offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make phone calls, send and receive text messages, or connect to the internet. The area has reasonable cell phone coverage for all major Canadian carriers. 

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