The Complete Guide to Visiting Point Grondine Park

Point Grondine Park is a lesser-known, untrammeled Indigenous Protected Area that’s nestled between Killarney and French River provincial parks on the Georgian Bay coast. The Park was established in 2016 on 18,000 acres (7,300 hectares) of Wikwemkoong Unceded Territory, with the goal of environmental and cultural preservation as well as supporting ecotourism opportunities.

Point Grondine has gradually expanded its visitor experiences in the past decade, starting with backcountry canoeing and hiking and more recently adding a frontcountry campground with cabin accommodations, with more upgrades planned in the coming years. Overnight Point Grondine visitors also get day access to Killarney Provincial Park, including trails and comfort stations at the nearby George Lake Campground. 

Point Grondine is one of the only parks in Canada on First Nation Reserve land. Within its borders, you’ll find a dynamic mix of rugged and exposed Great Lakes coastline, sheltered Georgian Bay channels, pristine inland lakes, old growth forests and trails. As traditional stewards of these ancient lands and waters, Wikwemkoong has opened the area to campers, hikers and paddlers looking for unique outdoor experiences. Local guides lead interpretive day trips to share Indigenous perspectives on the environment.

Point Grondine Park is open from the Victoria Day long weekend in May through Thanksgiving weekend in October, with a convenient online reservation system.

Getting to Point Grondine Park

The Point Grondine gatehouse is located on Highway 637, 38 kilometres from the Highway 69 turnoff, about 75 minutes from Sudbury or two hours from Parry Sound. Canoe routes, hiking trails and the Park’s drive-in campground and eco-cabins are accessed from this location. In 2025, the Park expanded road access from the gatehouse and campground to Mahzenazing Lake, where there’s a dock, boardwalk and beach area for day users.

Frontcountry Camping

There are currently 12 drive-in campsites at Point Grondine, with an additional 26 set to be constructed in 2026. So far, all campsites are non-electrical, with plenty of space for tents, RVs and trailers, all set in a wooded area for privacy. An agreement with Ontario Parks allows Point Grondine campers access to trailer pumpout facilities and comfort stations at the George Lake Campground in nearby Killarney Provincial Park for drinking water, indoor toilets, showers and laundry facilities. An on-site comfort station and outdoor learning centre are slated for the final stage of development at Point Grondine.

Cabin Accommodations

Point Grondine’s Beaver House eco-cabin offers an upscale glamping experience. It sleeps six, with solar power, an indoor kitchenette, a propane furnace, an incinerating toilet and an outdoor shower with on-demand hot water, allowing visitors to enjoy the outdoors with all the comforts of home. The Park has plans to add another four eco-cabins in time for the 2026 camping season to keep up with growing demand.

Backcountry Camping

Point Grondine’s growing popularity started with backcountry paddling and hiking. The area offers 16.6 kilometres of interior canoe routes as well as multiday sea kayaking or canoeing on Georgian Bay; three hiking trails totalling nearly 30 kilometres; and over 20 backcountry campsites. Camping is divided into paddling and backpacking sites, which are booked specifically. Group sites come at a fixed rate and space for up to 16 people, while standard backcountry sites have per-person pricing and room for up to six people, and several premium sites offer wooden tent platforms, picnic tables and other comfort amenities.

All campsites come with a firepit and pit privy. The Park’s interactive map provides descriptions and sample photos of interior campsites. All sites can be booked online or purchased at the Park gate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Canoe Camping

The Kaa-Gaa-Genhs water trail is the main interior canoe route in Point Grondine Park. Access is via the Gatehouse on Highway 637 and Mahzenazing Lake. There are 10 regular backcountry campsites, two premium campsites and four group campsites along this two- to three-day paddle and portage route between a series of inland lakes in the Point Grondine backcountry. The mix of small lakes and overland carries makes the interior best for canoeists, though sea kayakers can make the journey too—especially those looking to extend their trip into the open waters of Georgian Bay.

A portage connection from the interior water trail at Lower Lyle Lake to Collins Inlet on Georgian Bay allows for a longer trip for experienced canoeists and sea kayakers. Point Grondine’s 48.5-kilometre Coastal Water Trail, which traces the protected inner channel of Philip Edward Island, adds four to five days to the interior route.

For an even longer adventure, you can circumnavigate Philip Edward Island or paddle east from Grondine Point to the mouth of the French River on Georgian Bay. The coastline features a bucket list-worthy mix of open water and sheltered channels that’s rich in history, with camping on polished granite shores. There are three developed Park campsites located within the borders of Point Grondine. Otherwise, camping is free for Canadian residents on Crown land portions of Philip Edward Island and other Georgian Bay islands (non-residents must purchase a Crown land camping permit).

It’s also possible to access the Point Grondine Coastal Water Trail from the Chikanishing access point in Killarney Provincial Park, where Ontario Parks vehicle permits are required for parking. Reserve canoe rentals at Point Grondine Park by calling 1-844-945-8687. 

Read our Guide to Planning a Point Grondine Canoe Trip to find out more.

Backpacking

Point Grondine features the 21-kilometre Wemtagoosh Falls loop backpacking trail for those who prefer to trek overland into the wilderness. There are seven backcountry campsites for hikers, including two premium sites with tent platforms and picnic tables, along the trail. The trail starts and finishes with segments of the 6.9-kilometre Merv’s Landing day hiking trail, adding to the distance with a challenging climb to a great lookout. Plan on taking two to three days to tackle Point Grondine’s hiking trails.

Things to do in Point Grondine Park

Point Grondine’s campground makes for an excellent base for day adventures. Nearby day hiking trails include the easy A-Mik-Zii-Bi interpretive trail, which features stories about the landscape’s history, medicines and the Indigenous connections along an easy three-kilometre path. Meanwhile, the 6.9-kilometre Merv’s Landing loop ascends a ridge with great views of the adjacent Killarney mountains.

The new road to Mahzenaning Lake affords day use access to a family-friendly swimming beach to enjoy the lake’s clear waters. You can also set out by canoe or kayak for the day, or try your luck fishing for bass, northern pike and walleye.

As an Indigenous Protected Area, Point Grondine Park is best explored with a local guide. Wikwemikong Tourism offers authentic Indigenous experiences on the trails, ranging from short interpretive hikes, guided paddling tours and custom programs for groups. Call (705) 859-3477 or make an inquiry through the Point Grondine website to learn more about the options.

Point Grondine Reservations

Point Grondine provides online reservations for day and overnight visitors, including campsite permits and season day use passes. The Park is open from the Victoria Day weekend in May through Thanksgiving in October. Walk-in permits can also be purchased on a first-come, first-served at the Park basis from the Park gatehouse or the Point Grondine Trading Post, located on Highway 637 about 35 kilometres from the Highway 69 turnoff. Call the Park’s reservation hotline at 1-844-945-8687 for more information.

Nearby Attractions

An overnight camping permit at Point Grondine gets you day use access at nearby Killarney Provincial Park, located just down Highway 637. There are several excellent day hikes available, including the challenging The Crack and scenic Chikanishing Trail. You can also use the comfort station at the George Lake Campground for showers, water and laundry facilities, as well as trailer pumpouts.

Meanwhile, the town of Killarney, located about 20 minutes from Point Grondine Park at the end of Highway 637, is a picturesque community nestled on the shores of Georgian Bay. Hike the coastline on the 4.5-kilometre Lighthouse Trail or trek the longer, 6.9-kilometre George Island Trail. Dine on classic fish and chips at Herbert Fisheries and enjoy upscale waterfront accommodations at the Killarney Mountain Lodge or the Sportsman’s Inn.

Maps

Point Grondine’s online interactive park map is a great resource for planning your trip. The Park also produces a printed map with everything you need for a backcountry adventure. Order your park map online.

Weather

Point Grondine is located in Ontario’s Near North region, so you can expect spring to arrive a week or two later than points south. Morning frosts are usually a thing of the past by mid-May, and cooler nights return around mid-September. There’s typically a day or two of rain per week in the summer months. The Park’s proximity to Georgian Bay tends to offer a bit of respite from summer heatwaves. Get detailed weather forecasts for the area from Environment Canada.

Other amenities

Check out the Point Grondine Trading Post on Highway 637, adjacent to the Park boundaries, for gas and Indigenous crafts. Point Grondine Park is expanding its services annually. Regular Park users can save money by purchasing an annual day use pass. Visitors can look forward to attractions like an outdoor learning centre for interpretive programming in the near future.

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