Bon Echo Park Update 2026

By Emma Fuller, Chief Park Naturalist

Bon Echo Provincial Park protects over 8,000 hectares of diverse ecosystems, rich cultural history, and rugged beauty. Our team is dedicated to co-stewarding this special place by protecting its natural and cultural heritage while providing opportunities for sustainable recreation and meaningful visitor education. 

At the heart of the park is Mazinaw Lake, known for its deep blue waters, towering pine forests, and dramatic shoreline cliffs. Rising above the lake is Mazinaw Rock, home to the largest collection of Indigenous pictographs in southeastern Ontario. More than 260 pictographs remain painted on the rock, sharing stories that reflect thousands of years of cultural connection to this land. 

For Indigenous Peoples, Mazinaw Rock is a sacred and spiritual place. In respect of all those past, present, and future, please help protect this site by enjoying it responsibly: never touch the pictographs or remove or damage any natural objects. Through shared respect and care, this extraordinary place can be preserved for generations to come.  

What’s Happening in 2026  

Meet Bon Echo’s New Boat Cleaning Station! 

Just beyond the park entrance, visitors will find Bon Echo’s new boat cleaning station. This station will play a vital role in protecting our lakes and rivers by removing invasive species that can hitchhike on watercraft, trailers, and gear. 

By stopping the spread of unwanted plants, animals, and microscopic organisms, our boat cleaning station will help keep Bon Echo’s waters healthy for wildlife and people alike. 

All watercraft—including canoes and kayaks—should stop here before and after launching in any of Bon Echo’s waterbodies.  

How it works: 

Clean: Inspect and clean plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, trailers, and gear (fishing gear, waders, boots, etc.).  

Drain: Drain all water from your watercraft, trailer, and gear (e.g., buckets, well, bilge, ballast).  

Dry: Dry all parts of your watercraft, trailer, and gear completely between trips.  

Here are a few extraordinary highlights: 

This important addition to the park was generously funded by the Friends of Bon Echo, whose ongoing support helps protect Mazinaw Lake and enhance the visitor experience. 

Cliff Top Trail Rejuvenation 

The Cliff Top Trail rehabilitation initiative is nearing completion and represents a tremendous achievement. This project has been made possible through a grant from the Government of Canada, via the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (@FedDevOntario), along with funding support from the Friends of Bon Echo Park (FOBE), for over $250,000. 

The Cliff Top Trail is an iconic hiking experience at Bon Echo. Situated along the eastern shore of  Mazinaw Lake, the trailhead is uniquely accessible only by water. The trail is also an integral part of the ferry service experience that FOBE provides to park visitors. 

New for 2026, an entirely new docking system will be introduced at the Cliff Top Trailhead. The size and capacity of this upgraded system far surpass the previous dock, allowing it to comfortably accommodate hikers arriving by canoe, kayak, or small motorized boat. At the same time, it will provide a safe and efficient docking area for ferry services transporting visitors to and from the trail. 

The new dock has been thoughtfully designed with several safety features, including a lower deck for easier entry and exit from canoes and kayaks, soft bumpers along edges and corners to ensure smooth docking, and sturdy mooring posts.  

We encourage everyone who has yet to experience the revitalized Cliff Top Trail to get out and explore summer. 

Expanding Camping Opportunities  

Bon Echo is currently undergoing a major campground expansion that includes 23 new electrical campsites and significant upgrades to existing sites. 

Portions of this work are scheduled to be completed by summer 2027. This new campground area will replace a section previously used for parking near South Beach and is designed to accommodate large trailers and RVs. 

The project is part of a broader provincial investment aimed at creating the largest addition of new campsites in Ontario Parks in the past 50 years.  

Extended Season Camping  

Winter adventures await! Whether you are here to hike, ski, fat bike, or simply to relax in nature, Bon Echo now provides exceptional recreational opportunities for cold-weather enthusiasts!  

Starting May 8, 2026, visitors can enjoy an extended camping season running from the third Sunday of October through December 13, 2026! Amenities will include day-use access, select roofed accommodations, and 25 campsites (electrical and non-electrical). Reservations are required, and regular fees apply.

As we continue to celebrate and protect the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Bon Echo Provincial Park, we encourage you to join us in our efforts. Together, we can ensure that this special place remains a treasure for generations to come. Stay connected with us for more updates and opportunities to get involved. Until next time, enjoy the great outdoors and cherish every moment in nature.