Bon Echo Park Update

By Emma Fuller, Chief Park Naturalist

Nestled in the southern Canadian Shield, Bon Echo Provincial Park is a natural haven renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich history. The park spans over 8,000 hectares, protecting many biologically diverse ecosystems. Ideal for various outdoor experiences like camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, and paddling, Bon Echo’s unique landscapes offer a distinct range of activities and sights for visitors of all ages. 

At the heart of Bon Echo Provincial Park lies Mazinaw Lake, characterized by its deep blue waters, sweeping pine trees, and rocky shoreline cliffs. Above all, it is most recognizable for its striking geological feature, Mazinaw Rock. Mazinaw Rock displays the largest collection of Indigenous pictographs in Southeastern Ontario. Over 260 pictographs depict stories of rich culture and history. For Indigenous peoples, the Mazinaw Rock is a deeply spiritual and sacred place. In honour of all people, past, present, and future, please respect Mazinaw Rock and all that lives and grows here. You can help protect this sacred place by enjoying the landscape respectfully and responsibly; never touch a pictograph with your hands or another object, and never damage or remove any part of a natural object.

What’s Happening in BEP for the 2025 Season

Science Squad

Bon Echo hosts two Ontario Parks science students under the program title Science Squad. This year, our Science Squad team is focusing on key ecological integrity initiatives, ranging

from wetland monitoring to flora and fauna surveys. The data collected by the Science Squad

will not only benefit Bon Echo Provincial Park and our stewardship actions but also support

larger ecological databases, including the Natural Heritage Information Centre and the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas.

Sacred Place Stewardship

While on the water this summer, you’re likely to encounter park staff. Did you know that staff

conduct daily monitoring checks of the Mazinaw Rock sacred place? Whether aboard the tour or ferry services, or in the park enforcement boat, staff are checking to ensure all guests are interacting with Mazinaw Rock and the pictographs in a safe and respectful manner. If you see any person interact with the Mazinaw Rock or pictographs in a dangerous or damaging way, please report your observation to park staff immediately.

Discovery Programs and Special Events

Bon Echo’s Discovery team is offering carefully curated educational opportunities for our

visitors. Highlighted program topics for the 2025 season include an in-depth look at geology,

astronomy, and cultural history. Not to mention a full line-up of special events including guest

presentations from renowned Ontario naturalists, Michael Runtz, Hap Wilson, and more! For

details on special events and programs in 2025, please refer to the events page under Bon Echo at https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/bonecho/events.

Aquatic Invasive Species

In response to the presence of aquatic invasive species in Mazinaw Lake, the park installed

Transport Canada-compliant information buoy signs to alert boaters of Eurasian Watermilfoil

(EWM) patches and reduce boat traffic in those areas. We will continue to educate park guests about aquatic invasive species and clean boating practices through interpretive programming, park signage, circulating the park tabloid and by distributing information pamphlets to all visitors bringing boats to the park. Additionally, the park will continue monitoring aquatic invasive species and utilizing Ontario Park’s Ecologists and Biologists to explore potential preventative measures and continue to support aquatic ecosystem stewardship.

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.