Killarney Provincial Park

A wilderness park on the north shore of Georgian Bay. The white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche Mountains and clear blue lakes inspired the Group of Seven and are ideal for canoeing and stargazing.

Killarney Provincial Park lies on the north shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario. Established in 1964, it covers about 645 km² and is one of Ontario's most representative wilderness parks. The La Cloche Mountains within the park are made of white quartzite formed about two billion years ago. Their ridges shine silver in sunlight, interwoven with clear turquoise lakes, pink granite shores and pine forest. In the early 20th century, Group of Seven artists A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael and others painted here and lobbied the government to protect the land. O.S.A. Lake is named after the Ontario Society of Artists. The park earned Dark Sky Preserve status in 2018, and on clear nights the Milky Way is visible.

The core visiting area centres on George Lake campground. In a day, you can hike to The Crack lookout, the Granite Ridge Trail and the Chikanishing Trail, or rent a canoe to paddle George Lake, Killarney Lake and O.S.A. Lake. Fit visitors can attempt the roughly 78 km La Cloche Silhouette Trail or a multi-day canoe trip. About 10 km west, the village of Killarney is the only supply point, with a harbour, a lighthouse and famous fish and chips, and boats can take you into the Baie Fine fjord.

The best season is June–September, with fall colours peaking in late September to early October. June brings many blackflies and mosquitoes, so bring insect repellent. Winter offers cross-country skiing, but services are few. Getting there: it is about 4.5–5 hours' drive from Toronto and about 1.5 hours from Sudbury. Take Highway 69, then Highway 637 (about 67 km one way, with no gas stations en route). Entry requires a day pass or campsite reservation, and during peak season campsites should be booked in advance on the Ontario Parks website. A stay of 2–3 days is suggested.

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