Located in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay Islands National Park have become an iconic part of the Canadian Landscape. In fact, the rugged beauty of this part of the Canadian Shield dates back thousands of years and the only way to access these magnificent islands is by boat. In addition to the area’s beautiful shoreline, the park’s sheltered bays and waterfront campsites make the area perfect for paddlers. However, this destination isn’t recommended for beginners, since kayakers will find themselves crossing boat channels, which can be busy and have the potential for high winds, creating choppy waters.
With countless beaches found along the islands’ eastern shores as well as a few sheltered bays, there are lots of opportunities for avid swimmers to get out of the kayak and get wet. For fishing enthusiasts, a wide variety of fish can be found in Georgian Bay, from small perch to gigantic muskie.
Amenities: Campgrounds; roofed accommodations; visitors centre; wheel chair access; washrooms; boat service to islands; swimming; hiking trails; biking trails
How to get there: Located northeast of Port Severn along the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay, Georgian Bay Islands National Park can be accessed by taking the Highway 400 north, exiting at Go Home Lake Road, toward Regional Road 38. From there, turn left onto Go Home Lake Road/Regional Road 38 and take the first left onto Cowies Road.