The Massasauga Trip

About The Park........

"Massasauga" is the Ojibway word for "mouth of river".

The Massasauga Provincial Park is located at the mouth of the Moon River, on the east shore of Georgian Bay.

The park is about 21 by 12 km in size encompassing hundreds of sheltered islands and inland lakes from Parry Sound south to the Moon River.





Massasauga Rattlesnake



Stretching along the coast of Georgian Bay from Parry Sound to the Moon River, this park takes in hundreds of windswept islands as well as inland forests and lakes. Accessible only by water, it is a protected sanctuary for the Massasauga rattlesnake and home to prairie warblers, five-line skink, hybrid toads and map turtles. Moor in a quiet cove, fish for muskie and bass, camp by the bay or paddle to inland lake sites.

The Massasauga Provincial Park is a natural environment park. The landscape is very rugged with the heart of the Canadian Shield laid bare! High cliffs and huge granite outcrops dominate the landscape. The Georgian Bay shoreline is characterized by windswept trees clinging to the thin soils. The inland lakes share the same spectacular scenery. Many shoals dot the bays and channels making navigation a challenge.

Morning Rise

 Be sure to keep a close eye on your map and compass to avoid getting disoriented in the maze of bays, and channels. No roads penetrate the interior of the park making it an ideal area for short canoe trips. Numerous campsites are scattered throughout the area. Many of the sites sit high on granite outcrops with spectacular views.

The Massasauga is unique as a water-access-only park. The only way to access the park's 135 campsites is by canoe, kayak or boat. (Motorized travel is not permitted on the inland lake). Every campsite, therefore, is on the waterfront. Forty-eight campsites are on inland lakes accessible by portage. All campsites have box privies.

With direct access to Georgian Bay and short portages to inland lakes, paddlers can create routes as short as a few hours and as long as seven days. The Massasauga boasts a first-class fishery of muskie and bass. Pike and panfish are also very common.

The interior of the park is dominated by two main lakes, Spider and Clear. Spider Lake is a sprawling medium size lake. It's divided into three main bodies by narrow channels. The lake is very scenic with many high cliffs and lots of granite.



 Click here for detailed map

Spider Lake is an easy paddle even on windy days. Many small bays as well as the irregular shape of the lake allow you to get out of the wind easily. Spider Lake has about 28 of the parks campsites. Most of the sites are situated on high points with fine views of the lake. These sites tend to be a little rougher than those found in some other parks. Expect to find very thin soil and uneven tent pads. A free standing tent is a must in The Massasauga!

 Short portages lead out of Spider Lake either into Georgian Bay or Clear Lake. Clear Lake is an island studded beauty of about 2 km round. Four campsites can be found on Clear Lake the best being on the small island in the centre of the lake.

From Clear Lake you can take one of three portages into Georgian Bay or back into Spider lake to complete a loop.

The interior of the park is dominated by two main lakes, Spider and Clear. Spider Lake is a sprawling medium size lake. It's divided into three main bodies by narrow channels. The lake is very scenic with many high cliffs and lots of granite.