Mikisew Provincial Park is located on the western shore of scenic Eagle Lake and is the perfect park for vacation fun and camping each summer.
But why put away your camping gear after Labor Day?
Mikisew camping season lasts until Thanksgiving weekend!
September is the new August!
Back-to-school season brings many families home and away from their favorite parks, but September is one of the best months for camping.
You know that fall doesn’t officially START until September 23rd, right? The weather is usually summery, there are no insects and the season for making campfires and observing the stars begins a little earlier.
The parks are less crowded and favorite campsites are often easier to reserve.
Where does the name Mikisew come from?
Mikisew means “eagle” in Anishinaabemowin and the park sits on the shores of scenic Eagle Lake.
Eagle Lake is a popular spot for boating, fishing, and paddling (canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding). You can rent paddleboards in the park or canoes and kayaks from local vendors nearby.
Snuggle under the towering trees
Located in the Almaguin Highlands, a rugged forested region west of Algonquin, the two Mikisew camps each have a different and unique character. The Pines is set amongst a stunning pine forest, with great sites and is a short bike ride from the beach.
The Hardwoods Campground has secluded sites with lots of vegetation between the lots and provides some privacy.
Hardwoods is ideal for campers with young children as it is located within walking distance of the beach.
Each of the campsites has a comfort station.
Beach days still exist
Like we said, September is the new August! The weather (and water) is still warm.
Mikisew has three sandy beaches, two of which are close to the campsites, while the third beach is part of the day use area.
You can find the beach volleyball court, horseshoe court, and basketball hoops in this section of the park. Each sandy beach has a shallow buoyed area marked off for swimmers.
Do you have a four-legged friend with you? The day use beach also contains the beach and off-leash dog park.
The large fenced area has picnic tables and a small sandy beach. Park visitors can picnic, throw a ball, or swim with their pet off-leash in this area.
Try your luck at disc golf
Something new is an 18 holes. disc golf course.
Disc golf is very similar to regular golf, but it is played with Frisbee-type discs and the holes look a bit like basketball hoops.
Mikisew has had a small disc golf course for years, but the staff redesigned it in 2018 creating a course that is fun for beginners and challenging for experienced players. There is also a nine-hole children’s course.
Lace up your boots; there is more to explore
Mikisew is a small park, but a series of short trails can be hiked together to complete a 5.4km hike.
Hikers can see a beaver wetland and some of the bedrock of the area’s Canadian Shield. The park’s deciduous forest turns electric in late September and early October.
For longer hikes, Restoule Provincial Park, about an hour north, has several hiking trails, including the rugged and scenic Fire Tower Trail and the Angel’s Point Mountain Biking Trails.
Restoule also has fantastic autumn colors and is worth the hour’s drive from Mikisew for a half-day hike.
If you visit Restoule via the trails, you will pass right by Board’s Honey Farm.
Board’s is a large apiary with 300 hives, where honey, beeswax candles and other products are made.
Extend your stay and explore the region.
If your family loves camping in the fall, Mikisew is your kind of park.
No kids coming home during the school week? Stay longer and enjoy some of the region’s fall color tours. Visit farmers’ markets or explore some of the original attractions, like the “Screaming Heads” sculpture garden.