Weekend Escape: Awenda Provincial Park

There’s so much beauty in my own backyard. A sentiment that grows stronger as I hop around the globe visiting foreign lands. To say Ontario has a lot to offer is an understatement. Bursting with quaint towns, world-class cities and breathtaking landscapes, I always feel inspired and rejuvenated after exploring my home province. Having just learned that many Canadians suffer from nature deficit disorder (described as negative personal, social and societal impacts when people disconnect from nature), I jumped at the opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors on a recent trip to Awenda Provincial Park — one of the 335 spectacular Ontario Parks dotting the province…

Only two hours’ drive from Toronto, the 2,900 ha park was exactly what I needed to recharge. With hiking trails that feel like they go on forever, sparkling Georgian Bay waters and sandy beaches, Awenda Provincial Park quickly won over my little heart…

In fact, my entire body got a boost from the trip. How? The benefits of reconnecting with nature are many: lower blood pressure, stronger immune system, reduced stress, reduced risk of mental health problems, increased attention span (which improves 20% after spending an our interacting with nature)… All of these findings are fueling a global movement called Healthy Parks Healthy People that recognizes the importance of spending time in nature and promotes the link between healthy environments and healthy societies. In celebration of this movement, my bestie and I embarked on our own outdoor adventure and thought we’d share the highlights to inspire you to visit the park. If you have a weekend (or longer) to spend at Awenda Provincial Park, here’s what we suggest you do:

Camp Onsite

If you’re a camper, you’ll love this park! The 333 drive-in campsites are clean, private and tranquil. And with shower facilities, playgrounds and a variety of sites to choose from (pet-friendly, car camping, radio-free camping, RV sites etc.) you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect spot for you and your friends/fam. Don’t know how to camp? Many Ontario Parks offer a Learn To Camp program!

Canoe On Kettle’s Lake

We felt like we were floating through a painting when we went for a paddle on Kettle’s Lake. The majestic water lilies, calm water and symphony of birds chirping all around us made for a magical experience (minus my first ever deer fly bite – ouch!)…

Go For A Hike

31 kms of scenic trails await. From easy (Beaver Pond and Beach trails) to intermediate (Bluff, Nipissing, Brûlé, Robitaille Homestead and Wendat trails) there is a route for everyone. And I mean everyone: they even have a universal access trail for those with mobility issues and families with strollers (Beaver Pond Trail). Make sure to drench yourself in bug spray — the mosquitos are ravenous — and take a water bottle for the long treks (the Bluff Trail is 13 km).

Explore The Park Via Bicycle

Grab your bikes and hit the bicycle-friendly routes (Beach, Buff and Brûlé trails). Make sure to hop off once in a while to take in the scenery. Especially while exploring the 4 km Beach Trail…

Fly A Kite

The cool breeze off Georgian Bay is perfect for kite flying! Added bonus: flying a kite is actually a great, low-impact core workout that improves hand-eye coordination and balance. As if I needed more reasons to do one of my fave things…

Head Out For A Morning Run

Shaded by towering trees, the paved roads in Awenda Provincial Park are perfect for a jog so bring your running shoes and get that adrenaline pumping first thing in the morning…

Enjoy The Epic Sunsets

I think watching the sun set over Georgian Bay is a great way to reconnect with nature. The sound of the waves, vibrant colours in the sky and fresh air are sure to help you relax and unwind before calling it a night. We recommend heading to beach #1 for the best sunsets.

Hope our journey has inspired you to visit Awenda Provincial Park. And if the photos weren’t enough to entice you, I have some great news: all Ontario Parks are offering free day-use on July 15th so you can explore Awenda for the entire day without spending a dime. Mark your calendars and get out there with your friends and fam. Your body will thank you for it!

This post was sponsored by Ontario Travel and Ontario Parks. Our accomodations, meals and activities were complimentary as part of the press trip to Awenda Provincial Park. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. Follow #HPHP on social to see more photos from our journey.