ALWAYS check Alerts and other information on the official website, as conditions and facility availability are subject to change.
New Camping Rules for 2023 (14-night max) – new for 2023 are revised rules about the maximum number of nights you can camp. In this park, if you are camping between July 1 and the Saturday of the Labour Day long weekend, you’ll be restricted to no more than 14-nights at this park. Outside of those dates, it’s still the old 23-night maximum. Ontario Parks promise this will be clear when booking.
Rules for backcountry camping and the roofed accommodation haven’t changed.
Day Use Vehicle Permits: Because of this park’s popularity, it will need permits to be purchased in advance to guarantee park access. This process was started in 2021 and will be kept for 2023.
If you’re smart, grab the permit before any visit, even mid-week. We found this out the hard way at our local Provincial Park.
You can buy the vehicle permit up to 5 days in advance, which guarantees you access to the park on that day. If you have an annual or season pass, you should still book your permit online, but there’s no extra charge.
Facebook and Website Links
Windy Lake Official website
Windy Lake Official Facebook
Windy Lake Official Twitter Feed
Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club Facebook page
Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club website
Information
Phone #: 705-966-2315
Main entrance co-ordinates: 46.61996848, -81.45770073
Address: P.O. Box 560, c/o Windy Lake Provincial Park, Levack, P0M 2C0
Opening seasons: The park will open again for Winter camping from January 6, 2023, to March 19, 2023.
The main park gate is now closed for the season (2022). However, leaving your vehicle outside the park and accessing trails on foot may be possible. Confirming this with the park office would be worthwhile if you travel a long distance. You should be aware that there will be no open facilities and limited staffing.
Park Winter access: in 2020, we asked Ontario Parks about park access out of season when most parks are officially closed. Their reply – “Parks that are closed for the season, and non-operational parks, are gated and access is available by foot. Visitors are permitted to park outside the gates and walk in for day use activities, such as hiking, fishing and picnicking. Please note that all buildings and facilities will be closed, and there is no consistent staff presence to oversee actions in the park.”
Travel, Directions & Distances
Directions: Windy Lake Google maps.
Activities
Winter Activities
As an all-year-round park, there are many opportunities to snowshoe, X-country ski, hike, and even camp.
Snowshoing
Snowshoes are available to rent at this park. But it’s always best to call ahead to ensure that snowshoes are available.
Camping & Accommodation
Car Camping
The vast majority of campsites in this national forest are secluded, large and flat. They’re close to flush toilets or showers with running water at your site! Some even have electricity for those who need it during their stay–56 offer power hookups so you can charge up before leaving on the trip that is life itself…
Three campsites have space for double-family camping.
Group Camping
The Windy Lake Group Site is the perfect spot for your next camping trip! Located at an ideal location on the waterfront, this site offers everything from water access and beaches to volleyball courts. If you’re looking for a more secluded feel with limited amenities, then check out The Lakeside area, which features only one large picnic shelter (for those rainy days) as well as plenty of space both indoors and outdoors–including its own BBQ grill so everyone can enjoy themselves together after getting done exploring all morning long.
The second group site is near the day-use area and can accommodate four to six small trailers and five to ten tents.
Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Radio-Free Camping
The seven walk-in campsites on the shores of Windy Lake are all designated radio-free.
Walk-In Camping
Windy Lake is a great place to experience backcountry camping at its finest. The seven walk-in campsites are only accessible by foot and offer expansive views of the lake from their secluded perch high atop granodiorite cliffs, which make for picturesque scenes when compared with other types one might find in more traditional developed areas!
also for more information about other places to stay while visiting the park please click here for more information
Hiking, Biking & Paddling
Hiking
Trails: The Transition Hiking Trail is an easy 1 hour 3 km hike around what is the remains of a meteorite crated.
Nordic Ski Trails: during the winter months, the Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club operates around 15km of trails. Paid pass is required.
The Transition Hiking Trail 3 km, 1 hour, easy.
Hike through the changing forest and you might spot a variety of beautiful wildflowers that grow on this land. As I walked, my eyes were opened to how deeply rich in history these trees are! It’s hard for me not imagine what they’ve seen throughout their lifetime here- from billion-year-old craters made by meteorites all the way down to young branches filled with new life as it sprouts outwards like roots reaching down into dirt below
A vibrant ecosystem awaits those who take time to explore–and there is no better way than being surrounded by nature while taking steps upward toward enlightenment
Biking
Not available.
Paddling
Routes: Popular boating destination with an easily accessible boat ramp.
Windy Lake is a popular boating destination in the Sudbury Area.
Maps & Resources
Park and trail maps are available on the main website.
Ontario Crown Land Use Policy Atlas: most Provincial Parks have excellent signage, maps, and marked trails. If you take up back-country adventures, then it’s not always clear. The Ontario Crown Land Use maps are an excellent resource. You might also want to join one or more of these groups on Facebook
Crown Land Camping Group
Crown Land Camping Ontario
Ontario Parks and Crown Land
Ontario Crown Land Campers
Sharing Ontario Crown Land Camping Spots
Local Facilities
If you know of a useful link, Facebook group, or resource that might improve this post, please message us through our contact page. We are always happy to include relevant local business information – just a one or two-sentence paragraph and a link to your website or Facebook page.