Neys Provincial Park

Neys Provincial Park is located about 25 km from the town of Marathon on the shore of Lake Superior in Ontario.

Neys Provincial Park (specifically Area 1 Campground) was once the site of a German prisoner of war camp during WWII.

A Little History First…

With the outbreak of war in September 1939, the Canadian government decided to support the British Commonwealth. Britain faced the issue of overflowing POW camps. It was concerned that prisoners would escape and compromise the nation’s defences at home. For that reason, Canada agreed to house some of the German prisoners.

Twenty-two buildings were built on the Neys site, known as Neys Camp 100, as well as 4 guard towers. The first prisoners arrived in January 1941 and soon the camp was filled to its capacity of 650 prisoners.

More than 34,000 combatant German POWs were held in Canada during the Second World War. Neys Camp 100 was one of about 25 camps situated across the country.

The Ontario government opened Neys Provincial Park in 1965 ensuring that the natural and cultural heritage of the site will be protected for the future.

Site Review:

There are 144 campsites at Neys located in 4 campground areas. We had site #19 in the Area 1 campground. It is an electric pull-thru site with easy access to the beach.

All the sites in the Area 1 campground are electric pull-thru sites except sites #25, #26, and #27 which are back-in.

Area 1, 2 and 3 campgrounds face Lake Superior while Area 4 campground has no electric sites and is in a wooded loop away from the lake.

There is only 1 comfort station for the entire park with flush toilets and hot showers. It is located between Area 1 and Area 2. Laundry facilities are located here as well.

Activities:

Biking:

You can bike on the campground roads but not on any of the trails.

Canoeing/Kayaking:

You can use self-propelled watercraft on Lake Superior. You can rent canoes, but kayaks and paddleboards are not available. The cost varies depending on the duration of use. There is a required $100 CAD damage deposit.

Remember though, that IT IS Lake Superior. I have always thought of this lake as being a bit bitchy and generally very unpredictable. Weather and water conditions can change very quickly. Personally, I would only paddle out on this lake in a seaworthy kayak (not one designed simply for calm recreational use). Neys is situated on Ashburton Bay which is a little calmer than the open water of the lake but would still recommend using caution if venturing out.

Hiking:

There are 6 named trails at Neys Provincial Park designated for hiking. Dune and Lookout trails are loop trails. The other 4 trails are linear and interconnect.

We did the Point Trail and a portion of the Under the Volcano Trail.

Swimming:

The beach at Neys is about 2 km long. The bay is relatively shallow which means it tends to warm up a bit in the summer- which is nice because Lake Superior is very cold!

You will notice a vast amount of driftwood at the beach. It is everywhere and makes the beach seem messy and dirty. Driftwood though is an essential component of beach ecosystems. Driftwood provides:

• Stability. It holds sand in place and allows plants to take root.
• Retains moisture. It creates shade and adds nutrients to an otherwise dry and harsh environment.
• Shorebirds rely on driftwood for nesting.
• Insects and small creatures live in the driftwood and these creatures are food for larger animals.
• Partially submerged driftwood provides a home for aquatic species.

Provincial Parks generally do not remove driftwood from their beaches. You are not permitted to remove, burn or build structures out of the driftwood. You are to leave it where it lies.

Boating:

There is a boat ramp on the Little Pic River where you can launch your boat.

Visitor Centre:

The Visitor Centre is small but does have some nice touch displays and information about the area. You will also find a model of what Neys Camp 100 looked like, as well as information to read up on.

Things to Know:

1. Fishing is permitted. An Ontario Fishing Licence is required and must be purchased ahead of your visit. Ontario Parks does not issue fishing licences.
2. There is a small gift store located at the Visitor Centre for souvenirs but there is no park store for forgotten items.
3. Leashed pets are permitted and there is a “Dog off-leash” beach for your pets to enjoy.
4. Canadian Group of Seven artist Lawren Harris was inspired to paint Pic Island, Lake Superior from here. You can see Pic Island from the Pic Island Overlook Trail.
5. There are no lifeguards at the beach.
6. Wood and ice are available for purchase at the gatehouse.

IMO:

I liked Neys Provincial Park for a short stay, say perhaps as part of a Lake Superior Circle Tour. About an hour down the road is Rainbow Falls Provincial Park which would also be a great stop on a circle tour.

I expected there to be more history exhibits given that it was a former Prisoner of War camp and that the park was opened, in part, to preserve the history of the area. To me, the model in the Visitor Centre and the accompanying scrapbook seem not much of a historical recollection. You have to look around to see any actual evidence of what was Neys Camp 100. There are some building foundations and there are abandoned boats that can be seen when you hike the Point Trail, but that’s really all.

The camping at Neys is fine, nothing particularly memorable. The lake is the main draw here. Lake Superior is always interesting.  I enjoyed the hike along the rocky shore. All the driftwood on the beach is great for discovery if not so great for sunbathing.

I would recommend Neys Provincial Park as an RV Place to Go.