Restoule Provincial Park

Restoule Provincial Park is about 70 km (1hour) south of North Bay and about 2 hours from Orillia in the Parry Sound District in Ontario. 

It is not really located “near” anything, which is part of its charm. Its remoteness adds to the tranquillity.

Restoule Provincial Park doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the other provincial parks but is definitely the park to go to if you are feeling that you want to get away from it all for a bit. After turning off Highway 11, it’s at least another 40km drive until you reach the park.

Site Review:

We stayed on site #428 in the Kettle Point campground area.

You have direct access to Restoule Lake from this site. It should be noted that sites #426, #430, and #432 also have access to Restoule Lake but their frontage is more beach like, whereas the site we had (#428) was rocky.

All of the sites in the Kettle Point Campground area have electric hook-up. 

Virtually all of the sites have excellent visual privacy (the exception being a few near the comfort station). Each site is set into its own cleared section of the forest.

 a sample of the typical site at Restoule

The only other site that you can really see from your own, is the site directly across the road from you.

The campground roads are dirt packed for the most part and lightly travelled. Restoule Provincial Park is not a busy park- and it’s remoteness; it’s thick tree cover, and the distance between sites all contribute to the overall private and insular feel of the park.

Activities:

Hiking:

There are some nice hiking trails that would allow a nice walk in the forest

and some exceptional lake views.

Biking:

Some of the trails allow biking

You can also bike on the campground roads. The roads though are hilly and sandy, so it’s not necessarily easy biking. I rode to the day use area to access some of the trails (including the popular Fire Tower Trail)

as well as the Visitor/Ecology centre.

Canoe/Kayak/Boating:

There are boat ramps located in at least 4 different locations within Restoule Provincial Park. (3 on Restoule Lake and 1 on Stormy Lake).

You can rent canoes and kayaks from the park office.

We launched our own kayaks from our site and enjoyed a morning paddle on Restoule Lake. It should be noted that the shoreline is extremely reedy- you need to be out into the lake a good distance to avoid it.

Swimming:

There are 3 beach areas at Restoule Provincial Park. The beaches are sandy and they are groomed. They are not large but they offer a nice area to enjoy the sun and the lake.

Things to Know:

1. There is nothing around Restoule Provincial Park for about 40kms. There is no park store that sells any kind of camping supplies- if you forgot it, then you are probably doing without it. (Wood and ice can be purchased at the park office).

2. The closest Ontario provincial park is about an hour away and is Mikisew Provincial Park.

3. Fishing is allowed in the park, but you need an Ontario Fishing Licence. A fishing licence CANNOT be obtained at the park. It must be purchased in advance. Trout, Walleye, Large and Smallmouth Bass are commonly caught.

4. Bring extra extension cords if you have a site with electricity. The electrical hook-up outlets are typically shared between sites and due to the distance between them often the outlets are rather far away.

IMO:

Restoule Provincial Park may not be packed with activities, but it has what you need. It is quiet, peaceful and private. It is the perfect place to get away from it all and recharge. Take a walk in the woods or go for a paddle on the lake and just breathe.