Re: [Paddlewise] Georgian Bay 2000

From: "Wes Boyd" <boydwe_at_dmci.net>

> I got back a couple days ago from a paddling trip to Lake Huron's Georgian
> Bay and North Channel. Not a bad trip, but the weather could have been
> better, and I'm looking forward to going back some day.
>

Interesting report, Wes.  It sounds like you had a few problems with the
parks.

I've only been to Grundy once, and it's not representative of the provincial
parks.

The biggest problems with the parks are the several million people that live
to the
south of Georgian Bay - in Toronto and its surrounding cities.  They flock
to those
parks every weekend between July 1 and Labour Day in September.  The best
time
to go is on the shoulder seasons - I prefer kayak camping in Georgian Bay in
September and October.  The biggest drawback is it can get pretty cool
and/or
rainy.  If you reserve in advance in prime season, however, you shouldn't
have
a problem.  You can reserve by the internet, by phone or by fax - like a
hotel,
you get a guaranteed reservation the first night if you use your credit
card.  Otherwise
they release the site after 6 pm.

You mentioned Sturgeon Bay PP.  It's a very small park, the smallest in the
province,
I believe.  It's pretty, but it's in the middle of a cottage area and
there's a marina to
the immediate north.  The marina thinks the world wants to hear its PA
system til
all hours.  I enjoyed a weekend up there a couple of years ago in the fall
nonetheless.

I like Killbear PP.  It's a family-oriented park and it's the largest in the
province in terms
of the number of camping sites.  It's not as bad as Grundy.  If you stay
away from the
Kilcoursie Bay part of the park, where the nicest beach is, you'll avoid the
worst of the
family crowds.  The bay fills up with power boats, whose owners think the
rest of the
world wants to gawk at them sunbathing off the beach.  Go to the other parts
of the park.
You can launch your kayak from smaller beaches or directly from your
campsite in some
places.  There's lots of nice day paddling out from the park.

To really enjoy Georgian Bay, you should skip the car camping.  Massasauga
PP, to the
south of Parry Sound, is a water-access-only park.  You'll compete with
power boaters
for campsites in prime season, but if you reserve or use the off season
you'll be fine.
The "interior" sites are harder to get to without a kayak or canoe, so those
are nicer.

Snug Harbour, down the road from White Squall is a good spot to launch from.
Contrary
to the recent article in Sea Kayaker, there is free parking nearby.  There
is no launch fee
either.  You can paddle out to Franklin Island, Snake Island and a lot of
other places.

Mike

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