Ontario Unveils New Operating Provincial Park - First New Park in 40 Years

The Government of Ontario has unveiled the location of a new all-season, full-service provincial park, the first of its kind in 40 years. Bigwind Lake Provincial Park near Bracebridge will be getting upgrades to transform it from a day-use park to an operating park that will include overnight and electrified campgrounds, backcountry camping, and a variety of four-season activities including cross-country skiing, canoeing and hiking. It will become Ontario’s 116th operating provincial park.

“Residents and tourists will soon have access to another truly beautiful and quintessential provincial park", said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and MPP, Parry Sound–Muskoka. “I have full confidence that Bigwind Lake Provincial Park will become a very popular destination for people to take in the splendor of our area.”

Bigwind Lake Provincial Park is almost 5,000 acres (1,967 hectares) – more than one and a half times bigger than Arrowhead Provincial Park in neighbouring Huntsville. The park’s ecological diversity features five named lakes, extensive upland forests, marshes and meadows.

The park is being designed with the visitor in mind. It will feature a new visitor centre, electric vehicle charging stations, and electrified campsites. The park design also takes into consideration environmentally sustainable elements such as low-energy buildings, easy-to-use biking and hiking trails and wildlife friendly planning an design so the park remains a vital part of the natural landscape for years to come.

Visitation to Ontario’s provincial parks has grown steadily in the last decade, reaching over 12.1 million visits in 2022, making it the largest provider of outdoor recreational opportunities in the province.