Nature Calls; Awenda Campground.

For Recreational activities, Swimming is most enjoyable at their best beach located at Methodist Point bay having the sandiest beach along the Georgian bay. Fishing can be done by either boating or angling. Boat launch facility is accessible at Penetanguishene where boaters can explore the beautiful Georgian Bay but a times unpredictable due to its winds. For Anglers, the best bet is Kettle’s Lake which has a dock and also serves as the kayak/canoe launch area. Fish species include Bass, Northern Pike, Pickerel, Panfish found mostly in the area between Awenda and Giant’s Tomb Island. At Kettle’s Lake fish species mostly caught are Bass and small Panfish. It should be noted Awenda encourages Catch and Release policy at Kettle’s Lake. Biking is allowed only on the Beach Trail, Bluff Trail and Brule Trail.

However, Awenda is hiking place for any level of experience with a total of 7 trails that have different attractions and levels of challenges. Let us explore the different Trails and see what they have to offer.

1. 1. Beach Trail – a 4 km Linear, Easy 1.5 hours Hike.
      This hike takes you along the Georgian Bay Shoreline where the Giant’s Tomb Island is visible from the trail. The trees in this area are Dry Oak-Maple forest and wet Birch-Cedar-Hemlock forest.

1. 1. Beavers Pond Trail – a 1 km Loop, Easy 30 min Hike.
      A walk in Nature Reserve Zone through past and present Beaver activity. Remains of early logging days still visible are a building and a bridge.

1. 1. Bluff Trail – a 13 km Loop, Moderate 3.5 hours Hike.
      Circular trail within the park that can be accessible at various points which takes hikers along the high bluff and partly low wetland. Georgian Bay views spectacular along the way especially during late Autumn, early Spring leaf-free season.

1. 1. Nipissing Trail – a 1 km Loop, Moderate 30 min Hike.
      A dominant Glacial feature raised beach having a 155 step staircase down the face of the bluff.

1. 1. Brule Trail – a 4 km Linear, Easy 1 hour Hike.
      Initially prior the lumbering period of the 1800’s White Pines dominated this area, however now mostly the walk is through the Deciduous forest of Sugar Maple and Red Oak exist due to the inability of White Pines to reestablish themselves.

1. 1. Robitaille Homestead Trail – a 3 km Linear, Easy 1 hour Hike.
      Hike to an Ancient Dune System, know for their fragility, dune ecosystems are mostly protected if not preserved. These are no different and visitors are asked not to disturb them to let the plants reestablish themselves. On the way, there is an abandoned Farmstead originally build in 1902 where the stone foundation and fence can still be seen.

1. 1. Wendat Trail – a 5 km Loop, Easy 2 hours Hike.
      This trail begins at Kettle’s Lake an area favored by the Red-Winged Black bird and the Great Blue Heron as a nesting spot. These birds can often be seen on the swamps around the lake. Trail passes through an old foundation of Brabant Farmstead house and farm.