Bon Echo Provincial Park sits on Mazinaw Lake near Cloyne, on Highway 41. Its Mazinaw Rock is a 100-metre cliff with more than 260 Indigenous pictographs, and you see them from the water. This guide covers the 2026 season, campsites, trails, canoe routes, beaches and rules, from Ontario Parks’ own pages.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 16151 Highway 41, Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0 |
| Phone | 613-336-2228 |
| Size and year | 8,294 ha, established 1965 (Natural Environment class) |
| 2026 operating dates | Day use, camping and roofed accommodation: May 8 to December 13. Backcountry camping: May 8 to November 1 |
| Campsites | 530 in total: 495 car camping, 214 electrical, 280 radio-free, 65 walk-in, 26 backcountry |
| Water access | 3 boat launches and 5 docks; power boats on Mazinaw Lake only |
| Facilities | Visitor Centre, park store, 7 comfort stations |
Quick answer
Bon Echo suits paddlers and families who want sand beaches, short trails and Mazinaw Rock. Day use and camping ran to December 13 in 2026.
Mazinaw Rock
Mazinaw Rock is a 100-metre-high cliff with over 260 Indigenous pictographs. Ontario Parks describes it as one of Canada’s largest visible collections of Indigenous pictographs, and says you paddle to the rock to see them. The activities page does not mention boat tours. The park’s general rules page has no pictograph-specific rules, so ask the park or check its alerts page before you visit, and keep your distance from the cliff face.
Day use, camping or a nearby cottage
Camp if you want to be on the lake for several days. Use a cottage on a nearby lake if you want a kitchen and a private dock, and visit Bon Echo for a paddle and a beach day. Backcountry camping runs May 8 to November 1, 2026.
Trails
| Trail | Length | Type and difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Abes and Essens Lake Trail | Clutes loop 3.5 km; Essens Lake loop 9.6 km | Three interconnected loops; moderate to difficult |
| Bon Echo Creek Trail | 1 km | Linear, easy; historically closed in spring and early summer for wet conditions |
| Cliff Top Trail | 1.5 km | Linear, moderate to difficult; reached only by water; stairs and a path lead to three observation decks on top of Mazinaw Rock |
| High Pines Trail | 1.7 km | Loop, moderate |
| Shield Trail | 4.8 km | Loop, moderate |
| Pet Exercise Trail | 1.4 km | Loop, easy |
The Abes loop is closed between sites 529 and 530. Ontario Parks says sections of the Abes and Essens trail have panoramic views that are particularly spectacular in fall. The Pet Exercise Trail is the designated place to let a dog off leash.
Paddling and swimming
The Kishkebus Canoe Route is a 21 km loop, about 6 hours, rated moderate to difficult, with one 1.5 km portage. It passes Indigenous pictographs. Joeperry and Pearson lakes are motorboat-free, with 21 backcountry campsites and a 500 m portage from the parking lot to the launch. Launch your own canoe on Mazinaw Lake, or rent one at the Lagoon. The Mississippi River Canoe Route is 104 km, about 5 days, with 17 portages. Ontario Parks sends you to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority for its details.
Bon Echo has three natural sand beaches marked with buoys: Main Beach on Lower Mazinaw Lake, South Beach in the day-use area and North Beach at the Sawmill Bay campground. There are no lifeguards, and pets are not permitted on the beaches. Ontario Parks also lists one dog beach.
Fishing
Ontario Parks names Mazinaw Lake as popular for lake trout, yellow pickerel, small and largemouth bass, lake whitefish and northern pike. Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence.
Park rules that catch visitors out
- Alcohol: adults 19 and over may drink in most operating areas. Marked alcohol-free areas are off-limits. Driving with an open container carries a $215 minimum fine.
- Pets: leash no longer than 2 metres, and not in the swimming area or on the beach. A violation carries a $95 minimum fine.
- Fires: fireplaces and designated places only. You may not take fallen or dead wood from the park for a campfire. A fire in an unauthorized spot carries a $180 minimum fine.
- Noise: you may not disturb others at any time of day or night. Audio devices are prohibited in radio-free areas.
- Drones: the rules page does not mention drones. Ask the park.
FAQ
When does Bon Echo close for the season?
Day use and camping ran to December 13 in 2026. Checked November 3 2026.
How big is Mazinaw Rock?
A 100-metre-high cliff with over 260 Indigenous pictographs. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I swim at Bon Echo?
Yes, at three buoyed sand beaches with no lifeguards. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I use a motorboat?
On Mazinaw Lake only. Joeperry and Pearson lakes are motorboat-free. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages near the park
Browse cottages in Addington Highlands or the Bancroft and Land O’ Lakes region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for Addington Highlands. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16151 Hwy 41 Cloyne; 613-336-2228; 8,294 ha; established 1965; Natural Environment; 2026 dates day use/camping/roofed May 8-Dec 13, backcountry May 8-Nov 1; 530 sites (495 car, 214 electrical, 280 radio-free, 65 walk-in, 26 backcountry); Mazinaw Rock 100 m with over 260 pictographs; 3 launches, 5 docks; one dog beach; Visitor Centre, store, 7 comfort stations | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/bonecho | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | Trails (Abes and Essens: Clutes 3.5 km, Essens 9.6 km; Bon Echo Creek 1 km; Cliff Top 1.5 km water access only; High Pines 1.7 km; Shield 4.8 km; Pet Exercise 1.4 km); one of Canada’s largest visible collections of pictographs; no boat tours mentioned; Kishkebus 21 km; Joeperry and Pearson 21 backcountry sites, 500 m portage; Lagoon rentals; Mississippi River route 104 km, 17 portages; three beaches, no lifeguards, no pets; fish species; power boats Mazinaw Lake only | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/bonecho/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | Rules: alcohol 19+, marked alcohol-free areas, $215 open container driving; leash 2 m, $95; fireplaces only, no dead wood, $180; no disturbing others, audio devices prohibited in radio-free areas; no pictograph, drone or quiet-hour specific rules on page | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/bonecho/rules | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence. | https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licences | 2026-11-03 |
Photo: Ariana Kaminski, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).