Killarney is a wilderness-class park on the Georgian Bay coast. Ontario Parks describes 645 square km of pink granite shore, the white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche Mountains and over 50 clear lakes. The park has the George Lake campground and backcountry canoe routes.[2] This guide sets out what Ontario Parks says, including the trail warnings.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Park address | 960 Highway 637, Killarney. Phone 705-287-2900.[1] |
| Size | 49,325 hectares, established 1964, a Wilderness class park.[2] |
| 2026 season | Operating January 1 to December 31, 2026.[3] |
| Census, Municipality of Killarney (2021) | Killarney: 397 people (2021 Census), up 2.8% from 386 in 2016; 443 private dwellings, 193 occupied by usual residents[4] |
| Drive to the park | Toronto: about 414 km, 5 h 43 min; Ottawa: about 562 km, 8 h 07 min; London: about 574 km, 7 h 28 min; Kitchener: about 486 km, 6 h 28 min; Montreal: about 758 km, 10 h 30 min. OSRM estimates; allow for traffic and stops[5] |
Quick answer
Book a day-use permit for The Crack, start early and carry a map. Ontario Parks calls it Killarney’s most difficult trail and one of the most challenging hikes in the province.[6]
The Crack
- Distance and time: the activities page lists 6 km and about 4 hours, rated difficult.[7] The blog says about four hours return for experienced hikers, with an extra hour for less experienced hikers.[8]
- Terrain: rocky scrambles, steep inclines, slippery rock, loose soil, roots and boulders. Climbing often takes all four limbs, and descending is harder than climbing in many places.[9]
- Trailhead: about 7 km east of the George Lake permit office, with a trailhead lot. If it is full, come back later and do not park on roadsides.[10]
- Timing: be back at the trailhead at least one hour before dark. In summer, do not start after 5 pm. In fall, start much earlier.[11]
- Gear: at least 2 L of water per person, boots or shoes with aggressive tread and high ankle support, a physical map from the George Lake permit office, a compass or GPS, and a phone. Sandals, Crocs, rubber boots and flip-flops are unsuitable.[12]
- Dogs: permitted on a leash no longer than 2 m at all times. The blog says it is not suitable for small or older dogs.[13]
- Children: not recommended under seven. Strollers and wagons are not allowed.[14]
- Weather: turn back in strong wind or thunder and lightning. The trail is exposed to lightning, and wet rock is more dangerous.[15]
- Route marking: follow the red markers back. If you see only blue markers, you have gone the wrong way.[16]
- Emergencies: call 911, share your location and stay put.[17]
Day-use permit
The blog lists a daily vehicle permit at $18 for The Crack, bookable online up to five days ahead from 7 am. Permits are specific to a day-use location and cannot be transferred. Campers have trail access included. The blog post is undated, so confirm the price on the reservation site before you go.[18]
Shorter hikes
- Granite Ridge: 2 km, about 1 hour, moderate, with two lookouts.[21]
- Cranberry Bog: 4 km, about 2.5 hours, moderate, past bogs, marshes and swamps.[22]
- Chikanishing Trail: 3 km, about 1.5 hours, moderate, ending at a rocky point on Georgian Bay.[23]
- Lake of the Woods Trail: 3.5 km, about 3 hours, moderate to difficult.[24]
- La Cloche Silhouette: an 80 km loop, 7 to 10 days, strenuous.[25]
Camping
The park has 374 sites: 153 car-camping, 214 backcountry, 24 radio-free, 9 RV pull-through and 7 walk-in sites, plus roofed accommodation and year-round yurts. George Lake campground gives access to beaches, trails and canoeing.[26] Backcountry has 7 access points.[27] The canoeing section of the activities page gives a different count, 183 backcountry campsites on over 50 lakes, so check when you book.[28]
Paddling and boating
The park has about 645 square km of backcountry and over 50 lakes. Only canoeing and kayaking are allowed on interior lakes. A boat launch at Chikanishing Access Point provides access to Georgian Bay.[28] The park lists 1 boat launch, 1 dock and a dog beach, and no canoe or kayak rentals.[29] The campground has two swimming beaches.[30]
Winter
Winter trails total 33 km: Chikanishing (8 km, classic and skate), Collins Inlet (14.3 km, classic loop, not always track set) and Freeland (12.4 km, classic, linear). The park offers walk-in winter camping, six heated yurts and two camp cabins, plus a warm-up hut in the day-use area.[31]
Services
The park has a store, showers and 1 comfort station. There is no visitor centre, Wi-Fi or laundromat.[32] Many lakes are fish sanctuaries, with limited fishing in the eastern and northern sections.[33]
FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike The Crack?
A daily vehicle permit is required for day visitors and can be booked online up to five days ahead. Campers have trail access included. Checked November 3 2026.
How long is The Crack?
The activities page lists 6 km and about 4 hours, rated difficult. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I bring my dog to The Crack?
Dogs are permitted on a leash no longer than 2 m, but the trail is not suitable for small or older dogs. Checked November 3 2026.
Is Killarney open in winter?
Yes. Ontario Parks lists the park as operating January 1 to December 31, 2026, with 33 km of winter trails. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages near French River and Killarney or the whole Northern Ontario region. Related: French River.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check. Rules for the Municipality of Killarney are being confirmed, so we state none here.
Claims table
Checked 2026-11-03 by the SEO & Content Writer agent. Draft; needs the independent second-agent fact-check before publishing.
| # | claim | source URL | checked | |—|—|—|—| | 1 | Park address : 960 Highway 637, Killarney. Phone 705-287-2900. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 2 | Size : 49,325 hectares, established 1964, a Wilderness class park. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 3 | 2026 season : Operating January 1 to December 31, 2026. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 4 | Census, Municipality of Killarney (2021) : Killarney: 397 people (2021 Census), up 2.8% from 386 in 2016; 443 private dwellings, 193 occupied by usual residents | https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000201 | 2026-11-03 | | 5 | Drive to the park : Toronto: about 414 km, 5 h 43 min; Ottawa: about 562 km, 8 h 07 min; London: about 574 km, 7 h 28 min; Kitchener: about 486 km, 6 h 28 min; Montreal: about 758 km, 10 h 30 min. OSRM estimates; allow for traffic and stops | https://router.project-osrm.org | 2026-11-03 | | 6 | Book a day-use permit for The Crack, start early and carry a map. Ontario Parks calls it Killarney’s most difficult trail and one of the most challenging hikes in the province. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 7 | Distance and time: the activities page lists 6 km and about 4 hours, rated difficult. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 8 | The blog says about four hours return for experienced hikers, with an extra hour for less experienced hikers. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 9 | Terrain: rocky scrambles, steep inclines, slippery rock, loose soil, roots and boulders. Climbing often takes all four limbs, and descending is harder than climbing in many places. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 10 | Trailhead: about 7 km east of the George Lake permit office, with a trailhead lot. If it is full, come back later and do not park on roadsides. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 11 | Timing: be back at the trailhead at least one hour before dark. In summer, do not start after 5 pm. In fall, start much earlier. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 12 | Gear: at least 2 L of water per person, boots or shoes with aggressive tread and high ankle support, a physical map from the George Lake permit office, a compass or GPS, and a phone. Sandals, Crocs, rubber boots and flip-flops are unsuitable. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 13 | Dogs: permitted on a leash no longer than 2 m at all times. The blog says it is not suitable for small or older dogs. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 14 | Children: not recommended under seven. Strollers and wagons are not allowed. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 15 | Weather: turn back in strong wind or thunder and lightning. The trail is exposed to lightning, and wet rock is more dangerous. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 16 | Route marking: follow the red markers back. If you see only blue markers, you have gone the wrong way. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 17 | Emergencies: call 911, share your location and stay put. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 18 | The blog lists a daily vehicle permit at $18 for The Crack, bookable online up to five days ahead from 7 am. Permits are specific to a day-use location and cannot be transferred. Campers have trail access included. | https://blog.ontarioparks.ca/hike-the-crack-killarney/ | 2026-11-03 | | 19 | Removed in fact-check (vague fee-page reference merged into row 18): The park’s fee page lists current amounts, so confirm before you go. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 20 | Removed in fact-check: generic FAQ sentence; non-transferability is stated on the park’s own blog (row 18). | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/dayuse/faq | 2026-11-03 | | 21 | Granite Ridge: 2 km, about 1 hour, moderate, with two lookouts. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 22 | Cranberry Bog: 4 km, about 2.5 hours, moderate, past bogs, marshes and swamps. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 23 | Chikanishing Trail: 3 km, about 1.5 hours, moderate, ending at a rocky point on Georgian Bay. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 24 | Lake of the Woods Trail: 3.5 km, about 3 hours, moderate to difficult. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 25 | La Cloche Silhouette: an 80 km loop, 7 to 10 days, strenuous. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 26 | The park has 374 sites: 153 car-camping, 214 backcountry, 24 radio-free, 9 RV pull-through and 7 walk-in sites, plus roofed accommodation and year-round yurts. George Lake campground gives access to beaches, trails and canoeing. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 27 | Backcountry has 7 access points. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 28 | The park has about 645 square km of backcountry and over 50 lakes. Only canoeing and kayaking are allowed on interior lakes. A boat launch at Chikanishing Access Point provides access to Georgian Bay. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 29 | The park lists 1 boat launch, 1 dock and a dog beach, and no canoe or kayak rentals. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 30 | The campground has two swimming beaches. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 31 | Winter trails total 33 km: Chikanishing (8 km, classic and skate), Collins Inlet (14.3 km, classic loop, not always track set) and Freeland (12.4 km, classic, linear). The park offers walk-in winter camping, six heated yurts and two camp cabins, plus a warm-up hut in the day-use area. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | | 32 | The park has a store, showers and 1 comfort station. There is no visitor centre, Wi-Fi or laundromat. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney | 2026-11-03 | | 33 | Many lakes are fish sanctuaries, with limited fishing in the eastern and northern sections. | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/killarney/activities | 2026-11-03 | Fact-check 2026-11-03 (independent): 31 rows confirmed (census against StatCan 98-10-0002-01 CSV; OSRM figures accepted as labelled estimates); intro corrected ("most day visitors" unsupported, removed); rows 19 and 20 removed; undated-blog flag and 183-site conflict added.