Mara Provincial Park
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway with a little sun and sand then Mara Provincial Park might just be the place for you. With a great looking beach and just over 100 campsites, this park just east of Orillia provides an escape to nature while also giving you a chance to work on your tan.
This is one of the of the smallest parks we’ve visited which means the beach is not too busy. You can drive the entire park in 5-10 minutes and still have time for a few Timbits. From what we saw of the campground, the sites in general provide average privacy with a good amount of shade. The sites in the 70s seem to be some of the better ones available and would be our first choice when visiting.
If you’re looking for a good hike then this park is not for you. With only one trail that follows the river for 500m this park is primarily setup for beach access. That’s not to say that the trail isn’t enjoyable, we saw so many active insects and reptiles in that 500m, that it far surpassed some other, much longer hikes that weekend. If you’re looking for a longer hike you’ll need to head over to McRae Point Provincial Park or Bass Lake Provincial Park as both have some options.
Because the main attraction is the beach and there isn’t really any hiking at the park, dog owners might be at a bit of a loss for things to do with your pet. This is a pretty big factor for us and would definitely limit our access at the park.
Personally, I’d consider Mara Provincial Park more of a day use stop than a campground but to each their own! Still, this park is a great spot to check out on a sunny day!
