Grundy Lake Provincial Park
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
210 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
78
Average
16
Poor
8
Terrible
14
lesk640
Parry Sound, Canada24 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
If you are after a quiet, laid back, camping experience Grundy is the place to go. No motor boats are allowed on the lakes. If you are into loud partying, fast water sports, or manicured camp sites go somewhere else. This is a park for people who enjoy nature and respect it, including the occasional bear and snapping turtle. And yes, there are rules. No picking berries - they are there for the wild life. Don't bring your own wood - imported insects can decimate the trees. No gathering of fire wood - fallen branches are there for future vegetation progression. Take only pictures ( and the odd fish). Keep your campsite clean and food always packed away (not in your tent) when you are not eating.
Written July 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ami G
Halton Hills, Canada11 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Park views lovely but park needs upkeep. Roads are horrendous with pot holes (staff should be repairing), water fill station for trailers needs maintenance (flow too low took 20 min each vehicle) with only a few fill stations. Caterpillars are everywhere. We didnt have a nest over site but they were on all our gear, was very gross. Good clean before coming home. Do they do any spraying?
We have a 18 ft trailer, had to switch sites was too small. Lots of the sites tents only.
Biking around park roads only, no bike trails. The hiking trails are pretty vigorous couldnt make it with older dog. Park wardens didnt like where we parked to get the wood, put up signs “no parking”.
We have a 18 ft trailer, had to switch sites was too small. Lots of the sites tents only.
Biking around park roads only, no bike trails. The hiking trails are pretty vigorous couldnt make it with older dog. Park wardens didnt like where we parked to get the wood, put up signs “no parking”.
Written August 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maiya C
5 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Lovely medium sized park. Lots of nice places to soak it in if you bring your canoe. Big Canadian shield stones just just laze away on. Nice trails, well kept and easy to get to from the main road. We really enjoyed our stay here.
Written January 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canadian_Guy1000
Mississauga, Canada3,589 contributions
Jun 2022
I have visited Grundy Lake Park about 10 times since the late 1990s, mostly spending a night or two before or after my canoeing trips on the French River or Georgian Bay. This time we spent 4 nights at Poplar Campground, from Sunday to Thursday. A number of campsites were vacant, so we could enjoy a relative privacy. The wardens frequently patrolled the park, yet after 10 pm or so the park was very quiet. The nearby bathrooms were clean. The check-in process was fast and we got one bag of wood from the park, which was not that great.
Each day I watched numerous woodpeckers flying from one tree to another around our campsite. There were also up to 6 chipmunks at the campground; being territorial, they often chased one another—and then climbed onto the table, or even on us, in search of food. Very friendly critters! Twice we were visited by raccoons.
Upon arrival at the park, we were warned about active bears. A few hours later we saw a smallish black bear which was inspecting our neighbor’s campsite.
The next day, as we were engaged in a conversation, the bear walked across our campsite, totally undisturbed by our presence, and proceeded to the one on the other side of the road.
Then on the third day, while I was alone at the campsite, just about to prepare & have my breakfast, the bear emerged from the forest, sniffed at my tent and walked straight to the table, to the bag containing food—which I had just brought from the car. I was standing on the other side of the table, banging on it with a stick, shouting, banging on the car and even honking the horn-but the bear did not care at all and continued consuming the food. Only when I lifted a chair, it took off and went into the forest, carrying the bag in his mouth. Fortunately, bears are clumsy and it quickly lost the bag, which I managed to grab, along with a few other items from the table, and put into the car. Just 10 seconds later the bear was back at the table, dissecting a box of fiber (i.e., my breakfast) which I did not get a chance to snatch. Again, I shouted and pounded a piece of wood on the table, yet to no avail—the bear was just totally preoccupied with consuming the content of the box. Eventually it grabbed the box in his mouth and went into the forest, a few meters from my tent, when it finished eating it.
I have had a lot of encounters with black bears, but this was the first time when I came across a bear that was totally unafraid of me and that showed up at the campsite while I was sitting at the table, about to have breakfast.
Each day I watched numerous woodpeckers flying from one tree to another around our campsite. There were also up to 6 chipmunks at the campground; being territorial, they often chased one another—and then climbed onto the table, or even on us, in search of food. Very friendly critters! Twice we were visited by raccoons.
Upon arrival at the park, we were warned about active bears. A few hours later we saw a smallish black bear which was inspecting our neighbor’s campsite.
The next day, as we were engaged in a conversation, the bear walked across our campsite, totally undisturbed by our presence, and proceeded to the one on the other side of the road.
Then on the third day, while I was alone at the campsite, just about to prepare & have my breakfast, the bear emerged from the forest, sniffed at my tent and walked straight to the table, to the bag containing food—which I had just brought from the car. I was standing on the other side of the table, banging on it with a stick, shouting, banging on the car and even honking the horn-but the bear did not care at all and continued consuming the food. Only when I lifted a chair, it took off and went into the forest, carrying the bag in his mouth. Fortunately, bears are clumsy and it quickly lost the bag, which I managed to grab, along with a few other items from the table, and put into the car. Just 10 seconds later the bear was back at the table, dissecting a box of fiber (i.e., my breakfast) which I did not get a chance to snatch. Again, I shouted and pounded a piece of wood on the table, yet to no avail—the bear was just totally preoccupied with consuming the content of the box. Eventually it grabbed the box in his mouth and went into the forest, a few meters from my tent, when it finished eating it.
I have had a lot of encounters with black bears, but this was the first time when I came across a bear that was totally unafraid of me and that showed up at the campsite while I was sitting at the table, about to have breakfast.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
World_travellor79
Sudbury, Canada161 contributions
Sept 2022
I'll start with the positives...this park is lovely. It's located just south of the French River and is one of the last parks before you hit the Northern ones. The staff are friendly and it was well kept. the grounds were clean and well organized. There were plenty of activities for the kids to do, several beach's and a nice store located just outside of the park.
As avid PP campers, we checked out every single campground in Grundy PP and learned that most of them had nice private sites with plenty of space (there are a few exceptions but that's to be expected).
What we didn't like about the park and the reason I would only give it a 3.5 out of 5 are as follows. In our particular campground there was a lot of poison ivy. While I understand that this is nature and I'm not suggesting they get rid of it, there should be a warning or something on the map that tells campers that there is poison ivy in that area if they wish to avoid it. As a family with kids, having our entire site surrounded by it limited some of the things we usually like to do.
The other negative for us was the strictness of the wardens, and here's why. We have a young family, which means we are not partying to all hours of the night. We are respectful of our neighbours and will not play any music past 11 pm. The kids are usually inside either watching a movie or sitting around the campfire with us. We turn off all of our lights most of the time and just enjoy the light from the fire. We usually camp with friends and enjoy the social atmosphere in the evening discussing our day's by the fire. We were there for 3 nights, and 2 out of the 3 the Warden's came by and said they could here us talking. Not yelling, not shouting...just talking. I understand that PP's used to be a place that people would party and be loud all night and I understand that the Wardens are there to enforce the quiet time past 11. But in all the years we've camped...I've never, ever had a Warden stop by and tell me they can hear us talking and to whisper. In my opinion, that kinda ruined my whole experience.
As avid PP campers, we checked out every single campground in Grundy PP and learned that most of them had nice private sites with plenty of space (there are a few exceptions but that's to be expected).
What we didn't like about the park and the reason I would only give it a 3.5 out of 5 are as follows. In our particular campground there was a lot of poison ivy. While I understand that this is nature and I'm not suggesting they get rid of it, there should be a warning or something on the map that tells campers that there is poison ivy in that area if they wish to avoid it. As a family with kids, having our entire site surrounded by it limited some of the things we usually like to do.
The other negative for us was the strictness of the wardens, and here's why. We have a young family, which means we are not partying to all hours of the night. We are respectful of our neighbours and will not play any music past 11 pm. The kids are usually inside either watching a movie or sitting around the campfire with us. We turn off all of our lights most of the time and just enjoy the light from the fire. We usually camp with friends and enjoy the social atmosphere in the evening discussing our day's by the fire. We were there for 3 nights, and 2 out of the 3 the Warden's came by and said they could here us talking. Not yelling, not shouting...just talking. I understand that PP's used to be a place that people would party and be loud all night and I understand that the Wardens are there to enforce the quiet time past 11. But in all the years we've camped...I've never, ever had a Warden stop by and tell me they can hear us talking and to whisper. In my opinion, that kinda ruined my whole experience.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy P
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2022
I have been camping at Grundy since 1958 (the year before the park opened). There is something about Grundy Lake that sets it apart from other Provincial Parks. Perhaps it is the ambient fragrance of white pine needles warmed by the sun. Perhaps it is the call of the loon. I have always found the park staff at tis park to be very friendly and welcoming. (Who wouldn't be working in a gorgeous natural environment such as this?).
Unlike many other parks, EVERY campsite is excellent. They are consistently large and have buffer zones between them. And when darkness falls, the park becomes absolutely quiet.
The location is great, swimming excellent, and trails well-marked and not too difficult.
The Supply Post at he park entrance is well equipped to handle all your needs.
Unlike many other parks, EVERY campsite is excellent. They are consistently large and have buffer zones between them. And when darkness falls, the park becomes absolutely quiet.
The location is great, swimming excellent, and trails well-marked and not too difficult.
The Supply Post at he park entrance is well equipped to handle all your needs.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Logan M
2 contributions
Jun 2021
This an awful place to be. Not in terms of the actual physical site but in terms of the young individuals working here. At the same time, reviews are deleted much like I am sure this will be deleted. There are 10-15 on one site during the pandemic, the bathrooms are gross and covid protocols are not being followed. However, as horrible as that is - they rangers need to take a self esteem course so that they don't feel the need to mistreat people to serve their fragile egos. Never in my 40 years of camping have I experienced or witnessed such ill treatment. I have moved forward with my complaints to head office. On top of it, they delete google reviews that tell the truth of how people who pay a good amount of money to come to this campground.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan T
2 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
We stayed at Poplar Campground for a week. Beautiful beach. We enjoyed our time. One note, the canoe route out of Pakeshkag Lake on the Pakashkag River to connect with the Pickerel River is not fully passable at this time. Our paddle was beautiful and as described until we were about halfway down the Pakashkeg River. Past that point the river is impassable (dry) because the beaver dams have been destroyed. We were forced to retrace our route back to Gurd Lake.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canadian_Guy1000
Mississauga, Canada3,589 contributions
Aug 2020
After canoeing & camping on the French River for one week, we decided to spend our last night in this park. Because of COVID-19 most Ontario parks were almost 100% booked over weekends, but since it was Monday, there were still some campsites available, at least for one night.
The staff at the office were very efficient and quickly found a site for us, as well as we bought a bag of wood. We got campsite #419 in the Red Maple campground (radio and pet free) which was not bad, adjacent to Grundy Lake and the beach. There were some people canoeing and fishing on the lake. The bathrooms were clean, but there were no showers due to the corona virus situation. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable whiff apparently coming from the toilet, located behind another campsite. We were told there were no black bears sightings in the park this year. Our campsite was also a home to a number of rather friendly chipmunks, which were constantly looking for food and often chased one another. Amazingly, we were hardly bothered by mosquitoes in the evening. There were many families with children and perhaps because of that, around 10 p.m. the park became very quiet as most campers went to sleep—and soon we followed, too.
Just in front of the park’s entrance is Grundy Lake Supply Post, offering canoe rentals, ice cream and plenty of various camping supplies and souvenirs. Also, there is an LCBO store and grocery/butcher store (“Lemieux Meat and Grocery”) in the town of Alban, about 20 km north from the park.
The staff at the office were very efficient and quickly found a site for us, as well as we bought a bag of wood. We got campsite #419 in the Red Maple campground (radio and pet free) which was not bad, adjacent to Grundy Lake and the beach. There were some people canoeing and fishing on the lake. The bathrooms were clean, but there were no showers due to the corona virus situation. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable whiff apparently coming from the toilet, located behind another campsite. We were told there were no black bears sightings in the park this year. Our campsite was also a home to a number of rather friendly chipmunks, which were constantly looking for food and often chased one another. Amazingly, we were hardly bothered by mosquitoes in the evening. There were many families with children and perhaps because of that, around 10 p.m. the park became very quiet as most campers went to sleep—and soon we followed, too.
Just in front of the park’s entrance is Grundy Lake Supply Post, offering canoe rentals, ice cream and plenty of various camping supplies and souvenirs. Also, there is an LCBO store and grocery/butcher store (“Lemieux Meat and Grocery”) in the town of Alban, about 20 km north from the park.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil D
Collingwood, Canada12 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Seeing all these complaints about wardens we thought we would share ours, from 2 weeks ago. 1140pm we had 2 arrogant wardens request we come out of our trailer. Had been asleep for an hour. Got the full flashlights in the eyes and when we asked what this was about he demanded my ID and told me he would tell me when he was ready to. After 10 minutes he tells us that he has an issue with the four beer bottles that were left out by the car by accident. We were apologetic and explained that everything else was put away and garbage disposed of and it was an accident. Told us his hands were tied and that I would have to wait 20min while he went back to the car. When he came back to the site he felt he had to lecture me before giving me a $155 ticket for having attractants out. Told him to give me the ticket and skip the lecture so I could go back to sleep at which point he considered giving me another ticket for my attitude. We watched them the following night go around at 8pm noting sites with potential violations. They don’t talk to campers just came back at 12 and ticketed. They should be educating people not trying to meet quotas. We understand the issues with wildlife but this was extreme. When we spoke to their boss he was very understanding and when he looked at the ticket his response was “oh it was Jayden” like this clearly wasn’t the first time this had been an issue. We have never had a run in with a warden and we will not be going back to Grundy.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there,
Thanks for the information on Grundy Lake!
I'm hoping to go there in a couple of weeks. Do you have recommendations for the 'best' campground in terms of access to swimming and trails? Or any with any disadvantages? Thank you again.
Written August 3, 2024
Good day, are there any grocery stores near Grundy pp? We are staying in the cabin for 6 nights and I may need to do some additional grocery shopping
Written July 4, 2022
I did not use the showers, but as far as I know, they're open. Showers were also open last year-the only year when they were closed was 2020.
Written July 5, 2022
Good day, are there any grocery stores near Grundy pp? We are staying in the cabin for 6 nights and I may need to do some additional grocery shopping
Written July 4, 2022
Yes, the is Grundy Supply Post just vis-a-vis the park's entrance, it carries some food, but it's rather limited and expensive. There is a small supermarket in the town of Alban, north of the park.
Written July 5, 2022
Does anyone know if the showers are open at Grundy Lake provincial park? Heading there in a couple weeks with children, would like to be prepared.
Written August 7, 2020
Explorer40093400223
Florence, Italy
No sorry no showers tor laundry this year due to covid 19
Written August 10, 2020
Hi everyone 👋
I am planning to spend weekend on Grundy Lake...my friend just come back one day ago ,and she is claiming that there is no phone signal and internet can't be found... I am wondering is this true??? thanks for answering
Written June 29, 2020
John C
Sudbury, Canada
hi can you use a tree tent also knowen as tentsile hammock tent. ive heard over 100 different things saying you can saying you cant we use wraps to protect all trees and only hook up to soild trees
Written February 28, 2020
Not 100% sure. It is a huge park and I am sure it might work at some sites.
Written March 23, 2020
What is latest to arrive and check in in Wheatley pp
We only can make it after 9pm
Will we be able to check in?
Written August 26, 2019
If you get there after hours you can go set up on your site and just go back in the morning to register. If you are on a first come first serve site you just have to set up on an empty site however this can be a bit harder.
Written August 28, 2019
Hello you can have either within the privacy of your campsite. You cannot walk or wander with them or have them on the beach.
They do patrol regularly and it's a huge fine plus maybe removal from the park so dont risk it.
Enjoy any kind of alcohol in any kind of container within your campsite.
Written July 25, 2019
How much is it to rent a kayak at the Grundy Lake supply post?
Written July 24, 2018
No idea. Would be best to call them directly.
Written July 26, 2018
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