Photographer Mike Monaghan has traveled far with his canoe but returns each year to Killarney Provincial Park on Georgian Bay, where he finds unparalleled paddling and artistic inspiration.
What sets Killarney apart from other accessible canoeing areas is its beauty. While I’ve paddled much further from home, and often in more remote wilderness, this paddler’s paradise embodies a combination of landscapes that can’t be found anywhere else.
It’s no wonder that members of the Group Of Seven, pioneering landscape painters, found inspiration in this area.
I love the park’s diversity, from the towering white quartzite ridges of the ancient La Cloche range, to quiet creeks and silent ponds, to the pink granite of the park’s southern border along the Georgian Bay coast. On dark nights, the Milky Way stretches overhead and looks so close I feel like I can almost touch it. Instead, I pick up my camera. In the 15 years since I first paddled here I’ve returned every season.
Large red and white pines co-exist with hardwoods, giving the park a unique look that changes spectacularly throughout the year. George Lake campground, situated in the park’s southwest, provides a jumping off place for day-trippers and family campers. For those who are looking for the backcountry experience, the network of portage routes, from simple to challenging, ensures that everyone will find a rewarding adventure.
TRIPS
If you have a half-day paddle the meandering Chikanishing River to its outlet on Georgian Bay and explore Killarney’s rugged coastline. Alternatively, paddle the perimeter of George Lake, the transition zone where sculpted granite shores give way to towering quartzite cliffs.
If you have a day pack a lunch and head east from George Lake over two easy, well-worn portages into Killarney Lake. The dramatic beauty of Killarney Lake, with its turquoise water and towering quartzite ridges, is a prime example of why this park continues to be a popular destination for artists throughout the year.
If you have a weekend a loop through Balsam Lake, into David, Silver, and back to Bell offers striking scenery, and an opportunity to camp out on one of the many beautiful backcountry campsites in the park’s interior. Hike to the top of Silver Peak; the views from the highest point in the park are breathtaking (and so is the strenuous hike). Be aware that a reservation system is in place for interior camping.
If you have a week the northwest portion of the park has it all—rugged beauty, physical challenge, and picturesque camping on granite outcroppings. Several loops are possible. Grace Lake (stunning scenery) and Nellie Lake (90 feet of visibility) are highlights of the park; try to include one or both of them on your route.
STATS
This article first appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Canoeroots and Family Camping magazine.
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