Bon Echo is a provincial park in southeastern Ontario that attracts day trippers from nearby Toronto and Ottawa for its several lakes surrounded by tall rocky cliffs and lush green vegetation. Hiking is one of the most popular ways to explore the area, with trails of varying difficulty winding through pine forests, ponds, and lakes. Chances are you’ll find yourself holding an oar at some point in Bon Echo, as kayaking and canoeing are wildly popular activities here. (Motor boats are welcome, but limited to designated waterways.)

Chances are also high that you’ll come face to face with the park’s most popular feature, Mazinaw Rock, which rises 330 feet out of Mazinaw Lake, one of the deepest lakes in Ontario. Not only is the massive rock a glorious sight to behold, the more than 260 Indigenous pictographs on its sides have earned it a spot as one of the National Historic Sites of Canada.

Late spring through early fall is an excellent time to make a trip to Bon Echo, when the temperature is cool and pleasant for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. If you visit during the winter months, make sure you come prepared with warm boots and a coat — not only does it get cold during this time, there is also a significant chance of snowfall. Parts of the lakes in Bon Echo are closed off during the winter months, so there may not be as much happening in the area during this time. Bon Echo is fairly small, but if you don’t mind traveling a bit, there are festivals and events happening in nearby towns throughout the year, such as the Poutine Feast in Belleville that takes place each July celebrating Canada’s favorite snack, or the Spring Fling Sip and Shop Market in Ottawa during April, when local artists sell their work as attendees sip on local craft beer.

Mazinaw Rock

There are many ways to experience Mazinaw Rock, the focal point of Mazinaw Lake. Most people take a boat or canoe to the base of the cliff and float in its shadow, while the more adventurous climb the creviced face of the rock. As nice as it is to look at from below, the views from atop Mazinaw Rock are just as breathtaking. Take a ferry (or your own kayak) to the Cliff Top Trail, a steep, one-mile climb with several lookout points along the way.

Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area

Located in Erinsville, around 35 minutes south of Bon Echo, the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is home to the best stargazing in southern Ontario. Perched high on a hill away from any metropolitan light pollution, the secluded viewing area lets you see how the night sky might have looked a century ago. You’ll find concrete viewing pads for setting up your telescope, but on a really clear night the light show is just as good without one.

Museum of Lennox & Addington

Just over an hour south of Bon Echo in Napanee, the Museum of Lennox & Addington has numerous exhibits focused on the history of the county, including Bon Echo. You will find artifacts like tools, clothing, and artwork dating from the late 18th century. The museum also offers a variety of programs, movies, and guest speakers throughout the year.