Batchawana Bay Provincial Park

Lake Superior sparkles in the sun at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

Sunlight beams on the rippling waves. A promising sight when standing in the scorching stillness of midday atop the dunes. Despite the brevity of the path sloping down to the beach, the wind off Lake Superior creates a vast temperature difference. After our morning hiking the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail, the cool water feels fantastic on our feet, as does digging our toes into the exfoliating powers of the millions of tiny smooth stones within the sand. Despite how inviting the water temperature begins to feel after splashing our feet in the shore for a bit, the wind is too cold to make a proper go of swimming. 

Lake Superior lapping the shore at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

The temperature difference is notable between the picnic area atop the dunes and the beach at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

After a snack back up on the gleaming painted-white picnic tables on the dunes, it’s hard to believe we were ever chilly at all. The temperature difference is that dramatic. Layers are key. Actually, that should be the mantra for all Northern Ontario travel: Layers, layers, layers. Warmed up and ready to go, we set off to explore the rest of the park.

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is a day use park run by Ontario Parks.

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park is a day use park just south of Pancake Bay on Highway 17. Visitor’s information office was closed on all three (two mid-week / one weekend) visits but the building was always open, including restrooms (both men’s and women’s clean), a community board filled with local happenings, and a payphone on the wall.
 

There are two additional parking areas on either side of the main one. Taking the road that extends past the building leads you crunching over gravel through a gorgeous woodsy area. Plenty of places to park under the canopy of trees for a more secluded visit. The park hugs the coast of Lake Superior so you’re never a far walk from the water. 

Secluded spots aplenty in Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

A paved road extends in the opposite direction of  the building. A long row of parking spots face the water and picnic benches dot the shore, the perfect spot for a sunset meal.

Picnic on the beach at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

Gorgeous Lake Superior picnic spot at Batchawana Bay.

Both a mid-week afternoon and a weekend arrival an hour before closing left us with this strip almost to ourselves, making it an amazing impromptu bike trail. 

Bike riding alongside Lake Superior at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

Beachside veggie dogs at Batchawana Bay, Lake Superior.

Sunset coffee at Batchawana Bay, Lake Superior

Like it:	Lump it:
Water is so, so clear.	Water is so, so cold.
Picnic tables available right beside the water. Perfect for a picturesque bike ride. Plenty of space to enjoy the park in privacy. Clean restrooms.	The park closes at 9 p.m. which is a shame considering summer’s lengthy twilight. It would also be a fantastic spot to lay and look at the stars. If, like me, you’re not a clock-watcher, the rangers seem reasonable, driving by as we loaded the bikes back on, about 9:30 or so, and didn’t hassle us.

Converse One Star in the sand.

 Info: Batchawana Bay at OntarioParks.com

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