The McKenzie Interior Trail is suited for expert hikers. It is 22 km long and recommended to be completed in two to five days. This is due to the rugged nature of the trail. Leading to the backcountry, you can camp on the Brush Lakes. Through many lookout points you can see the Stag Lake Peatlands, a provincially significant wetland. The trail begins on the Helenbar Lookout Trail, circles the Brush Lakes and ends on the Semiwite Lake Trail.
Mississagi Provincial Park
Welcome to Mississagi Provincial Park - a beautiful natural environment park located north of Elliot Lake Ontario, Canada. We're thrilled to be able to share our passion for nature with you today. Our park offers 80 campsites that provide a true wilderness experience, so you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature.
Explore our hiking trails and marvel at our breathtaking vistas, or embrace the adventure of backcountry camping.
With plenty of opportunities to rent canoes, you can paddle your way through our pristine lakes and streams.
Our park also boasts excellent fishing conditions, so anglers of all levels can try their luck at catching a variety of species.
So join us at Mississagi Provincial Park, where nature takes centre stage and memories are made around every corner. We can't wait to show you all the wonders of our stunning park.
*Images provided by Northern Exposures Photography, click images for full view
Operated by the Mississagi Park Foundation
To read more about Mississagi Provincial Park, including operating dates, maps, types of camping, facilities and activities, visit Ontario Parks.
Signing Ceremony
A signing ceremony was held at 9:15 am on January 31st 2023 at the Mississauga First Nation Cultural Centre. Ontario Minister of Environment, Parks and Conservation David Piccini signed a new management agreement for the Mississagi Provincial Park with the newly formed Mississagi Park Foundation.
The unprecedented 5-year agreement will establish the new partnership whereby two First Nations and the municipality are equal partners in operating the provincial park. The Mississagi Provincial Park is 20 minutes north of the City of Elliot Lake, within the Robinson Huron Treaty lands.
Seasonal Parking Pass
When visiting our park, you may choose each time to pay to park your vehicle, or you may wish to purchase a seasonal parking pass.
To order and pay for your pass please contact the park. The cost for a season is $75.00 (plus HST). You may either have your pass mailed to you or you may pick it up the first time you visit the park.
Secluded wilderness
If you want a less crowded wilderness experience with fewer tourists, Mississagi Provincial Park is the place to be. The park includes 90 campsites for vehicles and a few interior sites accessible by hiking or canoeing.
Activities and features
Mississagi Provincial Park offers many diverse opportunities for recreational, outdoor adventure. You can take part in:
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Hiking
- Camping (Backcountry, car, group and walk-in)
- Cycling
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Snowshoeing
Helenbar Lake Plane Crash
(The Mississagi Meteor)
In 1946, Royal Canadian Air Force Lt. William "Hugh" McKenzie made a crash landing in Helenbar Lake when his jet, a Gloster Meteor, ran out of fuel. It was the first jet plane accident in Canada.
Lt. Mackenzie survived the crash and lived for three weeks in the wilderness until he was rescued on Flack Lake by a fishing party from Laurentian Lodge. Much of the aircraft was removed by the military, but you can still see the wing-tip fuel tanks on Helenbar Lake. The site is protected by the Provincial Parks Act.
Check out the Muse-AM podcast episode covering the Mississagi Meteor by clicking here.
LumberJack Days
Bring the whole family for a weekend full of fun and exciting competition as the annual Lumberjack Days return to Mississagi Park August 2nd and 3rd 2025! Click below for more info.
Trails
You will find six different hiking trails at Mississagi Provincial Park. They vary in length and difficulty. View more information on Mississagi Provincial Park's trails and with short descriptions below.
The 7 km, 2-4 hour Helenbar Lookout Trail is suited for moderate hikers. The trail leads through a hardwood forest to a ridge with a lookout over Helenbar Lake, then back to Semiwite Lake. You can find loons and osprey as you hike the area. A white sand beach greets you where the Helenbar Lookout Trail and the Semiwite Creek Trail meets.
Follow the easy, 1.2 km Semiwite Creek Trail for a chance to see wildlife and excellent photo opportunities with great views. It begins from the Exhibit Centre on Semiwite Lake and ends at the gatehouse. Return through the camp's road or along the trail. You can complete the trail in one hour.
You can try a challenging hike around all of Semiwite Lake (12 km) which offers many chances to swim along the beach. You can also see an abandoned mining camp and the ruins of a 1946 British jet fighter crash, which landed in Helenbar Lake after running out of fuel. You can complete the trail in 6-7 hours.
This easy, 800 metre trail takes only 45 minutes to complete. You can find interesting geological features and remains of an old logging camp. Begin the trail on Flack Lake's landing and finish at the picnic area.
The JimChrist Trail is 11 km long and takes about 6 hours to complete. Mixed hardwoods and large White Pine trees tower over this trail. You can find a good view of the base of the Helenbar Lookout ridge at its mid-point.