Petroglyphs Provincial Park
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Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ Petroglyphs Provincial Park
2249 Northey’s Bay Rd., Woodview, Ontario, K0L 3E0 Wheel Chair Accessible - Paths have Barrier-free access and there is a special parking lot closer to the petroglyph site and Learning Place that is available for senior citizens and others who cannot walk long distances. One wheelchair is available at the Learning Place upon request and another is located at the Petroglyph Site. Operating Hours : May - October - Day Use Only - Daily 10:00am - 5:00pm (No vehicle access after 4:30pm. All vehicles must exit before gates close at 5:30pm). The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Spring and Fall with the exception of Holiday Mondays. |
Blog Entries: Petroglyphs Provincial Park - September 2015
Terrain - Thick bush of pines and poplars and other deciduous trees. Good balance of sun and shade areas. Gorgeous woodland area.
Staff - Super friendly and very knowledgeble
Bathrooms - Flush toilets are available at the Learning Place.
- 2 Outhouses just before the Visitor Center (The Learning Place). Not well maintained, no hot water in the sinks. Very dark and full of dirt and insects. It was the only part of the entire park that needed work.
Beach - none
Out Door Water Faucets - Signs indicate places where there should be one but it doesn't actually exist.
Hiking Trails -Ratarat Trail - 1 km, moderate
Located at the West McGinnis Picnic Area, this short hike meanders through mixed forest and past the beautiful and unique McGinnis Lake. It’s a great area to have a picnic and then go for a short hike.
Marsh Trail - 7 km (2.5 hours) moderate
This trail winds through dense pine forest and marsh and then climbs - steeply in parts - to uplands.
Nanabush Trail 5.5 km (1.5 hours) easy
The trail crosses a variety of terrain from wetlands to rock outcrops. A trail booklet describes native legends: Learn how the White Birch got its black marks, why moss grows on rocks and how the Milky Way was created.
West Day-Use Trail 5 km (1.5 hours) moderate
This narrow trail winds through large pine stands and areas of oak and birch. A bridge crosses an ancient streambed made thousands of years ago.
Pet Amenities - none
Playground - none
Park Store: - The Park Store, located in the Learning Place, offers souvenirs and refreshments. Browse through nature books for children and
adults, as well as books on rock art and Aboriginal culture. Relax in front of the stone fireplace while enjoying a cup of coffee, tea or
cider and a snack.
Boat/Canoe Rentals: - none
Staff - Super friendly and very knowledgeble
Bathrooms - Flush toilets are available at the Learning Place.
- 2 Outhouses just before the Visitor Center (The Learning Place). Not well maintained, no hot water in the sinks. Very dark and full of dirt and insects. It was the only part of the entire park that needed work.
Beach - none
Out Door Water Faucets - Signs indicate places where there should be one but it doesn't actually exist.
Hiking Trails -Ratarat Trail - 1 km, moderate
Located at the West McGinnis Picnic Area, this short hike meanders through mixed forest and past the beautiful and unique McGinnis Lake. It’s a great area to have a picnic and then go for a short hike.
Marsh Trail - 7 km (2.5 hours) moderate
This trail winds through dense pine forest and marsh and then climbs - steeply in parts - to uplands.
Nanabush Trail 5.5 km (1.5 hours) easy
The trail crosses a variety of terrain from wetlands to rock outcrops. A trail booklet describes native legends: Learn how the White Birch got its black marks, why moss grows on rocks and how the Milky Way was created.
West Day-Use Trail 5 km (1.5 hours) moderate
This narrow trail winds through large pine stands and areas of oak and birch. A bridge crosses an ancient streambed made thousands of years ago.
Pet Amenities - none
Playground - none
Park Store: - The Park Store, located in the Learning Place, offers souvenirs and refreshments. Browse through nature books for children and
adults, as well as books on rock art and Aboriginal culture. Relax in front of the stone fireplace while enjoying a cup of coffee, tea or
cider and a snack.
Boat/Canoe Rentals: - none
Things To Do At Petroglyphs Provincial Park
- Visit the Petroglyphs (NOTE: Photgraphy of the petroglyphs is prohibited for cultural reasons) This park is home to nearly 1000 rock carvings that scientists estimate were drawn between 500 and 1000 years ago.
- Self Guided trails
- Picnicking
- Birding
- Natural Heritage Education
The Natural Heritage Education team offers several evening programs during July and August. Each program begins with showing the award winning film “The Teaching Rocks,” at the Learning Place theatre. Visitors are then led to the sacred Petroglyphs Site. Listen to park guides tell stories generations old, relating to First Nations and various understandings as to why these carvings were made.
Attractions And Places To Go Near Petroglyph Provincial Park
Closest Large City - Peterborough, Ontario
-Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough
-Canadian Canoe Museum
-Peterborough Lift Lock
-Indian River Reptile Zoo
-Kawartha Downs and Speedway
-Peterborough Farmers Market
-Escape Maze
-Zap Attack Laser Tag
-Kawartha Goldf And Country Club
Directions:
From Peterborough: In Peterborough turn right onto Highway #7 East towards Ottawa. Turn left onto Highway #28 towards Bancroft. Turn right on Regional Road #56 (Northeys Bay Road) to the parks entrance.
Signs For Directions To Park - Don't follow the GPS. It will get you lost. The signs are not the easiest to see, but they are preferable to the GPS. When you get to the entrance of the park, there is a long drive through a thickly wooded narrow, one-way, dirt road before getting to the parking lots.
From Peterborough: In Peterborough turn right onto Highway #7 East towards Ottawa. Turn left onto Highway #28 towards Bancroft. Turn right on Regional Road #56 (Northeys Bay Road) to the parks entrance.
Signs For Directions To Park - Don't follow the GPS. It will get you lost. The signs are not the easiest to see, but they are preferable to the GPS. When you get to the entrance of the park, there is a long drive through a thickly wooded narrow, one-way, dirt road before getting to the parking lots.