Misery Bay Provincial Park For Hiking & Nature
The name Misery Bay (on Manitoulin Island) certainly conjures up all that could be negative about a place. But don’t let the name put you off. According to local lore the name came about because of a conversation in the 1880’s between a farmer cutting marsh grass at the water’s edge and a couple of men in a small boat.
They asked the farmer the name of the place – and after swatting black flies for probably hours he yelled back “Misery”. It turns out the men in the boat were government surveyors mapping the island.
The Misery Bay name stuck despite the fact the place is indeed beautiful – and with wildflowers blooming in the summer I can only imagine how much nicer it would be than the day we visited in November.
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Where is Misery Bay, Manitoulin Island
Misery Bay is located on the south shore of Manitoulin Island – on the waters of Lake Huron. From Gore Bay drive southwest on Highway 540 for roughly 45 minutes.
Misery Bay is now an 1,100 hectare natural reserve (the MBNR) put in place to protect fragile ecosystems including the rare lakeside daisy, pitcher thistle and Blandings turtle.
Even more interesting to most visitors will be the rock you walk on. The park sits on an ancient flat rock sea bottom called an alvar. It is this feature that throws it into the ring of world class parks.
The only alvars in North America are found in the Great Lakes Basin and the collection around Manitoulin Island are the most noteworthy alvars found anywhere in the world.
We saw none of the rare plants are animals and nor did we expect to in November. In fact a thin layer of snow could be found in the woods and skies were in line with what’d you’d expect in November – gloomy with the sun trying hard to come through. Yet the area still had it’s charm.
We walked along the shore and through the woods for roughly eight of the 15 kilometres in the park. I can only imagine how magical the place would be on a hot summer day.
A look at on our hike on the Coastal Alvar Trail to Misery Bay on Manitoulin Island
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Where to stay on Manitoulin Island
There are lots of cottages and small motels to rent on Manitoulin Island.
In Manitowaning the Wayside Motel would be a great choice.
In Mindemoya, Maple Grove Cottages are rated superb.
For more information on Misery Bay Provincial Park visit their website.
Further reading on things to do in central and northern Ontario
- The French River & The Lodge at Pine Cove
- Kayaking Georgian Bay Over a Long Weekend
- The Hike to Agawa Falls in Northern Ontario
- A Week Long Canoeing Trip in Quetico Provincial Park
- A 6-Day Wilderness Canoe Trip in Woodland Caribou
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I love how you captured the beauty of this place despite the gloomy weather. I’ve never heard of alvars but these look so interesting. The textures are all wonderful and unique. Thanks for introducing me to another beautiful part of Canada.
@Mary – Alvars were new to me too. A gloomy day was made far more interesting by exploring new country.
@Lisa I agree. The shoreline is spectacular and it’s a place very few people have ever heard about.
My husband’s family is from Manitoulin Island and we spend time there every summer. It’s one of the most beautiful, unspoiled places in the country!
@Nathalie Thank you for the kind offer. I just might take you up on the offer.
You always show us the prettiest parts of nature. That picture of the eroded rocks with pebbles is my favorite. And Jo has a great idea there. It’s not the best idea to wear your “Rudolf the Reindeer” headband up there during hunting season.
@Michele – I like that photo too Michele. Read an Italian blog that made note of how many deaths had happened because of hunting accidents – something like 12 already this year. Not as bad in Ontario but getting mistaken for a deer would be a stupid way to go.
The rocks in that photo look like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which is what I thought it was at first. Oh, and I’d never heard of alvar before. It looks like quite a hard rock, almost like flint.
Poor guy, it’s definitely misery to have to swat black flies
@Marcai – I’ve actually thought of getting a puzzle made from them! Black flies are definitely worse than mosquitoes.
The rocks in that photo look like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, which is what I thought it was at first. Oh, and I’d never heard of alvar before. It looks like quite a hard rock, almost like flint.
Poor guy, it’s definitely misery to have to swat black flies
What a wonderful job you did of countering the difficulty of a less-than cooperative sun. I love the pebbles on rock. I’m going to be posting some of those nature closeups that I did on my recent trip to the Smokeys. I’m fascinated with nature’s “found objects art”. The “Still Life in Cabin Window” wowed me too!!
@Vera Thank you for that lovely comment. I love looking closely at what’s around me when I’m in nature. It’s amazing the beauty you find.
Gorgeous shots, Leigh. It would be fun to go back in the spring/summer to see the flowers in bloom. Your friend is smart!
@Nancie I’d love to see the place under a summer sun. And Jo made me wear a bright vest too. Always better safe than sorry.
Interesting place. The eroding rock is so fascinating – like machine made nature.
@Mette I felt like much of the rock was like one giant puzzle.
@Sophie There’s a bit of gloom but that was okay. The wind was blowing hard so we felt invigorated by the end of the walk.
@Ted I couldn’t agree more Ted. I usually feel cooped up in November and April and anyway to get outside and make the most of it is welcome. I tried some early season snowshoeing yesterday too – and that helps to get the happy hormones going.
For me, the worst time of the year is the in between zone between fall and winter and winter and spring. The leaves are down and the weather is usually too cold to camp, but not cold enough for skiing. Being outdoors during this time is not as beautiful as normal, but it does not mean one should just stay indoors until it snows or if you don’t like skiing until it gets warm again. These pictures show that there is still beauty found during this time, but it is just a little different.
Looks like it has an air of mystery to it, too. Like the setting of a film based on a Stephen King novel.
I’ve not been to the island. I love the lace like texture of the eroded rock. I have only seen Lake Ontario. I could never get over the size of it and kept on referring to it as the ocean. Lake Huron seems to be bigger still – awe inspiring.
@Jan I agree the Great Lakes feel more akin to oceans. The waves can get so big that you have to treat the lakes with great respect. Lake Huron in the summer is a thing of beauty.
What beautiful colors and peaceful solitude you captured, Leigh. I can almost believe I was there with you –
@Jackie The solitude was lovely. WE actually wished we’d had time to hike the other loop on the other side of the bay.
@Aleah Misery Bay is a provincial park and hunting isn’t allowed. But it’s not worth taking chances. The dogs have neon orange vests too.
Barefoot walking might be an issue. I’d be wearing water scandals in the summer to get in and out of the lake.
What’s it like to walk barefoot on the eroded rocks? Are they sharp? Would love to visit there. And would hunters really mistake Jo for a deer if she didn’t wear the neon vest?
awesome pictures. I can just imagine how beautiful that place would be June to Sept..
@Marty That water would be very inviting on a hot summer day.