Bigwind Lake - Muskoka, Ontario
Bigwind Lake is one of the most beautiful, clean, and quiet lakes in Muskoka.
Bigwind Lake and Park were named in honor of Chief John Bigwind, a leader of the local Chippewa indigenous community from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Key features of Bigwind are lush forests and rolling landscapes made up of Sugar Maple, Hemlock, and Yellow Birch, with low-lying marshes and meadows.
The geological features of Bigwind include a ground moraine that had been deposited by the last glaciation and middle to late Precambrian rocks, which are part of the central gneiss belt that form the Canadian Shield.
Doug Ford's plan to destroy untouched, formerly protected wilderness to generate $16M for "the economy".
See in pink and in yellow exactly where the proposed development will be located.
The proposed zoning map on page 17 of the Preliminary Management Plan illustrates areas where the majority of the development, such as trailer/RV campgrounds and the visitor services hub, is proposed in the park (see pink 'development zones'). There is no significant development proposed in areas adjacent to Bigwind Lake. Hiking trails may be developed in the park around Bigwind Lake, and some backcountry campsites may be developed south of Bigwind Lake (in yellow 'natural environment zones').
Join the Petition!
Latest News
- › ONTARIO ELECTION 2025: Developing Bracebridge provincial park 'an unnecessary evil,' claims cottager/advocate. Bobby Dyment says stronger measures needed to safeguard Bigwind Lake park for future generations. Park is set to be developed into a full-service operation by the Ontario government.
- › Construction on Bracebridge-area provincial park won't start this year: ministry. Park is projected to have 250 campground campsites and 25 new cabins. Despite initial expectations for construction to start this fall and completion by 2026, the park remains in the planning and design stage.
- › 'Who's supporting this?': Environmental group bashes plan for proposed Bracebridge park
- › When will work start on Bracebridge's revamped provincial park? Ministry had stated construction on Bigwind Lake park could start this fall, but now won't confirm until site planning done
- › Say goodbye to nature at Bigwind Provincial Park, Muskoka
- › Ontario Parks 'seemed to be sugar coating' plan for Bigwind Park: Muskoka letter writer
- › 'They couldn't care less about it': Bracebridge cottager suggests ministry workers caused oil spill at Bigwind park
- › Proposed Expansion of Bigwind Lake Provincial Park (PDF)
- › Bigwind Lake Provincial Park background Information (PDF)
- › Bigwind Lake Provincial Park Preliminary Management Plan (PDF)
- › Bigwind Lake Provincial Park Life Science Inventory (PDF)
- › Boats and beer cans: Residents concerned about impact Bigwind park will have on lake
Further information coming soon!
Location Information
- Official Name: Bigwind Lake
- County/District: Muskoka
- Municipality: Town of Bracebridge
- Lat./Long: 45.057 N -79.054 W
- Topographic Map (1:50,000): 31E03
- Geographic Twp: Oakley
- MNR Admin. Area: Bracebridge
- UTM (NAD83): 17 653209 4991118
- Drainage Basin: South Muskoka River
Physical Features
- Surface Area (ha): 108
- Elevation (m asl): 335
- Volume (104 m3:): 842
- Maximum Depth (m): 36
- Perimeter (km): 8.9
- Watershed (km2): 4.4 (excludes area of lake)
- Mean Depth (m): 8
- Island Shoreline (km): 1.3
- Water Clarity (m): 5.0
Bigwind Lake Provincial Park
Regional Health Unit for this Park: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Size: 1967.00 ha
Year established: 1985
Park Classification: Natural Environment
The park's ecological diversity includes extensive upland forests comprised of Sugar Maple, Hemlock, Yellow Birch, with low-lying swamps, marshes and meadows. Geological features represented within the park include a ground moraine deposited by the last glaciation, and middle to late Precambrian rocks, part of the central gneiss belt.
NOTE: The park is open for day-use only and has no facilities for visitors.
Location: In the Muskoka region and east of Bracebridge, the park can be accessed by traveling Black River Road off of Highway 118, then north along an unmaintained road known locally as Old Wagon Road. NOTE: No publicly maintained access is available.
Contact Luke Dalinda
Call 416-725-7170 - Email LDalinda@Dalinda.net
