Site Details
Closest Access Point: Smoke Lake (Access # 6)
Distance to Access Point: 14.6 KM ( 3-4 hours)
Difficulty of Travel From Access Point: Mostly Easy with a tougher portage along the way.
Maintenance Level: Regular
Date Visited: August 2023
This is a decent spot at the top of Bonnechere’s southern basin. It’s a point site that offers some protection from the elements thanks to a decently built up north shoreline. There’s room here for a couple of tents, but not necessarily the best option for a large group.
Terrain: This is a relatively flat site that occupies a small, west facing point. There are rocks and roots sticking up throughout (it is the forest, after all) and some slight steps up and down. Tree cover is a mix of spruce and cedar.
Canoe Landing: Not the best canoe landing. We approached from the south. On this side there’s a spot where you can slot your canoe in between some rocks, but it’s a bit of an awkward in and out. Towards the tip of the point there are other spots that likely work better, but there’s no perfect landing zone.
Fire Pit: The fire pit is nicely located with a good view west on Bonnechere. It’s protected to a degree from the wind, unless that wind happens to be blowing from the west. Pit is well built on that side and should provide some protection.
Tent Sites: Most tent spots are towards the back of the site. There’s room for a couple of tents here, and decently level ground. That said, I didn’t love the tent placements and probably wouldn’t want to have second choice of spots.
Swimmability: This is a nice site for swimming. The underwater terrain is a mix of small rocks and sand and there are multiple spots where you can slip in.
Thunderbox: A decent walk back of the site. The box is private and protected from the elements. Might be buggy at the wrong time of year.
Accessories: There’s a very nice bench by the fire pit, complete with a backrest. Other than that, not much in the way of campsite extras.
Views: The site has nice views south and west. The tree cover along the tip of the point is just enough that it adds to the view, rather than obstructs it. looking north and east you’ve got dense forest.
Notes: I would probably prefer Site 2 to this site, but that’s not a knock against this one. It’s a good site, it just happens to be about 400 meters from a better one.
Related Trip Report: Rocking Algonquin