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A Hidden Gem in Ontario’s Almaguin Highlands

Nestled between Restoule Lake, Stormy Lake, and the Restoule River, this peaceful park is surrounded by rugged cliffs and dense boreal and hardwood forests. It’s remote, tranquil, and deeply connected to Indigenous and fur-trade history.

Over the past twenty-plus years, we have visited Restoule Provincial Park with tents, a pop-up camper, and now with our travel trailer. It's always a delightful visit, and this time is no exception. We love the off-the-beaten-path setting with no light or sound pollution, making it perfect for starry and quiet nights. Beautiful beaches, an off-leash water access space for Sprocket, fun hiking and mountain biking trails - Restoule Provincial Park gets a big CreakingOn thumbs up.

Park Overview

Location: 8818 Highway 534, Restoule, Ontario, Canada
Park Classification: Natural Environment Class, ~2,600 ha
Operating Season: May to October (check Ontario Parks for exact dates)
Official Website: Ontario Parks – Restoule Provincial Park
Reservations: Ontario Parks reservation portal

Camping & Facilities

Campgrounds: Bells Point, Putts Point, and Kettle Point (with ~286 sites, ~97 electrical)
Campsite Types: Tent, trailer, RV, walk-in, seasonal, and backcountry sites
Comfort Stations: Showers, laundry, flush and vault toilets at Putts and Kettle Points
Backcountry Camping: 12 water‑access sites on Stormy and Clear Lakes; marked campsites with fire pit and privy
Pet‑Friendly Area: Dedicated pet beach at Bell’s Point boat launch for exercise and swimming. There is also a fenced leash-free pet area at the west end of the campground, accessible from the Kettle Point campground and the Angel’s Point Trail.
Day Use Amenities: Two picnic shelters along Restoule River, boat launches, docks, sand beaches, including Kettle Beach (volleyball net).
Rentals Available: Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, mountain and youth bikes (deposit required)

Impressions: Clean, well-maintained facilities tucked into a quiet forest. The campgrounds offer space and scenic privacy, with comfort stations receiving regular upkeep.

Trails & Outdoor Activities

Hiking Trails:

There are some fun hikes in Restoule Provincial Park, with the Fire Tower Trail being the highlight. That said, don’t do as we did. Tackling the Fire Tower Trail with anticipation of the Stormy Lake Lookout, we somehow managed to miss the lookout. As you approach the top following a steep climb, the lookout trail goes off to the left. We missed it and continued along the trail to the right. Oh well, reason to come back.

Fire Tower Trail (4.1 km loop): Moderate difficulty, ~1.5–2 hrs hike; climbs through red pine plantation to a historic fire tower overlooking Stormy Lake Bluff and Amber Lake. One of Ontario’s top lookout trails.
Rangers Point Trail (0.86 km): Gentle double‑track trail leading to scenic picnic sites with views of the Bluff and Fire Tower — great for families.
River Trail (1.2 km): Riverfront walk through rolling terrain along Restoule River with forest views.
Grawbarger Trail (1 km): Connects campgrounds with day‑use areas, winding by Grawbarger Rapids.
Gibs Trail (2.4 km one-way): Linear trail through mature hardwood forest to a shoreline lookout and swim spot.

Mountain Biking:

While the Angels Point Trail is the official mountain biking trail in the park with some fun single track, you can ride all the hiking trails except the Fire Tower Trail. Bikes are available to rent at the Visitor Centre. Combining all the trails and park roads, you can piece together a 12-15 km ride. As mountain biking in Ontario provincial parks goes, Restoule is worth bringing your mountain bike to.

Angel’s Point Trail (~2.8 km): Offers both single-track (moderate technical) and double-track loops through hardwood forests and rolling terrain — suitable for beginner to intermediate riders.
River Trail (1.2 km): Fun trail that follows the Restoule River through rolling terrain. If ridden clockwise, there is a challenging uphill about midway. I would rate this trail as intermediate.
Grawbarger Trail (1 km): Connects campgrounds with day‑use areas, winding by Grawbarger Rapids. It's a fun trail, but watch out for people walking.
Gibs Trail (2.4 km one-way): Linear trail through mature hardwood forest to a shoreline lookout and swim spot. Slow going over a non-stop rock and root surface. Given the slow pace and the attacking deerflies, I gave up on this trail halfway through, so I'm not sure if the end point lookout is worth the effort. Please leave a comment if you made it to the end.
Rangers Point Trail (0.86 km): This easy double‑track trail leading to scenic picnic sites along the lake is worth a ride.

Water & Wildlife Activities:

Interestingly, Restoule Provincial Park’s reputation for spectacular paddling and fishing opportunities is the main reason for our return. However, with a rainy day and hiking and biking taking up our time, we still haven’t been able to enjoy the water fun Restoule Provincial Park is known for.

Paddling: Access Stormy, Clear, and Restoule Lakes as well as the Restoule River with scenic cliffs and waterside rapids. Ideal for day trips or longer backcountry paddling toward the French River and Lake Nipissing
Fishing: Trout, splake, walleye, bass, muskie, pickerel, pike, and whitefish are common catches.
Bird & Wildlife Watching: Home to over 90 bird species, including peregrine falcons, bald eagles, herons, and mammals such as deer, moose, wolves, otters, and pine martens.

Day Use & Amenities

Picnic Shelters: Two along Restoule River with scenic views and tables
Visitor Centre: Small but informative centre near the day-use area
Play Areas: No playgrounds on site; closest stores and services in the hamlet of Restoule (~9 km south)
Park Store: Basic supplies (ice, firewood, souvenirs); there is a general store in Restoule (9km) and a full selection available in North Bay(72km)

Nearby Attractions

Hamlet of Restoule: ~9 km south — local general stores, restaurants, galleries
French River & Almaguin Highlands: Ideal for extended paddle trips and scenic day drives
Dark Sky Viewing: the remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities, making it peaceful and quiet at night.

RV Camping at Restoule Provincial Park

If you're seeking an RV-friendly park that offers peaceful seclusion, excellent lake access, and scenic trails, Restoule Provincial Park should be on your list. The spacious, tree-lined sites, dependable electrical service, and nearby amenities make it a comfortable and scenic base camp — ideal for paddling, hiking, or simply soaking in the northern ambiance. It’s especially enchanting in fall when the hardwood canopy explodes in colour and the park quiets down.

RV-Friendly Campgrounds

Electrical Sites: Restoule offers 97 electrical sites, most of which are located in the Putts Point and Kettle Point campgrounds. These sites are suitable for trailers and motorhomes up to 32 feet in length, depending on the site.
Site Surface & Layout:
Sites are a mix of gravel and packed earth, with good drainage and tree coverage for shade. Many are pull-through or easy to back into, with enough space to deploy awnings and set up outdoor seating comfortably.
Service Hookups:
While sites offer electrical hookups (15/30 amp), there are no water or sewer hookups at the sites. However, a fill station and sani-dump station are located near the park entrance and are easily accessible to RVs.

Amenities for RV Travellers

Dump Station:
A sani-dump station with rinse water is available and can accommodate larger rigs.

Booking Tips for RVers

Reserve early during peak summer weekends and the fall colour season — electric sites fill up quickly, especially in Putts Point, which offers more level ground and convenient access to comfort stations and trails.
If travelling with pets, consider requesting a site in the Kettle Point Campground for convenience.
Site-specific photos and details are available on the Ontario Parks reservation site to help you choose the best fit for your rig.

Restoule Provincial Park is a lesser-known treasure that blends wilderness serenity with well-equipped camping and activity options. Whether you're hiking the Fire Tower Trail for dramatic views, biking through golden hardwoods, paddling scenic waters or simply unwinding lakeside, Restoule delivers across the board. Especially in the fall, the vibrant foliage and clear star-lit nights make it a standout destination for families, solo adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.