About the park

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Misery Bay Provincial Park is located on an ancient flat rock sea bottom and features areas of flat limestone plains known as alvars, unique habitats that host highly specialized vegetation adapted to the harsh conditions of this environment. During the late spring and late summer, the alvars are ablaze with wildflowers. It is this feature that makes the Misery Bay Nature Reserve a world class park. The Great Lakes Basin has the only alvars found in North America, and most of the alvars found in the world. The Manitoulin cluster of alvars are the most significant alvars found anywhere in the world!

The park also supports a rich and varied population of wildlife. Manitoulin is noted for its many migrant and resident birds, and Misery Bay lives up to that reputation. Lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of a rare bird, butterfly, otter, turtle, fisher, fox, or coyote!

Misery Bay Provincial Park is located 35 kilometers west of the Town of Gore Bay, on the south shore of Manitoulin Island; the world's largest freshwater island.  It features flora, fauna and glacial features that are among the rarest of their kind in the province. It also contains the most significant wetland on Manitoulin Island, 15 km of Lake Huron shoreline and extensive areas of scrub woodland and mixed forest. The park, a day-use only nature reserve, was created for the protection of these habitats while allowing opportunities for the appreciation of this diverse natural heritage. A network of carefully selected hiking trails wind through the less fragile areas of the park, providing excellent viewing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.