Minesing Wetlands

April 24, 2021 0 By Charm San

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Minesing conservation area is a designated wetland of international significance and spanning more than 6,000 hectares – equivalent to 15,000 acres. This conservation is home to diverse habitats. The unique collection of fens, swamps, marshes and bogs maintains a delicate flora and fauna; some are even rare or endangered.

Directions and address to Minesing Wetland

Activities

Accessing by kayak or canoe – You can kayak through Willow Creek and the Nottawasaga River. It is a great opportunity to take short or long trips. You can spot many of the waterfowl species.

Snowshoe or cross-country ski facilities or hiking around the trails- You have the opportunity to explore the Ganaraska, Trans Canada and McKinnon trails.

Bird watching – Don’t forget to check out the tower located at 44°21’26.5″N 79°53’36.3″W

Hunting – Hunters must have a permit from the NVCA

Getting there: Address

To give you a heads up – the McKinnon trail where you can park on the side of the road is an unmaintained road allowance. See the map that I have added at the top. To note- google maps give you the wrong address, so do not use that.

For hiking, use the intersection – Park at Mackinnon Road & Concession Road 2 Sunnidale

For Waterfowl Viewing Platform:

44°21’26.5″N 79°53’36.3″W – 44.357361, -79.893417

Take Hwy. 90 west of the Nottawasaga River into Angus. Where Hwy 90 turns southwards, turn right onto County Road 10. Follow into the village of Brentwood and turn right onto Concession Road 2 Sunnidale. Follow until you see the tower on your left.

From Toronto: takes roughly an hour and a half (1.5 hours)

Get on Gardiner Expy W from Bay St – Continue on Gardiner Expy W. Take ON-400 N to Dunlop St W in Barrie. Take exit 96B from ON-400 N – Take County Rd 90 W to Concession Rd 2 Sunnidale in Clearview

For Willow Creek Canoe Access:

GPS: 44°25’19.0″N 79°49’24.8″W – 44.421944, -79.823556

DIRECTIONS: From the City of Barrie, go west on Hwy. 90 (Dunlop St.) to George Johnston Rd. Travel north 8 km to the parking lot and canoe access on your left

Special Features

Wetland filled with abundance of plants, birds and animals

Kayaking or Canoeing

Travel Advice

Why go to Minesing Wetland Conservation Area?

If you are someone who lives closer to Barrie or even Toronto and would like to do some outdoor activity with a family, friends or kids, it is a great place to visit.

Is it worth a visit?

Again if you are in a neighbourhood such as Toronto or Barrie, then it is a great place to visit. However, if you are coming from another country or province, this conservation park does not have any special features that may interest you. However, each angle of the wetland looks magnificent and if you are a photographer you would like to capture these multiple swamps, beautiful birds and water plants.