Restoule Provincial Park: Video Review
Are you considering planning a trip to camp at Restoule Provincial Park?
After seeing this provincial park being recommended time and time again in our Facebook group, we decided it was time to give it a try!
Located between Restoule Lake and Stormy Lake, the park is an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy water-related activities, including swimming (3 beaches, 1 dog-friendly), canoeing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, or boating in general. It’s also a great fishing spot! There’s even an off-leash dog area with their own dedicated puppy beach.
The park has 3 car camping campgrounds – Kettle Point, Putts Point, and Bells Point. In addition to standard electrical and non-electrical campsites, Restoule PP also offers 10 walk-in sites, 2 group camping sites, and 12 paddle-in backcountry sites.
We spent 5 days (4 nights) at this beautiful park to find out just how dog-friendly the experience would be. Spoiler: We’re already planning a return trip.
In this video, we’ll share our experience at Restoule PP. Plus, we’ll discuss tips for setting your campsite up for privacy with a reactive dog in mind and the benefits of muzzling for reactive dogs, including our go-to muzzle, the Adventurer from Mia’s Muzzles!
This video is part of The Kas Pack’s Ontario Parks Reviews series. CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube channel and subscribe to get notifications when new parks are added.
This review includes a collaboration with Mia’s Muzzles, but the opinions shared about the product are all our own. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Restoule Provincial Park
- Location: Restoule, ON
- Year Established: 1963
- Open Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Park Maps: Campground Map, Backcountry Map, Day Paddling Routes Map, Hiking and Biking Trails Map

The Best Things to Do at Restoule Provincial Park
Camping Opportunities
Restoule Provincial Park offers a wide variety of different types of camping to suit just about any outdoor lover.
For those interested in a car camping experience, there are three campgrounds with a mix of electrical and non-electrical campsites – Kettle Point Campground, Putts Point Campground, and Bells Point Campground.
Ten walk-in campsites can be found in the Bells Point Campground, down by the beach and boat dock area. These sites offer added privacy, as you have to park and walk your gear in. However, the sites are less than five minutes from the parking lot, outhouse, and potable water.
If you’re planning to travel with a larger group of people, there are two group campsites.
Campers who love the park and want to make Restoule their home base may be interested in the park’s Seasonal Campsite Program. This allows you to book one of the non-electrical sites in the Putts Point Campground for the park’s full operating season.
Finally, for those looking for a more rustic adventure, Restoule Provincial Park does offer backcountry camping. These sites are paddle-accessible, meaning you must canoe or kayak to the site with your gear.
Hiking Trails
Those who enjoy hiking are in luck, as Restoule PP offers six hiking trails, including:
- Rangers Point Trail (860 m)
- Grawbarger Trail (1 km)
- The River Trail (1.2 km)
- Angels Point Trail (2.8 km)
- Fire Tower Trail (4.1 km)
- Gibs Trail (4.8 km)
These trails offer beautiful views of the surrounding woodland and the park’s two lakes, Restoule Lake and Stormy Lake.
Dogs are welcome on all trails. However, all dogs must be on-leash. There are no off-leash trails in the park.
Mountain biking is also permitted on all trails except for the Fire Tower Trail.

Beaches
There is no shortage of beach options, with three beaches along Restoule Lake.
The largest beach is found between Kettle Point Campground and Putts Point Campground, with parking lots available in each. It has a large sandy beach and a volleyball net.
Further down Restoule Lake, in the Putts Point Campground, is a smaller natural beach. Here, you can enjoy a little added privacy as you take a relaxing swim.
The final beach is in the Bells Point Campground beside the boat launch.
Although this may be the smallest of the three beaches, it does have one great benefit… This is the designated pet beach!
The beach is sandy and relatively shallow, making it a good option for families with smaller dogs, those nervous around the water, and families with young children.
In addition to the three official beaches, there is a special beach area included in the off-leash dog exercise area.
Paddling and Water Sports
With two lakes, one on each side of the park, there are plenty of opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding.
You can find boat launches in Bells Point Campground (beside the beach) and at the Stormy Lake access point, allowing water lovers to explore Restoule Lake, Restoule River, and Stormy Lake.
If you plan on docking your boat, it should be noted that space on the docks is limited and first-come-first-serve.
Canoes, kayaks, double kayaks, and stand up paddleboards are all available for rent at the park with a $100 deposit. Each rental comes with human lifejackets, but you’ll need to bring a dog (or cat) lifejacket with you to ensure everyone can paddle safely.
The park is also a popular fishing spot. The following fish are commonly caught in the area:
- Bass (Large and Smallmouth)
- Lake Trout
- Musky
- Pike
- Splake
- Walleye
- Whitefish

Other On-Site Activities
As briefly mentioned, Restoule has several trails for mountain bikers ranging from beginner to intermediate/advanced.
Mountain bikes and youth bikes are both available for rent at the park.
If you are looking for the ideal spot for a larger gathering, two picnic shelters are in the day-use area, offering a view of the Restoule River.
Pet-Friendly Travel Considerations
This park is an excellent option for pet-friendly travellers. However, like any park, there are some highs, lows, and important considerations when deciding if it will work for you.
The campsites aren’t the most private. This can make it challenging for those with reactive pups.
We did find that the sites along the back edge of the campgrounds often offer more privacy as there is nothing but forest behind you. This, combined with a strategic campsite setup, can make some of these sites feel more secluded.
If you’re interested in hiking but your dogs are nervous around bikes, be aware that most of Restoule’s trails also allow mountain biking.
One of our favourite hiking discoveries was the lookout spots on the Ranger’s Point Trail.
There are 2 places along the trail where you will find an open clearing with a picnic table to relax at and water access for the dogs to splash and play.
One of the best pet-friendly perks of Restoule is its large, off-leash dog exercise area. This is a fenced location with trees, open grassy areas, and a small beach.
It is set back away from the campgrounds but be warned (if you have a reactive or chatty pup) that you have to pass campsites on your way in.
The dog exercise area is fenced, but the fence does end (understandably) as it reaches the water for the beach area. Dogs with poor recall or a desire to roam may slip out of the fenced location at this spot.
Reminder: Always clean up after your dog, including in the dog exercise area!

Things to Do Near Restoule Provincial Park
While there is easily enough to keep you and your pup occupied without leaving the park, a day trip to North Bay is well worth the 1-hour drive.
Whether you’re searching for a dry place on a rainy day or a little air conditioning when the temperatures are soaring, this city has many options to explore.
Grab a bite to eat on the dog-friendly patios at Average Joe’s Eatery & Patio Bar, gd2go, or Cecil’s Brewhouse & Kitchen.
Kick back and enjoy a cold beer in the pet-friendly tap room at Gateway City Brewery.
If you’re looking for a spot to let your pup stretch their legs while still in the city, they have an off-leash dog park on Champlain Park Rd with separate areas for small and large dogs.
There are also pet-friendly hiking trails at the Laurier Woods Conservation Area, as long as you keep them on a leash during your visit.

Our “Paw” Rating
