Fairbank Provincial Park is located on 696 Park Road, in Worthington, ON. The park is on the beautiful lake of the same name, and is known for its incredibly clear waters. In fact, the original name of the park was Wa-Shai-Ga-Mog, Ojibwe for "clear watered lake". Although it's a small campground, the park is very popular due to its many amenities and proximity to Sudbury. I have visited in 2023 and 2025.
I didn't get much information about park history from staff or online, but the paper I found below sums it up pretty aptly.
Fairbank offers:
- paddling to numerous islands
- swimming on three sand beaches
- fishing for smallmouth and trout
- boating around Fairbank Lake
- discovery programming in July and August
- pet exercise at the dog beach
NOTE: there is a trail guide for use at park office.
The hiking trail here is:
This trail is short but sweet. Climb up a large hill to this beautiful lookout over Fairbank Lake. There is a trail guide to explain the ins and outs of this place, including a former sawmill and the geologic studying of the area. (no bikes)
Drive in a LONG road and look out for black bears! Eventually, you'll see a small park office and a dump station prior to. You must stay right. If you turn right at the first exit, you'll go the dog beach and the trail. Continue straight to the main beach and the playground. Continue straight and pass the group camping and comfort station to arrive at the main campground. At the end of the road is the camper's beach. See map below.
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
Loons, ducks, and other varieties of waterfowl.
Warblers (this is a placeholder for birds of this sort).
Wildberries of many sorts
Ferns
On the Wa-Shai-Ga-Mog Trail when it's descending towards Fairbank Lake.
Bring a camera on the trail - great views.
Not a great Highway 17 stop, as it is pretty far off the highway.
Go for a paddle! Check out nearby islands.
Don't underestimate the Wa-Shai-Ga-Mog Trail due to its length, it has an amazing lookout for a small climb.
When paddling or swimming at Fairbank, you may notice how unbelievably see-through the waters are. Well, let's just say Fairbank Lake was called 'Wa-Shai-Ga-Mog' for a reason. After measurement, Fairbank Lake was read as being able to see over 8 metres deep - 24 feet exactly. That's even clearer than some parts of the Pacific Ocean.
And unlike Lake Superior which is also known for its incredibly clarity, the water is warm. You could walk in the water and see your feet without your toes freezing! This makes Fairbank a perfect place to swim, and a popular one at that.
The Wa-Shai-Ga-Mog lookout, featuring a picnic table and a bench overlooking Fairbank Lake.
This park is Lake St. Peter 2.0. A small park on a peninsula, large beach by the entry, small camper's beach, loons, clear waters - the exact same. But unlike Lake St. Peter, this park has more stuff to do, clearer waters, better paddling, and it's less remote - hence more stuff within half an hour. I like this park a lot, and I do recommend spending a relaxing weekend here, especially if you're from near Sudbury. 6.5/10.
Scanned Aug 2, 2024 at 5:14:52 PM.pdfTrail guide
