Mara P.P. is located on 181 Courtland Street, in Orillia, ON. The park is on scenic Lake Simcoe, and is known for its extensive sandy beach. The park is relatively small but is popular for day-use for those from Orillia or Barrie. We camped here in August 2022.
Mara was opened in 1965 for day-users and 100 campsites.
I did extensive research but could not find the origin of the name 'Mara'. All I know is that it's a relatively common female first name.
Mara offers:
- swimming on a large sand beach
- 2 children's playgrounds
- birding on the Riverside Trail
- boating on beautiful Lake Simcoe
- fishing for panfish, bass, pickerel, and trout
- discovery programming in July and August
- paddling; Mara has relatively calm waters because it's on a small cove
Mara's trail is:
This trail runs alongside a small creek where you can find frogs and turtles for days. Very short and relaxing hike. Popular for beach access via the campground playground. (bikes not recommended, but fine)
When we visited, this trail was under construction - and the listing of it was removed from the Ontario Parks website. I am not certain of its current state.
Drive in. Pass the gatehouse. You'll approach a roundabout. First exit takes you to the campground. Second exit takes you to the first parking lot. Third exit takes you to the second, third, and fourth beach parking lots. Fourth exit takes you to a employee-only maintenance area. The two playgrounds are at the beach and on the roundabout. The trail is accessed near the camper's playground. See map supplied below.
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
Interesting large birds - great blue heron, green heron, osprey, and Cooper's hawk
Day trip here from McRae Point P.P.
Or even better - paddleboard here from McRae Point (route below).
I AM NOT LIABLE IF YOU INJURE YOURSELF WHILE ATTEMPTING THIS ROUTE. ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK - HIGH WATERS ARE DANGEROUS; DO NOT GO ALONE. Starting at the McRae Point dock, head toward Goffatt Island, a large island with many cottages. TIP: go on a weekday - less water traffic. Once there, go past it, towards mainland and you'll feel a sandbar to take a break. Continue on, to see a large peninsula. You must go around said peninsula and enter Mara's beach. Portage through Mara, and turn right onto Courtland St. End up at Courtland Street boat launch and continue back to McRae's dock. The trip took me and my aunt around 4 and 1/2 hours to complete, including an ice cream break at Mara's store.
Please plan accordingly with maps and snacks. Service can be spotty in the middle of the lake, so screenshots and notes are important.
Boring. Too small and not pretty enough for me. I'm not a beach guy - and when your only spectacular amenity is a beach - I'm usually not a fan. 3.4/10 for me.
