Windy Lake P.P. is located at 1 Highway 44, in Levack, ON. The park is on the lake of the same name, and it's an extremely popular winter destination for local Sudburians. Alongside its cross country skiing programs and chalet, the park offers many summer activities as well, including a hiking trail, multiple beaches, two playgrounds, and more. I visited in the August of 2023 and 2025.
Windy Lake was developed as a highway-side picnic site, and was designated a provincial park in 1959. The park's landscape was formed by glacial meltwater, and was altered during the 50s development.
Windy Lake is named the way it is because of the high winds in the centre of it. It is commonly called "Makoping", an Ojibway word meaning "bear paw place", due to it's shape when viewed aerially.
The activities at Windy Lake are:
- swimming on multiple fine sand beaches
- large and well maintained dog beach
- cross country skiing on 15km of trails
- snowshoeing on 8km of trails
- large ski chalet centrally located
- ice fishing rentals available at the store
- watersports are very common on the lake
- fishing for trout, pickerel, pike, and bass
- two playgrounds
The trail is:
Transition Trail - 1.5km, moderate
The Transition Trail at Windy Lake tells an important story for the Sudbury area. The land that Windy Lake sits upon is the site of a large meteor, known as the Sudbury impact. The trail highlights this unique geography, and how the flora of the area had to adjust and regrow. This transition is known as secondary succession. As for the trail itself, there's a few boardwalks and marshes, as well as a decent lookout over Windy Lake. Nothing too crazy. (some parts are flat enough to bike, but there's one valley section that's impassable).
Drive in and keep right, avoiding the dump station. Passing the gatehouse/store, you'll see a left turn for the campground area, or a straight path to the park office. Continue straight and pass the office to arrive at the first 3 beach access points, the last of which being pet-accessible. The fourth right is toward the walk-in sites and the boat launch. Drive all the way down past the group camping on the left and arrive at the day use area, with picnic areas, a playground, and a sandy beach. See map below for more details.
The Transition Trail is accessed via Windy Lake Campground.
The ski trails are accessed near the park office.
Windy Lake Waterfalls are inaccessible to the public.
Note that the photos in this section are not explicitly from this park, they are good photos of species that live here.
Birches that line the trail.
Maidenhair ferns (I believe this is the correct name, but I could be wrong)
Common ferns.
White, red, and Jack pines, as well as white spruces.
Go across the road to the Windy Lake Motel and Restaurant to get the green banana slushie. It's amazing for no reason.
This park should be used as a stop-over as you travel north up Highway 144. It's convieniently located, but there isn't too much to do.
Visit in the winter, there's more amenities.
Bring your bikes to explore. It is hilly and the Transition Trail is inaccessible for bikes, but the park is too spread out to not have 'em.
Windy Lake Falls are unfortunately unavailable to the public. Don't try to access them.
Visit nearby A.Y. Jackson Park and Trail, run by the town of Sudbury (see bottom right).
Book a walk in site, or have a picnic by the boat launch. It's easily the nicest park of the park. (see bottom middle).
Be sure to do the 450m southern portion of the Transition Trail, it includes the lookout point (bottom left), boardwalk, and beach access.
Obviously, I didn't get to visit this park in the winter. But, I am well aware that Windy Lake (and Onaping Falls as a whole) is known as a skiing getaway for Sudbury dwellers. Come wintertime, the park is drastically changed. There is a ski chalet only open in the winter, and serves as the hub for the snow activities. Behind the chalet is a trail to both the cabins and the yurts, making access easier. And the Transition Trail is transitioned (I know that's a bad pun) into a snowshoeing path. Those wanting even more can cross Highway 44 and ski at the Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club, featuring three trails with three different difficulty levels. I am no expert, but I see and have heard very favourable things about this winter program, and I say you should consider it, if you're in the area.
When I visited this park two years ago, I remember disliking it. And now, I still dislike it, but I'm more thoughtful to it. I realize that it's a winter-centric park, and I've realized just how crisp and beautiful the waters are. I've even thought about the land's historical usage, importance, and story. But it's still a 2 or 3 out of 10, when considering other parks in the area. There's just so little to do, and even the stuff to do is so spread out.
August 2023
August 2025 (at 6am lol)
Scanned Aug 1, 2024 at 10:10:25 PM.pdfWinter Camping
Scanned Aug 1, 2024 at 10:18:02 PM.pdf
