The Best Way to See the Mazinaw Pictographs at Bon Echo Provincial Park – Interpretive Boat Tour
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Bon Echo Provincial Park is one of the most popular provincial parks in Ontario, offering rugged views of the Canadian Shield and fantastic hiking and paddling opportunities! This Ontario Park also has a rich Indigenous history as it is best known for Mazinaw Rock, a sacred site featuring over 260 Indigenous pictographs.
Mazinaw Rock and the Mazinaw Pictographs by far Bon Echo’s main attraction, with many visitors coming to paddle along the cliff side and see the pictographs from their canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board. But if you visit Bon Echo during the summer months, there is also an Interpretive Boat Tour that brings you to the pictograph site and also explains the meaning behind them.
Whether you paddle on your own, or take the boat tour, seeing the pictographs of Mazinaw Rock are definitely a bucket list activity for everyone in Ontario!
Table of Contents
Mazinaw Rock
Mazinaw Rock is a 100m (330ft) tall cliff within Bon Echo Provincial Park. This cliff face towers over Mazinaw Lake, which is divided into two sections, Upper Mazinaw Lake and Lower Mazinaw Lake, and they are separated by a small section called The Narrows.
Mazinaw Rock itself stretches between both Upper Mazinaw and Lower Mazinaw lakes however the pictographs are only along a section of the Rock that is in Upper Mazinaw Lake. Mazinaw Rock is mostly made of granite.
Mazinaw Rock is actually what gave Bon Echo Provincial Park its name! “Bon” means “good” in French so the park is named “Good Echo”. Sometimes you can hear echoes bouncing off the cliff face!
Mazinaw Pictographs and their Meanings
Spiritual and Historical Significance of the Mazinaw Pictographs
Mazinaw Rock is a sacred site for Indigenous groups, especially those within the Algonquian language family, particularly the Anishinaabe. It has spiritual significance to Indigenous Peoples because of the over 260 ancient pictographs painted along the base of Mazinaw Rock.
The Mazinaw Pictographs are thought to have been painted between 300 and 1000 years ago by ancestors of Algonquin people. “Mazinaw” is actually the Algonquin word for “picture” or “writing.”
At the time of the pictographs creation, these Algonquin ancestors would have painted them by hand right from a canoe, which is why all the pictographs are along the base of Mazinaw Rock. There are no pictographs higher than 4 feet from the lake water level.
It is also believed that the original painters of these pictographs would be visiting Mazinaw Rock for either vision quests or ceremonies. They were likely made for spiritual reasons as many of the pictographs depict different spirits from Algonquin mythology.
The Mazinaw Pictographs are the largest rock art site in southern Ontario and also the only major pictograph site in southern Ontario. Because of this the Mazinaw Pictographs are designated as a National Historic Site of Canada! There are petroglyphs you can see that were also made by ancestors of the Anishaabe people at nearby Petroglyphs Provincial Park.
The Meanings of the Mazinaw Pictographs
I won’t be sharing all the known meanings of the Mazinaw Pictographs as I want to protect the integrity of the interpretive boat tour, as well as the information in the Bon Echo Visitor Centre. I’ve decided to highlight the meaning behind two of the pictographs.
Whether you choose to do the Interpretive Boat Tour or paddle on your own, you will be able to learn about the context behind the pictographs either way.
Mishipizheu
Mishipizheu translates to “the Great Lynx”, and this is an underwater creature within Anishaabe legend. It is also present in the lore of other Indigenous groups around the Great Lakes region.
Mishipizheu protects sacred rock art sites, and inspects those who pass. It is believed that the Great Lynx can drown people and sink canoes, but this is usually only done to travellers Mishipizheu believes to be disrespectful. The creature can even create thunderstorms just by slapping its tail on the lake’s surface.
Within this particular pictograph you can see two Mishipizheu, while there is a large canoe with many paddlers within it just below them. Indigenous people ask the Great Lynx for good weather when crossing large bodies of water like Mazinaw Lake, and that is likely what is being depicted in this pictograph.
Thunderbird
Thunderbird is the counterpart of Mishipizheu within Algonquin legend. While the Great Lynx rules the water, Thunderbird rules the skies. Thunderbirds can flap their wings and create winds and thunder, and they can cry and create rain and lightning.
This pictograph depicts Thunderbird and it shows its talon touching a vein of quartz within the granite of Mazinaw Rock. Within Algonquin mythology it is believed that quartz marks where Thunderbird’s lightning hit on Earth. You can see how the spiritual meaning of the pictographs are connected to the natural world.
How Do We Know the Meanings of the Mazinaw Pictographs?
The majority of Indigenous groups practice oral history when passing down the beliefs and legends within their culture and the Algonquin people are no different. Ontario Parks and the Friends of Bon Echo Park have worked with local Anishaabe Nations to help interpret the pictographs.
While only the original creators of the Mazinaw Pictographs can know the exact meaning of all the paintings, there is a strong oral tradition to explain most of the Pictographs. Some of the pictographs have a completely unknown meaning, while others are not shared at all due to their specific spiritual significance.
Another neat fact is that many of the Mazinaw Pictographs share the same symbols as the ones in Lake Superior Provincial Park along Agawa Rock! The petroglyphs at nearby Petroglyphs Provincial Park also have some shared iconography.
How Have the Pictographs Lasted for Centuries?
While we don’t know exactly how old the Mazinaw Pictographs are, archaeologists date them to be 300-1000 years old! They are painted with red ochre, which was made by grinding a mineral called hematite into a powder which was then mixed with fish oil or animal lard to make a sort of paint. All of the pictographs are red-orange in colour.
The red ochre paint used for the pictographs was able to deeply penetrate the granite of Mazinaw Rock. This has led to the pictographs being able to last through changing water levels and severe weather like ice, snow, and thunderstorms.
Protecting the Pictographs
Despite the lasting durability of many of the Mazinaw Pictographs, they still need to be protected. When you visit this site, you’ll notice vibrant pictographs, along with others that are much more faded.
When paddling or boating alongside Mazinaw Rock, please never touch the pictographs. The natural oils from human hands have the capability of damaging them. It is also crucial to avoid bumping into the pictographs when paddling so as to not scratch them or splash them with water.
Again the Mazinaw Pictographs are sacred to Indigenous groups and also carry historical significance. They are a living connection between the Algonquin ancestors and the Anishaabe people today. Practicing leave no trace principles when visiting Bon Echo and Mazinaw Rock will help keep the pictographs visible for future generations to enjoy.
Pictographs vs. Petroglyphs
Pictographs are paintings on a rock, while petroglyphs are carvings on a rock. Both pictographs and petroglyphs were made by ancestors of the Anishnaabe people and there are many of both kinds of Indigenous rock art around Ontario and throughout all of Turtle Island (North America).
In Ontario, you can see more pictographs at Agawa Canyon in Lake Superior Provincial Park. There are petroglyphs at Petroglyphs Provincial Park, as well as in the Temagami area. Just like the Mazinaw Pictographs, all of these Indigenous rock art sites are spiritually significant to Indigenous groups.
Old Walt
While you’re visiting the Mazinaw Pictographs, as you continue along Mazinaw Rock you’ll come across a piece of art that seems out of place. “Old Walt” is an engraving dedicated to American poet Walt Whitman. Whitman had never been to Bon Echo, but Flora MacDonald Denison, who once owned the land before Bon Echo became a provincial park, was a huge fan of his work and made this memorial to him.
We can never know if any of the Mazinaw Pictographs were destroyed in order to create Old Walt. Nowadays you’ll notice that the engraving is not very legible. Our boat guide informed us that Ontario Parks and Indigenous stakeholders have decided to leave Old Walt to the elements, and one day it may be entirely covered in lichen. In a way Mazinaw Rock itself will decide which art adorns her.
If you have trouble reading “Old Walt” the inscription says:
“OLD WALT 1819-1919 DEDICATED TO THE DEMOCRATIC IDEALS OF WALT WHITMAN BY HORACE TRAUBEL AND FLORA MACDONALD MY FOOTHOLD IS TENON’D AND MORTISED IN GRANITE I LAUGH AT WHAT YOU CALL DISSOLUTION AND I KNOW THE AMPLITUDE OF TIME”
Interpretive Boat Tour to See the Pictographs – Wanderer Too’r
If you’d like a deeper understanding of the Mazinaw Pictographs, I cannot recommend doing the Wanderer Too’r, an interpretive boat tour run by the Friends of Bon Echo Park. It is a must do Ontario Parks activity, especially for those seeking deeper context and history within the parks.
This is a 45 minute boat ride across Mazinaw Lake alongside Mazinaw Rock where a member of Ontario Parks staff will discuss the meanings behind the various pictographs.
The Wanderer Too’r is a pontoon boat that can seat 27 passengers on board, in addition to the guide and boat captain. I’d recommend sitting on the port side when you get on the boat, as this is the side closest to Mazinaw Rock for the duration of the tour.
The tour starts at Greystones Dock, which is close to the gift shop and Visitor’s Centre. It is also recommended that you arrive at the dock 15 minutes prior to embarkation time.
Once the boat sets off, you’ll cross Mazinaw Lake and the guide will talk about Bon Echo’s nature, including the local wildlife, lake, and geology. As the Wanderer Too’r gets to Mazinaw Rock, the guide points out the various visible pictographs and discusses the mythology behind them.
You can also see sights like Turtle Rock, and maybe even rock climbers from the Alpine Club of Canada climbing Mazinaw Rock’s various climbing routes.
My favourite part was towards the end of the tour when the boat was in the middle of the lake and we discovered how Bon Echo got its name. Hint: Bon Echo means “Good Echo” in French!
Ferry Service to the Cliff Top Trail
Keep in mind that the Wanderer Too’r also offers a ferry service to the Cliff Top Trail. This is Bon Echo’s most famous trail, which takes you to the top of Mazinaw Rock for a sublime view overlooking Mazinaw Lake and the park.
Make sure when purchasing tickets that you buy them for the correct boat ride!
Cost and Timings
The Interpretive Boat Tour costs $30 per person for adults. You can purchase them in advance on the Friends of Bon Echo Park website, or in person at Greystone’s Gift Shoppe and Cafe.
The Interpretive Boat Tour runs daily throughout July and August, and usually on the weekends during the shoulder camping season. Be sure to check schedule times in advance just in case things change. There are 4 tours a day, at 10:30AM, 12PM, 2PM, and 3:30PM.
If you’d just like the ferry to the Cliff Top Trail it costs $15 per person for adults. There are also 4 ferry departures a day, running right before each Interpretive Boat Tour. Make a note of your return time!
Greystone’s Gift Shoppe and Cafe
Greystone’s Gift Shoppe and Cafe is run by the Friends of Bon Echo Park and is a gift shop in a beautiful old cabin on the shores of Lake Mazinaw. Alongside numerous Ontario Parks merchandise, you can also purchase artwork from local artisans, have a coffee at their cafe, and also purchase Wanderer Too’r tickets in person.
The Friends of Bon Echo Park
The Friends of Bon Echo Park is a non-profit organization that supports the visitor experience at Bon Echo Provincial Park, and they work closely with Ontario Parks. By visiting Greystone’s and doing the Wanderer Too’r, you can financially help protect Mazinaw Rock and the whole of Bon Echo.
On their website you can learn more about their rehabilitation, restoration, and preservation projects around Bon Echo Provincial Park.
Bon Echo Visitor Centre
In front of Greystone’s is another old cabin, but this one houses Bon Echo’s Visitor Centre. It is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm and inside you can learn about everything Bon Echo has to offer.
The cabin that houses the Visitor Centre is named Dollywood as is actually from the period when the Bon Echo Inn ran here!
If you don’t plan on doing the Wanderer Too’r and would just like to see the pictographs paddling on your own, I’d stop here first! There’s a room dedicated to the Mazinaw Pictographs with short explanations on what they mean. This way you’ll at least have a basic understanding of the art.
Paddling On Your Own to See the Mazinaw Pictographs
If you’re not a guided tour person, you can absolutely paddle on your own to see the Mazinaw Pictographs. Simply take your preferred watercraft out and paddle over the Mazinaw Rock.
Most people launch canoes from the Lagoon, a sheltered area on Lower Mazinaw Lake. Then you’ll head over through The Narrows, before quickly coming across Old Walt (the Walt Whitman Memorial) and then the pictographs. All of these locations are marked on the campground map.
From the Lagoon, paddling along Mazinaw Rock takes about 1-2 hours round trip, and makes for an easy paddle!
Renting Watercraft at Ontario Parks
If you don’t have your own canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, you can rent them right at the Lagoon! Ontario Parks operates the Bon Echo Paddle Centre Office and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can rent watercraft in 4 hour, 8 hour, or 24 hour increments. And rentals come with PFDs (life jackets) and all other necessary equipment. You can pay with cash, credit, debit, or even with Ontario Parks gift cards.
I haven’t rented canoes or anything at Bon Echo as I usually use my own SUP but I have rented a kayak at Fitzroy Provincial Park and it was about $30 for a 4 hour rental.
Entry into Bon Echo Provincial Park
The last key thing to remember before visiting the Mazinaw Rock Pictographs is to ensure you purchase entry into Bon Echo Provincial Park. A ticket for the Wanderer Too’r Interpretive Boat Tour is not enough to also guarantee your entry to the park.
You’ll either need to book a campsite, or book a daily vehicle permit via Ontario Parks.
Is It Better to Take the Boat Tour or Should I Paddle On My Own?
Bon Echo is one of my favourite Ontario Parks to visit and I have done both the Interpretive Boat Tour and paddled along Mazinaw Rock on my own several times each.
I do believe the boat tour is worth your time and money as it gives you a deeper understanding and appreciation of Mazinaw Rock. I also like that I am directly helping in protecting Bon Echo and Mazinaw when I do the boat tour.
Ideally, you can spend a couple days camping at Bon Echo and do the Wanderer Too’r, hike the Cliff Top Trail, and also paddle Mazinaw Lake on your own!
