Petroglyphs Provincial Park: A Visitor’s Guide to Ontario’s Sacred Carvings

Ever been to a place that felt peacefully still? That’s the feeling you get when you walk into Petroglyphs Provincial Park. It’s as if your soul knows it’s on sacred land – even the wildlife is quieter than usual. This park is special in so many ways – it’s a living link to an Indigenous past through ancient stories carved deep into stone, and it wants you to bear witness.

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Exploring ‘The Teaching Rock’ (Kinomagewapkong)

As a place of pilgrimage to this day, the Nishnaabe (Ojibway) people believe the rocks’ deep crevices lead to the spirit world. Through the sounds of trickling underground water, the Indigenous people believe the Spirits speak to them. 

The Teaching Rock is enclosed by a captivating protective glass building with a walkaround, where photography and dogs are not permitted. If you do bring your furry friend, bring someone with you to watch them – there’s a bench 100 meters from the entrance (dogs are not allowed past the fence line). 

This is a sacred Indigenous site where you are welcome to observe, learn and ask questions. Make sure that you are respectful when visiting – keep your voices down and encourage your children to behave inside this sacred building. Throughout the day, you will find elders praying or setting up for a ceremonial event.

I’m not sure if they still allow this, but when my son was a little tot, a local Indigenous woman allowed him to take a rubbing of one of the carvings. His smile was priceless! Carved 2 to 3 inches into the rock, you’ll find images of reptiles, shamans, animals, and the Great Spirit. It is believed that these 1200 carvings were created between 900 and 1100 AD, and weren’t discovered until 1954 by prospector Everett Davis. The young lady at the visitor’s centre mentioned that the First Nations people knew about the glyphs all along and kept them hidden from outsiders. It’s amazing to see how something so old stayed preserved for so long and is still being enjoyed by thousands to this day!

If you’re up for it, the Petroglyphs Provincial Park offers a one-hour evening guided tour under special lighting a few times during the summer season. As to the best time of day to see the teaching rocks – I would say anytime. We have visited this sacred place many times, and it’s never been super busy or overcrowded.

Planning Your Visit

Where Is the Petroglyphs Provincial Park Located?

The ancient carvings of the Petroglyphs Provincial Park are located in the rural community of Woodview in Peterborough County. It’s a lovely scenic drive northeast of Peterborough – about 180 km from Toronto (2h30 drive) and 260 km west of Ottawa (3h15-minute drive).

The official address for the Petroglyphs is: 2249 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview, Ontario. Below is the Provincial Parks map of where you can find these sacred glyphs. 

What Are the Petroglyphs Provincial Park Hours and Season Dates?

The Petroglyphs Provincial Park is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from May 8th to October 12th, 2026, with no vehicle access after 4 pm. In case you’re wondering – peak fall colour for this area is the second to third week of October.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park Admission

To explore Petroglyphs Provincial Park, you’ll need a day-use parking permit, which costs $15.50 (includes tax). 

Quick note: the drive-in feels long – don’t worry, you didn’t pass the centre. It’s approximately a 3.5km drive to the main parking lot, followed by a 350-metre walk to the Learning Place Visitor’s Centre. For seniors and those with mobility issues, there’s a seniors parking area that positions you right between the Centre and the Petroglyphs Site.

Accessibility

Sprinkled throughout Petroglyphs Park are several parking lots, which makes life simpler for those with mobility issues or small children. Two lots (east & west) are found on either side of McGinnis Lake. A few more parking lots are located near the Marsh and Nanabush trailhead, and the walking trail to the Learning Place Centre. For seniors and those of you with disabilities, there’s a Seniors Parking lot located right between the Visitors Centre and the Petroglyphs site.

Where To Go and What To See

The Learning Place Visitor Centre

The Learning Place Visitor Centre is where you can purchase your day-use permit if you haven’t done so online. In the Centre, you’ll find a cute little gift shop with Indigenous artwork, skincare items, stuffies, a few treats & drinks, and some souvenirs. 

From the gift shop, you’ll make your way through the Learning Centre where the history, wisdom, and traditions of the Nishnaabe people come alive through artifacts, vibrant displays and a documentary. For the kiddos, there are a handful of activities to keep them busy. It’s a gorgeous centre with beautifully displayed exhibitions – expect museum-quality. From here, make your way to The Teaching Rock, hike one of the three trails or enjoy a picnic at McGinnis Lake. 

We took a ton of photos of the Petroglyphs Provincial Park Visitor Centre, but of course, when you need them, they’re nowhere to be found – pinky swear, I will find them and add them in; or better yet, it’s probably time for another trip to the Petroglyphs. 😉

McGinnis Lake

I love, love this lake!!! There’s just something so magical about hiking through the forest and stumbling upon a breathtaking view of a meromictic lake, which is what McGinnis Lake is. It’s one of Ontario’s rarest. The 12-metre-deep bright blue-green water layers do not mix and are surrounded by a shallow sandy perimeter, which makes the lake look more tropical.

If you’re curious why, Nina Munteanu, an ecologist, has written an excellent informative post explaining the cause of the non-mixing layers of McGinnis Lake.

On both sides of the lake, you have access to parking lots, washrooms and picnic areas. The west side of McGinnis Lake offers stunning cliff views. Be careful when hiking to the edge, as it’s very rocky with a steep descent. I find the west side to be busier than the east, probably because it’s on the way out of the park – on the way in, you’re in a hurry to pay and see the ancient Indigenous glyphs.

Although the views are stunning on the west, I prefer the east – it’s quieter, you see more of the meromictic layers, and you can picnic in peace while taking in the picturesque view. And if you pay attention, you might even see a deer roaming through the forest on the other side of the lake. 🙂

McGinnis Lake Photo Gallery

Petroglyphs Provincial Park Hiking Trails

After exploring the museum and McGinnis Lake, the only activity left to do is hiking. There are a few trails to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate – a paper copy of the Petroglyphs Provincial Park trails map is available onsite as well. If you’re not sure what to pack, check out our day hiking post.

Accessible Trail – Easy (600m, 15 mins)

From the West Day parking lot at McGinnis Lake is a barrier-free trail that ends at a picnic area with a view overlooking McGinnis Lake.

West Day Use Trail – Moderate (5km, 1.5 hours)

Across from the West Day parking lot at McGinnis Lake is the trailhead for the West Day Use trail. This trail is actually quite pretty and very interesting. The scenery changes from pine to oak and birch areas to marshland, creeks and a couple of boardwalks. It’s a hilly hike with some rocky sections. We managed to hike it halfway before turning back, but vowed to tackle it again when we’re not crunched for time.

Nanabush Trail – Easy (5.5km, 1.5 hours)

The trail access for both the Nanabush and Marsh Trail is found right across from the Main Parking Lot. This is a very easy hike that rounds Minnow Lake through wetlands and rock outcrops. If memory serves me right, the boardwalk is warped and rolling underfoot. There are a couple of lookout points overlooking marshlands. 

Marsh Trail – Moderate (7km, 2.5 hours)

Both the Nanabush and West Day Use trails are shared with sections of the Marsh Trail. The trail is windy with steep climbs through dense pine forest to the uplands. This is another trail that we started and hiked 3/4 of the way before turning around. I have to admit, the kids started off pretty well, but after a few rocky climbs and playing with everything in sight, finishing the trail was not something they wanted to do – the promise of ice cream sealed the deal and got them back into the car. 🙂

Make a Day (or Weekend) of It: Where To Stay

Sometimes it would be nice not to be rushed, and having a place to stay helps with that. There are plenty of cottage rentals and resorts to book around Stoney Lake. Two of the closest to the Petroglyphs Provincial Park are: Daiva RV Resorts and Christine’s Log Cabin – both are literally right across the street.

Christine’s Log Cabin

Let’s start with Christine’s, which is a charming log cabin nestled in the woods. It’s a peaceful setting for a restful night after a full day of exploring the largest collection of Aboriginal rock carvings. If you have a hankering for a special treat, order her whiskey cake – it’s to die for!!! As are the homemade butter tarts – yum!

Daiva RV Resorts Stoney Lake

Just down the road is Daiva RV Resorts, a seasonal RV resort situated right on Stoney Lake (known as the gem of the Kawarthas), off Cheboutequion Drive. There are about 20 powered transient sites and 16 tent camping sites, some of which are nestled in the woods or close to the lake. On-site, you’ll find clean washrooms and showers, a marina where you can launch your boat, and canoe and kayak rentals. 

Activity-wise, the resort has a playground for the kiddos, fishing off the docks, swimming at the clean sandy beach with gorgeous lake views, a short hiking trail beside a cascading waterfall, and soaking in the tiny rapids. My kids had a blast riding the rapids with their floaties – it’s even better when water levels are high. The park is quiet and clean thanks to the phenomenal resort management team – who, by the way, are absolutely wonderful and super friendly. So if you’re looking to make a weekend out of your trip to the Petroglyphs, Daiva is a perfect place to get your R&R in.

Or if you prefer to rent a cottage and take in the amazing lake views, there are plenty to choose from on Stoney Lake.

Things To Do in North Kawartha and Nearby Peterborough-Area Adventures

Nephton Trails

If you love off-roading, the Nephton area offers wicked ATV, SxS, and dirt bike riding. Once you’re done hiking the Petroglyphs, trailer your rig down County Road 6 into the Nephton parking lot for some much-needed mudding fun. Just a friendly reminder: motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering the Petroglyphs Park.

Eels Creek, North Kawartha

Just north of the Petroglyphs on Northey’s past Quarry Bay Beach is a small parking lot (about a couple of kilometres away). If there’s still some energy left in the tank, this is a beautiful hiking spot by the creek that leads to High Falls. Truthfully, I have yet to find it – we know it’s there somewhere, but it seems we keep taking a wrong turn. We’ll get there eventually. 😉 I would strongly advise a map. Parking is also tricky – small lot, fills up fast + there’s no parking allowed on the shoulder.

Warsaw Caves, Warsaw

If you love spelunking, Warsaw Caves is a must-see. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the Petroglyphs. This is a park that’s a hit with all ages – offering camping, swimming in the Indian River, hiking, canoeing and fishing. If you’re looking to visit the caves, make sure you read our post for what to expect, pricing and tips.

Ranney Gorge Bridge, Campbellford

If you love suspension bridges, head 1 hour south to Campbellford where you can test your fear of heights at the Ranney Gorge Bridge. The Ferris Provincial Park is right beside the bridge on the Trent River. They also offer camping and plenty of hiking trails, as well as picnic areas and a doggie play area.

Canada’s Dinosaur Park, Indian River

If you’re into dinosaurs, Canada’s Dinosaur Park is about 35 minutes away. It’s Canada’s only registered non-profit reptile sanctuary. Here you’ll enjoy seeing over 100 life-sized animated dinosaurs, a reptile sanctuary, dinosaur museum, walk-through trails, and mini-golf.

Where To Eat

The Log Cabin

Food-wise, there isn’t much in the area – it’s best to bring your own food. On the way up from Peterborough, there is a small shop called The Log Cabin – their gas pumps are out of service, but they do carry a bit of the basics and make made-to-order sandwiches – which are delicious, by the way. Our faves are the grilled cheese, the western and the burrito. Tony does not go light on ingredients – one sandwich will have you feeling full for the day.

The Hippie Chippie

The only other place to eat is a food truck called the Hippie Chippie at the Woodview General Store. There’s a lot on the menu, mostly fries with different toppings, like burger or taco, plus burgers, hot dogs, fish, etc. The dishes are tasty; the wait can get long as it’s a very popular destination for locals and cottagers.

FAQs

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More Travel Inspo from BushLife:

• Crowe Bridge Park: when you want to hide in a dry pocket under mini falls
• Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge: when you want to see what you’re really made of – will you cross
• Egan Chutes: for the water lover who loves cascading waterfalls
• Bonnechere Caves: when spelunking’s not your thing and claustrophobia’s an issue
• Suspension Bridges: DYK that Ontario has many suspension bridges – let’s find one near you

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