When Parks Canada asked me to come and experience Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay National Park, I was thrilled. Aaaand then I found out about the snakes. Look, I’m no chicken; I’ve jumped out of a plane, rafted white water, traveled solo with kids in tow around the world, and even gently rehomed spiders. But snakes? In the immortal words of my forever boyfriend, Indiana Jones, “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” Oh, and did I mention the bears?
Yes, Beausoleil Island, with its stunning natural beauty atop the Canadian Shield, is also home to the Eastern Massasauga rattler, black bears, and an ungodly amount of poison ivy. It immediately became clear that I couldn’t do this alone. I needed backup: someone to protect me from bears, someone to carry me if I fainted at the sight of a snake, and someone with a deep understanding of how to navigate poison ivy. It was clear, this had to be a girls’ trip.
And so, in the first days of autumn 2024, six of my besties and I embarked on what would quickly become the most memorable trip we’ve ever taken. Spoiler: we’d do it all again…well, almost all of it. More on that later.
Planning an Epic Girls’ Trip to Beausoleil Island
We Set Up Camp
A little known fact about me is that I was in the Army Cadets as a young teenager. I’ve camped in the harsh Canadian winter in a bivouac, and spent a couple of summers at the former Camp Ipperwash* along Lake Huron. I spent weeks finding sand in every nook and cranny of my body afterwards by the way, but I digress. The point being, I’m not new to camping. Been there, not interested in it again. I’m a glamper now baby and frankly I will not apologize for it.
The only reason I even agreed to visit Parks Canada was because I knew they had oTENTiks. What’s an oTENTik you may ask? To me it’s what keeps you from waking up soaked in dew, with a stiff back from the hard ground, and the sun heating your tent up at dawn. It’s what makes camping civil damnit. Parks Canada though would probably tell you that a oTENTik is a cross between an A-frame cabin and a prospector tent mounted on a raised wooden floor. Potato-potahto. Either way they’re genius.
Not a single one of us had ever stayed in an oTENTik before and I can honestly say, after one night, we were all in agreement, we were definitely doing this again. Clean and homey, each oTENTik can sleep up to six people. These permanent and comfortable accommodations also require no set-up by campers. You’ll need to bring a some things of course but you can count on the following:
- Sleeping area: Three sleeping platforms with mattresses.
- Seating: Table and benches or chairs.
- Lighting: Electric, solar, or battery-powered lamp.
- Safety: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, plus a fire extinguisher.
- Heating: Small heater or wood-burning stove.
- Cleaning: A broom and dustpan to keep things tidy
oTENTiks don’t have plumbing or running water, but the public restrooms on Beausoleil Island are very clean, and private showers are available (remember your flips flops for showers). Potable water is also available for consumption and cooking. And yes, ice is available to keep your drinks cool. There is no wifi available on the island, but nobody had trouble with reception.
The site around each oTENTik is large, your front lawn so to speak, and comes with a bear locker, a picnic table, and a firepit. Wood is available at the visitor centre.
A word about that bear locker. USE IT. While we didn’t see a bear the entire time we were there, we trusted the staff and the warnings. No one wants to have a run in with a hungry black bear, so don’t leave food out on your picnic table and don’t bring in any late night snacks to your oTENTik. You can easily fit in a 26″ x 15″ cooler in the bear locker along with several bags of food. If you need extra space due to a longer stay there is also a larger storage locker you can access. Bonus tip: don’t forget to lock up your scented items, including your toothpaste, in the bear locker. Apparently bears like minty fresh breath too.
(And we didn’t see a snake.)
We Made Fire
After we set up camp, we had the privilege of spending time with Shawn Corbiere, the Indigenous Outreach Officer for Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Shawn taught us how to throw an atlatl (a traditional Indigenous hunting tool) and how to make fire without modern tools. Shawn deserves all the props for putting up with this crew; we are, to put it mildly, a handful. Luckily, Shawn has a fantastic sense of humour, and by the end of our time together, we had sore sides from laughing and a newfound sense of confidence in our survival skills. You can book this experience with Shawn or another Indigenous liaison with Parks Canada.
As it turns out, between the seven of us, we’d survive in the wild now thanks to Shawn. Some of us had an impressive knack for hunting with an atlatl, while others could start a fire almost instantly. It was a good reminder for this group that alone, we’d probably be hungry and cold, but together? We could really zhoosh up the place.
That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that when night fell, we went straight for the Bic lighter to get our fire going and whipped up Croque Monsieurs on our propane stove. Survival skills are great, but we’re not martyrs. If the zombie apocalypse comes, though, you’ll want to seek us out. We got you.
Our evenings around the campfire gave us the connection we crave with friends. We swapped stories, marvelled at the brilliance of the dark sky above us (there’s just something about escaping the city lights that makes you truly appreciate the universe around you), laughed until we cried, toasted marshmallows, and connected in a way that only women can around a fire.
(And guess what? No snakes.)
We Biked
Beausoleil Island is truly unique. Situated partially on the Canadian Shield, it’s home to a rare mix of both northern and southern plant and animal species, thanks to a phenomenon known as the “edge effect.” This natural diversity is extraordinary, so don’t miss your chance to explore as much of it as possible by renting bikes from the visitor centre. If the beauty of this place could inspire the legendary Group of Seven, it will undoubtedly move you too.
Whether you’re gliding (read: huffing and puffing) along forested trails or pedalling up (or pushing your bike up, because sometimes gravity wins, and there’s no judgment here) the rocky Canadian Shield, the views are nothing short of spectacular. At one point, we even paused for a guided meditation courtesy of one of our more woo-woo friends. Natural dopamine hits are the best, especially when they come with a side of smug accomplishment because hell yeah our mid-century asses did that.
The ride was exhilarating, the scenery was breathtaking, and my snake anxiety took a backseat as we sped along. I convinced myself that those little squiggle marks on the trails were just tire marks. Yep, definitely tire marks. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
(And still, no snakes.)
We Hiked
In addition to biking, we took the time to explore the island on foot. One of the first things you’ll notice on Beausoleil Island is the stillness. With no car traffic or city sounds, the quiet wraps around you like a comforting blanket. It’s peaceful, it’s grounding, and frankly, it’s something we all need more of. There are also parts of the island where you’ll want to ditch the bikes and walk, the terrain demands it.
If I may grab my soapbox for a moment, walking through this pristine environment is a powerful reminder of all we stand to lose if we don’t make massive changes to address climate change. It’s a privilege to witness such untouched beauty, and it’s on all of us to protect it.
There’s so much to see and explore on Beausoleil Island that Parks Canada has created an app for it. The app provides walking tours, family activities, and Indigenous stories to enrich your experience. On our hikes, we wandered through forests bursting with fall colours, with the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional sound of…wait, was that a snake?
Yes. Sunbathing on the warm rock of the Canadian Shield, we came across a garter snake. Okay, I have those in my garden at home. Deep breath, Candace, you’re fine. You’re fine.
(One snake…but not a Massasauga Rattler.)
We Broke a Friend
Okay, this was the funny-not-funny part of our trip, and let me just say this: I do not recommend Chicken Baseball for anyone. Not even trained shenanigan professionals like us. (You can read all about that misadventure here, because honestly, it deserves its own cautionary tale.)
The important thing to know is that if you ever need emergency assistance, help is reliably available on Beausoleil Island—which is reassuring when your group leans more towards chaos energy. Now, moving right along.
(And yay! No snakes—just stupid rubber chickens)
We Said Until We Meet Again, Not Goodbye to Beausoleil Island
After a whirlwind weekend of adventure, we packed up ( albeit down two friends—damn you, Chicken Baseball), ensuring we left the island even better than we found it. And then, as we made our way to our reserved departure time on the DayTripper, for the journey back to the mainland, it happened: I saw a snake.
Actually, I heard it first—a warning shot across the bow that I took very seriously. My head snapped forward, and my feet slipped into hyper mode as I shouted, “That’s a rattler! That’s a rattler!”
Sure enough, there it was: an infamous Eastern Massasauga Rattler, casually lounging at the visitor centre as if to say goodbye and remind us who truly owns this island. One of my braver girlfriends stood at a healthy distance to observe it, her calm confidence somehow convincing me to inch closer. And you know what? It wasn’t as terrifying as I’d imagined. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not about to start charming snakes—but I felt strangely empowered by facing my fear.
The snake didn’t leap at us, hiss, or coil menacingly. It simply went about its snakey little business before Parks Canada staff quickly and gently relocated it to a safer spot.
(One “stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours” rattler, and a surprising sense of accomplishment for facing a fear. I’d still happily return, snake sightings and all.)
Now Plan Your Own Girls’ Trip to Beausoleil Island
Beausoleil Island is just the adventure you and your friends need. From its natural beauty to the bonds you’ll strengthen with your friends, it’s a place that demands to be experienced.So grab your besties, plan your escape, and make memories you’ll be reminiscing about for years to come.
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