Cavern Lake Provincial Park is a nature reserve about 40 kilometres east of Thunder Bay, above Lake Superiors north shore. Ontario Parks lists the park at 188.99 hectares, established in 1975.
This is one of the Ontario pages where restraint is the main visitor message. Ontario Parks says the natural environment is so vulnerable that visitors are discouraged, and there are no visitor facilities or amenities.
Cavern Lake protects an unusual mix of geological and biological features. Ontario Parks describes a rocky canyon outcrop with rare arctic-alpine plants and a large cave occupied by bat colonies.
The cave sits about 27 metres above Cavern Lake and is described by Ontario Parks as possibly the largest cave in Precambrian rock in Ontario, and perhaps Canada. The entrance is 20 metres wide and 2.5 metres at its highest point, with the interior extending 13 metres horizontally.
The cave is home to little brown, big brown, Keens long-eared, and red bats. Ontario Parks warns that disturbance may harm bats, especially in winter. The canyon also supports sub-arctic thickets, arctic-alpine flora, fir-club moss, lichen, alpine woodsia, arctic pyrola, encrusted saxifrage, and fragrant shield fern.
Plan around official research, geology learning, understanding bat habitat, arctic-alpine plant context, and choosing nearby serviced parks for actual recreation.
Confirm whether any access is appropriate, sensitive cave and bat guidance, maps, no-facility expectations, alerts, seasonal conditions, and park rules through the official Ontario Parks source before travelling. Do not enter or disturb bat habitat.
Non-operating park in Ontario Parks locator.
