Day 33: Penn Lake Park and Campground to Obatanga Provincial Park
White River
Watch for the red-bellied woodpecker in this area. They are identified by light gray face and underparts with black and white barred patterns on their back. Males have a red cap and females have a red patch on the back of their neck and one above the bill.
White Lake Provincial Park is a small provincial park that is a popular place for tourists because it is often warmer than Lake Superior. The park has a small campground, sandy beaches and is famous for orchids.
White River, population 841, is famous for being the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh. In 1914, troops from Winnipeg were being transported to eastern Canada for World War One. When the train stopped at White River, a lieutenant bought the small cub and named her Winnipeg for his hometown. The bear traveled with the brigade to Britain until they headed to battle in France. Winnie was sent to the London Zoo, where he became the inspiration of author A.A. Milne who penned the now world-famous Winnie the Pooh stories. White River has a giant statue of Winnie the Pooh on the side of the road. Check out the White River Heritage Museum and the Winnie the Pooh display. Stop in at North Superior Skate & Cycle for bike service.
Your destination for the evening is Obatanga Provincial Park. Listen for the distinctive call of the loon from any of 32 sparkling lakes located within the boundary of the park.
A major fire swept through the area in 1910 clearing old growth and allowing the forest to regenerate. Jack pine, whose seed-bearing cones only open in the heat of a blaze, are the first trees to return to a forest and are prominent in the park. Look for wild blueberries if you are visiting the park in August.
The campground office for Obatanga Provincial Park’s campground is just off of the highway. Try to secure a site on the shore of Lake Burnfield where you can watch the sunset. Acquire groceries for the evening in White River.
Kilometre Log
0.0 Leave Penn Lake Park & Campground heading north towards Penn Lake
Road.
0.3 Turn right onto Penn Lake Road.
1.9 Penn Lake Road dead-ends into Peninsula Road / HWY 626. Turn right here and climb to HWY 17.
5.8 Intersection of Peninsula road / HWY 626 & HWY 17. Turn right here.
12.5 Intersection of HWY 17 & HWY 627.
58.3 Enter White Lake Provincial Park.
62.2 Turn right to White Lake Provincial Park
Campground.
62.8 Exit to White Lake Provincial Park.
63.6 Cross over White Lake Narrows on a bridge.
73.8 Cross over West White River.
95.2 White River.
96.3 Intersection of HWY 17 & HWY 631.
128.8 Enter Obatanga Provincial Park.
131.8 Turn right towards Obatanga Campground.
132.7 Obatanga Provincial Park Campground.
Road.
Campground.
