Misery Bay Nature Reserve Park

On an ancient flat rock sea bottom. This unique feature, known as an alvar, presents unusual geological viewing opportunities. The Great Lakes Basin has the only alvars found in North America, and most of the alvars found in the world. Manitoulin Island is on the northern rim of this large land feature. The Manitoulin cluster of alvars are the most significant alvars found anywhere in the world. Of special interest to some will be the relict remains of inland beaches left on the rocks at Misery Bay Park by the retreat of three different great prehistoric lakes. The park Centre building is constructed on the most ancient of these relict shorelines.