You can visit an abandoned prison near this Ontario provincial park this summer
It's a road trip away from Toronto. 👻
A person in an abandoned prison. Right: A hallway in an abandoned prison in Ontario.
In the mood for a bit of spooky fun this summer? For an eerie road trip from Toronto, you visit a ghostly abandoned facility.
An hour away from Killarney Provincial Park, you can explore a creepy abandoned prison that's slowly being reclaimed by nature.
The Burwash Correctional Centre, also known as the Camp Bison Prison Farm, is a correctional facility located along the Trans Canada Highway.
While it's a bit of a trek from Toronto, the prison is an urban explorer's dream, with long halls, empty rooms and more to explore.
The prison was opened in 1914, built by inmates to house 1,000 or so residents who worked at the prison and its farm, according to Atlas Obscura.
The facility was built on the premise that outdoor work and experience with different trades would benefit the low-risk inmates and lead to their eventual reform as productive members of society, according to the Sudbury Star.
It once housed anywhere between 180 and 820 inmates, but was later shuttered in 1975, having been deemed too costly.
Today the dilapidated and crumbling halls of the structure still stand, with rooms marked by graffiti and peeling paint.
Avalon Eco Resort, an off-the-grid resort in Killarney, facilitates tours of the historic prison. For a fee of $13.75 per person, you can take a peak into the eerie building and wander its halls.
However, if you do want to visit, be aware that a trip to the prison involves a bit of a hike. According to the resort, you can drive to a parking area off Highway 637, which is marked by signs. From here, you'll hike to the prison.
According to All Trails, the hike to Burwash is a moderate trek. Reviewers note that the trail to the prison is over 6 kilometres, so be prepared for the journey.
The trail can also be muddy or flooded after it rains, so you may want to contact the Avalon Eco Resort to get an idea of the conditions before heading out.
The payoff seems to be worth it, though, with the structure serving as a fascinating relic that visitors can explore.
To book a visit, you can contact the resort by phone or email.
Less than an hour away, you'll find Killarney Provincial Park, where the outdoor adventures can continue.
Burwash Correctional Centre
Price: $13.75 per person
Address: Burwash Trail, Burwash, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can visit this spooky abandoned prison just a few hours from Toronto and live out your urban explorer dreams.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.