It is noted for its alvars and large dolomite pavements ground flat by glaciers.

[1] Misery Bay was covered by the Laurentide Ice Sheet 20,000 years ago.

[3] The land surrounding Misery Bay was privately owned, purchased by the Sifferd family in 1959.

[4] In 1989,[6] Ontario created a provincial park containing Misery Bay and the surrounding forests.

A volunteer group, the Friends of Misery Bay, runs the visitor centre and maintains the park.