Provincial Parks for Spring and Early Summer Fun

Whether you plan to venture north, south, east or west in the coming weeks, expect to find yourself in the midst of a spectacular change of scenery as wildflowers and wildlife return to Ontario’s Provincial Parks. Here’s a sampling of some of Ontario’s best provincial parks for spring and early summer submersion, and the events and services they offer during these invigorating months.

To reserve a campsite at these and other Ontario provincial parks please call 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) or make an on-line reservation at www.OntarioParks.com

Bronte Creek

Located between Burlington and Oakville in the Golden Horseshoe region, Bronte Creek offers many recreational activities to celebrate the return of warmer weather. Beginning in mid-April, the park’s Trillium Trail is carpeted with so many Large-flowered  Trilliums that it looks snow covered.  Bring your camera or sketchpad and wander along the trail at your own pace. A wildflower leaflet is available to help you identify the various wildflowers found along the way.

Take part in some of the other family oriented and children’s events occurring during the spring and early summer camping season such as the sheep shearing demonstrations or guided hikes. For listings check www.ontarioparks.com/english/bron.html

For more information call (905) 827-6911.

Charleston Lake

Charleston Lake’s rugged, rocky landscape and rich mix of animals and plants have made it a popular spot for recreation since the 1860s. Spring and early summer are great times to hike Charleston’s trails, as the forests are carpeted in wildflowers and ring aloud with bird song.

You’ll find carpets of Large White Trilliums, Spring Beauties, Hepaticas, and Trout Lilies along the Quiddity Trail. If you’re a birdwatcher, keep your eyes and ears open for Red-Shouldered Hawks, Cerulean Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Golden-winged Warblers.

Hiking opportunities abound at Charleston Lake. From the relaxing 1.5-km Beechwoods Trail to the 10-km Tallow Rock Bay West Trail, you’ll always discover something new.

For more information call (613) 659-2065.

Frontenac

Situated on a southern arm of the Canadian Shield north of Kingston, this semi-wilderness park features pink granite outcrops, vast wetlands and mixed forests, plants and wildlife. Beginning in early April the park is an ideal place to view southeastern Ontario’s abundance of bird life, including Common Loons, Wood Ducks and Cerulean Warblers.

The advent of warmer weather also spawns a world of colour in the form of woodland wildflowers, as well as an awakening of amphibian and migrating bird life at Frontenac.

For more information on the park and its warm-weather wilderness skills programs call (613) 376-3489 or visit www.frontenacpark.ca

Presqu’ile

A mecca for birdwatchers in spring – and throughout the year, for that matter – this Lake Ontario peninsula south of Brighton also promises close viewing of marsh birds and spawning fish from boardwalks that meander over a vast cattail wetland.

View the first wave of bloomers in April on the Jobes’ Woods Trail including the yellow Trout Lily, the lavender-coloured Hepatica and the delicate white Bloodroot. A second flush of colour comes in May with the Red Trillium, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit and a variety of violets.

Every weekend between May 15 and June 20 guided nature walks will be held.  For more information about the park, activities, and camping opportunities, please call the park at (613) 475-4324.

Rondeau

Famous for its Carolinian forest, home to plants and animals normally found in the south-east United States, exquisite sandbar peninsula, and luxurious beach, Rondeau is a favourite spring and summer destination.

The treetops and skies may be full of the colour and excitement of the spring migration but a hiker at Rondeau will find a world of equal colour, beauty and sweet fragrance, often called a botanist’s paradise, along the Spicebush and the Tulip Tree trails. 

The Tulip trees bloom in mid-June but earlier in the season hikers will find the fragrant Mayapple.

For more information call (519) 674-1750.

Wheatley

In Canada’s sun parlour close to its southernmost tip, this secluded estuary on Lake Erie shelters many creatures.  Wildflowers flourish and bloom quickly making spring a magical time of year at Wheatley.

Starting with the Trout Lily and the Marsh Marigold in early April, Wheatley’s annual spring wildflower show occurs simultaneously with the spring bird migrations. The blues, greens, yellows and blacks of the many species of warblers passing through add a pleasing bit of colour to the park’s forest greenery.

Wheatley hosts the Norm Chesterfield Memorial Birding Tour each year during the second week of May at which time a naturalist points out the different birds and wild flowers throughout the park.

For more information call (519) 825-4659. 

Algonquin

Algonquin is an expansive – larger than some countries – landscape of primeval forests and crystal lakes, teeming with wildlife.  Spring in Algonquin is a real delight.  Colours bring life to the forests in May with the Trout Lily, Northern Spring Beauty, Red Trillium, and Painted Trillium.

With hundreds of Brook and Lake Trout lakes, including over 45 lakes stocked with Brook Trout and Splake, Algonquin provides some of the best trout fishing in Ontario.

Seeing a moose along the Highway 60 corridor is almost guaranteed in May and early June as these impressive mammals drink salty water (from winter road operations) as it pools in ditches and wet areas along the shoulder of the road.

For more information call (705) 633-5572.

Voyageur

Opposite the once-treacherous Long Sault rapids around which voyageurs portaged their way up and down the Ottawa River, Voyageur is a popular destination for families who seek a relaxing place in the sun.  It is also a popular stopover for migrating waterfowl. 

Park trails provide an opportunity to view bird activity, wildflowers and a frog chorus in the evenings.

For more information call (613) 674-2825.

Killbear

A picturesque point on Georgian Bay, Killbear offers scenic terrain, good sand beaches, and excellent recreational opportunities. The best opportunity for wildflower viewing at Killbear is in May starting with the Large-flowered, Red and Painted Trilliums and the Dog-tooth Violets and a little later the Dutchman’s Breeches, Bunchberry, Wild Columbine, and Pale Corydalis.

However, Killbear’s main wildflower attraction is the abundance of Pink Lady’s-slipper orchids along the Twin Points Trail between late May and mid-June.

For information call (705) 342-5492. 

MacGregor Point

Located on the shores of Lake Huron, just south of the Bruce Peninsula, MacGregor Point offers stunning lake vistas, relaxing wooded campgrounds, and an array of post-glacial landforms.

Explore spring wildflowers like the Dwarf Lake Iris, Fringed Polygala or Gaywings, Yellow Lady’s Slipper, Twinflower, or Bunchberry on the Huron Fringe Trail or the Old Shore Road Trail.

Celebrate spring each year during the Huron Fringe Birding Festival from May 28 to June 6. Let experts share their knowledge with you at the Nature Study Series starting April 24.

For more information call (519) 389-9056 or visit the Friends website at www.friendsofmacgregor.org

Pinery

An awesome range of sand dunes, 10 km of sandy beach, sun-drenched meadows make Pinery memorable for visitors. Wildflowers like Prairie Ragwort, Butterfly weed and Woodland Sunflower bloom one after another all summer long. See the Mayapple and Bishop’s Cap exclusively on the Riverside Trail during a wildflower walk.

For more information call (519) 243-2220.

Sandbanks

Giant sand dunes and golden beaches form two of the largest freshwater baymouth sandbars in the world, here on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Springtime brings botanists who study the Trillium, yellow Trout Lily, Spring Beauty, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Marsh Marigold, Wild Columbine, Yellow Lady’s Slipper and White Trout Lily that thrive in the park. It’s also a time for bird watching, as more than 20 species of warblers passing through add a pleasing bit of colour to the park’s pine and cedar forest greenery.

For more information call (613) 393-3319.

Sleeping Giant

For the most dramatic heights and lookouts in the province, visit Sleeping Giant’s rugged peninsula with thick forests, myriad lakes and granite cliffs.

Sleeping Giant is a popular birding park.  Come see the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory.

For information call (807) 977-2526. 

 

Caliper Lake and Sioux Narrows

Excellent for fishing, boating, sailing and swimming, Caliper Lake and Sioux Narrows are popular destinations. Be sure to see the White Pelicans, rarely found in Ontario.

For more information call (807) 226-5223.

Contributed by Sarah Watson, Public Relations Intern, Durham College