Top 10 Provincial Parks for Fall Colour Viewing

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 Ontario’s deciduous forests sprint to show off their full fall glory. Here’s a sampling of 10 of some of Ontario’s best provincial parks for fall colour viewing, and the events and services they offer during the autumn months.

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

Algonquin Provincial Park
Located in Central Ontario, this is the oldest and third largest provincial park in which to observe the changing fall colours. The peak of fall colour in Algonquin usually occurs between the third week of September and the first week of October.

Take part in one of the events occurring this fall season. Interpretive events will be occurring on weekends until Thanksgiving. For the listings check www.algonquinpark.on.ca/programs/thisweek11.html

For more information on the park, Fall Colour reports, or park events call 705-633-5572 or visit www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Bon Echo Provincial Park
Visit Bon Echo in the fall and you will see why it is considered one of the “Crown Jewels” of Ontario’s provincial parks system. Cool nights, warm days and fall colours combine to provide an unforgettable vacation experience.

Plan a trip to Bon Echo this autumn as the park celebrates the explosion of colour and peaceful solitude.

Mugwump Ferry rides to the Cliff Top Trail, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guided Hikes on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and an evening program on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Canoe Hikes to the Pictographs are Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

“Art in the Park,” October 4 and 5, features landscape artists’ workshops, photography workshops, and artists-in-residence demonstrations.

Bon Echo Provincial Park is open until October 26, 2003. Off-season camping is offered in the Sawmill Bay area of the park’s Mazinaw Lake Campgrounds. There are also two yurts available for rent.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Much of this Southwestern Ontario park was once used for agriculture, but most of the park’s land is regaining its natural cover of trees and plants typical of the deciduous forest region. Species common to prairie areas and the Carolinian forest are also found in the park.

During your visit to view the fall colours why not participate in Bronte Creek’s October events such as Harvest Home or Hallowe’en Capers, both at Spruce Lane Farm House.

Harvest Home is October 11 through 13. Learn about honey extractions and baking demonstrations. See a feast prepared from scratch on a wood burning stove at “Traditional Thanksgiving,” Monday.

Halloween Capers, October 18 and 19, 25 and 26. Explore the haunted barn, walk through the creepy crawly trail or huddle around and listen to spooky stories Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

For the more active bunch Bronte Creek offers Fabulous Fall Hikes. These take place daily on the Harvest Home Weekend, October 11-13, at 1:00 p.m. Marvel at the fall colours of the hardwood forest on Half Moon Valley Trail

Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Summer may be the most usual time for a visit to Charleston Lake Provincial Park, but autumn is arguably the best time. The fall colours alone make a trip worthwhile, especially if you catch the maple trees at their peak, typically in mid-October.

The spectacle of red and golden forests, blue lakes, and evergreen shorelines is one that should not be missed. And not to be outdone, the fall wildflowers, such as the goldenrods and asters, put on a colour spectacle of their own. Then the oaks hit their best, displaying their ochrous hues, before giving way to a more subdued November.

For more information about the park, a Fall Colour report, and autumn camping opportunities, please call the Park Office at 613-659-2065.

Killarney Provincial Park
Located on the north shore of Georgian Bay, Killarney is a vast tract of wilderness, renowned for its white quartzite ridges, crystal-blue lakes, and pine and hardwood forests.

Fall can be one of the nicest times of the year in Killarney, great weather, few visitors, and the chance to see spectacular nighttime displays of Northern Lights. Usually fall colours peak between the end of September and mid-October.

Killarney is an ideal location for self-guided hike opportunities, with priced interpretive publications available. There are also improved wildlife viewing opportunities to see deer, hawks and other birds in their natural habitat.

The Friends’ Outpost shop is open, offering a great selection of educational books, gifts, clothing and original artwork.

Lake Superior Provincial Park
This park is situated in a transitional zone between two forest regions: the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, and the Boreal. The transition is particularly striking in the autumn when the brilliant colours of the southern deciduous trees contrast with the dark green boreal evergreens.

This rugged and beautiful park, on the eastern shores of Lake Superior north of Sault Ste. Marie, provides some of Ontario’s most breathtaking scenery. The Algoma Central Railway travels along the eastern boundary of Lake Superior Provincial Park, the Tour Train runs daily until October 18, 2003. Highway 17 runs around the park, making the hiking trails, campgrounds and canoe routes more easily accessible, particularly for day-trippers.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park
The leaves are just starting to change colour at this park, which is found deep within a forest northeast of Peterborough. It contains the largest known single concentration of Aboriginal rock carvings in Canada.

Explore the park’s fall colours along trails that meander through surrounding forests, wetlands and rocky ridges.

To celebrate Ontario Hiking Day, the staff at Petroglyphs Provincial Park is offering a 1.5 hour guided hike on October 5. The Park Naturalist will be leading visitors through various habitats including rock barrens and wetlands to find out how plants and wildlife are preparing for winter.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Presqu’ile is the most naturally diverse park in Ontario’s provincial parks system making it a haven for both birders and photographers alike.

The park’s forests and open fields boast an abundant plant life with more than 750 species identified to date.

Guided walks are offered Sundays from September 7 to October 12, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Friends of Presqu’ile Provincial Park host various events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings ranging from nature videos on winged wonders, moths and butterflies to educational guided walks on forest and marsh ecology.

Quetico Provincial Park
Located in Northwestern Ontario, between Thunder Bay and Atikokan, Quetico is particularly peaceful in the fall.

Quetico is known for its magnificent stands of red and white pine. Tamaracks speckle the park’s landscape providing vibrant colours for park visitors. Its black spruce wetlands provide ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Although Quetico is renown as a wilderness retreat for canoeists, its Dawson Trail Campground adjacent to Highway 11, features car camping and day use facilities. The campground offers two new yurts available for rental year round. Yurts are furnished tent like dwellings with electric heat, lights and an outside propane barbeque. A number of scenic walking trails are available throughout the campground for visitors to enjoy.

For trip planning information call 807-597-2735. During the fall, campsites are available at the Dawson Trail Campground on a self-serve basis.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Located on the Sibley Peninsula near Thunder Bay, the park’s southern tip features the legendary “Sleeping Giant”. Follow the new “Top of the Giant Trail” to spectacular cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Venture deep into its boreal forests on some of the 80 km of trails to experience backcountry colours. Explore trails along Superior’s rocky coast to discover pockets of Arctic plant life.

In addition to hiking among the fall colours, you can also experience an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities. Try backcountry camping to truly experience the wilds of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Fall colours can be seen throughout September, with the best viewing from mid-September to early October. The Visitor’s Centre located in the Marie Louise Campground is open weekends until Thanksgiving.

Frontenac Provincial Park
Frontenac is 45 minutes north of Kingston, and combines features of the Canadian Shield with a more southerly landscape. The autumn splendor at Frontenac is impressive - whether hiking the 160-km of trails or canoeing to remote campsites. Expect the fall colours to “peak” in late September - early October.

In celebration of Ontario Hiking Day, October 5, the park is hosting an 8-kilometre-long hike on Bufflehead Trail.

The park is open all year and also offers interior camping year round. Campsites are reservable from May to Thanksgiving.

Pinery Provincial Park
Open year round, Pinery Provincial Park, on Lake Huron near Grand Bend, is a popular autumn destination for campers and day visitors.

Park staff provide guided hikes, as well as self-guided tours for car or bicycle, during the park’s Migrating Loons and Fall Colours Weekend on October 18 and 19. The events continue with Hallowe’en Weekend on October 25 and 26.

Pinery has 10 km of sandy beach, 10 well-marked hiking trails, and a 12-km bicycle trail that winds through the park’s rare oak savanna environment.

The Heritage Trail and Cedar Trail are barrier-free to persons with disabilities, and feature a viewing platform overlooking the Ausable River.

Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau is famous for its remarkably lush Carolinian forest vegetation and uncommon assortment of wildlife. Visitors to Rondeau can see sassafras, tulip trees, Carolina Wrens, Virginia Opossum and the Red-Bellied Woodpecker - all species usually found much further south. There are many late blooming wildflowers still to enjoy such as the New England Aster.

Upcoming October events include a Monarch Workshop on Saturday October 4; Sunday October 5 is Waterfowl Viewing on Rondeau Bay; the ‘Owl Prowl’ is on October 11. ‘The Wonderful Waterfowl - Waterfowl Viewing,’ on Rondeau Bay is on October 25. Don’t miss the Fall Colours Walk on Sunday October 26.

For more information call the park at 519-674-1768.