Add nature to your self-care toolkit

As the days get shorter and the colder weather arrives, it’s time to talk self-care.  Bubble baths and meditation are great options, but have you considered adding nature to your self-care toolkit?

October 10 is World Mental Health Day, and it’s the perfect time to think of ways we can take care of ourselves and our families.

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Visiting parks on two wheels

At Ontario Parks, we’re constantly on the lookout for ways to promote both the health and wellbeing of our visitors and the parks we protect.

The importance of spending time in nature is well documented in scientific research, and we embody our efforts to promote spending more time in nature through our Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.

Provincial parks are great places to get your nature fix – but have you ever thought about incorporating time in nature into the way you get to your favourite park?

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What to know before visiting Pretty River Valley Provincial Park

Pretty River Valley Provincial Park is nestled into the Niagara Escarpment, and is an important part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The park is home to a multitude of species, ecosystems, and sensitive habitats, all of which Ontario Parks is trying to protect.

Your actions as a visitor can help us keep this unique park a haven for the many organisms that call it home, as well as a beautiful place for generations of park users to visit.

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6 health benefits of cycling

If you’ve ever pedalled up a hill before, it probably wouldn’t surprise you to hear that cycling is great for working the lower body, but did you know the health benefits reach far beyond your quads and hamstrings?

Check out these brain and body benefits of cycling:

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How to be a responsible mountain biker

Mountain biking is a great way to exercise and spend time surrounded by nature.

It can also have a huge impact on the environment.

We know Ontario Parks trails are a favourite among mountain bikers, so we wanted to share some of our best practices to protect where you bike.

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Winter biking at Algonquin

Snow on the trails no longer means that bike season is over; it means that winter biking season has begun!

Winter bikes are mountain bikes with over-sized tires which allow the bikes to travel over snow with ease. One of the best things about winterbiking in the winter is that it’s a great way to get outside and be active all winter long and have a blast doing it!

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Bike and hike the Giant

In today’s post, Discovery Leader Rachelle Law answers a common question: “How do I get to the top of Sleeping Giant?”

Hiking up the Sleeping Giant and some of the tallest cliffs in Ontario can be quite the challenge, but the experience and the views are the ultimate reward.

One of the most commonly asked questions at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is: “How do I get to the top of the Giant?”

Most are surprised to hear the three different hiking trails that go up the Sleeping Giant are long and rated difficult. But it’s no reason to be discouraged, as navigating to the Giant is also possible, in part, by bike!

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