5 ways to keep ecological integrity in mind this fall

Ecological integrity can be a tricky concept to nail down.

But in the simplest terms, it means keeping nature — and all of its component parts — whole.

Planning to visits our parks this fall? Here are the top five ways to keep ecological integrity in mind during your visit:

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Accessible locations to view fall colours

As the cold weather hits, opportunities to view a stunning array of fall colours are popping up around the province.

Ontario Parks is committed to making our parks as accessible as possible for visitors. If you’re planning a trip, we’ve rounded up a list of parks with accessibility features that are perfect for viewing the beauty of fall.

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Extend your paddling season at Rideau River Provincial Park

Influencer Diana Lee lives for adventure, the great outdoors, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)! Find out what she’s (S)UP to @only1phoenixx on Instagram and Twitter.

Enjoy land and water activities beyond the summer season at Rideau River Provincial Park, a cozy spot to experience fall.

Located on the traditional territory of the Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin), Anishinabewaki, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, Haudenosaunee, Rideau River Provincial Park’s campground stretches right along the water.

And not just any body of water! Visible from almost anywhere in the park, the Rideau River is part of the Rideau Waterway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Canadian Heritage River System.

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Sudbury rocks for fall hiking!

September is one of the best times of the year to get out into nature and hike!

Most of the month of September is still technically summer. While usually cooler on average than August, it’s still warm and often without the humidity. Not to mention, bugs are just a distant memory!

The Sudbury region is rich with opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature as summer winds down.

Eight provincial parks within an hour’s drive of Sudbury, six of which are open after the September long weekend. Each one has its own character and set of recreational opportunities.

Here is a selection of parks and trails to consider if you live, are staying in town, or camping in the Sudbury area this September:

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Spot the fall migrators

The signs of spring always grab our attention.

We’re excited by the arrival of the familiar birds, butterflies, and fish that we see each summer. Perhaps it’s simply because we yearn for the end of winter. Or maybe it’s the feeling that a good friend has returned from a long vacation down south.

What we neglect to notice sometimes though, is the beauty of their departure.

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Halloween 2023 at Ontario Parks

By the pricking of our thumbs, something wicked this way comes…

We’ve got tons of haunted Halloween events coming up! Find some stand-out spookiness below (and don’t forget to check out events page for late-breaking additions!).

Will you be visiting the ghosts of campers past this October?

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Eyes on the skies — September

Welcome to the Ontario Parks “Eyes on the skies” series. This series covers a wide range of astronomy topics with a focus on what can be seen from the pristine skies found in our provincial parks.

Many people consider September to be the finest month of the year to enjoy Ontario’s outdoors.

The bugs have all but left and the daytime temperatures are cooler, making the weather ideal for strenuous activities such as hiking or canoeing. To top it off, the leaves begin their beautiful transition through the colours of fall.

With the much shorter days, the nighttime skies are full of celestial splendours that we hope you will enjoy discovering in this edition of “Eyes on the skies.”

Here are our astronomical highlights for September, 2023:

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