Today’s blog was written by Discovery Program Project Coordinator Jessica Stillman.
We’re not trying to be rude; we really do want you to take a hike!
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, Discovery staff across the province are encouraging everyone to explore our provincial park system by taking a hike.
Never visited Lake Superior?
Let us introduce you to this stunning body of water with a park that showcases how great this lake is: Pancake Bay Provincial Park!
If you’re travelling from the east or south, Pancake Bay is the first provincial park with camping you’ll come across on Superior.
Located less than an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, this park is perfect to start or cap off your Lake Superior adventures.
Check out these five reasons to visit Pancake Bay Provincial Park:
Continue reading 5 reasons to visit Pancake Bay 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.
Continue reading What to know before visiting Pretty River Valley Provincial Park
Today’s blog comes from Dr. Romola Porchuk from the Global Institute of Forest Therapy and Nature Connection, and Cortney LeGros, the Healthy Parks Healthy People coordinator at Ontario Parks.
Forest therapy is much more than just a walk in the woods.
It’s all about the journey, not the destination, or the number of steps you track.
As you move your way through a forest therapy trail you might start with a deep breath, close your eyes for a moment, and allow your senses to guide you.
Continue reading Introducing MacGregor Point’s new Forest Therapy Trail!
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is a beautiful park west of Toronto. It offers excellent hiking, picnicking, and fishing opportunities, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
But the secret is out on this hiking destination located close to home! Forks of the Credit can experience large crowds of visitors, especially on summer weekends.
As the park’s popularity has grown, so has our need for visitors to put extra thought into being respectful. Visitors should plan ahead to avoid large crowds, potential fines, or being turned away at the park gate.
Continue reading How to plan your day trip to Forks of the Credit
Tucked away in a corner of Killbear Provincial Park is a special spot: the Twin Points Trail.
With windswept pines, rugged rocks, and a plethora of wildlife, this is the perfect place to fully absorb the beauty of Georgian Bay.
This natural gem has captured the hearts of many, including one special nature-lover: Teresa Daw.
She made a lasting contribution to help more people access the trail than ever before.
Continue reading Improving access to Twin Points Trail at Killbear
Ontario Parks is fortunate to be able to both protect and showcase an abundance of natural vistas across the province.
While some locations are relatively easy to access, others will challenge you before rewarding you with their amazing views.
Here are seven iconic vistas to discover and explore this season.
Matt Cunliffe started at Ontario Parks in 2006 and has spent over a decade working as a park interpreter and an assistant park planner, project lead for Operational Policy and Training. An avid trail user and self-proclaimed nature geek, when he’s not on the clock, you’re likely to find him onto a new discovery somewhere in one of our parks.
Spring has sprung and I, like many Ontarians, cannot wait hike and bike as many trails as I can.
While you’re getting your gear ready for the next adventure, here are some tips to help you prepare and minimize impacts while you are out enjoying the trails.
Continue reading Hitting the trails? Know the etiquette before you go
We can definitely recommend “losing yourself” in our provincial parks by delighting in the sights and sounds of nature, and living in the moment.
We do not, however, recommend getting actually lost.
Park visitors get lost more often than you’d think. It can be a scary, stressful, and dangerous situation. It can also result in complicated and expensive search-and-rescue operations.
While we know no one sets out to get lost, there are steps you can take to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
Frontenac is a four-season backcountry park with great opportunities for interior camping, hiking, paddling, and winter activities!
Nestled within the Frontenac Arch, Frontenac has a unique landscape not typically found in Southern Ontario. You’ll discover a diverse range of habitats, plants, and animals. With upland forests, rocky ridges, and tranquil lakes, camping is only accessible to paddlers, backpackers, and snowshoers.
Planning a trip to Frontenac? Here’s what you need to know to have a fun and frustration-free visit:
