September’s digital download

Watch the autumn leaves dance as you dip your paddle in the water, reach the lookout on your favourite trail, or just relax on your campsite.

Don’t put the tent away just yet… a fall camping trip is the perfect way to cap off the season!

This month’s FREE digital download comes from Mikisew Provincial Park.

Throughout 2021, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.

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5 reasons to visit Esker Lakes Provincial Park

Esker Lakes Provincial Park surrounds a chain of sparkling lakes set in an ancient glacial landscape, carpeted in boreal forest.

A quiet, family-oriented park, Esker Lakes sits just east of the historic mining town of Kirkland Lake in northeastern Ontario.

Here are five reasons Esker Lakes will delight family campers and nature-lovers alike:

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5 things I learned on my first hike-in backcountry trip

In today’s post, Ontario Parks’ Assistant Program Coordinator Megan Birrell recounts her first hike-in backcountry adventure. 

Last year, I tried backcountry camping by canoe for the first time. This summer, my camping crew and I decided to take it up a notch and try hike-in camping.

We selected Bon Echo Provincial Park’s Abes and Essens Trail as our hike-in destination and the planning began.

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How to build a bat box

Today’s post comes from Rachelle Law, a Discovery leader at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Are you looking for a fun do-it-yourself project to do this summer?

Would you love a solution to the amount of pesky mosquitoes in your backyard?

Are you passionate about creating habitats for wildlife?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this blog is for you!

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Why fall camping is a must at Samuel de Champlain

Today’s blog comes from Heather Stern, the Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain.

I will confess: I LOVE fall. To me, it is the best season because it is the time when I get to go camping.

As a park staff, it’s tricky to go during the busy summer months, but as things begin to slow down in the fall, there’s usually more time to get away and visit some provincial parks.

This doesn’t bother me, though, because camping at this time of the year is the best! The cooler temperatures and shorter days provide opportunities we don’t get in July and August.

And, to me, fall camping is just better at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Here’s why:

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Take your run to the trails

Ready to ditch the treadmill or pavement for somewhere a little more scenic?

Trail running opens a whole new world for you beyond paved surfaces. And as with road running, it’s a healthy, simple activity with few gear requirements.

We’ve partnered with our friends at Merrell to share the health benefits of trail running, as well as what you need to know to get started!

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Mattawa River Provincial Park: a heritage river

Today’s post comes from Assistant Discovery Leader Mat St-Jules of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

As your paddle meets the water, look up to the towering cliffs. Pass marshes teeming with activity. Touch trees that set roots hundreds of years ago.

With such incomparable beauty, it’s hard to imagine that Mattawa River Provincial Park is located within a few hours of our province’s largest cities.

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Driftwood: shaping shorelines and completing communities

For a while, park staff have been wondering: why do some of our guests who come to visit natural environments feel compelled to leave their mark on that beach, waterfall, or lookout after they’ve left?

At MacGregor Point Provincial Park, we’ve noticed some changes being made to our shorelines by well-meaning sun-seekers who visit our beach for a short time, but leave behind structures made of driftwood.

Staff in our park and others have disassembled several driftwood forts upon discovering them on our beaches, which can be a dangerous task.

Let’s talk about why we’d prefer our visitors to leave driftwood where it lies, and some fun things you can do at the beach instead of building forts.

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