Tag: northwestern Ontario

The measure of a canoe trip

Today’s post is a polite rant from Quetico Provincial Park’s Librarian Jill Sorensen.

We seem to constantly hear about expedition-style trips. Grunt narratives where people have broken speed records, paddled the longest distances, or have been “the first” to complete a route. The blisters. The sleep deprivation. The endurance.

And that is fine. I have no problem with kilometre tracking or race attempts. But if you insist on measuring all of your trips, may I suggest that you count something else? Something that instead connects you to the landscape, or a piece of cultural history.

A little less pace. A little more place.

Here are some suggestions of other things to count:

Continue reading The measure of a canoe trip

Top 6 parks for canoe fishing in northern Ontario

Paddling into the wilderness, fishing from a canoe and then going back to camp to enjoy a backcountry fish fry is a special experience.

If you’re up for a trip like this, check out our recommendations for the best backcountry fishing destinations in our northern parks.  Continue reading Top 6 parks for canoe fishing in northern Ontario

A canoe journey to each point of the compass

In today’s post, Conor Mihell captures the timelessness of Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The rumble of car tires on gravel slowly fading into the distance is the glorious sound of freedom after many long hours on the road. Silence descends, and suddenly my wife Kim and I are alone and faced with the task of loading 24 days worth of food and gear into our canoe and setting off on Little Caribou Lake, across the threshold of Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The isolation is at once daunting and exciting; there are few places where the feeling is more intense than in the hinterlands of northwestern Ontario.

Continue reading A canoe journey to each point of the compass

The Canadian Heritage Rivers System’s Bloodvein River — a backcountry dream

This post was written by Northwestern Ontario Parks Planning Intern Kestrel Wraggett. 

We know that Ontario Parks protect some of the most unique and precious natural systems in the province, but did you know we help protect a nationally recognized network of significant waterways called the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS)?

Continue reading The Canadian Heritage Rivers System’s Bloodvein River — a backcountry dream

Backpacker’s guide to the Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Jordan Welch and Bianca Goncz, Discovery staff at Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Are you looking for a challenging, multi-day hike with spectacular views?

The Coastal Trail has it all!

Hike to rocky bluffs, traverse lush forests, and experience the power of Lake Superior.

This linear trail traces 65 km of Lake Superior’s rugged northeastern shore, offering an unparalleled chance to experience the wilderness and beauty amidst the largest of the Great Lakes.

Continue reading Backpacker’s guide to the Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park

Experience Ontario’s greatest landscapes on the Lake Superior Shoreline Tour

Planning a cross-province adventure? Check out the Ontario Parks Driving Routes.

The Lake Superior Shoreline Tour is a world-renowned driving route that will take you to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery Canada has to offer.

On your journey, you’ll discover spectacular rugged shorelines, cascading rivers and waterfalls, smooth rock and sand beaches, unique geological features, and excellent wildlife viewing.

Continue reading Experience Ontario’s greatest landscapes on the Lake Superior Shoreline Tour

Why you should go north to camp this summer

If you’ve been looking on our reservation system lately, you’ll have realized this already – our southern provincial parks are SUPER busy this year!

This summer, the solution to finding your serene camping trip might be to head north.

There, you’ll find not only more space to camp in peace, but also opportunities to explore landscapes unlike anything in southern Ontario.

Continue reading Why you should go north to camp this summer

Chilling out by the lake: arctic-alpine disjunct plants along Lake Superior

Today’s post comes from Park Naturalist Lesley Ng of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Did you know there are blooming beauties which are adapted for the arctic tundra or alpine environments? In short, they like it cold!

And we don’t need traverse tundra or climb mountains to see them. We just need to take a spring hike along Lake Superior’s shoreline.

Continue reading Chilling out by the lake: arctic-alpine disjunct plants along Lake Superior

Finding inspiration through nature

This blog post comes from Laura Myers, a Learning and Education Leader with the Ontario Parks Discovery Program.

Provincial parks are powerful places filled with inspiring elements. They have inspired artists for countless generations and continue to draw artists from near and far.

Continue reading Finding inspiration through nature

Quetico’s Sawmill Lake Classic Ski Tour

Today’s post comes from Quetico Provincial Park‘s superintendent, Trevor Gibb.

The smell of crisp clean pine and spruce trees. The sight of fresh moose, wolf, otter, and hare tracks zigging and zagging across the path in front of you. The chirp of a chickadee. The crunch of the bright white snow and the gentle bite of the winter air on your cheeks.

This is cross-country skiing in a wilderness park. This is what winter is all about.

Continue reading Quetico’s Sawmill Lake Classic Ski Tour