Bronte Creek’s maple candy wars

Today’s blog post was written by Jessica Stillman, Discovery Program project coordinator and maple syrup aficionado at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

Maple season is upon us!

Trees have been tapped, sap is boiling, and Bronte Creek’s annual Maple Syrup Festival is underway, which means the biggest annual debate has also begun…

…which is the better form of maple candy: taffy or sugar?

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Where to snowshoe in Ontario Parks

Remember to always check the Snow Report before you go to ensure conditions are favourable for snowshoeing.

Nature looks completely different under a glittering blanket of snow. Why not strap on some snowshoes and experience Ontario Parks in a whole new way this winter?

Check out some winter parks with top-notch snowshoeing opportunities:

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Health benefits of cross-country skiing

Staying active in the winter isn’t always easy. For some of us, it’s tempting to stay in, cuddle up, and spend the long winter months binging Netflix under a warm blanket.

Cross-country skiing boasts a wide array of benefits for your physical and mental health. Here’s why you should strap on some skis and spend your winter gliding through frozen forests and snow-covered trails:

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March vacancy highlights (roofed accommodation)

Spring will be here before you know it. Get one last winter adventure in this March!

Stay warm in one of our roofed accommodations. We’ve got lots of cabins, cottages, and yurts available all month, especially for midweek visitors!

Accommodations featured below were available as of February 15, 2024.

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Camp at MacGregor Point Provincial Park this winter!

Today’s post comes from Layna Lubimiv, Head Park Naturalist at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Did you know MacGregor Point was one of the first provincial parks to offer winter camping?

What started as a seasonal extension of a few roofed accommodations has evolved into a great destination for any winter lover.

Learn more about how we arrived here (and why you need to visit):

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Winter is the best time for sunset-lovers

Winter skies aren’t known for their colour.

While a crisp layer of snow will brighten any landscape, we associate the colder months with dreary grey clouds.

It’s not just in our heads; winter does come with fewer clear days.

During the colder months, the upper atmosphere is often warmer than the air at ground level. These air masses are very stable since air only rises when it is warmer than the air above it. Without the mixing caused by rising air, clouds spread smoothly across the sky, obscuring our view of the sun and stars.

But when wind breaks the clouds apart, we are often treated to some truly spectacular skies.

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February’s digital download

We’re Ontario Parks. Of course we have stunning views.

The beauty of the province is waiting for you this February — all you have to do is get out there!

This month’s FREE digital download was taken at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Did you know Sleeping Giant has over 100 km of incredible hiking trails with many spectacular geological features? This park is a must-visit, especially when blanketed in snow!

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A winter birding challenge

Today’s post is from Justin Peter, who was a Natural Heritage Education Specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park from 2006 through 2013. Now a professional travel planner, Justin is a keen local and worldwide explorer, looking for birds everywhere he ventures.

It’s tempting to say that winter’s not the best time to look at birds in our Ontario Parks. Many species have migrated south. We’re hesitant to venture into the chilly weather.

But the quieter (and leafless) atmosphere of our parks during winter provides an excellent and unique challenge for our sense of environmental awareness.

Up for the challenge? 

Here’s a selection of birds (and bird signs) you can look for this winter:

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Frozen falls and other wacky winter water

REMINDER: venturing out onto unsafe ice puts your life (and the lives of first responders) at risk. Take in the beauty of winter shorelines from solid ground.

When most of us picture winter ice, we conjure up mental images of skating rinks and icicles. But did you know there’s a lot of variety in wintry water formations?

From frozen falls to ice volcanoes, winter water is quite a sight to behold:

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