- Question #1 :
Why are campsites and roofed accommodations closed?
- Answer:
In order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and support Ontario’s provincewide COVID-19 response, overnight stays in Ontario Parks will continue to be temporarily closed including campground and backcountry campsites and roofed accommodations, such as cabins, yurts and cottages to align with the province-wide stay-at-home order. Limiting your travel is essential in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, staying safe and saving lives.
We understand this temporary closure may impact many Ontarians’ plans; however, the health and well-being of Ontarians is our number one priority.
- Question #2 :
How long will a closure be in effect? Will a closure be extended?
- Answer:
Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of all Ontarians.
The extended temporary closure of overnight stays will be in place up to and including June 2 to align with the extension of the current provincewide stay-at-home order.
No further decisions have been made at this time. We are closely monitoring developments on COVID-19 and following provincial order and restriction periods. The ministry intends to re-open for overnight stays when it is safe to do so.
Please continue to visit OntarioParks.com and Ontario Parks social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
- Question #3 :
Can I travel outside of my area to visit a provincial park or conservation reserve?
- Answer:
The Ontario government is asking that you stay home unless for essential reasons such as:
o picking up groceries,
o going to the pharmacy to pick up medication,
o attending a health care appointment,
o outdoor exercise,
o providing support for a vulnerable family member, and
o attending work if the individual’s job requires them to be onsite and they can’t work remotely.
We recognize these measures will impact people’s everyday lives, but the rising number of COVID-19 cases requires that we do everything possible to stop the spread of the virus and protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians.
Limiting your travel is essential in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, staying safe and saving lives.
- Question #4 :
What recreational activities are available at Ontario Parks?
- Answer:
To provide Ontarians with a safe way to spend time outdoors, exercise and get some fresh air, Ontario Parks, will remain open and continues to provide facilities and services for local and safe outdoor recreation for day use activities like walking and hiking at many provincial parks. COVID-19 measures, modifications and restrictions will apply. Please visit the individual park pages at www.OntarioParks.com for a listing of operating dates, day use facilities and services available at your local provincial park.
Park Stores and Visitor Centres continue to be closed to the public. Some rentals operations may be available at the park you wish to visit. Please check with the park directly to see what is available before visiting.
It’s important that you come to the park prepared with all the equipment and supplies you will need for your visit including hand sanitizer, extra water, soap, and other supplies.
Ontarians can also access, free of charge, provincial parks that are closed for the season, non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves for self-guided activities such as walking and hiking. For public safety, if visiting a non-operating park or conservation reserve, please ensure there is a safe place to park (please do not park along municipal roads).
We are encouraging everyone to do their part to minimize the risk to ourselves and to others by ensuring we continue to follow all public health advice and engage in outdoor activities close to where you live.
- Question #5 :
If I have already paid for my reservation up to the current closure date, will I get a full refund?
- Answer:
Reservations for arrivals up to and including the current temporary closure date will be automatically cancelled and you will receive a full refund with no penalty. There is no need for you to contact Ontario Parks to receive your refund. Please allow up to 10 business days for your refund to appear on your credit card statement.
- Question #6 :
What if I would like to cancel my future reservation due to the uncertainty?
- Answer:
We understand how the uncertainty and the possibility of future closures are impacting many people’s plans. If you wish to cancel your reservation arriving anytime up to June 30, 2021, Ontario Parks will provide a full refund. Reservation and penalty fees will not apply.
- Question #7 :
How should I prepare for a visit to Ontario Parks?
- Answer:
We’re counting on people to be responsible when enjoying their local provincial park or conservation reserve, and continue to follow public health advice, including:
o practicing physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others,
o wearing a face covering where required, when physical distancing may be a challenge or not possible and when entering any indoor public space,
o washing hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available and
o gathering only with those from your own household.
Please ensure you come to the park prepared with all the supplies and personal protective items you may need for your visit including a mask/face coverings, extra water and, hand sanitizer. Postpone your visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been asked to isolate. Limiting your travel is essential in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, staying safe and saving lives.
For up to date information on what you can do to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/.
Safety of our visitors and staff is always our top priority. We have implemented measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing in our park spaces and buildings during busy visitation times.
This may include limiting the number of daily vehicle permits sold or the number of people permitted to use a facility or building at one time, or the number of campsites available for reservations.
You may notice that day use parking areas will not be as full, or some campsites will remain empty during your stay.
Ministry officers will be present in provincial parks to provide information, assist with emergencies and enforce provincial park rules and regulations. Additionally, these areas may be patrolled by local police or other enforcement agencies.
- Question #8 :
How do I know what facilities or activities are available at the operating provincial park I wish to visit?
- Answer:
To find out what is available at the park you wish to visit please click on the “Parks” drop down menu to view the Facilities and Activities icons.
- Question #9 :
Why isn’t the day use fee reduced if not all facilities and services are open?
- Answer:
Ontario Parks’ normal fees will apply for all camping and day use activities and services provided where normally charged. All fees collected go directly back to supporting the operation and maintenance of the entire park system.
If you plan to visit often – consider purchasing an Annual or Summer Seasonal Day Use Vehicle Permit, visit the Park Store to purchase a permit online.
- Question #10 :
Can I make future reservations for the 2021 camping season?
- Answer:
While we cannot predict the future impact of COVID-19 on Ontario Parks at this time, we are accepting future reservations beyond the current temporary closure date. It’s important to note that reservations could be automatically cancelled at any time if required in response to future provincial or regional orders or restrictions.
Please continue to visit www.OntarioParks.com and Ontario Parks social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
- Question #11 :
What’s the difference between a non-operating park or conservation reserve and an operating park?
- Answer:
Non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves offer limited recreational experiences, limited access, fewer facilities and generally no dedicated staff or fee collection. Operating parks offer a variety of services and facilities, such as campground camping, roofed accommodations, washrooms, and Discovery programs, and charge fees.
Please visit the Park Locator to find a provincial park or conservation reserve near you.
- Question #12 :
How do you plan to handle physical distancing in the bathrooms and other buildings?
- Answer:
We’re counting on people to be responsible when enjoying our parks, and continue to follow all of the public health advice, including physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others, wearing a face covering where required and when physical distancing may be a challenge or not possible and when entering any indoor public space, and wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Occupancy restrictions may be posted on comfort stations to limit the number of people permitted to enter the building at one time.
- Question #13 :
What precautions will be put in place to keep your public washrooms clean?
- Answer:
Priority for cleaning and disinfection is placed on high-touch surfaces in public areas including washrooms and other shared facilities. These areas will be cleaned and disinfected twice per day at a minimum or more in higher use areas.
- Question #14 :
How do I follow safe handwashing practices if washrooms are unavailable at non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves? Should I wear gloves or a mask/face covering when at a park?
- Answer:
Visitors to non-operating provincial parks and conservation reserves are encouraged to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
The following measures are the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19:
• wash your hands regularly, when available, or use hand sanitizer
• practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette (e.g., sneeze and cough into your sleeve, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth).
• maintain physical distancing – keeping two meters from individuals outside your household.
• wear a mask/face covering where required, when physical distancing may be a challenge or not possible, and any time you enter an indoor public space.
• postpone your visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been asked to isolate.
It’s important that you come to the park prepared with a mask/face covering, hand sanitizer, extra water, soap, and other supplies. Please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ for up to date information.
- Question #15 :
Will Ontario Parks staff turn us away if we are from outside of the local area/outside of the province?
- Answer:
While Ontario Parks staff will not turn dayuse visitors away, it is up to all our visitors to ensure they are following the provincial restrictions that are in place to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. We are asking that you only visit and enjoy a provincial park or conservation reserve close to home, and only with members of your own household. Please do not travel outside of your area to visit.
We realize that these provincial restrictions will greatly impact the everyday lives of Ontarians, but it is essential that everyone complies with public health advice and current restrictions as community transmission continues to be a key source of COVID-19 spread.
We have confidence that Ontarians will continue to vigilantly follow the public health advice, and provincial and regional restrictions.
- Question #16 :
Are equipment rentals available such as canoes, paddle boats, bicycles?
- Answer:
Some rental operations may be available at the park you wish to visit. Please check with the park directly to see what is available before visiting.
- Question #17 :
Will any facilities or services be closing?
- Answer:
The following facilities and services are closed to the public until further notice:
o overnight stays on campground and backcountry campsites and roofed accommodations including cabins, yurts and cottages
o recreational amenities like multi-use sports fields
o park stores
o visitor centres
It’s important that you come to the park prepared with all the equipment and supplies you will need for your visit including hand sanitizer, extra water, soap, and other supplies.
Please visit the individual park pages at www.ontarioparks.com for a listing of operating dates and day-use facilities and services available at your local provincial park.