How to start your campfire when the weather won’t cooperate

Picture this: you’re on your way back to your campsite after an awesome day of exploration. You’ve kayaked all through the park’s network of lakes. You’ve conquered the lookout trail.

But now the sun’s starting to sink. The wind’s picked up and it’s getting chilly. You feel the first drop of rain.

It’s a full drizzle by time you reach your campsite. You’re tired and hungry.

But do you know how to start a campfire in windy, wet weather?

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Then and Now: vehicle permits

Gearing up to celebrate our 125th anniversary has us digging through archives in search of vintage photos and documents. Over the course of the year, we’ll be sharing our discoveries in our OP125 blog series.

This month, we’re taking a look back on a collection of Ontario Parks vehicle permits dating back to 1957. Purchased and displayed on the front dash of a vehicle, these permits would give people unlimited daily vehicle entry to all Ontario provincial parks.

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Stop bears from snacking on your food

Good news, campers! Our parks are implementing new ways to deter bears and other wild critters from making off with your dinner.

Read about which parks offer bear-resistant storage containers and how you can use them during your trips.

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B&Bs make terrific homebases for exploring provincial parks

Crave the warm welcome, soft bed, and hearty meals of a bed & breakfast on your travels? Eager to explore Ontario’s breathtaking natural landscapes?

Why not do both?

Book a stay in a cozy bed & breakfast, and use it as a homebase for daily excursions into parks.

We chatted with the Federation of Ontario Bed & Breakfast Accommodation to uncover nine of the best B&B/provincial park combos across Ontario.

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Earth Day tree planting at Rondeau Provincial Park

To help celebrate our 125th anniversary, Ontario Parks has organized a series of stewardship programs. These events are happening throughout the year and across the province to help protect biodiversity in provincial parks.

Stewardship programs have included BioBlitz events, invasive species removal, and native species plantings.

On Earth Day, park staff and an eager group of volunteers at Rondeau Provincial Park helped to restore the natural habitat in the park by planting native trees and shrubs.

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Campfire fare that stands the test of time

For seasoned and novice campers alike, Ontario’s provincial parks hold cherished memories for generations of visitors.

And while modern-day camping features feather-light freestanding tents, fuel efficient radiant burner cookstoves that boil water in 90 seconds, and electronic gadgets that take campground games like Hide and Go Seek (a.k.a. geocaching) to New Ager heights, basic camp kitchen equipment has stood the test of time.

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Is your favourite park making you sneeze?

For those who suffer from asthma or allergies, the warmer weather and park visits can sometimes mean running nose, watery eyes or breathing difficulties.

It’s time for a quick pollen lesson to better equip you to take control of your breathing.

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