The big day‘s almost here!
We’re opening our doors to everyone in Ontario; there will be no charge for day-use visitation during July 15, 2016!
Parks across the province have exciting events and activities planned. Explore a new park, sample our facilities and services, or just enjoy a fun event in a great setting!
The time to strengthen and rediscover our connection to nature is now!
Check out our three spotlight events, or scroll down to see park events across the province:
1. Coleman Canada Games Area
Get outside for fun games, from bean-bag toss to badminton. Race your family and friends in setting up a variety of Coleman tents, compete in a sleeping bag race, or test your skills at balloon-tossing while wearing a PFD (spoilers: you might get wet at this one!).
While you’re there, chat with Coleman reps, check out the ultimate campsite, and enter a free draw to win awesome Coleman products.
- Where: Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Oakville)
- When: July 15, 2016; 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
- How: No registration necessary — just swing by!
2. Learn to Backcountry Camp
Sign up for our FREE one-day “Learn to Backcountry Camp” program. Learn how to load a backpack, load a canoe, set up a campsite, obtain safe drinking water, plan a menu, cook a meal, and much more – all in the backcountry (but only 2.5 hours from Toronto!).
- Where: Kawartha Highlands Signature Site (between Peterborough and Bancroft)
- When: July 15, 2016; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- How: Call 613-332-3940 x276 and speak with Sheri Cruickshank to register. Only 20 spots available.
3. Regeneration Weekend
Join us for a weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation under the pines of Quetico. Try some lakeside yoga, banghra class or meditation workshop. Check the full schedule here.
- Where: Quetico Provincial Park (two hours from Thunder Bay)
- When: July 15-17, 2016
- How: Registration required for a few events — refer to schedule
Our Healthy Parks, Healthy People Day events span the province!
How will you spend the day?
Art & music
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Bronte Creek | Musical campfire | Southwest / Central |
| Charleston Lake | Photography walk | Southeast |
| Esker Lakes | Art in the park | Northeast |
| Kettle Lakes | Art in the park | Northeast |
| Oastler Lake | David Archibald’s Park Songs concert | Near north |
| The Pinery | Art workshop, photography workshop | Southwest |
Astronomy & campfires
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Bonnechere | Campfire, stargazing and storytelling | Southeast |
| Port Burwell | Astronomy night | Southwest |
| Windy Lake | Wild Stories around the campfire | Near North |
Cultural heritage
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Darlington | Pioneer Plants scavenger hunt | Southwest / Central |
| Inverhuron | Pioneer Olympics | Southwest |
| Killbear | Anishinabe Water Ceremony & Round Dance | Near north |
| Murphys Point | Silver Queen Mine tour | Southeast |
| Petroglyphs | First Nations presentations | Southwest / Central |
| Samuel de Champlain | Voyageur Paddle Tour | Near north |
| The Pinery | Objiway heritage booth | Southwest |
| Wasaga Beach | Visit Nancy Island Historic Site, scavenger hunt | Southwest / Central |
Kids programming
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Algonquin | Treasure hunt, sandcastle contest, insect-catching | Near North |
| Balsam Lake | Scavenger hunt | Southwest / Central |
| Bonnechere | Scavenger hunt | Southeast |
| Darlington | Bug Olympics | Southwest / Central |
| Emily | Hula-hooping, scavenger hunt | Southwest / Central |
| Killbear | Pan Am Games | Near North |
| Rideau River | Face painting | Southeast |
| Sandbanks | Marsh Madness for Preschoolers, Bike Rodeo | Southeast |
| Silent Lake | Scavenger hunt | Southeast |
| The Massasauga | Healthy snacks and kids games | Near North |
| Windy Lake | Smores and stories | Near North |
Nature hikes and education
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Algonquin | Wildlife hiking, biking and programs | Near North |
| Awenda | Kettle’s Lake ramble | Southwest / Central |
| Bronte Creek | Ranger ramble | Southwest / Central |
| Darlington | Turtle races | Southwest / Central |
| Earl Rowe | Guided hike | Southwest / Central |
| Frontenac | Guided hike | Southeast |
| Grundy Lake | Guided hike | Near North |
| Kettle Lakes | Explorer Challenge | Northeast |
| Killbear | Guided hike | Near North |
| Lake St. Peter | Scavenger hunt | Southeast |
| MacGregor Point | Bike hike | Southwest |
| Mikisew | Guided hike | Northeast |
| Neys | Lake Superior Sun & Sand | Northwest |
| Pancake Bay | Guided hike | Northeast |
| Petroglyphs | Scavenger hunt | Southwest / Central |
| Point Farms | Guided hike | Southwest |
| Restoule | Guided hike | Northeast |
| Rideau River | Birds of Prey show, shoreline hike | Southeast |
| Rondeau | Buzzing bees, guided hike | Southwest |
| Samuel de Champlain | Night hike | Near North |
| Sandbanks | Feeding Time, Trash Bash | Southeast |
| The Pinery | Intro to Birding hike, naturalist booths, bike hike, scavenger hunt | Southwest |
| Windy Lake | Guided hike | Near North |
Rentals and paddlesports
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Algonquin | SUP rentals | Near North |
| Bonnechere | SUP demo | Southeast |
| Fitzroy | Canoe/kayak rentals (2-hour limit) | Southeast |
| Killbear | Kayak/SUP demos | Near North |
| Lake St. Peter | Canoe/kayak rentals (2-hour limit) | Southeast |
| Rondeau | SUP clinics | Southwest |
| Sauble Falls | SUP lessons (boards provided) | Southwest |
| Silent Lake | Canoe/kayak rentals | Southeast |
Sports & recreation
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Balsam Lake | The Amazing Race | Southwest / Central |
| Bonnechere | Campers vs Staff volleyball, small games tournament | Southeast |
| Bronte Creek | Cricket, Coleman Games Area | Southwest / Central |
| Earl Rowe | Learn to Fish | Southwest / Central |
| Emily | Soccer | Southwest / Central |
| Ivanhoe Lake | Ivanhoe Olympics | Northeast |
| MacGregor Point | Survival Challenge | Southwest |
| Mikisew | Frisbee golf tournament | Northeast |
| Murphys Point | The Magnificent Race | Southeast |
| Pancake Bay | 5 km Fun Run | Northeast |
| Rondeau | 5 km Fun Run | Southwest |
| Sandbanks | Learn to Fish | Southeast |
| Silent Lake | Triathlon | Southeast |
| The Pinery | Orienteering | Southwest |
Yoga, zumba, meditation
| Park | Activity / Event | Zone |
| Bonnechere | Yoga on the beach | Southeast |
| Bronte Creek | Yoga in the park | Southwest / Central |
| Darlington | Mood walk | Southwest / Central |
| Driftwood | Yoga, zumba | Near North |
| Emily | Yoga | Southwest / Central |
| Killbear | Yoga on the beach | Near North |
| Lake St. Peter | Yoga on the beach | Southeast |
| MacGregor Point | Morning aerobics, yoga on the beach, sunset walk | Southwest |
| Mikisew | Zumba | Northeast |
| Quetico | Regeneration Weekend | Northwest |
| Restoule | Yoga | Northeast |
| Rondeau | Yoga, zumba | Southwest |
| Samuel de Champlain | Zumba | Near North |
| The Pinery | Tai chi demo, sunset stroll | Southwest |
| Wasaga Beach | Tai chi on the beach | Southwest / Central |