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 |