Planning a visit to Algonquin this year?

Algonquin Provincial Park is internationally renowned and holds a special place in hearts of so many Ontarians.

No wonder, then, that it’s also one of the most popular parks in the province! Reservations — especially for the park’s busiest summer and fall seasons — are hotly competed each year.

That’s why we’re so pleased to share that in the past year we’ve built four cabins  and four yurts, some of the most requested park features!

Continue reading Planning a visit to Algonquin this year?

The fascinating world of dragonflies and their importance to ecosystems

Today’s blog comes to us from Algonquin Provincial Park Naturalist Sarah Lamond.

Picture it: a warm July day at Algonquin.

You’re basking in the day’s rays and exploring an interpretive trail. It’s all picture perfect until you hear that telltale buzz and feel an all-too-familiar pain on your scalp. The Deer Flies have arrived. Swatting at the growing swarm, you look to the sky and wonder: will there be no relief?

And then they arrive. The prehistoric predator. The Deer Fly devourer. The people’s champion: dragonflies.

Continue reading The fascinating world of dragonflies and their importance to ecosystems

Discover fall camping at Driftwood Provincial Park

This blog post comes from Emma Webb, Head Gate Attendant at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Driftwood is my favourite provincial park. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Samuel de Champlain, but there’s something magical about Driftwood. It’s where I started my parks career.

Although it may be smaller, the park has a lot of heart, and even more charm.

Continue reading Discover fall camping at Driftwood Provincial Park

Snapping Turtles

Today’s post comes from David LeGros, a Natural Heritage Education Specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park.

I spent most of my youth in rubber boots and obsessed with nature. I was always looking for interesting animals and plants.

There are a few creatures then, just like now, that always inspire me.

Top of my list: the Snapping Turtle.

Continue reading Snapping Turtles

Planes, paddles and portages: a journey of garbage

This is a story about garbage.

It wasn’t a quick journey. It took a plane ride, some paddling in a canoe, portaging, more paddling, another plane ride, and a drive on the highway.

This garbage was left in Algonquin Provincial Park’s remote backcountry, something that, unfortunately, happens far too often.

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How will I know ecological integrity when I see it?

Preserving ecological integrity is a priority for all of us here at Ontario Parks. But just what does ecological integrity look like? Algonquin Provincial Park Naturalist David LeGros explains…

When I start many of my evening programs at Algonquin, I often ask the audience if they like nature.

Usually I get a lot of hands up in the air, but there are always a few that don’t put their hands up. I tell those people, “You might be in the wrong place, because Algonquin is crawling with nature.” I know these folks may have not been paying attention to what I was saying or chose not to participate in my survey, but it always gets a laugh from the crowd.

However, this did get me thinking about why we go to parks over staying home or visiting a big city…

Continue reading How will I know ecological integrity when I see it?

“What the heck is that?!”: when to #AskanOPNaturalist

Today’s post comes from David LeGros, a park naturalist with the Ontario Parks Discovery Program.

“I’ve never seen one of those” is among my favorite sentences.

There’s a scary thing that happens the longer you look into nature. The more you find, the more you find out that you don’t know that much. It can be an intimidating feeling, but also, an exciting feeling.

Your mind is about to be blown.

Repeatedly.

Continue reading “What the heck is that?!”: when to #AskanOPNaturalist

New in 2022: Blackfly Protection Zones in Algonquin

Today’s post comes from Roger LaFontaine, park naturalist and passionate blackfly advocate. 

Imagine yourself by the side of a beautiful, rocky stream or river in Algonquin Provincial Park.

The idyllic spot for pondering life’s mysteries, like “what does it look like inside a kingfisher’s burrow?” or “do the bioluminescent fungi glow during the day, too?”

As you enjoy your Instagrammable moments streamside, you are surrounded by a hum, vibrations, and the tickle of tiny feet.

It’s like you’re a celebrity, a guest of honour!

You have arrived to one of Algonquin’s newly established Blackfly Protection Zones.

Continue reading New in 2022: Blackfly Protection Zones in Algonquin

Keeping up with the Canada Jay

Today’s blog post comes from bird researchers Alex Sutton and Koley Freeman, PhD candidates at the University of Guelph.

In the world of Canada Jays, winter means one thing: it’s breeding season!

Canada Jays are common in Algonquin Provincial Park. Continuing a 55 year-old tradition, a dedicated team of researchers is monitoring breeding pairs. This is the longest study of its kind in the world!

With each passing year, more is learned about the breeding behaviour and life history of these remarkable birds.

Continue reading Keeping up with the Canada Jay

Where to skate in Ontario Parks

The air is crisp and clean. The evergreens are covered with snow. If you’re lucky – and observant – you might spot a cardinal, a finch, a waxwing or a blue jay as you glide along the ice.

And when the sun goes down, you can huddle around a big bonfire with a cup of hot chocolate and warm up before relacing your skates and heading back out to skate under the stars.

It’s simply magical.

This winter, plan a skating trip to these four provincial parks:

Continue reading Where to skate in Ontario Parks