Tag: Backcountry

5 tips for planning your Wabakimi Provincial Park paddling adventure

Today’s post comes from Evan McCaul, assistant superintendent at Wabakimi Provincial Park.

Welcome all new and returning visitors to Wabakimi!

Located a three hour drive north of Thunder Bay, Wabakimi is a huge sweep of the Canadian Shield, encompassing over 1,500 km of canoe routes. This park is a hub for exciting paddling experiences and adventures!

Check out the following top five pointers to assist with your backcountry trip planning:

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Try a night or two in Quetico on your next BWCAW trip

Today’s post comes from Jill Legault, Information Specialist at Quetico Provincial Park.

Have you been paddling for years in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and are looking to change up your route?

Here are some reasons why you should try paddling over the Canada–USA border to Quetico Provincial Park.

Continue reading Try a night or two in Quetico on your next BWCAW trip

How to avoid getting lost

We can definitely recommend “losing yourself” in our provincial parks by delighting in the sights and sounds of nature, and living in the moment.

We do not, however, recommend getting actually lost.

Park visitors get lost more often than you’d think. It can be a scary, stressful, and dangerous situation. It can also result in complicated and expensive search-and-rescue operations.

While we know no one sets out to get lost, there are steps you can take to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

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Spring paddling safety

Itching for ice out? We certainly are.

But spring weather can be fickle. Hitting the lake too early, failing to respect weather conditions or paddling beyond your skill level isn’t just risky — it’s downright dangerous.

We chatted with Paul Smith, Superintendent of Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, to get some top do’s and don’ts for spring paddling safety:

Continue reading Spring paddling safety

How to plan a trip to Frontenac

Frontenac is a four-season backcountry park with great opportunities for interior camping, hiking, paddling, and winter activities!

Nestled within the Frontenac Arch, Frontenac has a unique landscape not typically found in Southern Ontario. You’ll discover a diverse range of habitats, plants, and animals. With upland forests, rocky ridges, and tranquil lakes, camping is only accessible to paddlers, backpackers, and snowshoers.

Planning a trip to Frontenac? Here’s what you need to know to have a fun and frustration-free visit:

Continue reading How to plan a trip to Frontenac

6 tips for winter camping at Kawartha Highlands

So you’re no stranger to camping, but want a new adventure? Or maybe you’ve invested some money in winter camping gear?

Congratulations! Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park offers the perfect opportunity for those looking to get into winter camping.

Just a couple hours outside of the GTA, and three hours west of Ottawa, any weekend warrior looking for a new adventure will hear this park calling their name.

Here’s everything you need to know to make your foray into winter camping at Kawartha Highlands memorable, safe, and successful:

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10 ways to enjoy winter at Quetico

Today’s post comes from Quetico Superintendent Trevor Gibb.

Quetico Provincial Park is primarily known for its world class backcountry canoeing opportunities.

However, once the lakes freeze and snow blankets the forest, the park transforms into a wilderness winter wonderland.

Continue reading 10 ways to enjoy winter at Quetico

Backcountry basics: know your limits

You’ve heard about this fantastic new adventure through a friend, route guide, or Instagram. It looks kind of tough, and you’re pretty new to the whole backcountry thing.

Still, you don’t want to miss out, so you decide to go for it.

But as you start planning, there’s a little voice wondering if this is really the best idea.

Listen to that voice.

Continue reading Backcountry basics: know your limits

Backcountry canoeing with your dog

Today’s post comes from Jill Legault, Information Specialist at Quetico Provincial Park. 

Summertime means puppy playtime!

Dogs love the opportunity to be outside as much as you do. A little planning means every family member is happy and safe in the backcountry.

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Paddling Woodland Caribou Provincial Park after a forest fire

Today’s post comes from Kristiana Wilson, Assistant Park Superintendent at Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. 

2021 was quite the fire season in Ontario.

Last year alone, approximately 55% of Woodland Caribou Provincial Park burned due to natural forest fires.

The park is no stranger to forest fires — fire is key for regeneration in the boreal forest.

Still, when most people think of picturesque park landscapes, they typically don’t think of park areas that have been burned.

We’re here to change any preconceived ideas you have about travelling through large burns and share some tips to make your next post forest fire park paddling trip a little easier!

Continue reading Paddling Woodland Caribou Provincial Park after a forest fire