Looking to extend your camping season?
Many of our parks are open for overnight stays in October and November. Whether you snuggle up in your tent or get cozy in your RV, make sure you pack extra socks!
Bundle up and book a trip to one of these late fall camping spots:
Continue reading Perfect parks for your late fall camping trip
Today’s story comes from Park Staff Besties: Zuzanna and Alysa, summer staff working at Killbear Provincial Park who spent their season visiting over 30 provincial parks! Are you interested in joining us for the 2023 summer season? Applications are now open!
“You work and live in a provincial park? What do you do on your days off?”
“Camp at other provincial parks!”
If you asked staff at Killbear what they thought of the two of us, they would say we are “attached at the hip.” We met last year working as gate attendants in Algonquin Provincial Park and moved to Killbear this season.
Not knowing anyone else at this park, we requested to be roommates at our new staff house and have been going almost everywhere together ever since!
Working and living at Killbear this past summer has been an absolute dream. With the pristine sand beaches, rocky shorelines and picturesque sunsets, we were curious to see what other provincial parks had to offer and decided to make the most of our summer season living up here!
Continue reading Off-hours road tripping with Zuzanna and Alysa
Today’s post comes to us from Discovery Program Specialist Dave Sproule.
Around the middle of August, Ontario’s landscape starts to change colour. A bit of gold here, swaths of white there, and even a touch of purple in places. No, it’s not fall yet, although the odd maple tree may think so. It’s actually the “second flowering of summer,” and it lasts well into the autumn.
While many of the flowering plants in the landscape have quit for the season, the asters and goldenrods are just getting going.
Continue reading It’s aster season!
Today’s post comes from Kenton Otterbein, Discovery Program leader at Killbear Provincial Park.
In a time before instant communication, accurate weather forecasts, or GPS, the navigation lights and lighthouses on the Great Lakes helped guide ships to safe harbour through dangerous shoals and stormy seas.
Just over 100 years ago, one ship met its early demise travelling a route which included the shores of Killbear Provincial Park.
This is the tragic story of the Lambton.
Today’s post comes from Indigenous Project Relations Intern Adam Solomon and Discovery Program Leader Kenton Otterbein at Killbear Provincial Park. Adam is a member of Henvey Inlet First Nation.
Seeing a Massasauga Rattlesnake (“Zhiishiigweg“ in Anishinaabemowin) can provoke a variety of emotions ranging from fear to fascination.
Unfortunately, fear caused by misinformation exaggerating the danger of rattlesnake bites has caused many to kill rattlesnakes over the past 200 years of European settlement in this province.
The Anishinaabek have a different worldview of the Massasauga Rattlesnake.
Continue reading Living with Zhiishiigweg (Massasauga Rattlesnake): an Anishinaabek perspective
Today’s blog was written by Jessica Stillman, school outreach coordinator at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Our beautiful beaches are one of the many reasons people choose to visit parks.
But you didn’t think they got that pretty on their own, did you?
Here’s a glimpse into some of the behind-the-scenes work you probably didn’t know was going on across the province…
Alison Lake or “Lakie” is an ecologist in our northeast zone, and has earned a reputation as a passionate promoter of ecological integrity.
She has an infectious love of the natural world and is rarely seen without her “bins” (binoculars) around her neck.
Continue reading 8 questions with an Ontario Parks ecologist
Tucked away in a corner of Killbear Provincial Park is a special spot: the Twin Points Trail.
With windswept pines, rugged rocks, and a plethora of wildlife, this is the perfect place to fully absorb the beauty of Georgian Bay.
This natural gem has captured the hearts of many, including one special nature-lover: Teresa Daw.
She made a lasting contribution to help more people access the trail than ever before.
Continue reading Improving access to Twin Points Trail at Killbear
Ah, fall…the weather cools down, the bugs disappear, and our parks turn into a kaleidoscope of stunning reds, oranges, and yellows.
If you’re a lover of fall hiking, northeastern Ontario is the place to be. The combination of rugged Canadian Shield and spectacular fall colours makes hiking in northeastern Ontario a bucket list item.
Our parks are home to some amazing must-see vistas that are illuminated each year by autumn’s changing leaves. Here are a few of our favourites.
Well… it had to happen eventually!
Ontario Parks’ longest serving employee has retired after working 62 years at Killbear Provincial Park.
Eddie started working at the park in 1959 and helped to build the roads and campgrounds before the park officially opened in 1960.
After a full career training countless staff and keeping the maintenance department ticking, Eddie decided to hang up his chainsaw for good last summer.
Hats off to Eddie and we wish him a long and healthy retirement!
When most people think of a career, they might think of working 30, 35, or perhaps even 40 years before enjoying a well-earned retirement.
Eddie Ramsay doesn’t subscribe to that point of view.
Continue reading The remarkable 62-year career of Eddie Ramsay
