Discover Lake Huron’s beauty on the Georgian Bay – Lake Huron Route

Planning a cross-province adventure? Check out the Ontario Parks Driving Routes.

If an unforgettable road trip is on your bucket list, we’ve got the route for you. Our Georgian Bay – Lake Huron Route is your guide to the world’s longest freshwater beach, breathtaking Georgian Bay sunsets, and the world’s largest freshwater island.

Hike the white quartzite hills painted by the Group of Seven. Paddle the inspiring and rugged granite shoreline of Georgian Bay and take in the windswept pines that make this region famous.

Starting in Toronto and drive north from there, this tour is one you’ll never forget.

Continue reading Discover Lake Huron’s beauty on the Georgian Bay – Lake Huron Route

Late summer/early fall paddling trips in Wabakimi Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Sofi Czich, a Canoe Resource Technician at Wabakimi Provincial Park.

Planning a paddling trip during late summer/early fall in Wabakimi will stimulate your senses.

Wabakimi Provincial Park is a wild and raw beauty that will provide an unforgettable experience!

There are a few things to look forward during your paddling trip and also some things to keep in mind.

Continue reading Late summer/early fall paddling trips in Wabakimi Provincial Park

Top 6 parks for canoe fishing in northern Ontario

Paddling into the wilderness, fishing from a canoe and then going back to camp to enjoy a backcountry fish fry is a special experience.

If you’re up for a trip like this, check out our recommendations for the best backcountry fishing destinations in our northern parks.  Continue reading Top 6 parks for canoe fishing in northern Ontario

Birding in the boreal

Lev Frid, birder par excellence, recently explored some of our northern parks, and wrote us the following post. If you love songbirds, this is a must-read!

For many Ontario birdwatchers, it’s all about the spring. Great Lakes havens such as Rondeau, MacGregor Point and Presqu’ile Provincial Parks host birding festivals and draw lots of visitors itching to see newly-arrived spring migrants.

What you might not know is that there are many opportunities to view these same birds on their breeding grounds in the boreal forest in some of our northern parks.

Continue reading Birding in the boreal

The Meteor in Helenbar Lake

Today’s post comes from our Discovery Specialist (and history buff), Dave Sproule.

On June 29, 1946, a Meteor struck the waters of Helenbar Lake in the remote forests 60 km north of the town of Blind River…

… but it wasn’t the kind of Meteor you’re thinking of.

This Meteor was a jet fighter plane!

Continue reading The Meteor in Helenbar Lake

Quetico’s wilderness voices

Today’s post comes from Jill Legault, an information specialist at Quetico Provincial Park.

Quetico’s oral histories have been locked away on archival cassettes at the John B. Ridley Research Library — until now.

Courtesy of history enthusiasts from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, they have come out of the vault and into our ears.

Continue reading Quetico’s wilderness voices

Why you should go north to camp this summer

If you’ve been looking on our reservation system lately, you’ll have realized this already – our southern provincial parks are SUPER busy this year!

This summer, the solution to finding your serene camping trip might be to head north.

There, you’ll find not only more space to camp in peace, but also opportunities to explore landscapes unlike anything in southern Ontario.

Continue reading Why you should go north to camp this summer

Working at Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Kathleen Boston, a Discovery Leader at Pancake Bay Provincial Park. 

Three years ago, I applied to spend my summer working at Pancake Bay Provincial Park. It was one of the best decisions I ever made!

Thankfully I was chosen to work as a gate attendant for my first year. In my second year I moved to the maintenance department, and now, in my third year, I am part of the Discovery Program team.

Continue reading Working at Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Under the Volcano Trail at Neys Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Grace McGarry and Meghan Drake, Discovery Program staff at Neys and Mark Puumala, Resident Geologist at the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

Neys Provincial Park is a special place. It has so many qualities that stand out when compared to other parks.

One of these qualities is the park’s Under the Volcano Trail. This stunning trail is entirely along the coast of Lake Superior.

This trail has some interesting features waiting to be discovered. Let’s take a look at what makes this trail special.

To start, the name says it all. This trail takes you along the route of what was once an active volcano where the coast of Lake Superior is now!

Continue reading Under the Volcano Trail at Neys Provincial Park