Fall vistas of Ontario’s Northeast

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.

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5 reasons to visit Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Never visited Lake Superior?

Let us introduce you to this stunning body of water with a park that showcases how great this lake is: Pancake Bay Provincial Park!

If you’re travelling from the east or south, Pancake Bay is the first provincial park with camping you’ll come across on Superior.

Located less than an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, this park is perfect to start or cap off your Lake Superior adventures.

Check out these five reasons to visit Pancake Bay Provincial Park:

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5 dream dog destinations at Ontario Parks

In today’s post, the Chairdog of the Ontario Barks committee shows us his favourite parks to take a W-A-L-K! 

Nothing gets my tail wagging faster than seeing my humans pack their bags for a park adventure!

I know that’s true for you too, my furry friends.

But with 340 provincial parks, how do we let our humans know which one deserves an outstanding round-of-a-paws from the Ontario Barks committee?

With this top five list, of course. Show this to your human to make your next W-A-L-K extra special!

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Shortcuts? More like shore cuts!

Today’s post comes from Mikhaila Lafleur-Weidhaas, a park warden at Pancake Bay Provincial Park.

Two beach trails diverged at a dune, one well-travelled and clear — the other a shortcut. Do you take “the road most travelled?”

The coastal shores of Lake Superior, with its sand beaches and Caribbean blue water, have been a popular attraction to thousands, from nomadic voyagers to people looking for paradise close to home.

However, as people run to Ontario’s beaches looking for a staycation, more pressure is being placed on our sandy shores.

This increased pressure can cause a decline of these dynamic and rare freshwater coastal dune ecosystems.

Continue reading Shortcuts? More like shore cuts!

How Pancake Bay got its name

Today’s post comes from — you guessed it — Pancake Bay Provincial Park.

Where did the name Pancake Bay come from? The answer changes depending on who you ask.

Ask a local and they’ll tell you one story. Ask a Pancake Bay staff member and they’ll tell you another. Ask a child and they will tell you it’s because the beach is flat like a pancake 😉

But no matter whom you ask, the name is closely tied to the voyageurs.

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5 fantastic forests to visit this spring

It’s International Day of Forests!

Ontario Parks protects a collection of breathtakingly beautiful forests from across the province. Each will be brimming with signs of life as the snow melts and temperatures warm.

Let’s take a look at five unique forests you can visit this spring.

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Campsite vacancy highlights: October 8-11

Gather friends and family around the picnic table this year and spend the long weekend out in nature surrounded by beautiful fall colours!

Scout out your ideal campsite on our reservation service (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of 3:00 p.m. on October 6, 2021):

Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: October 8-11

Campsite vacancy highlights: October 1-3

With beautiful weather and stunning fall colours on the way, there couldn’t be a better weekend to enjoy fall in a provincial park.

Plenty of RV-friendly electrical sites are available around the province! Why not try somewhere new?

Scout out your ideal campsite on our reservation service (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of 3:00 p.m. on September 29, 2021): Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: October 1-3

Campsite vacancy highlights: September 24-26

Well WATT do you know? We have electrical sites available across the province!

No matter where you go, you’ll find a hook up waiting for you, including at a few roofed accommodations!

Scout out your ideal campsite on our reservation service (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of noon on September 23, 2021):

Continue reading Campsite vacancy highlights: September 24-26