The best day trips (if you live in Toronto)

Living in Toronto can make nature feel a million miles away.

This is especially true in the winter, when the closeness of the buildings, the busy streets, and the slush limit the best that winter has to offer – tranquility, wide-open spaces, and room to play.

In truth, however, the natural world is never too far away. Several provincial parks are open all winter and offer easy day visits for city-dwellers.

We’ve partnered with our road-trip loving friends at Subaru Canada to share some of the top parks near Toronto you need to check out:

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Halloween 2023 at Ontario Parks

By the pricking of our thumbs, something wicked this way comes…

We’ve got tons of haunted Halloween events coming up! Find some stand-out spookiness below (and don’t forget to check out events page for late-breaking additions!).

Will you be visiting the ghosts of campers past this October?

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Experience autumn at Sibbald Point Provincial Park

Today’s post comes from Laura McClintock, a senior park naturalist at Sibbald Point Provincial Park

I’m a naturalist.

I work in one of the busiest parks in the province, yet I’m always seeking out a quiet meadow or shoreline to observe nature.

While known for our popular beach and access to Lake Simcoe, Sibbald Point is a small but mighty hub of biodiversity.

Every season has its perks, but for nature lovers and solitude seekers alike, fall camping at Sibbald Point is where it’s at.

Here are some of the perks in store for Sibbald Point this fall:

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For the pollinators! Two pollinator gardens you can visit and learn about this year

Gardens are not something you typically think of when it comes to Ontario Parks, considering we preserve many of Ontario’s natural landscapes. But there’s one type of garden we’re happy to build in our parks: pollinator gardens!

Last summer, two southeastern parks worked hard to build and establish new pollinator gardens. Why? Because planting native plants supports biodiversity and helps our pollinators, some of which have populations in dramatic decline.

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Adventure Lab: are you ready for an adventure?

Ontario Parks is pleased to unveil a new outdoor activity that we hope will help connect you and your family to our amazing system of parks!

We’ve teamed up with Adventure Lab to create seven unique “Adventures” that teach you about our protected spaces!

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How to plan your trip to Sibbald Point

Located on Lake Simcoe, Sibbald Point Provincial Park is a great spot for day-use. The park has a sandy beach and shallow water perfect for kids.

But during the hot summer months, the park can get extremely busy. Many weekends, Sibbald Point hits capacity and can’t welcome any more visitors.

This year, you need to book your day use permit in advance to guarantee entry.

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Ice fishing for perch at Sibbald Point

Today’s post comes from year-round multispecies angler and writer, Ashley Rae, of SheLovesToFish.com.

I’ve previously only had the opportunity to explore Lake Simcoe a handful of times.

This included a couple of open water outings and an afternoon on the ice while passing through the area a few years back.

Spending more time on this incredible fishery is something that’s been on my radar for some time, and it was exciting to finally get a proper opportunity to target perch through the ice on Simcoe!

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Ecological integrity in southeastern parks

In today’s post, Protected Areas Intern Katelyn Vardy highlights a few of the projects that staff have completed to improve and maintain the ecological integrity in southeastern parks.

When you’re standing in a favourite nature spot or within a park, it’s easy to embrace the beauty and calmness that surrounds you.

While campers and day trippers enjoy all that parks have to offer, behind the scenes are teams of staff working incredibly hard. Their work helps to protect these areas so that they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Here’s a look at some of the projects that we have completed to support the ecological integrity of southeastern parks.

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