Ontario Parks protects not only land, but also a network of over one million hectares of lakes and rivers across the province.
And we want you to be safe while you’re here enjoying them.
Here are some tips to make your next visit a water-safe one:
Tag: Water Safety
Our free PFD Lending Program
While swimming, boating and other water activities are a centrepiece of many Ontario Parks adventures, there are also risks associated with these activities.
We want our visitors to stay safe when they hit the waves.
And that starts with a PFD (personal flotation device)!
Your winter preparedness guide
If you’re reading this, you’re likely a not-very-furry mammal with a core body temperature around 37ºC.
Your body works very hard to maintain this temperature. If it drops even a few degrees, moving, thinking, and other basic tasks become difficult. You will need to warm up quickly, or you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.
To prevent cold-related emergencies, it’s important to plan your winter adventures with care.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe in cold weather:
Ice fishing safety all season long
Today’s post comes from year-round multispecies angler and writer Ashley Rae of SheLovesToFish.com.
Brr! Winter weather has hit Ontario hard.
As the ice freezes up across the province, anglers are beginning to venture out onto the hard water for some ice fishing action.
Ice fishing is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors during our long, cold winters. Trust me, when you’re outside hooking fish, winter passes by in a flash!
Thankfully with the wide range of equipment available today, ice fishing doesn’t have to be a chilling experience. In order to enjoy a safe and comfortable season from start to finish, make sure you are prepared by checking out the list below.
Fall paddling safety
Fall is the perfect time to paddle.
As the temperatures cool there are no bugs and the lakes become less crowded. Plus you can catch some of our beautiful fall colours!
But fall weather can be fickle. Hitting the lake too late, 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 fall paddling safety:
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.
7 tips for safe boating
The warm weather is here, and many Ontarians are getting out on the water.
To make sure you have a fun – and safe — experience, make sure you review these seven tips for safe boating:
Water safety at Bon Echo
The famous Mazinaw Lake at Bon Echo Provincial Park attracts tons of visitors every year.
We love to see our visitors enjoy beginner friendly canoe routes or swimming in Joeperry Lake and Mazinaw Lake, however we want you to partake in water activities safely.
Here are some precautions to ensure you explore Bon Echo safely:
Water safety at Sibbald Point
Welcome to Sibbald Point Provincial Park, located on Lake Simcoe! Our park is well-known for its wonderful boating, swimming, and fishing (not to mention its beautiful sandy beach!).
Whether you’re a parent, friend, sibling, cousin, or dog, we want you to be safe and wear a PFD when enjoying the water.
Here’s a few water safety reminders. Please read and share:
Spring flooding at Ontario Parks
**NOTE: this post was last updated on June 18, 2019, and will not be updated again in 2019. Please refer to our alerts page for further flooding updates.
Due to this spring’s high water levels, many provincial parks are experiencing flooding, which may delay their opening, or close their trails and campgrounds. We’re maintaining an up-to-date list of parks affected by flooding in this post.
Our staff are working hard to help our parks dry out and re-open for visitors. Take a look at what we’re contending with this spring: