While 32 provincial parks remain open for the winter, the rest hibernate until spring.
But closing a park isn’t as simple as just locking the gates. Our staff put a lot of elbow grease into prepping each park for the winter.
Here are just a few of the tasks we do each fall:
Continue reading What goes into closing a park for the winter?
All good things must come to an end, including the heat of summer.
You’ve learned to set up and take down your equipment this year, but do you know how to properly store it over the winter (without producing any mildew, funky smells, or damage)?
In case you need a quick refresher (pun intended), we’ve created a checklist to help make sure your gear is ready and waiting for your first spring adventure.
Continue reading 4 tips to prep your camping gear for the off-season
Today’s post was written by seasonal student Heather Van Den Diepstraten from Rondeau Provincial Park.
It’s not just students and birds on the move this fall.
As the cold weather approaches, reptiles are trekking across Rondeau Provincial Park in search of hibernacula (places in which wildlife overwinter). Researchers for Wildlife Preservation Canada are busy tracking the movements of snakes, turtles, and skinks within the park as they find suitable habitat for their hibernation.
Continue reading Slithering into fall: hibernation for Ontario’s reptiles
In today’s blog, Helen McConnell, a marketing and communications specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park, explains what “SNOW” is and how SNOW data is used to protect our parks and the species that live here.
On a chilly Monday in March, I found myself snowshoeing with our park biologist, loudly crunching through the snow as we followed a “snow course” through through the hardwood forest.
Ready for a day of cross country skiing? Preparing your skis properly can make a big difference in whether you have a fun outing – or a frustrating one.
Peter Crooks, the trail manager for Kamview Nordic Ski Centre in Thunder Bay, has been cross-country skiing for nearly half a century.
Here are his top 7 tips on how to “read” the snow and use the right waxes for your classic skis:
Continue reading Tips from a trail manager: prepping for the perfect cross-country ski day
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!
Just because snowflakes are flying doesn’t mean you have to wait ’til spring to explore our parks again!
These southeastern parks provide plenty of wonderful close-to-home winter activities.
Winter camping: for those who want a little more space.
Ready to try a cold weather camping trip? Review our tips for winter camping!
This month’s FREE digital download comes from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Throughout 2023, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.
Trail guide and cellphone and water in bottles,
Flashlight just in case your hike is a dawdle,
High energy snacks secured with drawstrings,
These are a few of our essential things… (can’t you just hear Maria von Trapp’s voice?)
A walk through a pine tree forest in crunchy snow can be dreamy, however your trip through a winter wonderland can go south quickly if you’re missing important items.
Being prepared with a few essentials in your bag will help keep you safe on your adventure. Here are six items that should always be in your day pack on a winter hike:
Continue reading 6 essential items to pack for your winter hike
The best part of winter?
Mother Nature debuts her annual colour palette, with shades of blue, grey, green, and white painted across the province.
This month’s FREE digital download comes from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Throughout 2022, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.
