Over 300 Parks at Your Fingertips

Ontario Parks Insider

Jumpstart your summer vacation plans with a trip to the Ontario Parks’ website. Now is the time to book your favourite campsite or better yet, to discover a new park to explore. Campsite reservations are now open for spring and early summer.

Many Ontario Parks’ campers have a favourite park that they grace each year. Admittedly, it is hard to sway from a good thing, but there are over 300 provincial parks in Ontario. The Park Locator is the perfect online tool to help you discover a new outdoor vacation destination this year. Here are some of the ways you can use the Park Locator:

Locate parks by service – Need a park with canoe rentals, a radio free campground and swimming? Searching with this feature allows you to find parks that offer the services and facilities you need. Start by selecting your criteria from an extensive list of activities, facilities and services and let the computer do the work. You will then be provided with a list of parks that meet your specific needs.

Locate parks nearest to you – This quick and easy feature allows you to discover parks that are within a specific driving distance from your home. Simply select your city along with how far you are willing to drive and a list of parks is presented to you.

Map of Ontario – Fly over the province using the familiar Google Maps application to see the location of all of Ontario’s provincial parks. This full-featured interactive map not only pinpoints the park locations, but also provides a direct link to each park webpage.

The Park Locator is one way to discover the unrivaled landscapes and diverse outdoor recreation possibilities that all Ontario Parks have to offer. In very little time, you may just discover your next favourite park.

Winter Solace in Ontario Provincial Parks

Ontario Parks Insider

Ontario Parks’ campers are familiar with the variety of summer accommodations that are available, but surprisingly, there are several winter options to spend a night camping within the comforts of four walls and a roof.

Want to enjoy the solace of the winter season in one of Ontario’s provincial parks but are a little hesitant on cold-camping it? Welcome the yurt. These eight-sided tents, mounted on a wooden deck, offer campers a cozy structure to weather the cool nights. Nothing is better than a warm place to crash after spending the day on the trails snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Based on the traditional Mongolian dwelling, each yurt sleeps four adults or a family of six, and comes equipped with bunk beds, lights, kitchen furniture, and electric heat. Outside are a propane barbecue and a fire pit. Yurts are available for winter rental at MacGregor Point, Algonquin, Killarney, Silent Lake, and Quetico.

For reservations call 1-888-668-7275 or visit the Yurt webpage for more information.

Are yurts not your thing? Then how about trying Winter RV camping. New to Algonquin Park this year are fully equipped RVs to rent. They are parked in prime campsites, plugged in and ready for you to kick back and enjoy your surroundings with all the comforts of home.

Still not convinced a winter slumber in a park is a good idea? Then why not upgrade to a cottage. Sandbanks Provincial Park has a cottage and a heritage home to provide a warm place to reside while you explore the splendors of winter. These fully furnished accommodations comfortably sleep six to eight adults.

Winter is the perfect season to enjoy the solace of nature; it’s a period of wilderness splendor that no other time of the year can provide. And what better way to experience it than in roofed accommodations at Ontario’s provincial parks.

Quetico Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Ontario Parks Insider

2009 marks the 100th anniversary of Quetico as a protected area. If you’ve yet to visit Quetico then this is the year to do it. And if you’re a park regular, then make sure to plan your annual pilgrimage for 2009.

The creation of Quetico Provincial Park was a reaction to an ever-growing interest in wilderness protection across North America. The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 established an International Joint Commission to assist governments in managing the natural resources of the Quetico and Northern Minnesota regions. The commission had six members; the President of the United States approved three, and the Governor in Council of Canada, on the advice of the Prime Minister appointed the other three. Later that year, after the Ontario Cabinet approved an Order-in-Council, the Quetico Forest and Game Reserve was created. At the same time, Superior National Forest, in Minnesota, was also set aside for protection.
Throughout Quetico’s one hundred years it has been the stage for many tribulations and triumphs. With the dedicated efforts of park staff, volunteers and concerned citizens Quetico Provincial Park is closer to its wilderness state today than when it began. The accomplishments over the years, including a ban on logging, mining and motorized vehicles, along with specific quotas on the number of users, have allowed the true wilderness of the park to flourish. Home to giant white pines, world-class fishing and an average portage length of 200 metres, it is no wonder Quetico is a mecca for backcountry canoe enthusiasts. Most travellers who have paddled the lakes and rivers of Quetico hold a special place for the park and are rarely satisfied with just one visit.

Quetico is hosting many activities to celebrate the centennial year, which makes it the perfect time to reconnect with friends, family and a cherished park. Visit the Ontario Parks events page to see the complete list of celebrations.

Are Algonquin Moose Affected by Global Warming?

Ontario Parks Insider

Ontario Parks provides exceptional camping experiences for visitors each and every season; but there’s more to the province’s park system than just the chance to sleep under the stars. A number of natural history and scientific studies are being undertaken by staff, students, scientists and volunteers every year. Maintaining the delicate ecological integrity of Ontario’s provincial parks is of utmost importance for current and future generations.

Take Algonquin Provincial Park’s population for example. Algonquin’s moose population is being studied in detail by park biologist, Brad Steinberg. It seems the population has been fluctuating between 2000 and 4500 moose over the last few years- But why? Theories include global warming, parasites, and hair loss. Algonquin moose have been studied for over a half a century, showing numbers increasing since the early 1980s, but there have been dramatic fluctuations in the last couple of years.

Winter ticks may play a significant role in Algonquin's moose populations. Numbering in the tens of thousands, these ticks cause moose to scratch and lick away their hair in late winter, putting them at risk for hypothermia. Other parasites like Brainworms also impact moose numbers.

Heat stress may also play a role in moose numbers as increasing numbers of warm days may cause moose to overheat or spend time and energy seeking cooler areas.

The story of Algonquin’s moose population is still being revealed and according to Brad Steinberg, the only way we can understand the complex balance of nature is continue to study how these amazing animals interact with the Park ecosystem.