Naturally Northern Memories

Who doesn’t fondly recall their most memorable vacations? Just a guess, but we’ll bet the ones that truly stand out involve being somewhere you’ve never been before, seeing or experiencing something truly out-of-the-ordinary.

Herein lies the appeal of Ontario’s more northerly provincial parks. Each individual destination offers a page from the story of our natural history – from the ruggedly breathtaking landscapes, to the sky-blue waters of clean freshwater lakes. The distinctive landscapes formed by massive glaciers thousands of years ago are the natural treasures of a vibrant parks system that has inspired adventurers, artists and pathfinders alike. So, get your pen and paper ready – we’ve got some decidedly different destinations to tell you about that will change the way you define ‘vacation’. The fact that you have access to many of these memorable destinations from the relative comfort of your RV – along with family members or a few of your closest friends, is proof that you can’t have too much of a good thing – especially when it’s never very far from reach.

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit."
- Frank Borman

Lake Superior Provincial Park

Go big or go home. Access to Canada’s greatest Great Lake and the truly majestic scenery around it, is yours. Lake Superior Provincial Park comprises 1,556 sq. km. of prime Canadian wilderness of a sort that inspired artists like Lawren Harris and other members of the illustrious Group of Seven to capture the essence of the Canadian spirit. You can capture it as well. Your RV can take you to some of Canada’s most exciting and beautiful destinations, beginning with the famous Lake Superior Circle Tour – a 1,500 kilometre highway route that meanders along the Superior’s shoreline encountering countless scenic panoramas, historic sites and breathtaking parks for overnight stays like few others you’ve experienced. Lake Superior Provincial Park skirts the dramatic Algoma landscape– the result of glaciation, earthquakes and erosion, rounded into the steep-walled hills and jagged canyons of today. This timeless land offers such detours as the world-famous train ride on the Algoma Central Railway. Or the 63 km Coastal Trail which brings new meaning to hiking with its variety of cobble beaches, woodland paths, and scenic lookouts. The centuries old Aboriginal rock paintings at Agawa Rock, bear testament to man’s desire to express the world around them in pictures.

This park features three campgrounds and a total of 249 sites (58 with electrical service).

As the river flows: Old Woman Bay

Following a fault formed as a spillway for glacial meltwater in the last ice age, Old Woman River (which flows through Lake Superior Provincial Park) empties into Old Woman Bay – so named for a rock formation near the river’s mouth that resembles the face of an old woman. Look way up – the cliffs that tower some 122 metres above Lake Superior are home to newly-located Peregrine falcons.

Agawa Aboriginal Pictograph Site

It’s name derived from its original Ojibway name (which meant “the adorned rock on Agawa Lake”), Agawa Rock is home to a large collection of ancient red-ochre pictographs painted on a cliff by Aboriginal peoples. The drawings depict abstract figures as well as recognizable birds and animals, canoes and images that recall the history of the times. This site is located within Lake Superior Provincial Park.

City Of Sault Ste- Marie

The Soo meets at the rushing waters of the St. Mary’s River which has been integral to the city’s growth and success. The building of the Sault Lock canal system provided all-Canadian access for shipping from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Superior and is one of the busiest in the world. The Soo's proximity in the middle of Algoma country provides a pipeline for tourism, offering access to a wealth of hunting, fishing, camping and hiking opportunities. Nearby parks include Pancake Bay Provincial Park and Batchawana Bay Provincial Park and Lake Superior Provincial Park.

City Of Sault Ste- Marie

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

Also known as “Niagara of the North”, Kakabeka Falls plunges 40 metres over sheer cliffs of slate, captivating everyone who sees it. You can traverse the very paths that voyageurs used while portaging around the Falls. The fossils found around the ledges of the Falls are amongst the oldest in the world at 1.6 billion years. This 500 hectare park is situated atop the meeting place of two rock types: grey sedimentary and pink granite. A natural landmark for the passageway to Fort William, it has become important as a source of hydroelectricity. It’s a hikers’ heaven and the Poplar Point Trail is a perfect trek with the kids. Or, for a different twist, nearby Fort William Historical Park provides a fascinating flashback into the days of the fur trade, complete with cannon and musket drills and freighter canoe rides. Two campgrounds offer 169 sites (90 with electrical service) and they’re only 20 minutes west of Thunder Bay .

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” - Rachel Carson

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Less than an hour north of Peterborough, you’ll find the largest concentration of petroglyphs in all of North America. Carved into white marble rock 600 -1,200 years ago are over 900 representations of turtles, snakes, birds and humans. The park covers two hectares of land but does not offer overnight facilities. You’ll find a campground at Silent Lake Provincial Park.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Did you know? Pictographs vs. Petroglyphs

Pictographs are paintings on rock. The paint itself is usually red ochre and the general belief is that fish oil was used as the bonding agent.

Petroglyphs are carvings in rock. Using stone tools, Aboriginal people etched a variety of dramatic figures usually onto flat surfaces.

Rob Stimpson’s Insider Photography Tips

Award-winning professional photographer, instructor and outdoor guide, Rob Stimpson routinely creates images that reflect the magnificence of the Canadian landscape. The Insider asked him to reveal some of his shooting secrets to our readers:

1. Does your photo tell a story - ask yourself: why am I taking this photo and what is it I am trying to say?

2. Centre of Interest - the success of a photograph depends on there being one dominating feature, or centre of interest. Having a clear centre of interest, along with contributing elements that complement the subject, lets the viewer know immediately what your photo is about.

3. Keep it simple - Be careful of any distractions that will take the viewer away from your centre of interest.

4. Remember that your eye is drawn to the lightest or darkest part of an image - be careful of those white hats or highlights that can distract the eye and move attention away from your centre of interest.

5. Control the background - a non-distracting background will help bring attention to your subject matter. Move around or move the subject to avoid background distractions.

6. Use the Rule of Thirds to organize elements in your images - divide your composition into thirds - both horizontally and vertically. Place your centre of interest at the point where these lines intersect.

For more helpful information and a leg up on outdoor lifestyle photography. Rob invites you to visit his site and/or blog.

Here are some other ways to express yourself in the great outdoors: Arts In The Wild.

Rob Stimpson's Workshop Updates

Share Your Memories

Ontario Parks’ Insiders savour their outdoor adventures more than most. Reminisce with all of us – we’ll proudly publish your special experience in a future issue of the Insider. E-mail your best story or photo today – a favourite destination, a special moment with nature or the funniest photo ever. You’ll be entered – instantly – into a monthly draw for your chance to win some great parks-related prizes!

Hi Campers

My wife Pat and I discovered Marten River Prov. Park about 7 years ago and fell in love with its Splendour and Hospitality. This Park is highly maintained by an excellent and friendly Park Staff.

If you love nature, wildlife, water, and history Marten River has it all. The logging camp restoration and museum is fantastic.

Hope to see you all there one day.

Mike and Pat Kostecki and Chase