Ontario is the second-largest province in Canada by area; it is also the most populous city, and it is located in central Canada. It is Canadaโs main economic hub, but this is not the only main component that Ontario is known for. But when it comes to pleasing its visitors, I can say itโs always on top.
You have many options to travel in Ontario but one most simple and interesting option is the provincial park. I am saying this because when you are travelling with family, especially small kids you want a space where you get entertainment, fun, and relaxation all together. And I think what could be a better option than visiting the parks.
So, here I have listed the top provincial parks for you to explore.
1. Algonquin Provincial Park
There is no doubt that this is one of the most well-known and oldest provincial parks in Ontario.ย Algonquin Provincial Parkย is renowned for protecting the variety of nature, recreational values, and culture. The park is home to the amazing wilderness with a variety of habitats from the lakes and forests, including 40 different mammals, different kinds of amphibians and reptiles, which is over 30, and around 130 unique breeding birds.
Donโt think itโs just a beautiful park. In fact, it is famous for canoeing and camping, mostly in summer, and the best location is around the lakes. Most of the time, the colourful display of red and orange leaves will be seen in autumn. The maple-covered hills, craggy trails, and over 1500 lakes make you the best camping backcountry experience.
2. Bon Echo Provincial Park
My next top recommendation is Bon Echo Provincial Park. Itย is located in a traditional Algonquin territory in Eastern Ontario. It is a popular family park with two large campgrounds, lakes, wildlife, and cultural preservation.
It is also a famous spot among families and groups. The best way to explore the park is to have a tour boat from the campground or canoe and kayak along the base of the rock face, which has many examples of 260 native pictographs of rock painting. These are very popular activities.
There are no such alternatives for lots of adventure for multi-days, due to its small size, which has 25 paddles in campsites and for car camping, there are two campgrounds. Apart from that, you can go hiking, camping, boating, and fishing there.
3. Lake Superior Provincial Park
Lake Superior Provincial Parkย is best known for kayaking or hiking as there are numerous hikes which include multi-day backpacking hiking trails and a paddling route for experienced paddlers and kayakers. And I am sure you must heard about it before. Even if you havenโt, I would only say donโt miss visiting there.
Agawa rock pictographs are one of the key points of interest in the area with a huge cliff wall along the lake. It is not all about the natural landscape but also the cultural significance of the place. So, if you want to visit it in the summer, this would be the right place to do kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and camping.
4. Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico Provincial Parkย has a real connection with primitive nature when we talk about the unspoiled wilderness and natural substances.ย You can have an incredible paddling and fishing experience here with the amazing wildlife. But, you have to be careful as there you will find no mobile signals, non-motorized boats with no accommodation, and fewer crowds in comparison to the other provincial parks. Pretty hiking trails, fishing spots, a glance of moose or black bears, and howls of wolves are the main reasons to visit, apart from your love for canoeing or kayaking.
5. Killarney Provincial Park
The landscape ofย Killarney Provincial Parkย is unique because of the countless small lakes, white mountains, and cobalt blue water with the contrast of green trees. Theย La Cloche Mountainย range is the signature feature of the park because of its shockingly white colour, which is made of white quartzite. I highly recommend exploring it.
From Killarney Outfitters, you can have guides, kits, or book shuttlers to know more about the place. You have to drive 4.5 hours from Toronto or one hour from the south of Sudbury. If we talk about wildlife, it is prevalent here as you can have opportunities to see foxes, deer, bears, or beavers as the park can be explored by foot or canoe.
6. Awenda Provincial Park
My last top recommendation is Awenda Provincial Park.ย When we talk about the things that you can do here, there are a lot of alternatives, such as cycling on multi-use trails, hiking along with the ancient dune system, discovering bird species, or snowshoeing.
After spending all day doing such activities, you can witness the gorgeous sunset from the beach site that can take you to another world. The park is also home toย Kettle Lakeย which is a great spot for canoeing. There are a wide variety of campsites, which include group camping, car camping, or dog-free camping. If you are not an outdoor camping lover, you can head to the beautiful cottages for a homier experience.
If you want to explore these amazing wonders of nature, you must make reservations up to five months in advance, but some of them, like the French River, work based on a first-come, first-serve. Provincial parks are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing ecological integrity. The purposes are clear and emphasize protecting the cultural and natural features, recreation, and heritage education.
So, tighten up your shoes to have a great experience of beaches, hiking, and camping in the parks that are rich in orchids and all kinds of wildlife!
Last Updated on April 22, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
