Provincial parks offer winter wonderland

Everyone—young and old—can celebrate the season by taking part in the many winter activities available in Ontario’s provincial parks.
“With many of our parks open year-round, families have a great opportunity to enjoy the best of winter through day activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, or hiking—or winter camping in tents, yurts, or cabins,” said Natural Resources minister David Ramsay.
“And the quieter winter season is a wonderful time to view wildlife and their tracks, or just enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape,” he added.
Provincial parks offer a wide variety of activities this winter, such as:
•Skate to music on the lighted, Olympic-size outdoor ice rink at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, and enjoy a family New Year’s Eve at Bronte with skating, coyote howl hikes, and a bonfire.
•Learn about winter camping during instructional weekends at Frontenac Provincial Park.
•Join nearly 1,000 people of all ages and abilities at the popular Nordic Sibley Ski Tour on the first weekend of March at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
•Ski, mush, or skijor (skiing cross-country pulled by dogs) across Quetico Provincial Park’s beautiful lakes at the annual “Cross Quetico Lakes Tour,” taking place mid- to late March.
•Go dogsledding with commercial operators in parts of Algonquin Provincial Park.
•Take advantage of either groomed, marked trails, or rugged backcountry trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in 17 provincial parks.
•Be adventurous and try winter tent camping at many provincial parks, or enjoy the comfort of a yurt at Algonquin, MacGregor Point, Pinery, Quetico, and Silent Lake.
The Ontario Parks website provides up-to-date information on parks that offer winter camping, as well as cross-country ski conditions, the number of kilometres of groomed trails, and trail grooming updates.
“Experiencing our provincial parks in winter can be fun for the whole family, as long as you’re prepared,” said Ramsay.
“Check the conditions in advance, dress warmly, and make sure you’re equipped for cold weather,” he stressed.
For information about opening and closing dates, winter camping accommodations, park fees, winter activities, and special events in provincial parks, visit the Ontario Parks website at www.OntarioParks.com
Or you can obtain an Ontario Parks Guide from any provincial park office, tourism agency, or local chamber of commerce.
You also can check campsite availability and make reservations by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275).