Autumn Is Show Time In Ontario’s Provincial Parks

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2009

Autumn Is Show Time In Ontario’s Provincial Parks
Fact Sheet

Spectacular fall colours, cool nights, and sunny days – with no mosquitoes or black flies – make autumn a great time of year to visit a provincial park. Hikers, campers and canoeists will find the quiet solitude of September and October to be a pleasant contrast to the busier trails, campgrounds and waterways of summer.

A visit to a provincial park is also an economical way to enjoy new experiences with family and friends.

Unless otherwise noted, these activities are included with park entry (ranging from $10-$20 per car):

• Visit The Pinery, Point Farms and Wheatley provincial parks for family Halloween weekends that include bat house building, scarecrow competitions, campsite decorating and trick or treating.
• Take guided family hikes with staff at Bon Echo Provincial Park on Sunday mornings until October 12.
• Walk all 160 kilometres of Frontenac Provincial Park’s trail system between September 1 and October 31.  Awards will be handed out in November.
• Watch local artists at work capturing the spirit of Awenda Provincial Park on Saturday, September 26.
• Stop at Lake Superior Provincial Park visitor centre to see exhibits that tell the story of how the lake has influenced the natural and cultural history of the park. The centre is open until October 11.
• Enjoy Killarney Provincial Park’smany scenic hiking trails and exciting lookout points.
• Learn the tricks to capturing colourful autumn landscapes with your camera at the digital photography weekend workshop in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, October 2 to 4.  Advance registration is required and there is a workshop fee.
• Stop at the French River visitor centre to see the “Voices of the River” exhibits and a dramatic view of the French River canyon.  The centre is open until October 12.
• Join staff at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on October 24 for a public coyote howl.
• Experience peaceful solitude and crisp autumn air as you paddle historic water routes travelled by Ojibway and fur traders in Quetico Provincial Park.

ABOUT ONTARIO’S PROVINCIAL PARKS

• There are 330 provincial parks in Ontario with more than 100 providing visitor facilities. 
• Ontario’s provincial parks welcome over 10 million visitors a year. Parks and protected areas cover over nine million hectares, or about nine per cent of the province.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Visit the Ontario Parks website to find out about park opening and closing dates, camping accommodations, park fees, fall activities and special events.
• Check out Ontario Parks online fall colour report for an update on where foliage colours are peaking across the province.
• Pick up the 2009 Ontario Parks Guide, available from any provincial park office, tourism agency, ServiceOntario/Government Information Centre and local chamber of commerce, or by calling 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746).
• To check campsite availability and make reservations, visit www.OntarioParks.com or call 1-888-ONT-PARK (668-7275).

For More Information

Mandy Bidwell, Ontario Parks, 705-755-1734

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)