September 11, 2019

Ontario Parks we explored this summer

ontario parks
We enjoy spending most of our time outdoors in the summer, visiting different Ontario Parks during our road trips have become a tradition. Having an annual park pass helps to stop by at different parks! Here are a few of the Ontario Parks we explored this summer in the Kawartha, Ottawa Valley, and Sudbury regions: Bon Echo, Petroglyphs, Silent Lake, Frontenac, Windy Lake, French River, and Samuel de Champlain provincial parks.  
ontario parks
Bon Echo Provincial Park has 20,000 acres of park boundary to protect the diverse ecosystems, human history, and rugged beauty. We went for a day excursion especially to see the Mazinow rock, and once there we found that there is so much to do at this park! 
ontario parks
The spectacular view of the Mazinaw Rock began forming 1.2 billion years ago is one of the main reasons we wanted to stop by at this park. The rock consists mainly of granite, which was formed by a process called faulting. This 15 km long granite cliff is over 100m above the Mazinow lake. There are over 260 Indigenous pictograph on this rock painted by Algonkian-speaking peoples using red ochre, a substance created by grinding iron rich hematite into a floury powder and mixing it with fish oil or animal fat. The pictographs dates between 300 to 1000 years - these reddish-orange images can be seen just above the waterline. 
ontario parks
There had been an inn at Bon Echo which was bought by Flora MacDonald Denison, a Toronto feminist in 1910 to create a wilderness retreat inspired by the philosophy of American poet Walt Whitman. The guests were offered painting lessons, amateur theatre, and poetry readings. We can see the 1920 inscription of "Old Walt" commissioned by Flora MacDonald as she supported Whitman's democratic views. Flora's son Merrill Denison inherited the resort in 1921 until its closure in 1928. It burned down in 1936, and now only a few buildings remain, which includes the Visitors Centre. 

We can explore the lake and the rock either on our own or take an interpretative boat tour of the lake for a fee. If you enjoy fishing, Shabomeka Lake and Mazinaw Lake are perfect to fish Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Perch, Pike, and Lake Trout - check with regulations and park office before fishing. They also have opportunities to rock climb, canoe, kayak, a beach area and more. The visitors centre at this park has a wealth of information - a good learning experience! If you plan to stay overnight there are 530 campsites including cabins, yurts, exploration tents, car campsites, canoe and hiking trails accessed backcountry campsites.  
ontario parks
Petroglyphs Provincial Park has teaching rocks with more than 300 images carved over 1100 year by Indigenous people. We are not allowed to take pictures at this site because it is sacred for Indigenous peoples. 
ontario parks
We learned a lot about Indigenous culture and their theologies at the Visitors Centre, it is well worth visiting this provincial park to learn about Indigenous culture.
ontario parks
At the Silent Lake Provincial Park we enjoyed watching the beautiful Silent lake early in the morning. Due to amount of mosquitos we started the hike, but turned back. There are canoes and kayaks which can be rented to enjoy the peaceful Silent lake. 
ontario parks
ontario parks
ontario parks
ontario parks
ontario parks
Frontenac Provincial Park established in 1974, a place to try wilderness camping and learn outdoor skills. There is something different for every season at Frontenac. This park is recognized as UNESCO world biosphere reserve as it hosts flora and fauna not often found in other parts of Canada. This park is wonderful place to do backcountry camping.  
ontario parks
Windy Lake Provincial Park is a park in the Sudbury Region. It was developed as a picnic stopover, and is a popular destination for swimming and camping in Northern Ontario. The shape of the lake was referred to as Makoping by Ojibwa people meaning "place of the bear paw" as they used the shores of Windy Lake for hunting, fishing, and picking berries. 
ontario parks
We learned a lot about the history of the region and different characters such as Samuel de Champlain and Étienne Brûlé at the French River Provincial Park visitors centre. The French River flows for 105 kilometres from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay. 
ontario parks
Thousands of years before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal people followed the river to fish, hunt, and trade. During the 1600s this river opened North America to French explorers, and Jesuit missionaries. 
ontario parks
When fur trade receded, the timber barons took over sending rafts of red and white pine south of the river. French River Provincial Park is a protected place for the Massasauga Rattlesnake. 
ontario parks
There is a lot to learn by going to the Visitor's Centre at Samuel de Champlain. We learned how the beaver in Ontario was brought to near extinction by the 1840s from as many as 400 million because of intensive trapping for fur trade, which changed the landscape dramatically. 
ontario parks
With the beavers gone, the dams on cold water streams fell apart and many wetlands and habitat disappeared, which reduced the network of canoe routes. The Anishinabek found it difficult to travel, the food was scarce, and there weren't any fur to trade. 
ontario parks
We had an amazing time during the 3 hour voyager canoe Chutes Tour at Samuel de Champlain. We started our tour about 10 minutes away from the park at Pimisi Bay. This tour costs $25 per adult and $20 per child. They also offer other tours for shorter time frames and lower fees. 
ontario parks
The view of the river from different angles, The Talon Chutes waterfall, and all the things we learned about natural and cultural history, geology, biodiversity of the Mattawa River during this guided tour in the canoe and at the hike was superb. Our knowledgable guides, Mathieu and Connor made this tour exciting. 
ontario parks
Wild blueberries that we enjoyed.
ontario parks
Geological wonders such as the symmetrical lines in nature.
ontario parks
Pot holes natural tubs in different shapes and depth.
ontario parks
Talon Chutes waterfall.
ontario parks
It was fun experiencing how life would have been for a Voyageur. Although, we learned that a voyageur's life wasn't about singing, drinking, and paddling for fun, rather it was hard as they only earned a modest wage working for Montreal based traders, and many ended their careers disabled because of hard labour and injuries. In 1760 there was a charitable fun established in Montreal for the "relief of disabled and decayed voyageurs". 
ontario parks
The fur trade on Mattawa river flourished until early 1820s because of the labour of thousands of French Canadians and Aboriginal voyageurs. In the 1850s there were logging camps set up along the river, and in 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway line ran along the south side of the Mattawa Valley.  

Each year, we enjoy visiting different Ontario Parks to learn about the history of our nation and stories about different people and significant places. Every park is different and unique, with lots to explore! 

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2010 - 2019. Please Ask First Please note that all opinions and thoughts expressed are my own. 

121 comments:

  1. Thank you for blogging about the parks you visited, I have my Ontario Parks passport and plan in the next few years visiting as many as I can. They all are amazing, I love to hike and be outdoors

    ReplyDelete
  2. The parks are all very beautiful It would be nice to camp and explore all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Ontario Parks, Bon Echo is on my list to visit next year

    ReplyDelete
  4. My family and I visited Petroglyphs Provincial Park this summer, the kids and I really enjoyed seeing the rock paintings

    ReplyDelete
  5. Frontenac Provincial Park sounds like an interesting park to visit

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to visit Silent Lake Provincial Park for the beautiful scenery.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This year I have visited 4 provincial parks and collected stickers and patches from 3, next year I plan to visit a lot more

    ReplyDelete
  8. wow the 3 hour canoe Chutes Tour at Samuel de Champlain sounds amazing, another adventure to add to my ever growing list

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks very much for these helpful informative reviews & beautiful pics of the parks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really can't wait to explore more Ontario Parks next year

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love to go on the 3 hour voyager canoe Chutes Tour at Samuel de Champlain I picked wild blueberries a few years ago with my mom and my sister they are so tasty

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such beautiful spots! Would love to get out and explore some of them :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. There are so many beautiful parks to explore.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Definitely visiting Bon Echo next year, I have heard nothing but great things about this park

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to visit Windy Lake Provincial Park and camp here. It looks like a great place to explore and pick berries

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ontario is beautiful. There is a new treasure around every corner.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ontario is full of amazing parks, can't wait to explore more

    ReplyDelete
  18. It would be interesting to explore these beautiful parks

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ontario has so many wonderful natural areas to explore, I can't wait to get out to more parks next year

    ReplyDelete
  20. The parks are all amazing I would love to visit them

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love Ontario and I love getting outdoors, we are so blessed to have so many beautiful natural areas

    ReplyDelete
  22. It would be awesome to explore these beautiful parks

    ReplyDelete
  23. looks like some beautiful parks to visit

    ReplyDelete
  24. The parks are amazing it would be awesome to visit them

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm working on completely my Ontario Parks passport, I've got a long way to go, but I will enjoy exploring all of them

    ReplyDelete
  26. if ever visiting Ontario would love to explore the parks! Amazing pics!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a gorgeous park! Definitely one to put on my want-to-travel list.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would love to go on the 3 hour voyager canoe Chutes Tour at Samuel de Champlain

    ReplyDelete
  29. thanks these look like wonderful parks to visit

    ReplyDelete
  30. Awww... looks like a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  31. We live in such a beautiful part of the world

    ReplyDelete
  32. It sounds interesting to visit and to learn about the fur trade on Mattawa river

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to see the teaching rocks at Petroglyphs Provincial Park.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiful photos! I love getting out into nature too.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd love to visit more Provincial Parks, we've hardly been to any! So many beautiful places to explore here in Canada, just have to find the time!

    ReplyDelete
  36. The wild blueberries you found is awesome! I would love to go exploring with my family. So much to do and see in these parks.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love to explore these beautiful parks

    ReplyDelete
  38. the parks have great ways of educating their visitors on all sorts of topics, from the way of life for early settlers, aboriginal culture and local flora and fauna

    ReplyDelete
  39. Pretty neat! So many great things to do in ON in the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love exploring different parks. Hiking one of these would be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  41. The Silent Lake Provincial Park looks so peaceful I would love to visit

    ReplyDelete
  42. There are so many beautiful parks here in Ontario.The 3 hour voyager canoe Chutes Tour sounds amazing. I am going to take that tour next summer.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The French River Provincial Park would be really nice to visit. I think my family would really enjoy a trip there.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Its very interesting how the Algonkian-speaking people used red ochre to make the pictographs

    ReplyDelete
  45. Ontario is so big and there is so much to explore! What a great summer of exploring you had.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The Pot holes natural tubs would be interesting to see.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'd love to see the Talon Chutes waterfall. Exploring new parks is a great family activity.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Canoeing and hiking would be amazing. My boys and I have never been canoeing. My hubby would love that too!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love getting out in nature either by myself or with my kids. We love exploring new parks and Ontario has so much to offer

    ReplyDelete
  50. I would love to visit Talon Chutes waterfall.

    ReplyDelete
  51. The Lakeshore trail is a great hiking spot.

    ReplyDelete
  52. The Talon Chutes Waterfall looks like a great one to see. I love chasing waterfalls

    ReplyDelete
  53. Wild blueberries are so yummy! I love looking for fruit when out hiking.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Bon Echo Provincial Park looks like an amazing place to visit

    ReplyDelete
  55. There's a lot of history at the French River Provincial Park.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Great places to visit thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  57. Its sad the beaver in Ontario were brought to near extinction by the 1840s

    ReplyDelete
  58. I have never heard of Bon Echo Provincial Park. I'd love to visit it with my family.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Presqu'ile Provincial Park is a beautiful park as well.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I would love to go exploring at Bon Echo Provincial and see the Mazinow rock

    ReplyDelete
  61. Ontario has so many beautiful parks!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would love to see Mazinaw Rock!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I would love to go exploring to these places, they sound so cool

    ReplyDelete
  64. I would love to visit the Bon Echo park. Sounds like a great place to explore.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Bon Echo is #1 on my lists of parks to visit next summer

    ReplyDelete
  66. Its cool how the Algonkian-speaking peoples used red ochre to make Indigenous pictograph on the Mazinaw rock

    ReplyDelete
  67. My oldest son has always wanted to fish. We should check out Shabomeka Lake and Mazinaw Lake for some Bass fishing!

    ReplyDelete
  68. We buy a park pass every year too. I really enjoy visiting the parks.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Great info about Ontario provincial parks! I’d love to visit some of these places

    ReplyDelete
  70. these look like amazing places to visit

    ReplyDelete
  71. It would be nice to rent a canoe at Silent Lake Provincial Park

    ReplyDelete
  72. I love exploring new places with my family

    ReplyDelete
  73. I have never visited any parks in Ontario. It looks like you had a lot of fun and adventures and if only there were no mosquitoes it would have been even better!

    ReplyDelete
  74. I would love to explore these beautiful parks

    ReplyDelete
  75. The Lakeshore trail looks like a great place to hike.

    ReplyDelete
  76. well done great tutorial on Ontario parks for beginners!

    ReplyDelete
  77. All of these sound like great places to visit, I can't wait to explore them

    ReplyDelete
  78. Summertime is the best time to go outside and explore

    ReplyDelete
  79. Makes me want to go visit an Ontario park!

    ReplyDelete
  80. There are so many beautiful lakes to visit in Ontario.

    ReplyDelete
  81. These parks would all look amazing right now in the fall colours

    ReplyDelete
  82. I would love to visit these parks It would be interesting to see the pot holes natural tubs in the different shapes and depths.

    ReplyDelete
  83. The Visitor's Centre at Samuel de Champlain park sounds very interesting and informative.

    ReplyDelete
  84. It would be so neat to explore those pot holes natural tubs!

    ReplyDelete
  85. What a great adventure for your family!

    ReplyDelete
  86. I love the geology in Ontario! I would love to visit again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I would love to explore these beautiful parks

    ReplyDelete
  88. One of my favorite summer activities is to be a tourist in my own province! You end up seeing so many wonderful attractions!

    ReplyDelete
  89. the 3 hour voyager canoe Chutes Tour at Samuel de Champlain sounds like an interesting tour.

    ReplyDelete
  90. What wonderful memories you’ve created with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  91. The Petroglyphs Provincial Park and the teaching rocks with more than 300 images carved over 1100 year by Indigenous people would be so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  92. The history in Petroglyphs Provincial Park is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I have never been to Ontario to visit it’s beauty. I really need to go after seeing this.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Great way to spend a summer with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Renting a canoe or kayak would be fun. You could really explore the lakes.

    ReplyDelete
  96. It would be really interesting to see the Petroglyphs.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Thanks for this helpful information about Ontario parks!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Ontario Parks have so many things to enjoy from the land like the wild blueberries and fish in the lakes. Nature's grocery store.

    ReplyDelete
  99. I would like to visit Frontenac Provincial Park and try backcountry camping

    ReplyDelete
  100. Would love to visit one of these parks one day

    ReplyDelete
  101. That is great there are 530 campsites including cabins, yurts, exploration tents, car campsites, canoe and hiking trails accessed backcountry campsites.

    ReplyDelete
  102. Thank you for introducing us to the parks here in Ontario

    ReplyDelete
  103. So rich with history and many new things to learn & explore.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Thanks for sharing information about Ontario provincial parks! We are so lucky to have such wonderful places to enjoy nature!

    ReplyDelete
  105. We love exploring different places and making memories along the way

    ReplyDelete
  106. Lucky you have these parks in Ontario

    ReplyDelete
  107. It would be interesting seeing some of the geological wonders in the parks.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Wow! You and your family definitely did a lot of exploring! It looks like an amazing summer :)

    ReplyDelete
  109. Silent Lake looks so serene and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Great and informative post!

    ReplyDelete
  111. Frontenac Park sounds interesting since it is recognized as an UNESCO world biosphere reserve that hosts flora and fauna not often found in other parts of Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  112. This was such a helpful post with great info! Thank you for sharing your adventures :)

    ReplyDelete
  113. very interesting, so much history

    ReplyDelete
  114. I would love to visit Petroglyphs Provincial Park and see the amazing images carved by the Indigenous people

    ReplyDelete
  115. This would be a great place to take a field trip to

    ReplyDelete
  116. I think my two teen boys would love this. They are really into this type of thing.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting :)