GOING PLACES

Here at last, the lazy, hazy days of summer

Text and images from ONTARIO PARKS

Looking for a quick getaway? Ontario Parks has multiple backcountry weekend getaways.

Enjoy the solitude of provincial parks with the ability to be back in the office on Monday morning.

Or experience Northern Ontario’s scenic backcountry without the hassle of portaging. Quetico Provincial Park offers portage-free backcountry camping opportunities. There is no better way to introduce young children and new paddlers to breathtaking backcountry landscapes.

The Northwest Wilderness Quest has entered its final year. Camp in the backcountry of Wabakimi Provincial Park, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, and Quetico Provincial Park for a minimum of three consecutive nights in each park before October 15 and enter to win great prizes including a Souris River Canoe.

ParkBus provides affordable, accessible transportation by motorcoach to several provincial parks from Toronto and Ottawa. Whether you are without a car, or simply looking for a more sustainable way to travel, ParkBus can help.

And it is offering a new route for day users and campers from downtown Toronto to Killbear Provincial Park.

Passengers will be dropped off at the park’s visitor centre to explore iconic Georgian Bay shores, rugged landscapes, beautiful beaches, and winding hiking trails.

You can also learn to camp at Ontario parks!

Ontario Parks is inviting families to try camping for the first time this summer. Learn to Camp provides a safe, fun, and comfortable introduction to camping in Ontario’s great outdoors.

Learn to Camp is a guided overnight camping experience. Participants learn everything they need to know from pitching a tent to roasting the perfect marshmallow.

All camping equipment is provided as part of the program. Participants just need to bring food, bedding, and personal items.

Programming runs until the end of August at seven provincial parks.

Choose a one or two-night experience starting at $99/group of six. For a nominal additional fee, participants can add an extra night to take full advantage of the program.

With over 20,000 participants since 2011, Learn to Camp continues to help create family memories that last a lifetime.

Remember that due to a combination of a late spring arrival and high water levels, several provincial parks are experiencing delayed openings.

Register early as space in this popular program fills up quickly at OntarioParks.com/learntocamp. More info at OntarioParks.com.