Categories: Travel

There’s an Ontario park packed with history and incredible fall views

Photo via Ontario Parks

Ready for your next outdoor adventure? French River Provincial Park is full of history and stunning works of nature, from a network of river routes to scenic cascades. What was once used by Indigenous people, French Explorers, fur traders, and Voyageurs is now beloved by nature enthusiasts and parkgoers. Here’s what to know about French River Provincial Park.

Where is French River Provincial Park?

You’ll have to head up about three hours north of Toronto to find French River Provincial Park. It’s home to over 100 km of canoe routes of interconnected lakes, gorges, and rapids from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay.

As for historical significance, according to Ontario Parks, the French River was actually the first designated Canadian Heritage River.

Not only is it a perfect spot for canoe, kayak, and boating enthusiasts, but also for those looking to embark on a wonderful hike.

There’s only one official trail at the park, and it actually leads you to a scenic vista.

Trail adventures

Take on the Recollet Falls Trail, a 1.5 km-long trail that begins at the Visitor Centre. It then follows the edge of the French River Gorge and ends at Recollet Falls.

“The short portage around the falls has been walked by generations of First Nations, famous explorers, hardy Voyageurs, fur traders, and missionaries,” shared Ontario Parks.

The small yet mighty gorge is stunning and worth the short hike. It is formed by one of the many faults in the Canadian Shield that the French River follows down to Georgian Bay, according to Ontario Parks.

“Glacial ice sculpted the bedrock and gouged out the fault lines.”

There’s a perfect lookout spot at the end of the trail for the best view of the falls. Do yourself a favour and visit the park before the leaves lose their stunning fiery hues.