Categories: Travel

Ontario’s highest elevation point is within a park with ravishing views

Image via Jun Li/Shutterstock

This is a place for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is a wilderness class park, boasting truly beautiful views of sparkling lakes, flowing waterfalls, and the highest point in the province, a 2273.62-foot summit.

Up for a trip you’re sure never to forget? Here’s what to know before you go.

Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is very remote, nestled in Temagami, Ont. If you’re driving from Toronto, it should take you just under five hours.

The biggest draw for visitors to this gorgeous place is the Ishpatina Ridge Trail. Crowned as Ontario’s highest elevation, the Ishpatina Ridge is a two-hour (return trip) linear hike. If you want to embark on this hike, you’ll need to put in a little extra effort as Scarecrow Lake and the trailhead can only be reached by canoe.

The Ishpatina Ridge was formed by ancient Precambrian bedrock and now stands as towering domes with views you’ll need to see to believe.

If you need to cool off after your hike, there are a handful of opportunities in the backcountry of the park for swimming, including “both shallow and deeper water entries along rocky headlands,” says Ontario Parks.

Heights or hiking not for you? No worries!

Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater is also connected to a 2400-kilometre canoeing network consisting of parks, conservation reserves, and crown lands, meaning there is tons to explore without needing to leave ground (or water) level.

Book your vehicle/day pass and get ready for some amazing views, Ontario.