There’s a park in Ontario with island-speckled lakes and old-growth pine forests

Ontario’s wilderness is calling your name! If you’re an adventure seeker and love the thrill that the outdoors has to offer, there’s a park in Ontario that is waiting to be explored. Obabika River Provincial Park is the next stop on our nature journey. It is home to island-speckled lakes and towering old-growth pine forests.

Obabika River Provincial Park

How to get there

To get to Obabika River Provincial Park, you’ll need a canoe. The access point is just off Highway 805, on the Obabika River.

It’s about a five-hour drive from Toronto. Come prepared, as this is not an outdoor experience for just anyone – you’ll need to know a thing or two about the great outdoors.

Exploring the park

According to Ontario Parks, “the region’s canoe routes traverse some of the most rugged landscapes in Northern Ontario.”

Four of Ontario’s highest peaks are located in Temagami’s backcountry parks. And they’re truly a sight to see.

Obabika River offers what’s described as an “incredible diversity of landscapes, from island-speckled lakes to meandering rivers, bedrock uplands, expansive wetlands, as well as towering stands of old-growth pine forests.”

Its forest is one of the largest and oldest White Pine forests in Ontario.

And visitors have a chance to explore it through its hiking trails.

Trails

The park has a network of looped hiking trails that are rated intermediate and require a full day or more to explore.

“The trails are only accessible by water from the north end of Obabika Lake. Hikers are reminded to be respectful when using the trails as this area is spiritually significant for local First Nations people,” shares Ontario Parks.

The Obabika Lake Old Growth Trails are about 6.2 km long.

Along with these trails, Obabika River is connected to a 2,400 km canoeing network consisting of Parks, Conservation Reserves, and Crown lands.

And you can even go for some backcountry swimming after you cool off.

Since this experience is not day trip-worthy, you can camp here. Interior camping permits are required for all of the operating Temagami Backcountry Parks.

This isn’t for the faint of heart, so if you’re up for the challenge, are an avid outdoorsman, and thrive in nature, this is the place to be.

Recent Posts:
A district near Toronto has an old mill, quiet beaches and hidden hamlets
There’s a boat cruise through Ontario’s cottage country featuring live music