Ontario is blessed with lakes, waterfalls, and rugged Canadian landscapes. The province as a whole boasts more than 70 million hectares of forests; sadly, though, many of these forests are being lost annually due to human impacts, including intensified agriculture and industrial development.
Nevertheless, there are still many forests worth exploring. From towering white pines and maple forests to northern wilderness, here are a few of Ontario’s best forests to put forward on your next adventure list.
Wolf Lake
Located around 50 kilometers northeast of Sudbury, Wolf Lake is known for its ancient red pine forest, which ranges between 140 and 300 years old. Wolf Lake is the ideal spot for nature enthusiasts to experience deep, fresh waters, pine-clad slopes, and quartzite hills. Here you can glide on the lake by canoe. You will also get to experience campsites and the dramatic shoreline scenery, comprised of pines, cliffs, and lakes. One of the most interesting things about Wolf Lake is its wildlife, where you can spot Canada warblers, nighthawks, and other birds of prey.
Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve
The Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve is a one-of-a-kind protected woodland in Grey County, Ontario, south of Owen Sound. It is considered one of the few remaining forests where you can still see old, mature deciduous trees. The vast reserve covers roughly 370 hectares and is known for its impressive sugar maple-beech forest, with some trees estimated to be 300 years old. The reserve is home to meadows, ponds, and wetlands, providing a natural habitat for bluebirds, maidenhair ferns, red-backed salamanders, and broad-winged hawks. The reserve is stunning to explore in spring, as new woodland flower species, including abundant wild leeks bloom.
Ojibway Park
Pristine and unique in its own right, the Ojibway Park forest is located in Windsor, Ontario, near the Detroit River. The forest has a nature centre that allows visitors to experience provincially rare pin oak forests, tall-grass prairie, and savanna habitats. Once you are here, you will get to explore 64 impressive hectares of natural corridors within the Ojibway Prairie complex, all of which provide photogenic landscapes as well as abundant vegetation and wildlife, including various species of frogs, dragonflies, and yellow-billed cuckoos. The forest is particularly known for its black oak trees, which remarkably survive in the well-drained soil.
Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico is a vast wilderness park in northwestern Ontario; it is just two hours away from Thunder Bay. The forest is known for its lakes and rugged landscapes, as well as its exceptional canoe-tripping experiences that let you explore the waters. The area is known for its long history; its waterways played an important role in historic fur-trade travel routes. You can experience the stunning beauty of the various species of wildlife. You might come across moose, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles. Canoeing is the best way to explore Quetico; there are hundreds of kilometers of routes connecting lakes and rivers. Unlike other well-developed provincial parks, Quetico has few roads and facilities.
Ontario’s forests provide the perfect setting for canoe trips, wildlife encounters, or any outdoor adventure that lets you soak in the province’s breathtaking scenery. Each forest has its own story to tell, revealing the rich history of Ontario’s landscape.
David Messiha | Staff Writer
