Ontario Making it Easier and More Convenient to Visit Provincial Parks
Visitors now able to book daily vehicle permits in advance at 20 additional parks
April 14, 2023
Environment, Conservation and Parks
Table of Contents
- Content
- Quick Facts
- Additional Resources
- Related Topics
WASAGA BEACH — The Ontario government is expanding the advance day-use reservation service, available at select provincial parks. This year, 20 additional parks will adopt the service, bringing the total to 57 parks across the province. This expansion will help reduce overcrowding and provide visitors with greater certainty when planning park visits on busy days like weekends and holidays.
“Ontario’s provincial parks are some of the most beautiful and well-loved places in our province, which is why we are always looking for ways to improve and modernize the Ontario Parks experience,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By expanding the advance daily vehicle permit service, we are responding to feedback from visitors who want a fast and convenient way to visit our parks so they can focus on what really matters – enjoying their visit to the fullest.”
Visitors can book a daily vehicle permit online up to five days in advance, reducing time spent registering when they arrive so they can spend more time enjoying the park.
Starting this spring, the advance daily vehicle permit service is expanding to the following provincial parks:
- Wasaga Beach, Awenda, Rondeau and MacGregor Point – now available
- Sauble Falls – as of April 21, 2023
- Frontenac and Inverhuron – as of April 28, 2023
- Bronte Creek, Fitzroy, Murphys Point, Oastler Lake, Petroglyphs, Port Burwell, Rideau River and Rock Point – as of May 12, 2023
- Chutes, Esker Lakes, Ivanhoe Lake, Neys and White Lake – as of May 19, 2023
“Building on the success of the last two years, we are pleased to announce the expansion of the advance day-use registration service to even more parks, including Wasaga Beach Provincial Park,” said John Yakabuski, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “To help meet growing customer demand, this easy-to-use online service gives visitors peace of mind by allowing them to reserve their spot in advance to ensure they can access the park they want to visit.”
Ontario Parks encourages visitors to secure an advanced daily vehicle permit where available, especially during busy periods like weekends and holidays, to help guarantee access to participating provincial parks. Visitors can purchase their advance daily vehicle permit online at reservations.ontarioparks.com. Walk-up permits will continue to be sold, subject to availability.
Continuing to improve and modernize the Ontario Parks system is another way the government is working for you to build stronger and healthier communities. By expanding services like advance daily vehicle permits, the government is ensuring access to recreational opportunities for Ontario families to enjoy, while boosting local tourism and strengthening the protection and health of local wildlife and the environment.
Quick Facts
- Visitation to Ontario’s provincial parks has grown steadily in the last decade, reaching over 12 million visits in 2022.
- Spending time in nature can lower the risk of heart attack by 50 per cent, reduce the risk of mental health challenges and help to combat chronic disease.
Additional Resources
Reserve your permit
Find a provincial park or conservation reserve near you
Related Topics
Environment and Energy
Learn more about how Ontario protects and restores wildlife and the environment. Includes information on conservation and the electricity system. Learn more