Happy Picnic Month!
Summer’s here and the time is right for picnicking in parks!
Like any trip to parks, there are a few things that you should know before you go:
Do: plan your menu in advance
We all love a spur-of-the-moment picnic trip with our friends or family.
But if you really want to make the most of your picnicking experience, it’s best to do some planning ahead of time.
We firmly believe that the best picnics are low-waste. Luckily for prospective picnickers, we’ve got a whole blog outlining how to plan your green picnic!
Don’t: skimp on park research
Planning your menu and planning your trip go hand in hand.
Imagine preparing a whole barbecue lunch, then arriving at the park to find that barbecues are not allowed in the day use area. That would definitely be a disappointment!
Learn about your destination’s amenities and rules on the Ontario Parks website. Remember to visit your desired park’s page and review it carefully.
If you don’t find the answer to any questions you may have, pick up the phone! Each park’s phone number is available under “General Information.”
We’ve got lots of resources on our blog, too! Here are a few guides for visiting our most popular parks:
- How to plan your trip to Bronte Creek
- How to plan your day trip to Mono Cliffs
- How to plan your visit to Pinery Provincial Park
- How to plan your trip to Sibbald Point
- How to plan your visit to Six Mile Lake
- How to plan your visit to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Do: choose your picnic location wisely and prepare for the elements
Ask yourself: what’s the vibe?
Are we going to have lunch on the beach or under a picnic shelter?
If you plan on soaking up the sun, you’ll want to take some preliminary measures to ensure you stay cool. Pack lots of water and sunscreen, and keep an eye on your fellow picnickers for any heat-related emergencies.
If rain is forecast and you’re planning to forge ahead, it’s best to be prepared with some kind of shelter or plan B. Remember: if thunder roars, you need to take cover immediately.
Don’t: leave your trash behind
If you plan a low-waste picnic well, trash should be a minimum.
But to ensure you leave the park greener than you found it, practice leaving no trace.
In case you need a crash course, here’s everything you need to know about disposing of trash in provincial parks. Are the garbage bins full? Please do not leave your garbage on top of or next to the bin. Either take your garbage home with you or find a garbage bin with space.
Do: book your vehicle permit in advance
You’ve done all this planning; it would be a real shame to get turned away at the gate because the park is at capacity!
Visit our reservation service to obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance at participating parks up to five days before your trip.
