In/around Parry Sound, Ontario?

[KirbyKrieger]

Hi.  Spending a week in Parry Sound, Ontario, in August.  Any suggestions for photography opportunities most welcome.  Will be driving from Toronto, so anything along the way as well.  Very much like wetlands, swamp, maritime; don't mind the built environment.  Canadian relative has suggested a day trip to Algonquin Provincial Park. Thank you.  —Kirby.

[luxborealis]

Hi Kirby,

Parry Sound is on the doorstep of Ontario's near north and is a hub for the Muskoka cottage crowd (read "touristy" see Parry Sound). It is also in the centre of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, so there are many natural areas around it, albeit access is only via designated parks or on Crown (government-owned) Land. Here are a few places around Parry Sound...

Georgian Bay Islands National Park is just a short drive + water taxi south of Parry Sound; in fact you will see the signs for Honey Harbour at Hwy 400 exit 156 on your way north from TO. On Beausoleil (Good Sun) Island there is a visitor's centre and trails that would make for a great day trip.
GBINP Hiking & Walking

Killbear Provincial Park is a short drive north. Although stuffed with campers, there are a few good trails there.
KPP - click on Things To Do

Algonquin is a 2½-hour drive east of Parry Sound, through beautiful scenery of lakes and rivers (but almost all private land). There are some waterfalls along the way (see Waterfalls). There are many day hike trails along the Hwy 60 corridor, although I can't recommend any as my experiences with Algonquin are all interior canoeing and backpacking.
Algonquin PP homepage
Algonquin Hiking Maps (courtesy of Algonquin Outfitters)
Jeff's Map (best one - click on "Western Camping")

Killarney Provincial Park is 2½ hours north and west and is a real gem of a park. Centred around George Lake for day use, it has spectacular pink granite with white quartzite hills. I can recommend the Chikanishing Creek Trail, the Granite Ridge Trail and the first few km of the La Cloche Silhouette Trail starting from the eastern trail head (so you can visit AY Jackson Lake and Lake Sheguiandah - two beauts). Trail maps & brochures are available at the park entrance.
Killarney PP homepage
Jeff's Map of Killarney

Along the way to Killarney visit the French River Provincial Park visitor's centre just off Hwy 69. it is primarily a canoeing park, but has a great view of the French River gorge from the snowmobile bridge as well as an excellent exhibit on the voyageurs.

If you are game for canoeing or kayaking (the best way to see the Georgian Bay coast and some of the rivers near Parry Sound) visit White Squall in Parry Sound and/or just north in Nobel. There are some excellent canoe/kayak routes on nearby rivers on Crown Land; e.g. Magnetawan & Naiscoot Rivers. Also, just south of Parry Sound is The Massassauga Provincial Park (canoe/kayak only).

A couple of smaller parks nearby include Oastler Lake and, near Huntsville, Arrowhead.

On your way north from Toronto (or back south at the end of the week), consider visiting Sainte Marie-Among-the-Hurons. Although a bit off the main route north, it is a reconstructed French Jesuit Mission (the first in Ontario, built in 1639) that was home to St Jean de Brebeuf (amongst others), all of whom were martyred by the Iroquois. It's a fascinating place! Nearby is the Wye Marsh, yet another thing to see & do.

There is lots to see and do in this part of Ontario, but it will take some travel. Hope this helps!

Terry

[KirbyKrieger]

Hope this helps!

  Boy does it ever.  _Many_ thanks!

[LesPalenik]

Few more ideas to add to Terry's list:

Since you'll be in Parry Sound, you should definitely take the 30,000 Islands cruise. It's a big ship, but it moves at a fair clip, it still takes almost 3 hours around the islands (not all 30,000), so you'll see a lot, incl. part of the Killbear Provincial park. There is another smaller cruise boat further back in the harbor, that takes a slightly shorter route.

After that, you can take the sightseeing flight by Georgian Bay Airways, they are located next door or next dock to the cruise ships. The flight covers pretty much the same route, but it takes much less time, and you see the landscape from a different perspective.

If you rent a kayak or canoe from White Squall near Nobel, it's only a short drive from there to the Franklin Island launching spot, which is another very photogenic area, accessible only by water. Beautiful islands with interesting rocks, wind-swept pines, and a historic lighthouse.

[KirbyKrieger]

A very late thanks for this as well.  Heading out today 

[luxborealis]

Good Luck and have fun! Don't forget to report back with some photos.