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 & WalkingKillbear Provincial Park is a short drive north. Although stuffed with campers, there are a few good trails there.
KPP - click on Things To DoAlgonquin 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 homepageAlgonquin 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 homepageJeff's Map of KillarneyAlong 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