Planning Your Outdoor Adventure

The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership's website (www.ontariotravel.net) is a one-stop-shop for information on outdoor adventures from cycling to snowmobiling. It also publishes a free outdoor-adventure guide. The nonprofit Ontario Trails Council (877/668–7245 www.ontariotrails.on.ca) has information on every trail and trail sport in the province; click the Central tab for the Muskokas and Georgian Bay.

Camping

Peak season in Ontario parks is June through August. Reserve a campsite if possible, though all provincial parks with organized camping have some sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ontario Parks. For detailed information on parks and campgrounds provincewide, to make campground reservations, or to get the Ontario Parks Guide, contact Ontario Parks. ON. www.ontarioparks.com.

Fishing

Ministry of Natural Resources. Fishing licenses are required for Ontario and may be purchased from Ministry of Natural Resources offices and from most sporting-goods stores, outfitters, and resorts. A C$9.68 Outdoors Card, good for three years, is also required for fishing beyond a day (Canadian residents always need the Outdoors Card). For non-Canadians, the most restrictive (i.e. cheapest) one-day fishing license is C$21.88 (C$12.95 for Canadians); eight-day and one-year licenses are also available. All prices include taxes. ON. 800/667–1940. www.mnr.gov.on.ca.

Go Fish Ontario (www.gofishinontario.com), operated by Ontario Tourism, is an excellent planning tool for fishing trips.

Skiing

Ski resorts with downhill runs are concentrated north and west of Barrie. The central Ontario region also has more than 1,600 km of cross-country ski trails.

Ontario Snow Resorts Association. Ski Ontario has information on the condition of slopes across the province. ON. 705/443–5450. www.skiontario.ca.