View topic - Use of Non Operating Provincial Parks

What are the rules governing the use of non operating parks? The ministry website states, "While access to these parks will remain free for day-use visitors, vehicle access and camping will no longer be allowed."
How does this apply to interior camping? Specifically, The Shoals Provincial Park. Can the interior still be accessed using the road leading to the launch area into Prairie Bee Lake or is this gated. If entering The Shoals from another access point can the campsites in the Park be used? If using interior campsites in a non operating park what are the rules for use?

Even though a provincial park is designated as "non-operating", someone is still in charge of it. I suggest you contact the MNR office in the MNR District in which the park is located to establish who's in charge, OR, you can use the MNR's toll-free number or the general enquiry e-mail address to do this.

Toll-free: 1-800-667-1940 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm)

E-mail: mnr. nric.mnr@ontario.ca

Bealer, where did you see that camping is no longer permitted in non-operating parks?

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Harlan, check out this ministry blog regarding use of non operating parks.
http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=3364
My sense is the reference to no camping in non operating parks means drive to campgrounds, not interior camping, at least I hope that's what it means.

Obatanga is gated at the entrance to the campground. I don't know if you can sneak into it from the boat launch on Rt 17.

Slate Islands is open to camping. Its a non operating PP. But it has no drive in camping. Tidewater is not a drive in park either but I think there was a discussion last year as to being chased out of it for camping. Its boat only access.

Seems there is NO consistency in what you can do in a non operating park.

We camped at tidewater last year without issue....not like there are many options in that area.... It's a bit of a safe refuge for canoeists coming up or down the Moose, absolutely silly they closed it. Furthermore it is questionable if there will be rooms available in Moosonee when there. It was my understanding that the natives benefit from tourism in the area and encourage it, closing such parks can potentially hinder that.

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Here's the sign that "some people" ignore at Tidewater.........

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This is a rule I plan to protest by camping any where in back country that was formerly a campsite, should I happen on a non operating park while running a river.

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Careful RocketRiver, I've read through this forum, campers on sites in non operational parks, are asked to pack up and move.
I have sent an email off to the ministry trying to get clarification on using interior campsites in non operational parks. Not surprisingly, I've not got a reply.

Bealer: If you're really keen to get a response from any Ontario Ministry, try sending a registered letter to the Minister. Current provincial regulations require a written reply within 30 days. Put the pressure on! Please let us know how you make out.

RocketRiver...



Could be expensive to camp at parks classed nature reserves and possibly others if you're caught... besides the info at Ontario Parks, the park management plan or the management direction statement could have something. If camping is prohibited, the park access points may have some signage posted. The park superintendent could also have some say in whether camping is allowed or not.

The closest non-operating park that prohibits camping here in the Bancroft area is Egan Chutes PP... a canoe route along the York river runs through it. There are several old campsites in the nature reserve. I haven't seen people camping there since the place became a PP, although canoetrippers may at times camp there while paddling through. Not sure how vigorously non-compliance is enforced.

See the second paragraph, Park Facilities and Activities:

http://www.ontarioparks.com/nonoperating/eganchutes

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"Not sure how vigorously non-compliance is enforced."
I like that statement. Gets the brain going.

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“What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on?” - Thoreau

I was curious of the status of the La Cloche Provincial Park. I can see some vague references to it on Google, and Google maps locates it just west of Killarney PP. But other than that, it is as if all references to it have been removed. Is this what is referred to as 'Leave no trace'?

It's still in the list of MNR's PP management statements:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume ... pp0116.pdf

Brief description and contact info:

For more information:
Northeast Zone
c/o Box 37
Massey, ON P0P 1P0
(705) 865-2021

http://www.trailsandtamaracks.ca/664.trl

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Thx FT