Exploring The Magical Pukaskwa National Park In Ontario!
I can’t believe I nearly missed this wonderful place! Pukaskwa National Park in Ontario is hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I stayed there for 2 days (in mid-July) as Pukaskwa National Park is also free to enter for 2017!
I’m currently riding my motorcycle across Canada, so I am stopping at parks along the way as I enjoy hiking. My decision to stop at this park was last minute. I was planning to camp at one of the free campsites nearby, originally, but I was lucky enough to get a free spot on someone else’s campsite in the park campground, so I stayed there instead.
I completed 4 short hikes, including “The Beach” hike, which is my absolute favourite. On the second day, I completed the 18 km hike to the suspension bridge over some raging rapids, which was well worth it! My Doc Marten boots did just fine. I sat in the middle of the suspension bridge for a good 20 minutes, just amazed at how I actually managed to get myself to that place. First by motorcycle, all the way from Toronto, and then by foot. This 18 km hike is not very difficult as it’s not very hilly, so I do recommend it even if you’re not used to hiking.
Pukaskwa National Park IS MAGICAL. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. I sat on the beach there at one point, for a solid hour, in complete, blissful solitude. I can’t believe such a beautiful place existed in Ontario, and I didn’t even know about it my whole life. The sensations on that beach were overwhelming. Solitude is extremely healing for me, personally. I sat on the warm rocks in my huge cozy hoodie for awhile, just feeling the clean wind, and gazing at all the trees, sand, driftwood, and sparkling water.
Everything was almost just too beautiful, and too bright. I felt so at home even though it was my second day there. I’ve always found it very difficult to relax, but out here, it just came naturally. Places in nature like this make me feel so small and insignificant in a really good way. It’s good to be reminded how much bigger life is than you, because then what you think are problems just seem to melt away.
Unfortunately, the bugs are terrible this year. In Pukaskwa National Park, I got eaten alive, it was horrible! No amount of insect repellent seem to matter to these vicious mosquitoes and black flies. By the end of my visit, I was bitten so badly that my legs looked like I had some sort of weird skin disease. I wear leggings very often, and the mosquitoes are able to bite right through. I didn’t really know this was possible! I mean, I’m from the city. I even had bites on my face and scalp. Don’t let this deter you from visiting Pukaskwa National Park; just make sure you come prepared.
All Canadian National Parks are free to enter in 2017!
If you are traveling on a budget, keep in mind that there are 2 free campsites in Marathon, ON (the town near Pukaskwa National Park) that I found via freecampsites.net.
Here are a “few” more photos:
Have I convinced you yet that Pukaskwa National Park should be on your bucket list?
Have you ever discovered an amazing place close to home that you feel like you missed out on your whole life?
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below, and please share this post to help spread the word on how amazing Pukaskwa National Park is!
Amazing Pictures! I would love to visit there.