In summer, Voyageur Provincial Park is popular with campers, paddlers, and swimmers, but the park does not close completely for the winter.
The 1,464.5 hectare/3,619-acre park has 20 kilometres/12.4 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails with tracks set for classical style cross-country skiing. There are three loops of varying distances and all trails begin next to the park office on the main park road. The entrance is from Front Road (County Road 4), just north of the interchange with Highway 417 (Exit 5) in East Hawkesbury near Chute-à-Blondeau. The trails are mostly flat to slightly rolling with only small hills, making them easy for novice skiers and families.
A six-kilometre walking path is also available, following a plowed section of a park road that is closed to vehicle traffic. The snowmobile trail that crosses the park is separate from the walking and ski trails, so there are no concerns about safety and shared use.
According to Gary Wheeler of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, the pandemic has had an impact on winter day use activity. Day use visitation at Voyageur Provincial Park has increased significantly from previous years due to people looking for winter recreational activities and ways to enjoy the outdoors. The park is located near the Ontario-Québec boundary and Wheeler said that the park is seeing close to an equal number of visitors from each province.
Day use fees are being charged for winter use at Voyageur Provincial Park. The entrance gate at Front Road is closed at 4 p.m. daily. The winter recreation season at the park continues until March 14. For information on ski trail conditions, go to http://www.ontarioparks.com/skireport .
Map of the 20 kilometres of groomed, cross-country ski trails at Voyageur Provincial Park. Map: Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks
This campsite by the Ottawa River at Voyageur Provincial Park is buried in snow right now. Photo: James Morgan
