| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | |
|---|---|
| Parc national des Îles-de-la-Baie-Georgienne | |
IUCN category II (national park) | |
) Cedar Springs, Beausoleil Island | |
)  Location of Georgian Bay Islands National Park in Canada ) Location of Georgian Bay Islands National Park in Southern Ontario | |
| Location | Thirty Thousand Islands, Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Midland, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44°52′40″N 79°52′29″W / 44.87778°N 79.87472°W |
| Area | 13.5 km2 (5.2 sq mi) |
| Established | 1929 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Georgian Bay Islands National Park (established 1929) consists of 63 small islands or parts of islands in Georgian Bay, near Port Severn, Ontario.[1] The total park area is approximately 13.5 km2 (5.2 sq mi). Prior to the creation of Fathom Five National Marine Park, Flowerpot Island was also a part of the park.[2]
The islands blend the exposed rocks and pines of the Canadian Shield with the hardwood forests found further south. The park can only be reached by boat; there are limited camping facilities on the largest island, Beausoleil Island.
It is part of the Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve.
Wildlife
It is home to mammalian species such as woodland caribou, white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, coyote, timber wolf, lynx, bobcat, porcupine, raccoon, beaver, red and gray fox species, chipmunk, and red squirrel. This park also provides habitat for 33 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the hognose snake, the eastern fox snake, and the threatened eastern Massasauga rattlesnake.[3] Some of the more isolated islands provide nesting areas for colonies of gulls and terns.
Beausoleil Island
Beausoleil Island is the largest island in the park and it offers island tent camping, overnight and day docking, heritage education programs, and hiking trails. Wheelchair accessible sites and reserved campsites are also available at the Cedar Spring campground on Beausoleil Island.
See also
- National Parks of Canada
- List of National Parks of Canada
References
- ^ "About - Georgian Bay Islands National Park". Parks Canada. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018.
- ^ "Saint Lawrence Lowlands". Parks Canada. 2009-04-15. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
- ^ https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/georg/decouvrir-discovers/natcul2.