Frontenac Provincial Park

Frontenac Provincial Park is a provincial park located near the town of Sydenham, north of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. This 5,350-hectare park is classified as a natural environment park,[1] and lies on the Frontenac Axis, a topographic extension of the Canadian Shield connecting to the Adirondack Mountains. It features 22 lakes,[2] over 700 species,[3] and extensive areas of mixed forest, wetlands, and granite outcrops.[4]

For the park in Quebec, see Frontenac National Park.
Frontenac Provincial Park
View of Big Salmon Lake
Map showing the location of Frontenac Provincial Park
Map showing the location of Frontenac Provincial Park
LocationFrontenac County, Ontario, Canada
Nearest cityKingston, Ontario
Coordinates44°32′N 76°29′W
Area52.14 km2 (20.13 sq mi)
Established1974
Governing bodyOntario Parks
www.ontarioparks.com/park/frontenac

Located within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve and the Frontenac Forests Important Bird Area[5] the region is regarded for its biodiversity. It is home to many species of ferns and orchids, some rare. There is also an abundance of fauna, including the American black bear, red fox, mink, northern river otter, white-tailed deer, porcupine, and fisher.

History

Frontenac Provincial Park was established in 1974.[4]

Before European settlement, indigenous peoples, mostly Algonquins, lived in the area.[6] Several homesteads were established by European settlers in what is now park area, but the rocky landscape posed challenges for homesteading. Historically, the area supported forestry and mining industries for local communities.[4][7]

Recreation

Camping, hiking, and paddling
Whale's Back and Slide Lake

Frontenac has roughly 160 kilometres (99 mi) of hiking trails,[8] 51 backcountry campsites (consisting of 48 clusters and 3 single sites), and many lakes for canoeing and kayaking.[2]

  • Arab Lake Gorge Trail is a short, 1.5-kilometre (0.93 mi) trail that traverses the Arab Lake Gorge.
  • Doe Lake Trail is 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in length. It goes from South Otter Lake to Doe Lake and back. A highlight of the trail is the abandoned Kemp Mine.
  • Slide Lake Loop measures 21 kilometres (13 mi) in length and encircles Slide Lake and parts of Buck Lake. It is the longest loop in the park,
  • The Rideau Trail runs through the southern portion of the park.

Education and events

Wilderness courses are offered to teach wilderness skills in a semi-wilderness setting. Common offerings include wilderness navigation skills, wilderness first aid and ORCA.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted within Frontenac Park year-round, and species include lake trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, black crappie, perch, and brook trout. Several lakes are stocked to offer winter ice fishing opportunities.[9]

Winter activities

Frontenac remains open throughout winter, and offers trails for snowshoeing, cross-county and backcountry skiing, winter camping, and ice fishing.

References
  1. "Law Document English View". Ontario.ca. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  2. "Frontenac". Ontario Parks. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. Danderbyshire. "Frontenac Biothon". Frontenac Bird Studies. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  4. "Frontenac Provincial Park Management Plan". Government of Ontario. October 3, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  5. "IBA Site Listing". www.ibacanada.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  6. "History". www.frontenaccounty.ca. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  7. Green, Jeff. "Frontenac News - Frontenac Provincial Park: from mica mines to trails". www.frontenacnews.ca. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  8. "Frontenac Provincial Park Hiking Trails". frontenacpark.ca. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  9. "Frontenac Activities". Ontario Parks. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
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