What’s more thrilling than an ecotour on an all-terrain vehicle in search of rare plants and animals? Northern Ontario is home to an incredible number of interesting and diverse wildlife, and it just so happens there are some great opportunities for nature-loving ATV fans to turn their spring ride into a wildlife-viewing eco-tour—the best of both worlds! Below are some ideas for where and how to get out and observe some of Northern Ontario's fascinating species up close.
Northern Ontario offers an extensive network of trails, wetlands, and remote forests that are perfect for nature lovers and ATV adventurers alike. Whether you prefer a nature walk or an off-road excursion, this region is home to an incredible variety of plant and animal life.
My daughter, Grace, is a biology graduate with a vast knowledge and interest in northern plant species typically found off-the-beaten path in remote bogs and fens. I have a background in Fish & Wildlife biology and discovering rare species is one of my passions. Together we embark on an annual tour in search of rare native plants and creatures and to document Ontario’s unique ecosystems. It's an experience I heartily recommend!
Northern Ontario’s boreal forests and wetland habitats are teeming with life. Here are some of the fascinating species you might encounter:
Ontario’s wetlands—specifically bogs and fens—are hotspots of biodiversity. Bogs are acidic, spongy, and waterlogged environments with unique plant life like sphagnum moss and pitcher plants. Fens have a constant flow of fresh water and take thousands of years to form, appearing in areas where groundwater rises to the surface. They have a nutrient-rich environment with less acidity than bogs and are much more common in Northern Ontario than in the south. Fens support an incredible number of diverse species, many of them rare.
Algonquin Park is a location that ecotourists like us simply adore. Whether it's canoe camping, wildlife observation, or a flora and fauna tour, Algonquin is the ideal stop. Established in 1893, with over 7500 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, Algonquin is Ontario’s first provincial park, attracting over half a million visitors annually. The Park is synonymous with wilderness adventure and offers plenty of opportunities to bring your ATV to explore the many fens and bogs (leave your ATV on the trail, of course). With a dozen established campgrounds within its borders and thousands of other wilderness tenting opportunities, the park is an ATV flora-and-fauna-finding paradise. Grace and I discovered several bog and fen plant species here on our last tour!
Ecotourists who venture on ATVs in and around Algonquin Park need to familiarize themselves with the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System (VMUTS). The Voyageur Trail is a family-friendly trail system with a vast network of ATV routes running between the Algonquin Highlands and the Laurentian Mountains. The trail incorporates old logging roads, forest paths and open fields and every part of the network is clearly marked with an off-roader skill set in mind, identifying levels of difficulty. VMUTS is an ideal pathway for flora and fauna tours since Northeastern Ontario, where these trails are found, boasts an incredible habitat for rare plants and animals.
While touring Algonquin Park, a great place to stay is Arowhon Pines Resort, an all-inclusive resort perfect for eco-travellers. It's located off the main road on Little Joe Lake. While staying at Arowhon, eco-tourists can enjoy touring nearby low-lying, wet areas including bogs and fens. Guests have full use of all the resort equipment, including canoes/kayaks with access to a chain of lakes, and hiking trails to observe moose, beavers, and tons of other park critters. Registered guests of Arowhon are also given a complimentary vehicle pass to explore Algonquin Park for the duration of their stay, which is an added bonus.
With over 40 mammals, 30 species of reptiles and 130 breeding bird species, the amount of wildlife for viewing around this lodge is staggering. Arowhon Lodge encourages guests to venture out early in the morning and at dusk for the best times to catch a glimpse of a browsing moose or Canadian beaver out for a swim. Concentrate on low-lying areas such as bogs, ponds, and beaver meadows. These environments around the lodge are the preferred habitat of many wildlife species in this area and attract hundreds of guests each year.
Enjoy your own flora and fauna tour this spring and summer, and may your sphagnum bogs and fens be teeming with rare, unspoiled plants and animals. Have a wonderful summer and I will see you in the great outdoors!
Stay safe, respect the environment, and enjoy your ecotour!
