Bruce Peninsula National Park is Opening Sooner to Serve you Better

2014 Visitor Season opens May 2

TOBERMORY, ON, April 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Yearning to get outdoors after a long, cold winter? This year, Bruce Peninsula National Park is opening two weeks sooner to help early birds get back out into the wilderness. Starting today, reservations are being taken for camping and yurt accommodations for the 2014 season. Don't wait, book now and fire up your campfire as early as May 2.

Spring is a great time to visit Bruce Peninsula National Park. The area is famous for its orchids that can bloom from May through the summer. Some varieties, like the Yellow Lady's Slipper, can be found in great abundance throughout the entire Bruce Peninsula, while the Alaska Rein Orchid grows quite well in the dry evergreen forests around Bruce Peninsula National Park's Cyprus Lake campground. May is also a great time to visit the park to view a diverse number of migrating and breeding bird species. So, pack some good hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars and your camera.

Bruce Peninsula National Park is less than 4 hours' drive from downtown Toronto and the park is at its busiest in July and August. Avoid the summer rush by coming in the spring or fall shoulder seasons. Camping and yurt accommodations book up early, so don't wait. Call 1-877-RESERVE or go online at reservations.pc.gc.ca to confirm your spot; we look forward to welcoming you this summer.

Quick Facts

• Bruce Peninsula National Park offers 232 drive-in campsites in three campgrounds that front onto Cyprus Lake.
  
  
• The park has three drive-in group campsites at Cyprus Lake for groups of 12 or more people.
  
  
• Advanced and experienced campers can enjoy two backcountry camping areas. Located along the Bruce Trail, they offer a tranquil camping experience in a beautiful and remote setting.
  
  
• Visitors from Toronto can ride Parkbus to the Bruce Peninsula all season long. Visit Parkbus.ca to view the bus timetable.
  
  
• The Bruce Peninsula is home to approximately 43 species of orchid that often grow along with specific fungi, making them almost impossible to transplant.
  
  
• The park is also home to about half the world's dwarf lake iris and most of Canada's stock of Indian plantain.
  
  
• Ancient cedar trees clinging to the edges of rock cliffs are an inspiring site in the park. The oldest living cedar tree discovered in the park is over 850 years old.

Quotes

"Bruce Peninsula National Park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. It is a great place to quite literally relax and smell the flowers. I encourage everyone to plan their visit and to reserve early, as our campsites and yurts book quickly. The rock ramble along the shore from Halfway Log Dump is challenging and spectacular, while the shallow waters of Singing Sands Beach is a great place to get into the water, or to sit back and just enjoy the soft sand between your toes."

Frank Burrows, Superintendent, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Internet Links:

Bruce Peninsula National Park: www.pc.gc.ca/bruce
Parks Canada Reservations: reservation.pc.gc.ca
Parks Canada Ontario Trip Planning: www.pc.gc.ca/ontario
Parks Canada Accommodations: www.pc.gc.ca/accommodations
Parkbus: www.parkbus.ca

About Parks Canada

Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada's historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. Through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.

Image with caption: "Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada. (CNW Group/Parks Canada (Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140408_C8867_PHOTO_EN_38883.jpg

SOURCE: Parks Canada (Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit)

Bruce MacMillan
Partnering Engagement & Communications Officer
Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit
Parks Canada Agency
[email protected]
613-923-5261 extension 122