Founded on lands acquired by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission after the St. Lawrence Seaway was constructed, the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary features a variety of wildlife habitats and close to 200 bird species spread across 9,000 hectares of unspoiled nature. The sanctuary includes outdoor learning and interpretive programs, as well as more than eight kilometres of self-guided nature trails through an array of preservation areas. Visitors to the sanctuary can hike, swim, and explore the habitats of various migratory bird species. The park also offers campsites and furnished cabins.
More info: St. Lawrence Parks.
What’s nearby: Pair your day in nature with a step back to a simpler time at the Upper Canada Village, a living history of the 1860s that features original buildings, costumed interpreters, and demonstrations for the whole family.
How to get there: From Ottawa, head east on Highway 417. Take Exit 79 for Limoges Road and turn right. Continue onto St. Albert Road and then onto County Road 5. Turn right onto County Road 12, and then turn left onto Front Street. Take the first right onto Victoria Street, and then turn right onto Osnabruck Centre Road. Turn right onto Country Road 2, then left onto Upper Canada Village before arriving at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
