Solace Provincial Park
Map showing the location of Solace Provincial Park
Map showing the location of Solace Provincial Park
LocationSudbury District, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates47°11′20″N 80°41′25″W / 47.18889°N 80.69028°W / 47.18889; -80.69028[1]
Area5,943.00 ha (22.9461 sq mi)[2]
DesignationWaterway
Established1989
Named forSolace Lake
Governing bodyOntario Parks
www.ontarioparks.com/park/solace

Solace Provincial Park is a remote provincial park in Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1985 and protects a series of lakes that provide backcountry canoeing opportunities. It is characterized by boreal forest, mostly jack pine conifer forest with mixed forest including white birch.[2][3] The roadless park, with topography and scenery similar to the adjacent Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, is considered as "one of the most isolated, wild places in Ontario."[4][5]

The park contains a chain of narrow north–south oriented lakes such as Selkirk, Solace, Maggie, Pilgrim, and Bluesucker Lakes, that are separated by steep forest-covered ridges. Canoeists can travel between these lakes with rugged portages over the ridges.[3] Although scenic and for those seeking quietude, the canoe routes through the park are considered by Hap Wilson as "challenging" with "hefty" portages. The routes form part of the 2,400-kilometre long (1,500 mi) network of portages and waterways in the Temagami area.[6][7]

It is an operating park, requiring permits for wilderness camping. Facilities include 10 backcountry campsites. The park can be used for recreational activities such as boating, backcountry camping, canoeing, fishing, swimming, and hunting.[2] It is only accessible via canoe or floatplane.[5]

The park is part of a chain of provincial parks and conservation reserves in the Temagami area. It forms a natural corridor between the Sturgeon River (in the adjacent Sturgeon River Provincial Park) to the west and Florence Lake (in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park) to the east.[3] Furthermore, it borders on North Yorston Conservation Reserve to the north, which protects old-growth white pine stands and part of the headwaters of the Sturgeon, Lady Evelyn, Yorston, and Pilgrim Rivers.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Solace Provincial Park". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Solace". www.ontarioparks.com. Ontario Parks. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Temagami Area Park Management Plan for Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, Makobe-Grays River, Obabika River, Solace and Sturgeon River Provincial Parks". ontario.ca. Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario. 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Policy Report P1917: SOLACE PROVINCIAL PARK (WATERWAY CLASS)". Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Solace Provincial Park". greatlakes.guide. Great Lakes Guide. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  6. ^ Wilson, Hap (1988). Temagami canoe routes (Rev. and updated ed.). Merrickville, Ontario: The Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association. ISBN 0969325819.
  7. ^ "Obabika River". www.ontarioparks.com. Ontario Parks. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Policy Report CR53: NORTH YORSTON CONSERVATION RESERVE". Crown Land Use Policy Atlas. Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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