Killarney's 50,000 acres of wilderness is protected because of passionate artists

Killarney, Ontario - Four of Canada’s famed ‘Group of Seven’ (Jackson, Harris, Carmichael and Casson) would travel to this stunning wilderness region to paint in the early 20th century. It was AY Jackson who ran into some surveyors from the Spanish Lumber Company, and became so concerned that his Trout Lake might be ruined, he rallied support through contacts at the Ontario Society of Artists and got the area around it protected. Today, Killarney, which is just 100 km southwest of Sudbury, is considered a jewel of the Ontario Provincial Park system. One lake, known for its crystal clear water and quartite mountains, has been named OSA for the Ontario Society of Artists.

Where:The popular Killarney Provincail Park, with its small lakes, white quartz mountains, and birch and pine forests, is on the north shore of Georgian Bay, just over an hour's drive southwest of Sudbury. Killarney Village has outfitters, accommodation, and great take-out fish & chips near the dock. Don't want to rough it? There's also the historic, rustic Killarney Mountain Lodge (there's a old story that Al Capone and friends would stay here on fishing trips.) Quick Tips: Make reservations in advance for camping or canoe rentals, especially during busy summer weekends. Several painting and photograpy workshops are offered in the park - contact Killarney Mountain Lodge for details.

Canada’s Coolest:

Welcome to a new feature on Canada Cool. I'll be presenting different 'Coolest' lists with my favorites and I encourage you to nominate suggestions from your own experiences. You can Twitter @CanadaCool or email Lucy@CanadaCool.com. Let me know what makes your suggestion exceptionally cool. Remember, by contributing your comments you are giving Canada Cool permission to quote you. Only a selection of submissions will be included, but all comments and submissions are greatly appreciated!

The first feature is: Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives

Here are some of my favorites...

The Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Alberta - This 229 km (142 mi) Rocky Mountain route from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper passes 100 frozen rivers and nudges the base of the Athabasca Glacier - the most accessible glacier in the world. You can stop and explore it. It spills down from the Columbia Icefield, an area of ice so massive that you could fit the entire population of North America on it with each person getting at least a square metre of space.

The Corridor, Algonquin Park, Ontario – this 56-km stretch of Hwy 60 cuts through the southwest section of Algonquin Park. Less than three hours north of Toronto the park is a nature-lover's paradise with 7,725 km of lakes, rivers, forest, trails, camping, comfortable lodges and 2000 km of canoe routes. Offers hiking trails to stop and enjoy, but what makes it really cool is that it’s one of the best places in North America to spot moose (especially in May and June). And, on Thursday nights in August up to 600 cars will gather to listen to wolves howl.

The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Driving this 303 km (187 mile) route is like riding a roller-coaster: the road snakes around hairpin turns, rises to heights over 365 metres (1200 ft), weaves around headlands revealing spectacular coastal scenery, and plunges down to sea level taking you into the heart of small fishing communities. The most dramatic scenery is between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park entrance near Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, so go slow. And, plan some flexibility into your schedule, so you can drive it on a clear day.

And here are some of your nominations for 'Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives'...

More from Canada’s Coolest

'Canada's Coolest' topics we'll be publishing in the future:

• Golf Course Features
• Haunted Hotels
• Hotel Special Services

Send your suggestions to lucy@CanadaCool.com

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