Polar Bear Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polar Bear Provincial Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Polar Bear Provincial Park
Location in Ontario
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| Location | Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Peawanuck, Ontario |
| Area | 23,552 km2 (9,093 sq mi) |
| Established | 1970 |
| Governing body | Ontario Parks |
| Designated: | 27 May 1987 |
| Reference #: | 360 |
Polar Bear Provincial Park is a huge, wild park located far north in Ontario, Canada. It sits right where James Bay meets Hudson Bay. This area is part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, which means it's a flat, low-lying land. The park is famous for its untouched tundra, a type of treeless plain found in very cold regions.
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About Polar Bear Provincial Park
Polar Bear Provincial Park is managed by Ontario Parks. It is the biggest park in all of Ontario, covering a massive area of 23,552 square kilometers (about 9,093 square miles). This park is a "wilderness park," meaning it's kept as natural as possible with very few human changes.
Why is This Park Special?
The main reason Polar Bear Provincial Park exists is to protect the homes of wild animals. It's especially important for the hundreds of polar bears that travel through the area. These amazing creatures rely on the park's natural environment to live and thrive.
The park has no places for visitors to stay, like campgrounds or hotels. You can only reach it by flying in, and you need special permission before you can visit. This helps keep the park wild and safe for the animals.
A Wetland of Global Importance
Since May 1987, Polar Bear Provincial Park has been recognized as a Wetland of International Importance. This special status comes from the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement that helps protect important wetlands around the world. Wetlands are areas like marshes, bogs, and swamps that are crucial for many plants and animals.
Visiting Polar Bear Park
If you ever get the chance to visit Polar Bear Provincial Park, you need to be very prepared! Because it's so remote and wild, visitors should bring extra supplies, like food and water, enough for at least one extra week. This is in case bad weather delays your flight out of the park.
When setting up tents, it's a good idea to keep them low to the ground. This is because the park can experience very strong winds, and a low tent is less likely to be damaged. Being prepared helps ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to this incredible wilderness.
