Tourism

Explorers' Edge (RTO 12) is one of 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) in Ontario.  The RTOs were established to identify and implement regional priorities, allowing for more consistent marketing of Ontario's tourism regions. 

RTO 12 was established in 2010 and is now branded as Explorers' Edge, consisting of Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Parry Sound and Muskoka.

With 2,738 establishments, 264 accommodation establishments, 180 arts, recreation and entertainment enterprises, 271 food and beverage establishments, 711 retail businesses and 312 other establishments, the Explorers' Edge region hosted 3.478 million tourists in 2008 and generated about $662 million in tourism receipts.

Approximately 10 Destination Marketing Organizations and related entities are active throughout the Explorers' Edge region (Muskoka Tourism, Parry Sound Tourism, Almaguin Highlands, Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Algonquin Park, Magnetawan & Area Business Association, and Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce).

Explorers Edge is located at:

345 Ecclestone Drive
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1R1

Phone: 1-800-835-7303 
or Email Explorers' Edge

The Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) is a globally-important region designated by UNESCO in 2004. Eastern Georgian Bay is the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, or groups of islands, that provide a variety of habitats for species at risk. GBB is a non-profit organization that works with dozens of community partners to provide environmental education through conservation, and to create vibrant and sustainable communities. Thank you for your support!

Giving Online

Please click the links below to donate:

1. Donate any amount of your choosing, one time or monthly,
2. Become a Biosphere Member, 
3. Leave a gift In Memory or In Honour of someone special, or
4. Mail a cheque to: Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, P.O. Box 662, Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2Z1 Canada

The Park to Park Trail Association was incorporated on June 6, 2001, however the idea of having a regional trail network dates back several years earlier. During the summer of 1998 the Park to Park Steering Committee met for the first time, following the recommendation of both the Parry Sound and Huntsville Town Councils. Since that time Park to Park has worked to develop, build and maintain trail across the 10 municipalities between Killbear and Algonquin Provincial Parks. Since 2003, 100% of the trail route has been registered by municipal councils, and in 2011 the final section of originally envisioned trail was completed.

The Park to Park Trail is a truly collaborative initiative, bringing together trail users, businesses, non-profits organizations, clubs, as well as, local, provincial and federal governments to create a region-wide amenity. The Park to Park Trail network includes trail sections of historic rail beds and colonization roads, as well as newly developed trail, and road sections. We are a multi-use trail network, welcoming trail users on foot, bicycle, horse, dog sled, dirtbike, snowmachine, ATV and UTV. Some sections are limited to non-motorized users, so please check out "Get on the Trail” to see what uses are permitted for each section of trail you wish to use.

Sail Parry Sound is a not-for-profit corporation formed by volunteers in 1997 to restore the sailing heritage to the waters of Parry Sound, through excellence in sail training and regatta management.

For the first eight years, it operated on borrowed premises, but in 2006, moved to a site provided by the Town of Parry Sound, and began building its $600,000  sailing centre, with private donations, matched by FedNor, Northern Ontario Heritage, and Ontario Trillium Foundation support.

Today, the sailing school instructors, mostly graduates of Sail Parry Sound Sailing School, teach 300 student weeks each summer.  The sailing school, named Best in Canada in 2003,   has an active and successful race team.

Among the regattas Sail Parry Sound has hosted, with generous volunteer and community support, have been the 2000 Shark Class World Championships, with 54 boats from five countries, and the award-winning Big Sound Challenge youth training regatta.

Our award-winning sailing day camp, operating since 1998, welcomes youth aged 8-18 by the week, and adults by appointment for eight weeks on the beautiful Parry Sound, Georgian Bay waterfront. Managed by volunteers, who employ Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) certified instructors; the school organizes and manages sailing races and events.