Hiking Recollet Falls at French River Provincial Park Ontario

While camping nearby on the Pickerel River down a logging road, we ventured over to the French River Provincial Park for a hike to the falls.

The trail was really rocky and uneven with rocks and roots everywhere. It made for a very tricky walk in certain places.

In some places you even had to climb boulders

Proper foot wear would have been good but as we arrived in the parking lot and we realized both our girls jumped in the truck in bare feet. Luckily Aayla found a pair of flip flops in the truck and Sierra found a pair of rubber boots...so we managed.

Tree climbing in flip flops is tricky.

 Walking in boots on this trail worked way better then flip flops...until your feet get too hot.

 Even though it was a tricky walk, there was lots to see a long the way.

Wild Columbine

Wild Strawberries...so tiny but sooo yummy

 Sierra ran way ahead as the deer flies were really bad and it really upset her when they flew in or near her hair, but the rest of us caught up eventually.

 We finally made it.

 The falls do not look very big but if you picture canoes 100 years ago trying to go along this river...they'd look pretty big if you weren't expecting them. While there, a row boat and a couple fisherman made the portage over the land and around the falls.

Getting closer to the falls for a better look

 Snuggling up with dad...the deer flies really bothered Sierra on this walk and she needed some help calming down.

Mark (Ian's brother) and Charlie

 Then it was time to head back... Charlie discovered a caterpillar nest near the falls.

 Some wild chives growing beside the river which the butterflies seemed to really enjoy.

 We did the walk back much faster (although it somehow seemed slower) as everyone was a bit grumpy from stumbling and falling due to improper footwear and the deer flies, so we didn't visit the museum at the park when we were finished. We headed straight back to the camp site.

On our next trip up here I want to check out Grundy Lake Provincial Park. Hopefully some of the walking trails there will be a bit more even...or at least hopefully we will have the proper footwear so we all can enjoy the walk a bit more.