Hikers at one popular provincial park in Ontario should be warned to remain especially eagle-eyed this year because visitors are reporting that it's completely covered in poison ivy.

Each summer, Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview, Ontario is consistently one of the most popular destinations for adventurous hikers, eager to see not only the park's breathtaking natural wonders, but the largest collection of Indigenous rock carvings (the titular petroglyphs) in the country.

This summer is no different, but, according to recent visitors, alongside the anticipated flora and fauna at the park, there's also been a noticeable uptick in less-revered plantlife, too.

One hiker recently took to an Ontario hiking Facebook page to issue a warning to the community that he noticed the park is experiencing an above-average growth of poison ivy on his most recent visit.

A Facebook post warns of poison ivy at Petroglyphs Provincial Park.

"Petroglyphs PP is having a bumper crop of poison ivy this year with several variations of leaves," the post reads.

"I ended my hike early because I wasn't wearing long pants and the poison ivy was growing across the trail in places."

While any number of factors can influence any overgrowth of poison ivy, the extreme weather conditions across Ontario this summer have made the wilderness a particular fertile ground for the resilient plant.

The best way to avoid coming down with the plant's infamously itchy and blistering rash is, of course, to avoid areas where it might be growing, but if you're not deterred by the risk, recognition is key.

Poison ivy comes in a number of different genera, presenting with various leaf shapes and colours, but as a general rule of thumb, the plant typically appears as three leaves sprouting from a central red joint.

Later in the season, once the leaves drop, the plant bears waxy and sometimes hairy white berries that should also be given a wide berth.

When in doubt, stick to the old rhyme "leaves of three, let it be" and "berries white, take flight," and you should make it through your adventure unscathed.

The poster then goes on to recommend other nearby parks for hiking, which, in addition to likely being more clear of things that'll make you itchy, also stay open later than Petroglyphs, whose trail access closes at 3 p.m. daily.

If you're in the area, the poster suggests checking out Quarry Bay Beach, the Eels Creek High Falls and Kawartha Land Trust trails, all of which don't close at all, as well as Silent Lake Provincial Park, which you can also access using your daily Provincial Park permit.

If you're hoping to stay a little closer to the city, you're in luck — there are plenty of incredible hiking trails and nature reserves in and around Toronto that you can discover on your next adventure. Just don't forget to pack your calamine lotion!