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Canada Travel Blog- The best places to experience the great outdoors in Ontario
The best places to experience the great outdoors in Ontario
Ontario is a diverse province where many experiences can be had. One day, you can visit bustling cities full of restaurants and rich history, and the next day, you can explore the stunning countryside and great lakes that will leave a lasting impression on you.
Ontario is a playground of the great outdoors. It boasts four out of the five Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario) and the world-famous Niagara Falls, meaning there are countless water-based activities that you can enjoy during a visit here.
Whilst the likes of Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes, Parliament Hill, and the CN Tower often make the headlines as must-visit attractions to visit whilst you are in the province, there are so many more picturesque destinations to explore in Ontario. This guide takes you through some that are not to be missed.
Killarney Provincial Park
At the Killarney Provincial Park, you can experience Canadian wilderness at its best. The park, which covers an area of over 640 kilometres, is home to iconic pink granite landscapes along its Georgian Bay Coast, lush forests, more than 50 dazzling lakes and a number of breathtaking views.
Straddling the La Cloche Mountains with its white quartzite peaks, Killarney Provincial Park is protected because of its natural beauty and rich diversity of plant and animal life. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot over 100 species of birds, 20 species of amphibians and reptiles, deer, black bears, moose, lynx, beavers, and wolves.
Mikaela, who is the voice behind Voyageur Tripper, a blog dedicated to outdoor adventure travel, has visited the provincial park on a number of occasions, and she spoke about her experience: “You will find a fantastic backdrop for canoeing, hiking and camping in Killarney. It has long been my favourite park in Ontario (and, in my humble opinion) is the most beautiful park in the province.”
As the park is over 200 miles away from Toronto, which is the nearest major city, we’d recommend spending a few days here. You can drive there, but there are buses that you can take as well.
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Tobermory
The harbour town of Tobermory is located at the top of the Bruce Peninsula National Park, and it is a place like no other.
Most certainly one of the top hidden gems in Ontario, Tobermory is hailed as the “scuba diving capital of Canada” due to its crystal-clear turquoise waters being home to 20-plus shipwrecks that can be explored.
If you prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of adventures in Bruce Peninsula National Park that you can enjoy. It’s a paradise for hikers as the scenic trails are teeming with diverse flora and fauna.
The must-see attractions in Tobermory are The Grotto - a sea cave that was formed by the sea and boasts an underwater tunnel that leads to Georgian Bay - and the unique Flowerpot Island, which includes caves, the famous sea stacks called 'flowerpots', and a unique Lighthouse. Whilst these locations are popular and can be busy during the summer months, their unique beauty more than makes up for it.
Toronto is the closest major city to Tobermory, and you can travel to this unique place in the car - though do be sure to book your parking ticket in advance as space is limited. It is also possible to travel to here via the Park Bus in approximately five hours, though the schedule is limited so be sure to check before you travel.
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Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County has it all. From world-class wineries and boutique accommodations to sandy beaches, there is so much you can enjoy here.
Prince Edward County is home to the picturesque 46-kilometre Millennium Trail that stretches the length of The County, providing adventure for cyclists, hikers and birdwatchers. There are lots of small towns that you can explore which are home to art galleries, antique shops, farm-to-table eateries, and lots more.
The beaches are perfect if you want to try some water-based activities. You can explore the world-famous wineries on a guided tour, and if you are visiting in the summer, there are plenty of festivals you can enjoy.
Toronto is the closest major city, and the best way to get to Prince Edward County is to drive there, which takes just over two hours.
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Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands is situated along the Canada and USA border. The area is a sightseer’s paradise and a popular destination for those of you looking to explore the Great Outdoors.
With endless shorelines, rich history and unique culture, people have been travelling here to experience the stunning natural beauty of the area for hundreds of years. The 50 or so miles of water in the area were once patrolled by pirates and Prohibition bootleggers, but today, boats take you on guided trips and tell you the astonishing stories behind the islands.
Yvonne, who is the travel blogger behind Yvonne’s Travel Blog, recommends going on a boat trip around Thousand Islands: “Cruising the 1000 Islands aboard a guided boat tour is among the most popular reasons visitors come to the region. Tours include trips past dozens of islands, fairytale castles, lighthouses, island mansions, and wildlife, all accompanied by true tales of pirates, bootleggers, and the Gilded Age rich and famous who all spent time here. Cruises vary in length from one-hour tours to upward of five hours. Many include lunch or dinner.”
The best way to visit Thousand Islands is to drive there from Toronto, but you can take a train from Toronto to Kingston and then book a cruise tour that departs from there.
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Algonquin Provincial Park
If you are looking at flights to Canada and want to experience some of the beautiful wilderness regions in Ontario, then Algonquin Provincial Park should certainly be one place that you visit.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the park is estimated to be home to more than 40 mammals, over 260 species of birds, more than 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, over 7,000 insects, and more than 50 species of birds.
One of the best ways to explore the park’s stunning wilderness is via canoe. There are over 600 miles of rivers and thousands of lakes, so unsurprisingly; the park is regarded as one of the best places in Canada to go canoeing.
Hiking is another popular pastime that can be enjoyed in the park, as there are trails for just about everyone. There are challenging multi-day hikes to easy and accessible short loops, which have been designed to explore different aspects of the park, such as its historic sites, nature, wildlife, and the railway.
Algonquin is a place you can visit all year round, and during the winter, there are multiple trail networks offering over 110 kilometres of some of Ontario's best cross-country skiing.
Being just under three hours away, the provincial park is regarded as one of the best trips to take from Toronto, and we recommend staying at least one night, either camping or in a hotel, to make the most of your visit. You can easily drive to the park or there are bus services from Toronto to Algonquin.
ALSO READ: Best things to do in Algonquin Park
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Stratford in Ontario
Stratford has become Canada’s premier arts destination as it is home to live theatre and music performances, as well as countless art galleries and museums.
Every year, people flock to Stratford for the annual Stratford Festival, an event where a dozen or more productions take place across four distinctive venues. Crowds can enjoy classics, contemporary dramas and musicals, which have a special emphasis on the plays of Shakespeare.
Superstar singer Justin Bieber is Stratford's most famous son, and ‘Beliebers’ (who are his fans) regularly make the pilgrimage and trace his footsteps. If you explore Stratford you can expect to see historic Victorian streets lined with cafés, bistros, shops, and its famous chocolatiers.
Stratford being just under two hours away from Toronto means you can easily drive there, but there are VIA Rail services from Toronto and bus services that travel there, too.
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Bon Echo Provincial Park
You have to pack your bags and visit Bon Echo Provincial Park when you are in Ontario. The star attraction of the park is the 100-metre-high Mazinaw Rock, which features over 260 Indigenous pictographs, but the national historic site isn’t the only reason to visit.
The park is well-known for its great hiking paths that range from short-loop trails to longer 17km routes. You can experience the stunning natural beauty of the park on the water on a canoe and if you have hired a car or motorhome, you will have a pick of some great campsites.
The Bon Echo Lagoon is a great place to visit, and from here, you can rent boats to explore the lagoon and its surrounding area or enjoy the beach and go for a swim.
The park is just over two hours from Ottawa or three hours from Toronto, so if you are hiring a car or motorhome, it is an easy park to visit.
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Rouge National Urban Park
The Rouge National Urban Park is a unique place to visit in Ontario. As it is located in the Greater Toronto Area, you can easily enjoy a day trip here if you are staying in the city centre and experience what is one of the largest urban parks in North America.
The park is historic as it is Canada’s first and only national urban park and to give you an idea of the size of the park, it is more than 20 times bigger than Central Park in New York City.
From hiking and birdwatching in the warmer months of the year to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months, there are so many activities that you can enjoy at the park.
As the park borders the city of Toronto, you can take public transport from the city or drive here if you have hired a car or motorhome.
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