While Ontario may not be the first place people think of when it comes to outdoor adventure in Canada, there are many hidden gems that make this place special.
The first thing that comes to mind when we think about Ontario is typically the large city of Toronto. Even though there are countless things to do in Toronto, as soon as you venture outside of the bustling metropolis you will be greeted by incredible hikes, gorgeous lakes and enchanting rivers.
There’s no better time than now to get out and explore nature, so I hope these outdoor adventures in Ontario are the perfect way to feed your wanderlust. After all, it is possible to take a complete itinerary through the Canadian Rockies.
At the end of the article, I include a map showing the destinations so you can get an idea of how close they are to Toronto… and even Ottawa and Montreal!
1. Exploring Killarney Provincial Park
Killarney is one of the most beautiful parks in Canada. It’s about a four-hour drive from Toronto, so it’s easily accessible for a weekend road trip but far enough away that you won’t have big crowds.
Killarney is made up of several lakes linked by portages and is the perfect place for a canoe trip or hike. These are the most popular activities in the park, with camping a close third.
If you enjoy hiking, be sure to try The Crack or Silver Peak. The Crack is a moderately difficult hike that takes about 4 hours and Silver Peak is even more challenging and will take a full day.
If you have time to spare, you can see all of Killarney Park entering Johnny Lake and exiting George Lake. This will take about 8 days and you will see all the highlights of the park.
For a shorter trip, you can try Lake George to Lake OSA, where you should try to stay at campsite #29 (it’s on an island!). From Bell Lake to David Lake is also only a 3 day ride. The trailhead for Silver Peak is near David Lake, so be sure to hike it on your rest day.
Be sure to reserve your campsite well in advance, especially for George Lake as it is the most popular site. Try to book 5 to 6 months in advance.
2. Backpacking in Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin is known around the world for its incredible canoe camping opportunities. For those who don’t kayak, there are also three different backpacking trails in the park.
I backpacked on the Highland Backpacking Trail and there are two others called The Eastern Pines and Western Uplands.
The Highlands trail takes two nights and three days, so it’s perfect for a long weekend. The total distance you will cover on this route is 35 km, but there is a shorter shortcut you can take that is only 19 km.
There are several campsites along the route, and you’ll pass lakes, a waterfall, and plenty of viewpoints. The trail is well maintained and well marked, but I wouldn’t recommend the longer route for beginners. If it’s your first time, choose the shortest route.
The hike is quite challenging and requires a good level of physical preparation, but it is also incredibly rewarding!
Normally, you need to pick up a permit at the Visitor Center, but during the pandemic it has been closed. You will also need to reserve your campsite in advance for this trip.
3. Bruce Peninsula National Park Camping
There are several different camping options on the Bruce Peninsula, which is what makes it the perfect destination for novice or discerning campers.
They have a backcountry campground that you can drive to, as well as other backcountry campgrounds outside of the park. If you prefer to camp away from the water then they have two backcountry campsites.
The campground at the front is called Cyprus Campground and the two campgrounds inland are Storm Haven and High Dump. You will need to reserve sites in advance at each of these campgrounds.
Although it tends to get crowded in the popular areas, I found that after leaving the Grotto, I didn’t see many other people.
There are nine sites in each of the backcountry camping areas and they are all a good distance from each other. There are wooden tent platforms at each and they even have a composting toilet.
These locations do not have running water, so be prepared to get water from Georgian Bay.
In the border area of Cypress Lake Campground, there are more than 230 sites divided between three subcampgrounds. Here you will find picnic tables and a charming fire pit.
There is also a bathroom and shower here, but there is no electricity to hook up the trailer. These locations are best for camping or driving.
4. Canoeing on the Petawawa River
If you’re interested in whitewater kayaking, head to the Petawawa River north of Algonquin Park. This is an intermediate route, so I recommend that you or someone in your group has some whitewater experience.
If you prefer to take a guided trip, MHO Adventures is a fantastic store. They provide the equipment, guides and food.
The entrance is at Lake Travers, the exit is at Lake McManus and the entire trip takes three to four days. There are Class I and II rapids and there will be some paddling in the lake during the trip.
The landscape is stunning with the tall pine trees that line the riverbank and the night sky that will leave you surprised by the number of stars. If you enjoy dark sky photography, be sure to bring your camera.
Oh, and the Petawawa River is very close to Ottawa and Montreal, if those are your starting point.
5. Hike and Swim at Lake McCrae
McCrae Lake is the perfect day trip from Toronto. It’s less than two hours away, but you’ll want to get an early start to make the most of the daylight.
I recommend taking the McCrae Lake Conservation Trail until you reach a parking lot off Highway 400 and from there begin your adventure through the forest, passing through Canadian Shield and, finally, to McCrae Lake.
For those unfamiliar with the Canadian Shield, it is rocky granite terrain with pine trees growing in the crevices. Watch where you’re going, as it can be tricky to navigate when everything starts to look the same!
There are several viewpoints along the trail that offer views of Lake McCrae. Once you reach the lake, there are great places to stop, have a picnic, and swim for a bit.
The trail is 14.5 km long and is a round trip, so allow plenty of time.
6. Trekking no Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
This park is just an hour away from Toronto, giving you even more time to explore! However, it tends to get very crowded, especially on weekends, due to its proximity to the city.
This is the perfect place for an afternoon walk and you can come and enjoy the forest and appreciate the high rock walls.
The most popular hikes here are the Cliff Top Trail and the Lookout Trail. Although some of the trails have steep sections, most of them are wide and flat. They are perfect for beginner hikers and those with furry friends or children.
Mono Cliffs is for day use only, meaning no camping is permitted. In total, there are 20km of hiking trails, plenty to keep you busy for a day.
7. Glamping in Georgian Bay Islands National Park
This national park is made up of 63 different islands in the southeast corner of Georgian Bay. The largest and most visited of them is called Beausoleil Island.
To get here, you need to drive to Honey Harbor Boat Club Marina and take a boat to the island. The marina is about a two or three hour drive from Toronto, depending on where you’re coming from.
You can also take the Parkbus if you are going on a day trip. You need to register in advance for this, but it includes transportation to the marina as well as the island.
If you don’t take the Parkbus, you will have to arrange your own water transportation. You can take the DayTripper (there are some restrictions) or take your own water taxi.
This park requires a little more planning because it requires you to register in advance, but the planning is worth the effort.
Instead of taking a day trip, I highly recommend you camp here as the sunrises and sunsets are unbelievable. They also have glamping options.
Of course, you must walk during your visit to the park. My recommendation is to take a hike at Lake das Fadas. You can also swim at Honeymoon or Beausoleil Point or rent a bike at the Visitor Center.
Did I mention the sunsets are fantastic? If you come to this location, enjoy!
Map of outdoor adventures in Ontario, Canada, just outside of Toronto
See below a map with all the adventures on our list, so you can visualize and plan your itinerary more easily. (just click on the map below to zoom in).
Concluding…
If you were skeptical about the outdoor adventures Ontario has to offer, I hope these options changed your mind! There are so many wonderful things to do outdoors and beautiful places to visit in this province that are not far from major cities like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal (the last two cities are in the province of Quebec).
Don’t be afraid to go out and try new things, like canoeing or camping. If you feel more comfortable with easy day hikes, then that’s fine too.
The important thing is to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
Bio
Mikaela from Voyageur Tripper has been kayaking, hiking and camping for over ten years. She has worked as a canoeing guide in Canada and spent time guiding hikes and kayaks in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a wilderness first aid and whitewater rescue technician. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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