Ontario is residence to many inexperienced areas, lakes, parks, forests and outside journey playgrounds. The province is residence to over 100 Provincial Parks and 6 Nationwide Parks. From sprawling islands to tree-lined lakeshores, Ontario boasts a few of the most lovely parks within the nation.
Ontario parks could not have mountains or rugged ocean rocks; these nationwide parks have a singular allure. They’re full of climbing trails and unimaginable canoe routes, bordered by rock faces, highlighting under-the-radar landscapes price discovering.
Lots of the Nationwide Parks in Ontario are inside a number of hours’ drive of Toronto and provide nature-filled escapes away from the hustle and bustle of town.
As Ontarians, we’ve had the pleasure of visiting many of those nationwide parks through the years and are keen about experiencing extra!
Wanting so as to add a brand new journey to your checklist? Skip the annual journey to Algonquin Provincial Park this summer season and head out to one of many Nationwide Parks in Ontario as an alternative.
Pink chairs on the Southern Headland Path in Pukaskwa Nationwide Park
Greatest Nationwide Parks in Ontario
From the wetlands of Lake Erie to the roaring shores of Lake Superior, add these six nationwide parks in Ontario to your checklist.
Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park
Measurement: 154 km2 (59 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 273 km (170 mi) / 3 hours quarter-hour
Distance to Ottawa: 670 km (416 mi) / 7.5 hours
Opening occasions/Season: 12 months-round
Well-known for the turquoise waters of Lake Huron, Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park is a real Ontario gem. Together with Fathom 5 Nationwide Marine Park, this space makes for a well-liked vacation spot for tenting and lakeside actions.
A spotlight of the park is The Grotto, and its dramatic cliffs carved out of limestone. Observe the Georgian Bay Path (3.2 km/2 mi), a comparatively straightforward and well-travelled path, to see the sight for your self. When you get a glimpse of the hidden sea cave and shimmering waters, you’ll perceive what makes it probably the most common points of interest in Ontario Canada Parks.
Past the Grotto, Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park additionally has a number of different climbing routes with alternatives to see wildlife and distinctive rock formations. Considered one of our favourites is the Wild Backyard Path (3 km/1.8 mi) which winds by way of sand dunes and orchid-lined forests.
Bruce Peninsula Park is nice for day journeys and even higher for tenting. Plus, you’ll be able to go to close by Manitoulin Island and Killarney Provincial Park, that’s only a boat trip away.
The place to Keep – Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park Tenting
The primary campground in Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park is known as Cyprus Lake Campground. It affords over 200 drive-in campsites near the park’s community of trails. These websites get very busy and require reservations from Might to October, with self-serve tent tenting obtainable within the low season.
If tent tenting isn’t your factor, Cyprus Lake additionally affords yurt tenting, full with precise beds and a woodstove. These yurts make for a cushty wilderness expertise with out additional preparation. Simply you should definitely e-book your spot forward of time, as all tenting at Bruce Peninsula fills up quick.
The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park
On the Mar Lake path, Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park
Georgian Bay Islands Nationwide Park
Measurement: 13.5 km2 (5.2 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 178 km (110 mi) / 2 hours
Distance to Ottawa: 428 km (266 mi) / 5 hours
Opening occasions/Season: Might-October
The spectacular granite islands of Georgian Bay type the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. A go to to Georgian Bay Islands Nationwide Park is the right strategy to expertise the fantastic thing about pink rocks and windswept pines.
The most important of the 63 islands is Beausoleil Island, which affords climbing, biking, and tenting. Georgian Bay Islands park is accessible by boat solely. A trip on the DayTripper from Honey Harbour to Beausoleil takes about quarter-hour, however the views are beautiful.
Beausoleil Island has 12 climbing trails starting from straightforward nature walks to lengthy forested treks.
- The Fairy Loop (2.5 km/1.5 mi) is a should and is common to discover on foot or bike.
- Rockview Path (1.5 km/0.9 mi) affords picturesque lighthouse views.
There are a lot of others, and though climbing is a well-liked exercise within the park, the easiest way to discover the park is by boat.
The place to Keep – Georgian Bay Nationwide Park Tenting
Tenting within the park is offered at Beausoleil Island’s 9 completely different campgrounds. Since these are boat-access solely, you’ll have to pack your tent or e-book a country lakeside cabin. The most important campground is Cedar Spring, with 45 semi-serviced websites, and primitive tenting is offered at 8 completely different websites.
There are 20 choices unfold throughout the island for cabins and 6 oTENTiks that may be reserved on-line. All different campsites are first-come, first-served, and refill quick in summer season.
Level Pelee Nationwide Park
Measurement: 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 354 km (220 mi) / 3.5 hours
Distance to Ottawa: 790 km (490 mi) / 8 hours
Opening occasions/Season: 12 months-round
Well-known for its marshy wetlands and migratory birds, Level Pelee Nationwide Park is the southernmost level of mainland Canada. It’s a darkish sky protect void of any gentle air pollution and has been deemed a “Wetland of Worldwide Significance” by UNESCO. The park affords unforgettable birdwatching on the shores of Lake Erie.
Out of doors fans will love the number of wildlife and bushes at Level Pelee. Although Level Pelee Nationwide Park is Canada’s second-smallest park, it’s the most biologically various. It’s simply probably the greatest parks in Ontario for birdwatching, with virtually 400 species of birds current.
Level Pelee Nationwide Park has 12 km (7.5 mi) trails by way of its altering landscapes. The Marsh Boardwalk (1km/0.6 mi) is a stunning loop alongside a floating boardwalk with telescopes and an statement tower. Guests can even be part of a birding hike throughout Might to discover the DeLaurier Path at twilight. Level Pelee Nationwide Park can be an excellent place for paddling and kayaking.
The place to Keep – Pelee Island Nationwide Park Tenting
Tenting at Level Pelee Nationwide Park is way from roughing it. The lodging choices in Pelee Island Nationwide Park are restricted to oTENTiks cabins solely. These 24 comfy A-frame cabins might be booked year-round and may sleep as much as 6 individuals.
Pukaskwa Nationwide Park
Measurement: 1,878 km2 (725 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 1,108 km (688 mi) / 12 hours
Distance to Ottawa: 1,200 km (745 mi) / 13.5 hours
Opening occasions/Season: 12 months-round
On the opposite aspect of the bay from Lake Superior Provincial Park, Pukaskwa Nationwide Park is a wilderness wonderland. It’s the one Ontario Nationwide Park in Northern Ontario and is full of unbelievable climbing trails, paddling routes, and ample wildlife.
Pukaskwa is likely one of the least visited Canada nationwide parks in Ontario and has solely 4 km (2.5 mi) of roads inside its bounds. It’s splendid for hikers and is undoubtedly the wildest in comparison with its southern Ontario counterparts. Look ahead to black bears snacking on berries whereas trekking alongside the 60 km Coastal Mountain climbing Path. Or, paddle your means by way of Hattie Cove to the 135 km Coastal Paddling Route—not for the faint of coronary heart!
The park additionally celebrates the realm’s wealthy Anishinaabe First Nations historical past with cultural excursions and occasions. It’s develop into a well-liked vacation spot for fishing and affords a number of seashore actions for visiting households.
Pukaskwa Nationwide Park. Ontario
Pukaskwa Nationwide Park on the finish of the season
The place to Keep – Pukaskwa Nationwide Park Tenting
Tenting in Pukaskwa Nationwide Park is offered for all sorts of holiday makers with frontcountry, backcountry, and oTENTiks tenting choices. Hattie Cove is the central place to camp should you’re travelling with a car and is barely open from Might-October. The oTENTiks can be found in the summertime solely.
Rouge Nationwide City Park
Measurement: 79 km2 (30.5 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 33 km (20.5 mi) / half-hour
Distance to Ottawa: 382 km (237 mi) / 4 hours
Opening occasions/Season: 12 months-round
Should you’re trying to find Canada nationwide parks close to Toronto, Ontario, look no additional than Rouge Nationwide City Park. It’s a unbelievable retreat from the hustle and bustle of town and is barely a 30-minute straightforward drive from downtown Toronto.
There are many parks in Toronto with grassy inexperienced areas, however Rouge takes nature parks in Toronto to new heights. It’s one of many latest nationwide parks in Ontario that mixes pure, cultural, and agricultural landscapes. Rouge contains a big marsh and is residence to a few of Toronto’s final remaining working farms.
Rouge affords a number of straightforward and average climbing trails, together with guided walks. It’s near city (you’ll be able to take public transit!), permitting guests to scope out the paths nearly forward of their go to. It’s the right place to find nature and tenting for first-timers and get a dose of the outside.
The place to Keep – Rouge Nationwide Park Tenting
Residence to the Metropolis of Toronto’s solely campground, Glen Rouge Campground affords tent and RV tenting. There are additionally 5 newly added oTENTiks, good for these with out tenting gear. Rouge additionally runs a Be taught-to-Camp program, serving to introduce households and new residents to the enjoyment of the outside.
Seaside in Rouge Nationwide Park
Thousand Islands Nationwide Park
Measurement: 24.4 km2 (9.4 sq mi)
Distance to Toronto: 318 km (197 mi) / 3 hours quarter-hour
Distance to Ottawa: 134 km (83 mi) / 1.5 hours
Opening occasions/Season: Might-October
One other paddling hotspot, Thousand Islands Nationwide Park is positioned in japanese Ontario, simply 1.5 hours south of Ottawa. Located on the St. Lawrence River, it’s a well-liked vacation spot for Canadians and Individuals alike and is likely one of the busier nationwide parks in Ontario.
The Thousand Islands area is finest explored by boat from Mallorytown Touchdown to the 20-island archipelago. Whether or not arriving from Kingston or after a day on the Sandbanks Provincial Park, the Thousand Islands Paddling Path is a must-do. Journey for brief outings or embark on a multi-day journey by way of the extremely various biosphere.
Lease a kayak and cruise round for views of granite shores, shipwrecks, and the quirky Thousand Islands Castles. Should you choose to remain on land, discover the paths of Jones Creek and Landon Bay for peaceable forested walks. Whichever you select, you’ll benefit from the beautiful riverside panorama and water actions.
The place to Keep – Thousand Islands Nationwide Park Tenting
Thousand Islands Nationwide Park has a mixture of mainland and island campsites. Mainland campsites at Mallorytown Touchdown have 5 reservable oTENTiks proper on the river’s edge. Island tenting is offered on McDonald Island and Gordon Island, with 28 reservable spots and 16 walk-ins. Tenting on the islands requires a ship and is restricted to tents solely.
Charges & Park Passes
Nearly all Canadian nationwide parks in Ontario have a each day entrance payment to cowl your admission. For adults, this payment ranges from CAD $6-9 (USD $4-7) per individual per day or CAD $13-17 (USD $10-13) for a household/group. A household/group contains as much as 7 individuals in a single car, and youth underneath 17 are free. Take into account that even should you’re tenting, you’ll have to pay these each day charges on high of your tenting charges.
An effective way to chop down on prices whereas exploring the most effective nationwide parks in Canada is to get an annual cross. You may both get an annual cross for one particular park or a Discovery Go that’s legitimate nationwide. An annual cross for single Ontario parks is CAD $30-40 (USD $24-42) per grownup or CAD $60-80 (USD $47-63) for a bunch.
Parks Canada Discovery Go will run you CAD $72.25 (USD $57) per grownup or CAD $145.25 (USD $115) per group and contains admission to Nationwide Historic Websites.
We’re huge followers of the Discovery Go since you should utilize it to go to Canada’s many parks with out worrying about each day entrance charges. Having the cross saves money and time and encourages you to get on the market and discover!
Greatest Time to Go to Ontario Nationwide Parks
Ontario’s nationwide parks are finest visited within the summertime. Because the summer season months are packed, we choose visiting in Might/June or September in the course of the shoulder season. This time of the 12 months affords nice climate with out the crowds.
Have you ever visited any of those nationwide parks in Ontario, Canada? Which one is your favorite?