Are you looking to experience the best natural beauty Ontario has to offer? Then plan a visit to one of the best Ontario Provincial Parks! There are over 300 to choose from and spread out across the province. So, whether you’re looking for a provincial park near you or the best park for a camping trip, I’ve got the list for you!
In this guide you’ll discover what each of the top parks has to offer, including trails, beaches and tours. Plus, I’m sharing which are the best provincial parks for camping, hiking, and which are a must-visit in the winter.
Best Ontario Provincial Parks
The landscape of Canada is filled with incredible natural wonders! Ontario doesn’t have mountains like the Rockies but we do have the La Cloche Mountains. Then there’s the expansive Canadian Shield and the endless lakes. However, there are over 300 provincial parks in Ontario. With so many to choose from, I’ve rounded up the best provincial parks Ontario has to offer!
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
In my opinion, the absolute best park in Ontario is Sleeping Giant Provincial Park!
The park is located on the Sibley Peninsula in Northern Ontario. At an hour drive east of the city, Sleeping Giant is one of the top things to do in Thunder Bay!
Surrounded by the mighty Lake Superior, the park covers 24,400 hectares. There is a wealth of wildlife that call it’s Boreal Forest home, including 200 bird species. The park also features incredible geological features like the Sea Lion!
If you’re planning to go hiking in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, you’ll find over 100 kms of trails. That’s the largest trail system of all of the Ontario parks! Sleeping Giant is home to one of the best hikes with views in Ontario, the Top of the Giant Trail! The trail is epic and takes you to top of some of the highest cliffs in the province.
A few other top trails include the Kabeyun Trail, Sea Lion Trail, and Tee Harbour Trail. Plus, for those looking for the views without the hard work there’s the Thunder Bay Lookout.
Sleeping Giant is also a popular camping spot in the summer! There are over 200 campsites at Marie Louise Lake Campground. In addition, there are backcountry camping spots for the more adventurous. You’ll also find cabins and covered accommodations in the park that are ideal all year round.
Visitors will find a range of activities in the park. You can enjoy swimming, sea kayaking, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Its 50 kms of groomed trails are said to be some of the best in Ontario!
Plus, don’t forget to pop into the Visitor Centre! Inside you’ll find exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history.
Killarney Provincial Park
One of the top provincial parks Ontario has to offer is Killarney Provincial Park!
This provincial park is perched at the top of Georgian Bay and covers nearly 50,000 hectares. Killarney is best known for its breathtaking scenery! The park is home to vast wilderness that includes wetlands, forests, and the La Cloche Mountains. Plus, Killarney is home to some of the most crystal blue lakes in Ontario. There are over 50 of them!
Thanks to all of its incredible lakes, Killarney Pronvincial Park is one of the best parking for canoeing. They offer numerous canoe routes and you can pick up detailed maps from the Visitor Centre.
Killarney has a dozen day use hiking trails. The most popular is the Crack! This trail challenges hikers to rock scramble and push to the top for panoramic views. For those looking for equally great views but spending less time then try hiking Granite Ridge Trail. You’ll climb pink granite and be rewarded by views of the park and mountains. Plus, you’ll also find an awesome view over Georgian Bay!
La Cloche Silhouette Trail is the park’s long distance trail. Over the course of a few days’ hikers get to travel through the best the park has to offer. For a more relaxed and shorter trail, try the Cranberry Bog Trail.
Along with hiking and canoeing, Killarney has some fun camping opportunities. In addition to fair weather camping, Killarney is one of the best Ontario provincial parks to go winter camping! Plus, for a more comfort they have six heated yurts and two camp cabins.
Lake Superior Provincial Park
A park that should be on everyone’s Ontario bucket list is Lake Superior Provincial Park! This epic park covers 160, 810 hectares and a must stop on any Northern Ontario road trip!
Lake Superior Provincial Park is located between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa. It hugs the eastern shores of the world’s largest lake, Lake Superior. The park is filled with a diverse mix of environments. You’ll find beaches, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs, inland lakes, and more!
Hikers will find 11 trails to choose from. The most notable trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park is the Agawa Rock Pictographs Trail. Along with being the shortest trail, it features rare Indigenous paintings. These images, painted centuries ago, are found at the trail’s end along the cliff face.
Two other popular trails in the park include Pinguisibi Trail and Nokomis Trail. For waterfall chases hit up the Pinguisibi Trail. And for a trail through the Boreal Forest and views of the lake and Old Woman Bay, tackle Nokomis.
It’s also a great park to go camping in to avoid the cramped quarters and busy sites elsewhere in Ontario.
Another popular activity is paddling! The park offers 8 unique canoe routes that range in difficulty. Plus, there’s a shuttle service available for hikers and canoers from Naturally Superior Adventures.
Situated at the southern entrance to the park is the Visitor Centre. Be sure to pop in to check out the exhibits and learn more about the park. Plus, it’s the only place in the park to buy food.
Please note is that this is a very seasonal park. Due to weather and remoteness, much of the park is closed in the winter.
PRO TIP: There is no gas station within the park. The last gas station before the park is at Agawa Crafts.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Algonquin is notable for many reasons. It’s the oldest provincial park in Canada and is a National Historic Site.
As one of the best provincial parks in Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park is massive. It covers 772,300 hectares. That’s larger than Prince Edward Island! Within is a wealth of wilderness that includes bogs, rivers, different forests, and over 1500 lakes!
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the best provincial parks in Ontario for hiking! There are over 20 Algonquin Park trails. The most popular ones are found along the Highway 60 corridor. Mizzy Lake Trail is a great one. Though long, it takes you through varying environments and is the best for spotting wildlife. One of the best fall hikes in the park is Centennial Ridges Trail. However, many trails offer awesome lookouts.
There are over 270 species of bird in Algonquin! It’s one of the best birding parks in Ontario! A great trail for spotting birds is the Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Many species will even land on your hand like chickadees and grey jays!
There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular parks in Canada! Algonquin has a lot to offer! Along with hiking, other activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and winter camping. That’s just in the winter! It’s honestly one of the best Ontario provincial parks to visit in the winter!
Camping is very popular year-round and the park also has seven yurts to book. Another popular sport is canoeing. Algonquin boasts a canoe route network of over 2,100 kms. Plus, visitors can check out the park’s museum, seasonal café, and art gallery.
PRO TIP: Algonquin Park has strong ties to the Tom Thomson and is one of the best Group of Seven locations in Ontario!
Hardy Lake Provincial Park
One of the best places to hike in Muskoka is Hardy Lake Provincial Park!
Clocking in at only 808 hectares, Hardy Lake is one of the smaller Ontario provincial parks. However, what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in amazing features! Like much of Muskoka, the park is full of that iconic Canadian Shield. The rock is found along the shoreline of the lake and throughout the park.
Hardy Lake Provincial Park is home to a variety of environments. Hikers will encounter everything from cedar forests to marsh. It also has a long list of mushroom species within. I’ve honestly never seen that many mushrooms in any other park!
The park has three hiking trails, the Loop Trail, the Eastern Loop Trail, and another short trail. The best trail is the Hardy Lake Loop Trail, which is approximately 8 km. Circling one of the best lakes in Muskoka, the trail will take you through all the best the park has to offer.
Hardy Lake’s most popular feature is their extensive boardwalks! As one of the best boardwalk trails in Ontario, hikers will be transported from shoreline to shoreline via stretches of boardwalk. One of which is so awesome that it’s fit for Instagram!
While the park is great to visit all year long, the best time is during the fall! The Hardy Lake Loop Trail has all the best elements to make it one of the dreamiest fall hikes! With a variety of tree species and plenty of water for their colourful reflection, it’s a must!
One thing to note about Hardy Lake Provincial Park is that it is a non-operational park. This means there is no visitor facilities, including no camping allowed. However, there is a decent sized parking lot off of Highway 169, roughly 15 minutes west of Gravenhurst.
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Known as Niagara of the North, Kakabeka Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Ontario! Plus, it’s surrounded by one of the best parks near Thunder Bay!
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is located 30 minutes west of Thunder Bay. Covering 500 hectares, the park is small but has a lot to offer! The biggest draw is the might waterfall. Kakabeka Falls is the second highest waterfall in the province, after Horseshoe Falls in Niagara.
The falls is over 130 feet high and is amazing to see in the spring rush or frozen in the winter. One of the best trails in the park, Boardwalk Trail, wraps around the falls. The trail offers various unique angles to take in this natural wonder.
The park is full of natural and cultural history! One of which is the Kaministiquia River. Cutting through the gorge, it’s home to endangered lake sturgeon spawning and fossils. The fossils at the base of the falls date to 1.6 million years! Plus, the river is an historic route of the Voyageurs and has strong connection to the Indigenous community. Even the name comes from the Ojibwa and means “thundering waters.”
Hikers will find 6 trails in the park. Two of which are primarily cross-country ski trails. As mentioned, the Boardwalk Trail is great as it offers the best views of the falls. Plus, it’s easy for all and is wheelchair accessible! However, there are four other trails that offer more unique perspectives.
You can also enjoy both tent and car camping in the park. They have three different campgrounds. Just imagine waking up to the sound of the waterfall!
Killbear Provincial Park
Set on a giant peninsula that reaches out into Georgian Bay, Killbear Provincial Park is a must visit!
Covering 1760 hectares, the park is located 30 mins north of Parry Sound. Killbear is best known for the iconic white pine tree that sits perched atop a massive shoreline rock. The Killbear tree is a landmark in the park! It’s used on most of the park’s merchandise and gear.
Killbear Provincial Park is home to some of the most stunning scenery! The park features rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, forests, and towering cliffs. A great way to experience its natural beauty is on one of its four trails. Each trail has something unique to offer hikers. There are boardwalks, forest tracks, rock scrambling, and more!
One of the best trails in the park is Twin Points Trail. This trail offers visitors a great overview of the varying landscape found within the park. There’s also a lookout trail, lighthouse trail, and another that’s ideal for cyclists.
Killbear is one of the best Ontario provincial parks for camping! There are seven campgrounds and most offer campsites that are less than a five-minute walk to the shore or beach!
Another top attraction in Killbear is the Visitor Centre! This incredible facility is one of the Ontario Park’s best! It spans multiple floors and features numerous exhibits, plus has lookouts, and a store.
With so much to do and see in the park, Killbear is one of the best Ontario provincial parks for families. With camping, trails, beaches, and roughly 3 hours north of Toronto, it’s perfect for families planning a summer camping trip!
Sandbanks Provincial Park
Along with wineries, one of the biggest attractions in Prince Edward County is Sandbanks Provincial Park!
Set along the shores of Lake Ontario, the park covers 1550 hectares. One of its claims to fame is that it’s home to the largest baymouth barrier dune formation in the world! It also has some of the best beaches in the province. There are three main beaches in the park, Dunes Beach, Outlet Beach, and Sandbanks Beach.
Sandbanks Provincial Park is also home to some really cool hiking trails! There are 6 trails in the park, all with varying lengths. However, I highly recommend the Dunes Trail! This incredible trail takes you through the iconic dunes that Sandbanks is known for. In addition to dunes, the trail features various lookouts too!
Another fun activity in Sandbanks is birding! The park is a must visit for birders as it’s a popular destination for many species during the spring and fall migration.
Beyond the beaches, birding, and hiking, visitors can also bike and canoe in the park. Sandbanks Provincial Park also offers great camping opportunities in The County! It’s home to 500 campsites across five campgrounds and some are even waterfront sites!
So, whether you’re looking for an Ontario provincial park with the best beaches or a nice day trip from Picton, Sandbanks is it!
Bon Echo Provincial Park
A popular seasonal park in southeastern Ontario is Bon Echo Provincial Park.
Located just north of the small village of Cloyne, in the township of Addington Highlands, the park covers 8294 hectares.
Bon Echo is best known for its towering cliff, Mazinaw Rock! Rising over 300 feet out of Mazinaw Lake, the cliff features over 250 Indigenous pictographs. However, unlike the pictographs in Lake Superior Provincial Park, these are only accessible by water.
The park is home to a few lakes, one of which, Mazinaw Lake, is one of the deepest in Ontario. And thanks to all of the water, the most popular activity in Bon Echo is canoeing. There are various canoe routes in the park. Plus, if you don’t have a craft, you can rent a canoe, kayak and SUP in the park!
Bon Echo Provincial Park’s other activities include hiking, birding, and camping. This popular camping spot offers a variety of experiences. There’s walk-in, radio-free, car camping, and backcountry camping sites available. Campers will find three natural sandy beaches to enjoy during their stay.
If you’re a birder then a visit to Bon Echo will help you tick a lifer off your bird checklist! The park is home to peregrine falcons. This endangered species nests on Mazinaw Rock! However, the park is home to many other species like loons, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and more.
Hikers don’t worry! There are six trails in Bon Echo. Many of which offer panoramic views, forest treks, ponds, and more. The best trail in the park is the Abes and Essens Lake Trail. It consists of three intertwined loop trails and offers some of the best views in the park!
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
The most famous provincial park to visit in the summer is Wasaga Beach! It’s known for being home to the world’s longest freshwater beach. The park’s biggest highlight is the 14 km of ideal sandy beaches but there’s a lot that the average day tripper doesn’t know about Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
Beyond the beaches, the park is large but much of it is often overlooked. At over 1800 hectares, this provincial park is home to another significant stat. Wasaga Beach is home to the largest set of parabolic sand dunes in the province. These sand dunes look like big scoops have been carved out of the sand by wind. In the park, this environment is home to hundreds of different plant and bird species.
For those more interested in hiking than a beach day, the trails in the park are pretty unique. Plus, while the beach is full of people, I love that they have crowd-free trails! The dunes area of the park is home to over 30 km of trails.
Another park highlight is Nancy Island Historic Site. The park’s welcome centre acts as an entrance to the site as well as being exhibits that showcase the history of Nancy Island as well as the park.
While Wasaga Beach is one of the most popular day trips from Barrie in the summer, winter is fun too! You can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. Plus, rental equipment is available if you don’t have the gear.
Pinery Provincial Park
On the mighty shores of Lake Huron is another of the best Ontario Provincial Parks, Pinery!
Pinery Provincial Park is located just south of Grand Bend and covers 2532 hectares. The park best known for its beach dunes and rare oak savannah habitat. It was created to protect these special environments. Within these rare ecosystems a vast array of biodiversity exists. Pinery is home to over 800 vascular plants and over 300 bird species.
Birding is a popular activity in Pinery! Many amazing migratory birds pass through the park at various times throughout the year. In winter you’ll find tufted titmice and in March there are thousands of Tundra Swans. Plus, some of my favourite birds, warblers, visit during May and June.
Another beloved attraction to the park is its 10 kilometres of stunning sandy beach! From the beach you can catch what National Geographic ranked one of the best sunsets in the world!
Pinery is home to a wealth of trails too! There are 10 hiking trails and a 14 km bike trail. Along the trails you’ll explore all of the unique landscapes the park has to offer. There’s everything from beach to rare forests.
Plus, Pinery is a year-round destination! It’s home to over 35 kms of groomed ski trails. In addition, you can camp all year in the park. And for those looking for something with more shelter from those lake winds, book one of their camp cabins.
So, whether you’re looking for a beautiful beach, interesting landscapes, or a great day trip from Goderich, Pinery is it!
Awenda Provincial Park
Wrapping around the shores of Georgian Bay is another lovely Ontario Park, Awenda Provincial Park!
Located just north of Midland, Awenda covers 2915 hectares. The park offers things to do year-round and is a popular summer destination in Simcoe County!
Awenda is home to natural wonders as well as cultural treasures! Besides its biggest feature, its location along Georgian Bay, natural wonders are plentiful! It has a raised beach known as the Nipissing Bluff that was created 5,500 years ago. In addition, there’s a kettle lake, wetlands, and stretches of pristine beach.
Whether you’re looking for a fun camping spot or visiting for the day, Awenda is full of things to do! Birders will love the over 200 species found here and the opportunity to see the endangered Cerulean Warbler in its upland forests. Those looking to get out on the water will love paddling the tranquil waters of Kettle’s Lake. Plus, if you don’t have a canoe, you can rent on at the park.
If you’ve come for hiking, Awenda is home to over 30 kms of trails! A couple of my favourites are the Beach Trail and the Wendat Trail. Another fun one is the Beaver Pond Trail that takes you along a boardwalk through the forest. Each trail in the park offers a unique perspective and landscape.
While popular in the summer for camping, the park also offers one of Ontario’s top winter activities! The park is home to 17 kms of backcountry ski trails.
Along with being one of the top places to hike in Simcoe County, Awenda offers something unique. Even if you’re not stopping in, the road through the park offers a scenic drive!
Lion’s Head Provincial Park
One of the best Ontario provincial parks for lookouts is Lion’s Head Provincial Park!
Jutting out into Georgian Bay, the park is located half way between Owen Sound and Tobermory. It’s one of the best places to hike on the Bruce Peninsula!
The park covers 526 hectares and is best known for its cliff top lookouts and rock formation that looks like a lion’s profile. In addition, Lion’s Head is a significant park for more natural wonders! It’s home to one of the oldest and least disturbed forest ecosystems in North America! Plus, scattered throughout are interesting glacial features called potholes. Some you can even climb in!
Lion’s Head Provincial Park has 10 hiking trails. Many are short and create a network of loops. However, is home to the most iconic trail in Ontario, the Bruce Trail. Running along the much of the cliff, its one of the best Bruce Trail day hikes! It’s a long haul and will take roughly 6 hours from on side of the park to the other, but it’s worth it! Along the way you’ll see numerous lookouts, potholes, and other features found along the Niagara Escarpment.
This park is another non-operational park, meaning there are no visitor facilities. There’s no camping permitted in the park but there is a campground in the village of Lion’s Head.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Jutting out into Lake Ontario is a special park that has so much to offer! That park is Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
Just south of the town of Brighton, Presqu’ile covers 982 hectares. This peninsula park has a variety of landscapes including forest, beach, marsh, and meadows. Plus, there’s so many things to do in the park!
Unlike most Ontario parks that have one visitor centre, Presqu’ile has two! There’s a nature centre and a another that shares the park’s culture heritage and its relationship with Lake Ontario. This second centre is in the shadow of one of the park’s incredible features, the Presqu’ile Lighthouse. The lighthouse is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the province.
A variety of events also take place within the park throughout the year. Presqu’ile Provincial Park sees over 300 bird species a year and is a hotspot during the spring and fall migration. As a popular Ontario birding spot, the park hosts various birding events. In addition, every Labour Day weekend Monarchs and Migrants Weekend takes place. It’s a great spot to see monarch butterflies on their fall migration!
Presqu’ile Provincial Park is home to 6 unique hiking trails. Most of them are short, under 2 kms, except for the Pioneer and Newcastle Trails, which is 8 km. My favourite trail in Presqu’ile is the Marsh Trail! This incredible boardwalk trail winds through the largest protect marsh found along Lake Ontario’s north shore.
This Ontario provincial park also has over 300 camping sites, both in the forest and along the shoreline. It’s also home to a beautiful 2.5 km sandy beach! Plus, thanks to the calmer waters of Presqu’ile Bay, along with the marsh, visitors can also explore via canoe.
Quetico Provincial Park
One of the best Ontario provincial parks for canoeing is Quetico Provincial Park!
This Northwestern Ontario park is located two hours west of Thunder Bay. Spanning over 470,000 hectares it borders the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. This connection makes it the largest international recreation area in the world!
Quetico Provincial Park is best known for its incredible backcountry canoeing! With over 2,000 lakes, awesome waterfalls, staggering rock cliffs, and pristine spruce and pine forest, its natural beauty is astounding!
Beyond canoeing there are plenty of other fabulous features of this park. The park’s cliffs are home to over 25 pictographs created by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago. It’s also one of the best places to soak in the starry night sky! As its an International Dark Sky Park.
The park also has year-round camping and cabins available. For hikers, there are 35 kms of hiking trails. Plus, there’s plenty to do in the winter! In the winter visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe, ice fish, and more!
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
One of the best parks to visit in Ontario year-round is MacGregor Point Provincial Park! There are numerous reasons to visit in every season. This large park is located along the Lake Huron coast, 10 minutes south of Port Elgin.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park is one of the best parks for a winter getaway or on a day trip. The park has a number of yurts and rustic cabins to stay in. During the winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating along their skate trail.
My favourite time to visit is in the spring! MacGregor Point is one of the top places for birding in Ontario. Thanks to its mix of ecosystems and stretch of coastline, it’s a hotspot for the spring migration. Every May, the park hosts the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. It’s a popular event, so get a spot on one of the tours early!
I also love the diverse mix of trails that range from forests to coastline to marshland. There are 5 unique hiking trails. My favourite is the Tower Trail. Highlights include; a lookout tower that’s great for spotting warblers in the spring and picturesque boardwalks.
Insider Tip: If you’re looking for things to do near Southampton, MacGregor Point is a great spot for some hiking as it’s only 20 minutes south.
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park
Considered the alternative to Algonquin Park, Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is located an hour north of Peterborough.
Spanning over 37,000 hectares, the park is one of the largest parks in southern Ontario. It’s second only to Algonquin. This vast wilderness is home to a range of landscapes. Sitting on the edge of the Canadian Shied, the park features numerous small lakes, rocky barrens, wetlands, and forests.
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is best known for being a canoeing hotspot! With various access points, the park is home to six different canoe routes. The routes vary from easy to moderate. It’s also a great spot to go camping, if you’re willing to canoe to your campsite. There over 100 backcountry campsites, no car camping.
With a lush and pristine wilderness, countless lakes, and even a number of waterfalls, Kawartha Highlands is a must visit!
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Ten minutes north of downtown Huntsville is one of the most popular Ontario provincial parks in Muskoka!
Arrowhead Provincial Park covers 1237 hectares and is one of the top destinations in Muskoka! The park has a lot of offer visitors all year long!
There are 5 hiking trails in Arrowhead, all of which are under 3 km except for one. Stubb’s Falls Trail is great any time of year and leads right to one of the many Muskoka waterfalls. An easy one is Big Bend Lookout! This spectacular Muskoka lookout is a short walk from the parking lot. And it offers sweeping views of curving Big East River and beyond.
For those looking for things to do in Muskoka in winter, then head to Arrowhead! The park is transformed into a winter wonderland. And is home to one of the best skate trails in Ontario! In addition to skating, other popular winter activities in Arrowhead include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Don’t worry if you haven’t got the gear, the park offers rentals of skis, snowshoes, and ice skates.
The park is also a great place to go camping! There are three campgrounds. Plus, there are 13 camp cabins that are available to book throughout the year! And what pair nicely with camping? Swimming! Visitors can enjoy three sandy beaches on Arrowhead Lake.
Polar Bear Provincial Park
The best Ontario provincial park to see polar bears is Polar Bear Provincial Park!
Shocking, I know! But this park is home to as many as 200 polar bears. Keeping mostly to the coastal area, the peak time to see them is in early November.
Polar Bear Provincial Park is the largest provincial park in Ontario. It weighs in at 2,355,200 hectares. That’s over three times the size of Algonquin Park!
Located on the western shore of Hudson Bay, just above James Bay, it’s the province’s most northerly park. It’s remote, there are no visitor facilities and it can only be accessed by air.
But the park is an otherworldly place! With to sub-artic conditions and low-lying tundra, the park is home to a large number and wide array of animals. Inside its boundaries you’ll find caribou, black bear, moose, beaver, and more. Plus, along the coastal waters are walruses, seals, and beluga whales.
For bird enthusiasts, Polar Bear Provincial Park see hundreds of species of bird in the spring!
This is one Ontario Park that should be on every nature lover’s Ontario bucket list!
Murphy Point Provincial Park
If you’re looking for day trip ideas from Ottawa, plan a visit to Murphy Point Provincial Park, which is located in Perth. Murphy Point Provincial Park is one of the best parks to visit in the summer for its long list of things to do and see.
One of the coolest features of the park is an early 1900s mine. The best part is that the park runs tours of Silver Queen Mine from the end of June through to Labour Day. So, if you’re looking for cool things to do in the summer in Perth, book a tour.
Murphy Point Provincial Park is also a popular spot for camping, birding, and paddling. Set on Big Rideau Lake, which is part of the Rideau Waterway, it offers a canoe loop that’s 6 km. Canoes and kayaks can be rented in the park, if you don’t have one.
With around a half a dozen hiking trails, there’s one to suit your desired length from under 1 km to over 5 km. The Silver Queen Mine Trail is an interesting one that features a number of historic pieces leading up to the mine entrance.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Another special park in the Peterborough area is Petroglyphs Provincial Park!
Located roughly an hour north of Peterborough, the park covers 1643 hectares.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park is best known for the images carved into the rock here by Indigenous peoples over a 1000 year ago. These petroglyphs are the largest collection of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada! They are different then the pictographs found in other parks like Lake Superior, because they are deeply carved into the rock, not painted on.
This sacred site is now located within a building known as “The Teaching Rocks.” Within you can see and learn about the petroglyphs and the Indigenous people who carved them. Because it’s a sacred site, there is no photography allowed.
The park’s main visitors centre is called the Learning Place. This building showcases a wealth of information about the traditions of the Ojibway as well as the petroglyphs. Plus, it features a variety of interactive displays.
Along with the petroglyphs, the park has an incredible natural feature. McGinnis Lake is one of a few meromictic lakes in Canada! Thanks to the layers of water that don’t mix, the lake has a bright blue and green colour.
There are also 3 hiking trails in Petroglyphs Provincial Park. You’ll find a mix of habitats along the trails like plains, marsh, crystal clear lakes, and more. The best trail for views is the Nanabush Trail. Other trails are the Marsh Trail and West Day Use Trail.
This is a seasonal park. Petroglyphs is open between May and October. It’s also only open for day use, there’s no camping allowed in the park.
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Forget about visiting the Grand Canyon in the United States! Known as the Grand Canyon of the north, Ouimet Canyon is a great alternative here in Ontario!
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is an over 750 hectares park an hour northeast of Thunder Bay. The canyon spans nearly 10,000 feet in length, is 500 feet wide, and over 300 feet deep. And deep within, the canyon floor is home to rare Arctic flora, which is found 1000 kms north!
The park is home to an easy 1 km loop trail. The trail takes visitors along boardwalks, through forests, and to two different lookout platforms. At each of the lookouts, you can see north and south along the Ouimet Canyon. And on a beautiful clear day you can even see out to Lake Superior.
Bird watching is the other popular activity in the park. With the boardwalk trail taking you close to the forest canopy; you can hear and spot various bird species. Plus, there are also boreal forest species and peregrine falcons, which nest on the canyon’s cliffs.
While this park is one for day use, it is truly one of the many hidden gems in Ontario!
And for those looking for more fun close by, just east of Ouimet Canyon is Eagle Canyon Adventures. This private company runs adventures over the canyon. It’s home to one of the highest and longest zip lines in Canada. Plus, you can walk along two different suspensions bridges over the canyon.
French River Provincial Park
Between Parry Sound and Sudbury sits another of the best Ontario provincial parks, French River Provincial Park.
Covering 73,530 hectares, the park is best known for the river running through it. The French River is the first designated Canadian Heritage River. It’s designation steams for the river being a paddle route for Indigenous people, fur traders, and French Explorers. Started from Lake Nipissing in North Bay, the French River flows for 105 kms to Georgian Bay.
So, it’s no surprise that the park is a great spot for canoeing. There’s the French River canoe route as well as coastal kayaking along Georgian Bay.
French River Provincial Park is also home to one of the coolest suspension bridges in Ontario! Crossing the French River gorge, it’s over 500 feet long, over 12 feet wide, and stands nearly 90 feet above the river.
From the suspension bridge you’ll find incredible views of the river and gorge. One odd element you might notice is that the gorge and river is remarkably straight. This is because it was created due an ancient fault running beneath.
The park is also home to one hiking trail, Recollet Falls Trail. This 4 km trail travels through the forest, to the edge of the gorge, and to a waterfall.
A popular stop on every Northern Ontario road trip is the French River Visitor Centre! This award-winning space showcases the natural and cultural history of the park and the French River.
Neys Provincial Park
Made famous by Lawren Harris’s painting of Pic Island, Neys Provincial Park is a must stop!
Just west of Marathon and north of Pukaskwa National Park, Neys covers 5475 hectares along Lake Superior’s northern shore.
Neys Provincial Park covers the northern shore as well as a Pic Island, Detention Island, and the Sullivan Islands. The park has a wealth of natural and historic features to explore!
One of the strange natural features of the park are the sub-Arctic plants. Plus, the park is home to the incredible Woodland Caribou!
Inside the Visitor Centre you can see remains of POW Camp 100. Why you ask? Well, because during World War II the park was a prisoner of war camp.
It’s also home to one of the best beaches along Lake Superior! Plus, there’s plenty of paddling opportunities along the shores of the lake or down Little Pic River.
Whether you’re camping or visiting for the day, Neys has some pretty awesome hiking trails. There are 6 different trails that take you through sand dunes, along the Lake Superior shoreline, and up to lookouts.
The most popular trail at Neys Provincial Park is the Pic Island Overlook Trail. The view from the lookout is of Pic Island and the Thompson Channel. It was this location that inspired the now famous Group of Seven painting.
Misery Bay Provincial Park
The largest freshwater island in the world is located right here in Ontario! And the only operating provincial park on Manitoulin Island is Misery Bay Provincial Park.
Set along the southern shore of Manitoulin, the park is 1076 hectares, and has a lot to offer visitors! It’s considered a world class park due to the alvars found throughout. Alvars are a natural habitat that are made up either of exposed ancient flat rock or a thin layer of soil over limestone.
Misery Bay Provincial Park is home to four hiking trails. I highly recommend the red Coastal Alvar Trail. The trail travels across the park’s alvars, along the coast of Manitoulin, and through the forest. Along it you’ll see some of the other unique features of the park. There are sand dunes, rare plants, an old cabin, and more!
The park also has an eco-friendly visitor centre. Within you’ll find various exhibits about the parks natural and geological history. And from the deck, it also offers a lovely view over the park!
TRAVEL TIP: Because of the remoteness of the park, I highly recommend making sure you gas up before you head out. Plus, be sure to bring plenty of food and water.
Ruby Lake Provincial Park
Another one of the best Ontario provincial parks found on Lake Superior is Ruby Lake Provincial Park!
Located just east of Nipigon, or roughly 1.5 hours from Thunder Bay, the park covers 2734 hectares. This northern Ontario Park sits along the northern shore of Lake Superior.
Ruby Lake Provincial Park is a non-operational park. It’s home to lush wilderness, three lakes, and wetlands. And its cliffs and ravines provide significant habitat for peregrine falcon and bald eagles.
The park is also home to an awesome hiking trail. Ruby Lake Lookout Trail travels through the forest and out to a spectacular lookout! Standing atop the cliffs you can see Ruby Lake 100 feet below you as well as Lake Superior. Plus, on a clear day you can see the La Grange and Vert Islands that sit in Nipigon Bay.
Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Set along Highway 17, just west of Rossport is Rainbow Falls Provincial Park.
It’s yet another awesome provincial park in Ontario that’s perched along the shores of Lake Superior! The park covers over 575 hectares and is popular for hiking and camping.
Rainbow Falls Provincial Park is best known for its cascade waterfall! And one of the five hiking trails in the park runs right alongside it. Rainbow Falls Trail travels along boardwalk and stairs beside the waterfall. It then climbs up to a lookout. The trail is also part of the Voyageur Trail that runs between Rossport and Terrace Bay.
Along with hiking, the park is home to over 100 campsites. They are set between two campgrounds, one on the Whitesand Lake and the other on the south side of Highway 17 on Lake Superior. Both offer unique paddling opportunities. On Whitesand Lake you can enjoy canoeing along its calm waters. There’s even a canoe regatta held here every summer! Or you can opt for sea kayaking along Lake Superior’s shoreline.
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
One of the best provincial parks near Toronto is Forks of the Credit Provincial Park! Within an hour drive, Forks is one of the closest Ontario provincial parks to Toronto.
The park covers 282 hectares and is one of the top Caledon attractions! Throughout the park are an array of environments. You’ll find rolling hills, a kettle lake, and even a waterfall! Plus, part of the Niagara Escarpment runs through Forks of the Credit! Beside the park’s Cataract Falls is another interesting feature of the park. Here, you’ll find the ruins of an 1820s mill.
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park has five hiking trails. Two of which are some of the most popular trails in Ontario, the Bruce Trail and Trans Canada Trail.
Along with hiking, a popular summer activity is picnicking! Around the hillsides looking over the lake as well as down by the river offer scenic places to eat.
Winter is another great time to visit Forks of the Credit! During the winter months you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along the trails.
Balsam Lake Provincial Park
One of the best parks for camping in the Kawartha Lakes is Balsam Lake Provincial Park. This surprisingly large park in Kirkfield offers ideal campsites. Another highlight of the park is its massive sandy beach. Its an ideal park to visit in the summer to enjoy swimming in the clean, clear waters of Balsam Lake.
For those cottaging in the area, Balsam Lake is a great spot for a day trip. Families will love the large beach and kid’s playground. Fishers and paddlers will love getting out on the water. The park has kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals too.
My favourite activity is hiking in Balsam Lake! The park has 2 main trails ranging from 2 to 4 km. Plus, thanks to a connecting trail you can easily make a loop to make the hike longer. I love the varying landscapes that the trails take you through. There’s everything from magical forested trails with mushrooms and frogs to hilltop lookouts.
Selkirk Provincial Park
On the shores of Lake Erie is another great park for camping, Selkirk Provincial Park. Along with camping, the park is great for day trippers looking to enjoy birding and a short hike. It’s the perfect addition to any weekend in Haldimand itinerary.
Covering over 72 hectares, the seasonal park is ideal for those looking for private campsites. The campsites are typically grass covered and shaded. And if you’re travelling with your canine companion, Selkirk is one of the best dog-friendly parks in Ontario, thanks to its dog beach.
Selkirk only has one hiking trail, Wheeler’s Walk Trail. At 1.5 km, the trail features a boardwalk and is scenic – especially in the fall!
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Ontario Parks
When choosing which Ontario provincial parks to visit you’ll likely have many questions. I’ve complied a few top questions about Ontario parks below with answers to help you plan your trip.
The best park for camping is Algonquin Provincial Park. However, two other great parks to camp are Killbear Provincial Park and Killarney Provincial Park.
The best provincial parks near Toronto are Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, and Darlington Provincial Park. All are roughly an hour outside of Toronto.
The busiest provincial park in Ontario is Algonquin Provincial Park. The top busiest Ontario parks are Algonquin Provincial Park, Killbear Provincial Park, Pinery Provincial Park, and Sandbanks Provincial Park. Consider visiting during the week to avoid the crowds.
The best parks include Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Killarney Provincial Park, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Algonquin Provincial Park, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Bon Echo Provincial Park, and Pinery Provincial Park.
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