Hike to One of the 11 Best Lookout Points in Ontario

Ontario is home to some of the most spectacular lookout points in the country. You’ll discover stunning vistas across rivers, lakes, forests and wide-open landscapes. Whether you enjoy challenging trails or easy hikes, there is something for everyone. Here are 11 of the best lookout points in Ontario.

Lion’s Head Lookout

Lion’s Head, Bruce Peninsula

See stunning views of Georgian Bay’s turquoise and ultramarine blue waters from the Lion’s Head Lookout, which sits atop towering rocky cliffs. The Lion's Head Lookout Trail, which is a part of the Bruce Trail, has two loops, including the main trail and inland trail, for a total of about 18 km. Sections of these trails can be challenging. Hikers can look at a map at the trailhead to decide which trail loop they would like to hike. Reservations are required for the McCurdy Drive Parkette at the trailhead, but if spots are unavailable, you can park at the Lion's Head Arena 4 on Tackabury Street.

Toronto Eco Adventures offers guided hikes of the Lion’s Head Lookout Trail, including transportation from the city. A variety of accommodation options, restaurants and shops can be found in the town of Lion’s Head.

A.Y. Jackson Lookout

Greater Sudbury Area

This Ontario lookout point is named after famous Canadian artist and Group of Seven member A.Y. Jackson. Located northeast of Sudbury along the Onaping River and offering a beautiful view of Onaping Falls, the A.Y. Jackson Lookout features several observation platforms. Some are accessed by a rugged 1 km long trail along the river, while others are more easily accessed by a short walk from the parking lot. One platform is completely barrier-free for those with mobility issues or wheelchair users.

The City of Sudbury is only 45 km away and offers many accommodation options, restaurants and shops. Windy Lake Provincial Park is a short drive northeast of the lookout and has a campsite, yurt and cabin rentals.

The Crack

Killarney Provincial Park

Easily one of the best lookouts in Ontario, The Crack is a bucket list lookout to visit. The Crack is located at the end of a trail of the same name in Killarney Provincial Park. The trail is 6 km long, is estimated to take at least four hours roundtrip, and is rated difficult. Panoramic views of the immense white cliffs of the La Cloche Mountains await you at the top.

Stay at a campsite, cabin or yurt in Killarney Provincial Park. For more luxury, book accommodations at nearby Killarney Mountain Lodge & Conference Centre. Stop for a delicious fish and chips meal at Herbert Fisheries and visit Killarney Outfitters for supplies, canoe and kayak rentals, and outdoor gear.

Cup and Saucer Lookout

Manitoulin Island

The Cup and Saucer Lookout can be found along a trail of the same name. A map at the trailhead shows a few different trail loops to choose from. Combine all the trails for up to 12 km, including a 2 km long adventure trail. There are some challenging sections along these trails, particularly the adventure trail, which has climbs and ladders. The lookout sits on top of the northern section of the Niagara Escarpment, with spectacular views over both the North Channel of Lake Huron and Lake Manitou.

If you complete the 8-km trail, email info@escarpment.ca with your name, address and the date you climbed the trail and the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy will send you a certificate of completion.

Lookout Trail

Algonquin Provincial Park

The 2.1 km Lookout Trail along Highway 60 in Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the park’s most popular trails. This is due to its moderate difficulty level—it takes just one hour or less to complete—and the beautiful views it offers of several hundred square kilometres of Algonquin. After arriving at the lookout section of the trail, visitors can enjoy a rest on benches at the top of a rocky cliff and take in the views.

There are many different accommodation options within Algonquin Provincial Park, from campsites to cabins and yurts. There are also private resorts, including Bartlett Lodge and Arowhon Pines. Enjoy a meal or pick up supplies at Lake of Two Rivers Cafe and Grill or the Canoe Lake Store, both operated by Algonquin Outfitters.

Ouimet Canyon

Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park

Visitors can follow an easy 1 km trail loop that takes only 30 minutes to complete, from the parking to the Ouimet Canyon lookout and back. There are two viewing platforms along the canyon’s edge, and the entire trail and lookout points are barrier-free for those with mobility issues and wheelchair users. The lookout offers panoramic views of the 150-m wide gorge, which is 100 m above the canyon floor.

Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is located between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, where accommodations, supplies and restaurants can be found. The canyon is also only an hour away from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, which has campsites and cabins.

Stormy Lake Bluff

Restoule Provincial Park

The views are amazing from the top of 100-m high Stormy Lake Bluff. Located along the Fire Tower Trail in Restoule Provincial Park, the hike is 4.1 km long and will take 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. There is one challenging climb up to the top, but visitors are rewarded with the view from the bluff and a view across Amber Lake too. The trail also passes underneath a historic fire tower.

Camp at the park, or stay at Cedar Grove Camp nearby in the town of Restoule, where you can also find supplies at Gerry’s General Store and the Mill Bay Market.

Helenbar Lookout

Mississagi Provincial Park

The Helenbar Lookout Trail is located in Mississagi Provincial Park. The trail is 7 km long, rated moderate, and takes two to four hours to complete. The lookout sits 130 m atop a north-facing ridge, with spectacular views across Helenbar Lake far below and the Boland River Valley in the distance.

Visitors can camp at Mississagi Provincial Park or stay at nearby Laurentian Lodge or Dunlop Lake Lodge, which also has a restaurant. You can also stop at another lookout, the Elliot Lake Fire Tower, while visiting the area.

Devil’s Rock

Temiskaming Shores

The Devil’s Rock Lookout is at the top of a cliff, over 90 m above Lake Temiskaming. Breathtaking views across the lake into the province of Quebec await visitors. Just a short 5-km drive on Highway 567 from the town of Haileybury, it’s then an easy 2-km hike along the trail to the top.

Bucke Park Campground is located just a short drive from the Devil’s Rock trailhead, but if you are staying at the campground, you can access a 3 km long trail from the campground that will lead to the Devil’s Rock Trail System.

Big Bend Lookout

Arrowhead Provincial Park

A short walk from the parking lot will take you to the expansive Big Bend Lookout in Arrowhead Provincial Park. The lookout sits at the edge of a high sandy bank of an oxbow along the Big East River. The riverbank is slowly eroding over time, creating a big bend in the river, hence the name. This is a beautiful lookout year-round with views over the surrounding Muskoka landscape.

Camp or rent a cabin in Arrowhead Provincial Park, or stay at one of nearby Huntsville’s many hotels or resorts. The Family Place Restaurant and Pizza is an excellent spot for a delicious meal. For fine dining, try Tall Trees Muskoka. Algonquin Outfitters, located right along the Muskoka River downtown, will have everything you need for an outdoor adventure.

Edmund Fitzgerald Lake Superior Lookout

Pancake Bay Provincial Park

A hike along Pancake Bay’s Lookout Trail will lead you to the Edmund Fitzgerald Lake Superior Lookout. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Superior and Pancake Bay and look out to the area where the Edmund Fitzgerald ship sank on November 10, 1975, during a storm, taking the lives of all 29 crew members. The entire 14 km trail is rated moderate and takes five to seven hours to complete. Or, just hike to the lookout and back, a 7 km return trip that takes two to three hours.

Pancake Bay Provincial Park has camping, cabin and yurt rentals. Outdoor adventure company, Forest The Canoe offers guided interpretive hikes to the lookout. While in the area, stop by The Voyageurs’ Lodge & Cookhouse and pick up one of their famous apple fritters.

Temagami Fire Tower

Temagami

The Temagami Fire Tower is a well-known spot in northeastern Ontario and is one of the province’s best lookouts. In 1998, the newly restored 100-foot-high steel fire tower and Caribou Mountain Lookout were opened and dedicated to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ forest rangers. A short walk along an easy trail will take you to the tower’s base. Those who climb to the top will be rewarded with an impressive 360-degree view over the surrounding area and town of Temagami. An almost equally stunning view can be seen from two viewing platforms at the edge of the ridge below the tower. Caribou Mountain and the White Bear Forest have several trail loops if you’d like to go for a longer hike.

Camping and cabin rentals are available at nearby Finlayson Point Provincial Park. Temagami Shores Inn & Resort offers year-round accommodations and a public restaurant with delicious food. Temagami Outfitting is downtown and sells outdoor gear. It also has a full-service smokehouse and bar called The Outfitter.

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