7 Best Ontario Spa Getaways for Adventure Lovers

Adventure lovers know there's no better reward than the blissful wind-down after a day of pushing your limits in the great outdoors. Whether you’ve been mountain biking through hilly singletrack or paddling into the wind longer than expected, the stark contrast between high-exertion and deep relaxation is incredibly satisfying. This article is all about playing hard—then treating yourself to the ultimate in post-adventure pampering.

We’ve curated a list of spa getaways designed for those who thrive on both thrills and tranquillity. They blend rugged outdoor pursuits with luxurious opportunities to rest, recover, and rejuvenate. So go ahead—push your boundaries. Then unwind in style as you recharge for your next adventure.

Getaway #1: Sudbury Summer Retreat

Sudbury has all the amenities of a big city, yet its Northern Ontario setting gives it a sense of isolation and easy access to seriously rugged terrain. The city has a perfect mixture of comforts, amenities and opportunities for outdoorsy people. Discover a mecca for cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, swimming and camping. Pair this with some excellent spa options, and you have a recipe for an experience that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Stay and Spa:

• Get a taste of these attributes by booking an experience at Touch of Heaven Nordic Spa. Packages include luxurious overnight accommodations, access to Nordic bath circuits, meals and more. They also offer yoga, massage, facials, scrubs and mini nordic packages.

The Adventure:

• Rent a canoe or standup paddleboard at Kivi Park and explore the wild shorelines of Crowley Lake, minutes from downtown Sudbury. The park also offers mountain bike rentals and includes a huge network of exciting single-track, as well as hiking trails.
• Visit Lake Laurentian Conservation Area and hike the Lake Laurentian Loop, a 10 km loop with some stunning views and challenging incline sections. Bring your mountain bike (or rent one from Adventure365, Sessions Ride Company or the Outside Store) and ride a few of the mountain biking trails, which range in difficulty from green to double black diamond. Sudbury also features fantastic urban cycling and access to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, a long-distance bike touring route.
• Contact Sportsman’s Lodge to get outfitted with everything you need for a day of fishing on Kukagami Lake. They also offer options for canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, swimming and snorkeling, as well as waterfront accommodations.
• Windy Lake Provincial Park, located 45 minutes from Sudbury’s city centre, features an excellent 93-site campground that’s open spring, summer and fall and many opportunities for hiking, paddling and fishing.

Getaway #2: Sault Ste. Marie Summer Wellness

Located in the heart of the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie features incredible scenery with inland seas, cascading rivers and endless forests. The tapestry of wild lands and waters is spectacular, and it’s no surprise the area offers world-class outdoor adventure opportunities and getaway packages for those who love to explore before being pampered.

Stay and Spa:

• Book a suite at the Quattro Hotel and enjoy their on-site restaurant, complimentary breakfast, fitness facility, sauna, pool, and full-service Greenhouse Spa. Book a massage, facial, pedicure, or one of the many other spa services offered, and relax in one of 12 specialized treatment rooms. Hotel and spa packages are available.

The Adventure:

• Walk Among the Trees is an Indigenous guiding company that offers immersive outdoor cultural experiences for everyone. Take a hike, learn more about Anishinaabemowin language, food and traditional medicines, and visit the company’s Three Sisters Garden in the Hiawatha Highlands, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie. 
• Rent a mountain bike from Algoma Bicycle Company or Velorution, or bring your own to experience Ontario’s fastest-growing network of mountain bike trails, designed and maintained by the Sault Cycling Club in the Hiawatha Highlands. A huge network of more than 50 km of trails has something for every type of mountain biker, including a kids’ pump track, flowing machine-built trails and old-school, hand-made singletrack, all surrounded by tall pines and rugged Canadian Shield geology.
• Forest the Canoe offers canoe rentals and guided part-, full- and multi-day hiking and paddling trips across the region, with many beginner-friendly options. Check out Norm’s Cabin for a remote, non-motorized, off-grid stay in the Algoma Highlands.  

Rent a canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard at the Waterfront Adventure Centre and experience the historic St. Marys River in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. You can also sign up for a paddleboard yoga session with Restore Yoga and Wellness.

Getaway #3: A Unique Sault Ste. Marie Winter Getaway

Sault Ste. Marie is an epic four-season destination with incredible snowfall and winter adventures. Whether you are a nordic ski enthusiast, downhill fanatic or year-round cyclist, winter offers something for everyone in Sault Ste. Marie—along with some rejuvenating accommodations, too.

Stay and Spa:

• Stokely Creek Lodge offers a winter experience like no other. This wilderness destination is located about a half-hour drive north of Sault Ste. Marie and features Scandinavian-style lodge rooms and access to chalets with a communal sauna, as well as great dining. The main attraction is world-class nordic skiing, with over 100 km of groomed and backcountry trails, and 25 km of snowshoe trails. When the conditions are right, Stokely also offers unique ice cave tours on Lake Superior.
• For a mental and physical restorative experience in Sault Ste. Marie, book a session at float spa Zero Gravity Mind Body and Wellness. Floating offers a deeply calming experience, shown to reduce physical and mental stress.

The Adventure:

• The Hiawatha Highlands offers 45 km of groomed trails for classic and skate-skiing, 14 km of snowshoe trails, and nearly 50 km of fatbike trails. They offer user-friendly rental options for everyone to enjoy, as well as an on-site, outdoor sauna that’s available for sessions on Friday nights.
• If alpine skiing is more your speed, take a trip to Searchmont Ski Resort to ski or snowboard a veritable mountain with 200 m of vertical, 26 runs and a terrain park.
• Plan your visit around Bon Soo, a winter carnival in Sault Ste. Marie with something for everyone—including cold plunges in the St. Marys River. Go skating on a winding ice path alongside this historic waterway at Clergue Park or tobogganing at Finn Hill.

Visit Feeding Your Soul for homemade meals that cater to every diet. Ernie’s is a classic downtown diner with a foodie’s menu.    

Getaway #4: Run, Hike and Spa in Thunder Bay

Northern Ontario is home to some incredible trail running, triathlon events, and hikes. If you’re passionate about any of these great outdoor pursuits, chances are you understand the importance of a good wind down afterwards. Visit Thunder Bay for a great trail event, and then soak up the feeling of accomplishment at a fantastic spa.

Stay and Spa:

• Book a room at the lodge or rent a cottage from the Mink Mountain Resort. The resort offers unbeatable views of Lake Superior and scenic surroundings. The cottages offer a unique secluded experience with large lots and options for amenities like jacuzzis.
• After completing a high-intensity run, race or hike, rejuvenate with new wellness trends at Celsius. This spa offers recovery options like cryotherapy, infrared saunas, red light therapy, and compression massage. You’ll feel pampered like a pro athlete with these services.
• For facials, body services, IV drips and medi treatments, book an appointment at Reveal Skin Spa and let their professionals take care of you. 

The Adventure:

• Sign up for an Up River Running trail race event, including 2.5-, 10-, 25- and 50-km courses along flowing single-track in the Cascades Conservation Area, Centennial Park and Shuniah Mines.
• For those whose love of the outdoors can’t be limited to one discipline, register for the Xterra Triathlon at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, about an hour’s drive from Thunder Bay. While some of the events are dedicated to pro athletes, many are open to anyone, meaning you can compete in a range of events like a full triathlon, a sprint triathlon, or duathlon in the incredible rugged beauty of this northern setting.
• For hiking, book a guided adventure with Outdoor Skills and Thrills to learn about the vast natural landscapes surrounding Thunder Bay. Guided hikes range from partial to full day tours, including mountaintop views, cliffs, scenic waterfalls and more. 
• No trip to Thunder Bay is complete without breakfast at the Hoito, which serves iconic Finnish pancakes. Kangas is another Finnish-Canadian institution offering public saunas and tasty Scandinavian fare in Thunder Bay.

Getaway #5: Timmins Paddling Retreat

The vibrant city of Timmins is a great destination for paddlers, campers, and backcountry enthusiasts. The long, winding waters of the Mattagami River, the peaceful Kettle Lakes and the seemingly untouched landscapes of the boreal forest will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. A rejuvenating session at a Timmins spa is one of the best ways to wrap up a day of paddling and hiking on the Northern Ontario frontier.

Stay and Spa:

• Build a custom spa experience, choose an existing package, or plan a day trip to Cedar Meadows. Their long list of spa services includes Nordic bath circuits, facials, massages, hydrofusion and more. Cedar Meadows offers luxury dining, a hotel, and even a sleeping with the wolves package that will immerse you in the surrounding nature.

The Adventure:

• Book a yurt, cabin or campsite at Wild Exodus to spend a night in a remote and beautiful area, just outside of Timmins. Wild Exodus offers tours, rentals and guided fishing experiences as well as stay and play adventure packages. You can explore the nearby rivers and lakes on your own, or with the knowledge of an experienced guide.
• Spend the day on the water by renting a canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or fishing kayak from Timmins Adventure Tours. They also offer a variety of lessons and tours, including kayak skills clinics and a full-day Upper Mattagami River tour, so you can build new skills or improve upon existing ones.
• Timmins is a paradise for experienced paddlers looking to plan a multi-day canoe trip, including the Grassy River. Wild Exodus offers shuttles to the put-in.

Ciao Sandwich offers yoga and healthy lunches in downtown Timmins. Check out Full Beard Brewing for a taste of the north.

Getaway #6: North Bay Views and Relaxation

North Bay is within an easy drive from southern Ontario and offers compelling glimpses of rugged Northern Ontario lakes, rivers and forests. Hiking, paddling, cycling and swimming opportunities abound in and around the city, and you can top of great outdoor experiences with a recovery session at a local spa.

Stay and Spa:

• Stay at the Sunset Inn and fall asleep on the shores of beautiful Lake Nipissing. Book a room with a fireplace or a jacuzzi, or reserve your own private chalet to get the full experience.
• Take a self-care day at the Tranquility Spa and make the most of their services and facilities, including hydra facials, infrared saunas, massages, pedicures and more. They also offer salon services for those looking to get some hair therapy.
• Interested in trying contrast therapy? Book an appointment to use the cold/hot bath therapy at Nipissing University.

The Adventure:

• For a moderate hike with a worthy payoff, tackle the 5.2 km East Duchesnay Falls Trail, which includes tumbling cascades and a few tricky ascents.
• Get to know yourself and others in nature by taking part in a paddling adventure with Sisu Adventure Rentals. They offer guided trips, self-guided experiences, community meet-ups, rentals and more. They also offer sauna packages that are perfect for those looking to sweat it out after a long day of paddling.
• North Bay is a hub for cyclists, with an impressive network of mountain bike trails, urban riding and road touring.

Stop by Gateway City Brewery for a locally brewed cold one, and take home a six-pack of some great craft beers. 

Getaway #7: A Sudbury Winter Excursion

Sudbury offers year-round outdoor adventures. Beneath a blanket of snow and ice, the area’s boreal forest and mosaic of lakes transform into a winter wonderland for those who love to ski, snowshoe, ice-fish and more.

Stay and Spa:

• Book a guest house or cabin at the Agnew Lake Lodge. Enjoy the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace in a cozy family-owned atmosphere, with access to ice skating rinks, snowshoe trails, ice fishing packages and snowmobile trails, as well as guided experiences and rentals.
• After proving yourself out in the cold, spend a day or two at the Ezentials Wellness Escape. They offer full spa services like massages, facials, acupuncture and Reiki, as well as unique experiences like the Starlight Suite, a state-of-the-art sound therapy room. They also have a fantastic Nordic Lounge and offer naturopathic services. Replenish and energize for adventures with a meal at their Green Leaf Café.

The Adventure:

• Go cross-country skiing at Walden Cross Country, the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area or Kivi Park. Windy Lake Provincial Park is worth the drive for its 15-km of groomed trails, heated accommodations and ice fishing packages.
• Visit the Adanac Ski Hill or the Lively Ski Hill to spend the day skiing and snowboarding on one of the city-run alpine ski facilities. Both offer access to downhill skiing with reasonable lift and rental rates.
• Try fat biking with a rental from Kivi Park and make use of their incredible winter facilities. With over 21 km of groomed nordic ski trails and 15 km of bike trails, this park is a haven for adventurers during the winter. They also offer snowshoe rentals and Nina’s Way, an incredible 1.3 km ice skating path.
• For some good old fashioned lake skating, visit the Ramsey Lake Skate Path, a 1.5 km frozen trail that takes you along the shoreline of Sudbury’s Bell Park and provides an icy view of the city during the winter.

Visit the Hardrock 42 Gastropub in the Clarion Hotel for a lunch with hearty portions and a beer menu to write home about.

Book Your Own Adventure Spa Getaway Now

Whether you’re a paddler, trail runner, hiker, angler or winter sports enthusiast, there’s nothing better than finishing a great day of outdoor adventure with a massage, a facial or a Nordic bath circuit. Start making plans for an experience that blends thrills, exertion and serenity amidst the stunning natural landscapes of Northern Ontario.

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