Experience Ontario's Coolest Caves for Adventure Lovers

You don’t have to look far in Ontario for beaches that rival the tropics, wilderness campsites, and whitewater river adventures. But when you look a little deeper – beneath the surface –  you realize there’s an entire world waiting to be explored.

From translucent ice caves that almost glow to underwater tunnels, mountain caverns and epic rocky gauntlets, Ontario has some incredible hidden places. Hike, climb, shimmy, paddle, descend, or simply enjoy these portals into the Earth from afar. Whether you go on your own or sign up for a guided tour, this is your guide to Ontario’s best caves that are an adventure to get to.

Best Caves For Adventure Lovers in Ontario 

From Lake Superior’s icy glory to the depths of a once-bustling mine-turned-ghost town, here is a rundown of some favourite Ontario caves.

Lake Superior Ice Caves, Sault Ste. Marie

Why go? There’s a novelty that comes with exploring something that doesn't exist year-round, whose presence is fleeting and depends on specific weather conditions that don’t occur every year. Impermanence, and the rush to visit an attraction during a narrow window of time, adds excitement. Late in a cold winter, frozen spray builds up on Lake Superior shorelines into collections of austere ice caves that will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of a spaceship onto the glowing, crystallized terrain of a foreign planet. From luminous turquoise walls to massive fang-like icicle formations, learn about some of the wonderful winter caves on Sault Ste. Marie’s shorelines.

Stokely Creek Lodge, known for its fine backcountry snowshoeing and skiing facilities, offers a guided ice cave exploration package that allows you to explore Lake Superior caves in Sawpit Bay, Coppermine Point, and more, about an hour’s drive north of Sault Ste. Marie on Highway 17.

Plan a luxurious stay at Stokely Creek Lodge, book a mountain-side ski chalet at Searchmont Resort to add slopeside accommodations and downhill skiing to your trip itinerary, or rent your own private chalet at Bellevue Valley Lodge for Ontario’s best backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. 

Don't miss: For some added adventure, sign up for an authentic Indigenous guided winter experience from Thrive Tours, or take a day tour on a snowmobile with Mountainview Lodge.

Porte De L’Enfer (Hell’s Gate), Mattawa

Why go? There are only a handful of sites in Ontario where red ochre, the magical pigment used in Indigenous pictographs, was mined. An ancient remnant of this cultural heritage is located on the northern banks of the Mattawa River. Known as La Porte De L’Enfer, or Hell’s Gate, according to the belief that this mine once housed a demonic presence, this cave entrance and piece of history is worth seeing for yourself.

Reach this protected site by paddling down the Mattawa River for a day trip, or spend a few days canoe tripping on this historic waterway. Though you definitely cannot enter this mine, gazing into its mysterious depths from the water gives you a semblance of its significance and is an experience in itself. Plan your own day trip from Pimsi Bay to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and keep an eye for the cave marker on the north banks.

Plan a self-guided trip with Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitter. They can outfit you with everything you need for Mattawa River day trips or multi-day tours leading to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. The outfitter also rents standup paddleboards and small motor boats.

Rent a cottage at the Mattawa River Resort for a comfortable cabin getaway, while you explore the river and in search of caves. Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park also offers 74 frontcountry campsites; the Canadian Ecology Centre, located adjacent to the park campground, features cabin rentals and unique outdoor education programs.

Don’t miss: Spend a day at the beach, enjoy the waterslide, float around on a paddleboard, go kayaking, and let the heat of the sauna ease your aches and pains at the Mattawa River Resort. With a long list of summer activities and guest-inclusive amenities, this resort will keep you busy. during your stay.

You can also hike alongside the Mattawa River to the Three Crosses of Mattawa. This easy 1.3-km-long trail takes you to an incredible view from the crest of the Laurentian Mountains, where the Mattawa meets the Ottawa River. 

Metcalfe Rock, Kimberly

Why Go? When you hear the word “caving”,  it is likely that one of the first images that pops into your mind involves helmets, ropes, tight squeezes and underground passageways. Visit Metcalf Rock in the southern Ontario town of Kimberly, in Grey County, for an experience that checks these boxes and more.

Home to some of the most sought after climbing in southern Ontario, this area is a hub for adventure enthusiasts. There’s even more to explore beneath the surface. Take a guided caving tour with Free Spirit Tours. They provide everything you need, from helmets to harnesses, as well as expert guides to lead you down into the belly of the beast. They also offer adventure tours including paddling, forest therapy, climbing, wine and cheese tastings, guided hiking and more.

Camp nearby at Craigleith Provincial Park or stay in a chic tiny home in the woods at Boho Beaver in Beaver Valley.

Don’t Miss: Take a visit to Scenic Caves in Collingwood to explore another incredible system of underground caves. They offer cave tours, mini golf, hiking packages and access to a suspension bridge that looks out over Georgian Bay while stretching 420 m over the trees below.

Spend the day paddling the bucolic Beaver River in a kayak, canoe, or on a raft with one of the guides from Free Spirit Tours.

Stop by the Ravenna Country Market to stock up on pies, pickles, and to grab a sandwich between adventures. For dinner, visit Hearts in Kimberly for an elevated country-chic dining experience.

Underground Ghost Mine Tour, Cobalt

Why Go? If the thought of going subterranean to learn about a century of native silver mining operations on a guided group hike gets you excited, this human-made cave experience in Northeastern Ontario is for you.

Located near the city of Temiskaming Shores, off of Highway 11, the Cobalt Mining Museum takes groups of adventurers underground to travel into the heart of the Colonial Mine Adit. Explore the cold, dark, claustrophobic passageways where mass amounts of silver were mined starting in 1903.

Stay on Lake Temiskaming at the Haileybury Lakehouse. Their suites, lakefront views, water access points and maintained trail systems make for an incredible stay. Or, camp at the charming Edgewater Campground, for a family atmosphere.

Don’t Miss: Drive, ride your bike, or hike along portions of the Heritage Silver Trail to explore the former mining town camp, including a collection of abandoned mine sites, mills and lookout points. The tour brings history to life with ghost towns and the opportunity to explore one of only three historic mining camps in Canada.

After venturing into the mines, angers can get on the water with fishing and boat packages from Marsh Bay Resort in Cobalt. The resort offers direct access to the Montreal River and great fishing for walleye, pike and smallmouth bass.

Take a backcountry paddling trip with some help from the experts at Smoothwater Outfitters and Lodge. They can help you with plans and gear for a memorable trip into the remote wilderness of Temagami and Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park.

Flowerpot Island Caves, Bruce Peninsula

Why Go? If cruising through the crystal-clear waters of Lake Huron in search of picturesque rock formations wasn't enticing enough, maybe the added allure of sea caves will do the trick. Situated between Bruce Peninsula National Park and Manitoulin Island, Flowerpot Island is the stunning amalgamation of crystalline turquoise waters, austere rock spires, historic lighthouses and a collection of unique shoreline caves.

To get to the island, book a tour with Bruce Anchor Cruises. They will shuttle you to Flowerpot Island, leaving you to explore trails, caves and, of course, the towering rock “Flowerpots” at your own pace. Climb through dry and partially submerged sea caves to explore the island’s natural attractions. 

Camping on the island is a real treat, but a highly sought-after one. With only six campsites available, you’ll want to make sure you book through Fathom Five National Marine Park’s reservation service well in advance (the booking window opens 5 months from your arrival date). Once you obtain your permits, organize boat transportation with Bruce Anchor or Blue Heron Cruises to get out to the island.

You can also stay on the mainland at one of Bruce Anchor’s cottages, or in their motel in Tobermory. These cozy accommodations have been housing adventurers since 1989. Stick to the nautical theme by stopping in for a bite and a drink at Shipwreck Lee’s.

Don’t Miss: Take a glass-bottom boat tour to see some of the hundreds of shipwrecks claimed by the unforgiving swells of Lake Huron. Some shipwrecks are mere fragments of former vessels, while others have been preserved by the cold water.

Join a snorkelling tour with Blue Heron Adventures (formerly Diver’s Den) in Tobermory to spend the day travelling by boat to some of Ontario’s diving hotspots. Expert guides will bring you to the best places to explore shipwrecks, aquatic life and the distinctive underwater landscapes of the Bruce Peninsula.

Take your car on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island, then explore some of the island’s incredible beaches, hiking trails, road cycling routes and dark sky preserve.

Lake Superior Coastal Trail, Pictographs and Caves

Why Go? The Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park is popular amongst backpackers looking to explore Ontario’s rugged northern landscapes. Impossibly beautiful waters tease you as you traverse the rocky shorelines and mossy woods along this 65 km trail.

This seriously rugged trek takes most backpackers five days to complete. Book your backcountry campsites in advance and start at the Agawa Bay Campground, hiking north along the coast. This is a linear trail and you’ll need to arrange a pickup at Gargantua Bay, at the north end of the trail. Contact  Lake Superior Shuttle or Naturally Superior Adventures for more information.

But you don’t need to lug a heavy backpack to visit Coastal Trail caves. In particular, a section of trail just north of Agawa Bay forces you to hike straight through a labyrinth of caves that have been sculpted by water over time through large shifting boulders. Follow the Coastal Trail south from the Agawa Rock Pictographs parking lot for about a kilometre to get to the collection of slot passages and massive rock overhangs.

Don’t Miss: Take a guided kayaking, standup paddling, or voyageur canoe trip with Wawa-based Naturally Superior Adventures. Their experienced guides are there to lead, teach and facilitate memorable experiences along amazing Lake Superior water routes.

Lake Superior Shuttle offers a unique array of guided fishing, stargazing and gold-prospecting day trips in the Michipicoten area, near Wawa.

Stay at Rock Island Lodge, Wawa’s only accommodation on the shores of Lake Superior.

Boyne Lake Cave, Kenora

Why Go? An unassuming hiking trail leads to the calm, sandy shores of Boyne Lake, near Kenora in northwestern Ontario’s Sunset Country. Not only does this trail boast incredible views of canyon-like ridges, but it also takes you to a narrow tunnel carved through solid rock, which serves as a passageway beneath the rumbling tracks of the railway above, to the trail on the other side. Finish your hike with a cooling swim in the secluded waters of Boyne Lake.

Stay nearby in a tiny home, cabin, or a prospector tent at Wild Woods Hideaway in Kenora. Their accommodations blend mountaintop vistas with waterfront access and off-grid living, for a rejuvenating lodging experience.

For a tent or trailer experience in a family-friendly park, camp on Kenora’s Lake of the Woods waterfront at Anicinabe Park.

Don’t Miss: Take a guided fishing or paddling trip with Green Adventures. Choose from a day trip or an all-inclusive multi-day package to explore the vast waters and great scenery of Lake of the Woods.

Take a boat tour of the surrounding lakes with Scenic Lake Tours/Charters, or book a custom tour to visit some bucket list spots in the area. They also offer shuttles to Coney Island Beach Park. Pack your towel and swimsuit, and spend the day soaking up the sun, swimming and eating ice cream at this sunny island beach in Northern Ontario.

Cave Harbour, Pukaskwa National Park

Why Go? Lake Superior’s Pukaskwa coast is a dream trip for sea kayakers. You’ll encounter secluded beaches and dramatic rock headlands all along the 200 km of wilderness freshwater coastline between Pukaskwa National Park’s visitor centre at Hattie Cove, just south of the town of Marathon, and Michipicoten Bay, near Wawa. You will also come across a few unique sea caves on your journey.

In particular, Cave Harbour features a large indentation that’s best viewed from the water. Tuck your bow into the countless nooks and crannies along the coastline and you may discover other wave-polished caves along the shore of the inland sea.

This is a seriously remote trip, with exposure to Lake Superior’s fickle wind and waves. Only experienced paddlers should tackle it self-guided. If you have any doubt in your ability (or if you’re looking to paddle with local experts), sign up for Naturally Superior Adventures’ 12-day guided sea kayak trip. You’ll learn more about the area’s rich history and geology and stay at the best backcountry campsites on a journey of a lifetime.

Backpackers can also reach the Fish Harbour campsite to get views of Cave Harbour midway along Pukaskwa’s 65-km Coastal Backpacking Trail. Learn about backcountry trip planning and permits before setting off on this advanced trek.

You can also plan a custom coastal tour with North Shore Adventures, which operates a seaworthy motor boat on Lake Superior. They also offer fishing charters and shuttle services for those looking to hike the Pukaskwa Coastal Trail.

Don't Miss: Based out of Thunder Bay and Rossport, take a day trip, an overnight voyage, or a lesson with Sail Superior. They also offer Zodiac powerboat tours to locations like Battle Island, catamaran journeys to Sleeping Giant and introductory sailing lessons in Thunder Bay Harbour.

South of Wawa, spend a day or two hiking the challenging Towab Trail to reach Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Agawa Canyon and Agawa Falls. This 24-km trail can be done in a day by athletic hikers but it’s best as an overnight trip, camping at a designated backcountry site along the way. 

Amethyst Mine Panorama: Above Ground Cave Tour, Thunder Bay

Why Go? Nobody says a cave has to be naturally occurring, nor do they say you have to enter a cave to experience its importance. For crystal lovers, or those a little too freaked out by the idea of climbing down into a pitch-black tunnel with limited air or views of the world above, a tour of an Amethyst Mine in Thunder Bay is just right for you.

From tinted glass to jewelry, and used for spiritual healing properties, amethyst is a coveted variety of quartz. There just so happens to be one of the largest deposits of Amethyst right in Thunder Bay.

Take a self-guided tour to Amethyst Mine Panorama to learn about the mine’s history, local geology, mining practices and why this mineral is considered the jewel of the gods. You can even dig your own amethyst to bring home with you.

Take in the local scenery, or one of the province’s best waterfalls by camping near Thunder Bay at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, or at Trowbridge Falls Municipal Campground right in town.

Don't Miss: For an incredible view nearby, visit Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park and hike the Ouimet Canyon Trail. The trail is a fairly easy 1 km hike, but will give you a glimpse of 100-m-tall rock faces shooting down from the sky to the base of the canyon. Take in the amazing views while you hike through unique arctic vegetation, left over from the Ice Age.

Book a guided day tour or multi-day trip with Such a Nice Day Adventures to explore Lake Superior’s vast waters on a kayak. Their guides are passionate about adventure, wilderness training, ecological education and history, so you’ll likely end up learning something. Make a reservation at Nestled in Nature B&B in the community of Rossport for an upscale shoreline stay.

Consider joining the Thunder Bay Hiking Association for one of their group hikes. Memberships are $30 and will give you access to a range of regularly scheduled hikes, group events and trail updates around the Thunder Bay and surrounding area.

Tips for Exploring Ontario’s Caves Safely

Depending on the type of caving adventure you are planning, make sure you wear weather-resistant clothing, and to pack appropriate gear. If you are planning a hike to some trail-access caves: bring water, extra food, a GPS device and a first-aid. If you are planning a paddling trip to reach your cave: make sure you research the waterways and have the appropriate skills to navigate them. If in doubt, contact an expert.

Always bring good hiking shoes, a water bottle, sunglasses, a hat and solid outdoor clothing. If you are unsure about a trip or a destination, find a local guide, tourism operator, or outfitter to help you plan your trip. Many of the caves listed are photo-worthy wonders, so bring a camera on your journeys.

Plan Your Ontario Caving Adventure

Choosing to embark on a cave adventure will lead you to thrilling spectacles like historic mine shafts, ancient hiding places and hard-to-reach water caves. It will also bring you to some astonishingly beautiful parts of the world.

With an array of worthwhile outdoor adventure in store, choose to work with a guide, or do your research and plan a trip of your own. You and your friends will not be disappointed. Have fun, and remember to give yourself ample time to stop and smell the roses wherever you go.

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