How to Get Free Day Use at Ontario Parks

Imagine a special place that lowers stress, increases positivity and productivity, improves health, provides countless opportunities for active outdoor fun, and—as a bonus—is completely free. Would you visit?

Ontario’s provincial parks are home to some of the most inspiring and beautiful landscapes in the country. Ontario Parks also make it easy to experience the well-studied benefits of spending time in nature for yourself. A rapidly growing body of research shows that getting outside regularly in natural green spaces makes us happier, healthier and less stressed.

Promoting awareness and access is key to Ontario Parks’ mission, which is why every year on the third Friday in July, all visitors to provincial parks across Ontario can enjoy day use for free! Explore a new park, enjoy a fun activity, or simply immerse yourself in the soothing calm of a lake or forest—this is a day to rediscover and celebrate your connection to nature.

I’ll admit, I love our parks so much that I invest in an annual pass each year and make it a priority to visit as many times as I can. If you’re a regular like me, an annual day-use pass is great value. But I also recognize that this is an expense that doesn’t fit everyone’s budget.

Ontario Parks should be accessible and affordable for everyone. With that in mind, here are some easy hacks to enjoy free day-use at Ontario Parks throughout the year.

Healthy Parks Healthy People

Founded on the understanding that spending time in nature is good for you, Healthy Parks Healthy People is a global movement aimed at improving human health and wellness through outdoor connections and healthy ecosystems. Ontario Parks joined the movement in 2013, with special events for park visitors including an annual free day-use program.

Each year on the third Friday in July, the Healthy Parks Healthy People program offers free day-use at all Ontario Parks across the province. Visitors to the park are issued a complimentary day-use permit and are free to enjoy park facilities and Discovery programs until 10 p.m. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay for additional services not included in regular day-use, like equipment rentals or overnight camping.

This year, visitors enjoy free day-use on July 17, 2026. As part of the celebration, many parks offer special Discovery programs that are free for the whole family on this day. You can explore a new trail on a guided hike, play with your kids at children’s programs, paddle a voyageur canoe, enjoy yoga on the beach or tour a historic mine.

Although day-use is free, it is important to reserve your spot in advance to guarantee access. Rather than showing up without a reservation and risking disappointment, most Ontario Parks now recommend booking your day-use permit up to five days in advance. This ensures you a spot in the park, even on days when it reaches full capacity.

Visit Ontario Parks’ reservation service to obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance (your reservation will be free for July 17).

Ontario Parks Passes at Libraries

Another great way to enjoy free day-use at your favourite Ontario Park is to visit your local library. Many public and First Nations libraries in the province now offer seasonal park permits that members can borrow for free. Check here to find out if your local library is participating.

A seasonal permit gives you unlimited day-use access (capacity-permitting) at all provincial parks for the period you have borrowed it. Before you head out on your day trip, remember to plan ahead—especially if you’re going on a weekend. Parks close when they reach visitor capacity. To check up-to-date availability, go to the Ontario Parks reservations day use availability map. Select the region you would like to visit and check to see which parks have availability.

To secure your spot, use your seasonal permit’s serial number to reserve your spot (for free) up to five days before your trip.

Contact your library for specific information about its lending process, such as how long you can borrow a permit (a week is typical). Keep in mind the seasonal permit only covers day-use admission; you’ll still need to pay for additional services like equipment rental or overnight stays.

New Canadians

Newcomers to Canada can enjoy free day-use admission at Ontario Parks through the Canoo App. This is a mobile app that increases access and affordability for eligible new Canadian citizens and permanent residents by providing free or discounted admission to over 2,000 museums, science centres, art galleries, parks, historic sites and other attractions across Canada for a one-year period.

Active Canoo members can receive a complimentary daily vehicle permit at most operating provincial parks in Ontario. For step-by-step instructions, check here.

Veterans

Veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who reside in Ontario can enjoy free, weekday (Monday to Friday) day use in provincial parks. Present a valid Canadian Armed Forces identification card and proof of Ontario residency with photo identification upon arrival at the park to get your free day-use access.

More Discounts

Ontario Parks also offers 20- to 50-percent discounts on day-use fees for Ontario seniors (aged 65 and over) and Ontarians with disabilities. Bring your CNIB identity card or Ministry of Transportation accessible parking permit to show eligibility when you arrive at the park.

Activities at Ontario Parks

Use your free day-use permit to check out a park you haven’t been to before. Or revisit an old favourite in a different season and try out some new activities. Ontario Parks offer an exciting variety of nature-based fun at any time of the year.

Hiking is a popular year-round activity and there are trails available for every skill level. Check out each park’s website to see what trails they have on offer.

Go for a bike ride. There are plenty of places to cycle throughout provincial parks, so bring your bikes and hit the trails. Some parks also offer on-site bicycle rentals. Read about the 12 Best Ontario Parks for Bike Rides.

Spend a day out in nature paddling a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Ontario Parks offer beautiful “blue zones” (and on-site equipment rentals) for enjoying the health benefits of being on the water. Read about the 11 Best Ontario Parks for Paddling Day Trips.

Cast a line and experience the excitement of your first catch. Check out the health benefits of fishing here. You can also take a free two-hour Learn to Fish program at various parks across Southern Ontario.

Groomed cross country ski trails make it easy to stay active in the winter and ensure you’re getting your recommended nature dose.

Alternatively, try snowshoeing in the snowy woods to beat the “winter blues” while promoting creative thinking and relaxation.

For a whole new perspective on ice skating, visit an Ontario Park ice trail set amid the quiet splendour of the winter forest.

Build nature connection by slowing down and taking time to enjoy wildlife watching.

Best Parks to Visit

With 330 provincial parks across Ontario, making a short list of the best parks to visit is no simple task. Many of us dream of visiting the big, remote, wilderness parks packed with adventure and breathtaking wildlife. But the best parks can also be the ones that are closest to you, where easy access means more adventures, more often.

Below are some highlights, but read our Guide to Ontario’s Provincial Parks to help you narrow down your search.

At Esker Lakes Provincial Park, the region’s acidic soils, cool climate and boreal forest landscape create ideal habitat for wild blueberries. Catch the Park’s August Blueberry Festival and enjoy dozens of kettle lakes, sandy beaches and hiking trails while you’re here.

Restoule Provincial Park offers two-wheeled trail experiences for riders of all skill levels, with mountain bike rentals available on-site. Get your heart racing on eight kilometres of dedicated trails winding through hardwood forest and across rocky ridges. Read our Guide to Restoule Provincial Park to plan your trip.

For beautiful beachfront camping and spectacular swimming, head to Pancake Bay Provincial Park. Three kilometres of fine sand ease into the Caribbean-blue waters of Lake Superior, making this one of the best beaches in Ontario. Read our Guide to Pancake Bay Provincial Park to plan your trip.

Explore the wild and serene shorelines of Halfway Lake Provincial Park’s namesake lake, or extend your outdoor time to an adventurous day trip on Bailey or Antrim lakes. The park offers canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals.

Quetico Provincial Park boasts year-round car camping sites and rustic cabins overlooking French Lake, along with swimming beaches, kayak and SUP rentals, and 35 kilometres of hiking trails. Read our Guide to Quetico Provincial Park to plan your trip.

Get an early start for the ambitious—and breathtaking—hike to the Top of the Giant in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Gaze across the vast waters of Lake Superior from the dizzying cliffs of this storied natural wonder. Read our Guide to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to plan your trip.

For a mesmerizing mix of bedrock shoreline and sublime sands, Neys Provincial Park gets my vote every time. This fascinating park is easily accessible from Trans-Canada Hwy 17, yet somehow retains a delightfully under-the-radar feel even in peak summer season. Read our Guide to Neys Provincial Park to plan your trip.

Beautiful clear lakes, spectacular fall colours and rugged rocky hills make Mississagi Provincial Park a hiker’s paradise. A sprinkling of backcountry campsites also means this park is an ideal destination for a first-time overnight canoe or backpacking trip. Read our Guide to Mississagi Provincial Park to plan your trip.

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, where you can witness the 40-metre “Niagara of the North” transformed by sub-zero temperatures into a fantastical icescape.

Silent Lake Provincial Park is a hidden gem for cross country skiing, whether you’re looking for a novice or more challenging trail. Forty kilometres of groomed trails wander through cedar swamps and birch and beech stands. Extend your stay at the Park’s cozy winterized cabins and yurts.

If sun and sand is your idea of the perfect park escape, Rondeau Provincial Park’s 11 kilometres of Lake Erie beaches are a must. The Park also offers extensive hiking and cycling trails through old-growth Carolinian forest and coastal wetlands.

Looking for an easy, last-minute park getaway with great hiking and mountain biking trails, lookouts, fall colours and camping? Check out Ferris Provincial Park near Campbellford.

How Many Ontario Parks Will You Visit This Year?

Need more ideas for making the most of Ontario Parks free day-use? Visit the Park Events page for a wide range of unforgettable experiences across Ontario Parks.

Remember, this year’s Healthy Parks Healthy People free day-use date is July 17. If you wish, you can share your experiences on Facebook and Instagram by posting photos and stories with @OntarioParks #HPHP.

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.