Join in the Ontario Parks 30x30 Nature Challenge

Did you know spending time in nature is good for both your physical and mental health? Studies show that getting outside regularly in natural green spaces makes us happier, healthier and less stressed. As little as 30 minutes per day can improve concentration and creativity, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and depression, and boost your mood.

You’ll feel the benefits in your body, too. Time spent in nature has been proven to strengthen immune systems, improve sleep, reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and lower blood pressure.

So just imagine how your health and happiness could improve by immersing yourself in nature each day for a month! Inspired by the David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Challenge, the annual Ontario Parks 30x30 Nature Challenge encourages people to make nature a habit by spending at least 30 minutes per day in nature for 30 days.

Joining the 30x30 Nature Challenge is simple. The challenge runs through the month of August—all you need to do is choose where to spend your 30 minutes each day, and what activities to try.

It doesn't have to take a lot of time and planning. Nature isn't that far away—there are 330 provincial parks across Ontario. But you can also find meaningful moments in nature right in your backyard.

I love this challenge because it encourages me to get outside and move my body, which is great for my cardiovascular health. Even better, it focuses my attention on the living world all around me, and that sense of connection and interconnectedness is wonderfully uplifting. I always feel lighter and more energized, focused and creative after my 30 minutes (or more!) of nature time.

Keep in mind that nature immersion is most beneficial without the distractions of technology, so put away your smartphone before heading outside. And remember, the goal is to make nature a manageable part of your routine. You may find it easier to choose a handful of nature experiences that feel accessible to you, and cycle through these each week.

With that in mind, here are 30 unique ways you can get outside for the 30x30 Nature Challenge this August:

Try forest bathing

Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, was developed in Japan in the 1980s where it became an integral part of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. In addition to reducing health-compromising stress hormones, trees release oils into the air, called phytoncides, and inhaling these natural essences can help to boost your immune system. You can experience forest bathing—which includes the use of mindfulness invitations to deepen your connection to the woods—for yourself at Ontario Parks’ first self-guided forest therapy trail in MacGregor Point Provincial Park.

Go for a wildflower appreciation walk

Observing the beauty of wildflowers is a rewarding way to connect with the ever-changing cycles of nature. Count petals, admire their varied shapes and marvel at the pollinators who visit them. Join staff at Bonnechere Provincial Park for an all-ages wildflower exploration where you can record and celebrate your discoveries in the nature journal provided.

Do a sit spot

Sit spots expand awareness and promote well-being by cultivating a deeper, more mindful connection with nature. The activity seems simple: find a secluded spot where you are surrounded by nature, and then stop and engage your senses. Gaze closely at something, then close your eyes. Notice the smell of the earth, the sounds of birds and wind in the trees, the breeze moving across your skin.

Sit spots are both calming and connecting. Return to your spot regularly to notice subtle changes, patterns and details you might otherwise miss—such as how a bird builds a nest or how a plant grows over time.

Harvest wild berries

August is blueberry season across Northern Ontario, making this the perfect time to fill a pail with these sweet indigo gems. At Esker Lakes Provincial Park near Kirkland Lake, the region’s acidic soils, cool climate and boreal forest landscape create ideal habitat for wild blueberries to flourish. Catch the Park’s August Blueberry Festival and enjoy dozens of kettle lakes, sandy beaches and hiking trails while you’re here.

Crank the Canadian Shield

Mountain biking is a fantastic way to get your heart racing while being immersed in the forest. With eight kilometres of mixed single- and doubletrack trails winding through mature hardwood forest and across rocky ridges, Restoule Provincial Park offers two-wheeled trail experiences for riders of all skill levels. Adult and youth mountain bike rentals available.

Stargaze at a Dark Sky Preserve

Research shows that a sense of awe is beneficial for our health, promoting feelings of calmness, happiness and overall life satisfaction. Few experiences compare with the wonderment of gazing into the diamond-studded vault of a truly dark night sky. At Killarney Provincial Park, a designated Dark Sky Preserve, summer astronomy programs include star parties led by an Astronomer-in-Residence and nightly opportunities at the Park’s observatory. In August, you can also catch a special Perseids Meteor Shower presentation.

Climb to a high point

For a change in perspective, sometimes all you need is some elevation. At Killbear Provincial Park, the easy 3.5-kilometre Lookout Point Trail ascends gently through leafy upland forest to a grassy field with sweeping vistas of Georgian Bay and the 30,000 Islands. Breathe the fresh air off the bay and watch gulls wheeling above the water.

For more ideas, read our article about the Best Lookout Points in Ontario.

Catch the sunrise at a lake

Getting outside to watch the sunrise is a fantastic way to start your day feeling refreshed and relaxed. I can’t think of a better spot to witness this daily spectacle than beside a tranquil or energetic lake, watching the red disc of a new day emerge from a watery horizon. Hike to the Grotto (3.4-kilometre return) in Bruce Peninsula National Park to catch sunrise over Georgian Bay.

Go for a story walk

Many Ontario Parks hikes have discovery guides and interpretive panels to help you dive deeper into the heritage of the trail and its environment. For younger visitors, some trails have a story walk—signs or trail posts with pages of a story that you interact with as you walk the trail. Story walks are fun, educational activities that promote literacy, learning and outdoor play—a perfect fit for a hike! Try the Tulip Tree Trail (1.2-kilometre loop) in Rondeau Provincial Park, a beautiful boardwalk through the towering trees of the Carolinian forest.

Swim in a lake or river

Swimming is more than just a great low-impact workout—it also helps you relax and destress. Floating in the water dulls the sensory information that can overwhelm, creating feelings of calm. The rhythmic movements and breathing can also provide meditative benefits. Wild swimming in nature only amplifies these positive effects. My top pick for a mood-boosting swim is Pancake Bay Provincial Park, where a gorgeous, three-kilometre-long sand beach eases into the Caribbean-blue waters of Lake Superior.

For more ideas, read our article about the Best Swimming Spots in Ontario.

Go bird-watching

Researchers believe listening to birds singing has beneficial effects on our mental well-being. Ontario’s varied natural landscapes mean you can enjoy rewarding bird-watching just about anywhere. Join Ontario Parks staff at Algonquin Provincial Park for a guided bird walk where you may glimpse Canada’s national bird, the whiskey jack (gray jay), and listen for the enchanting calls of loons across the water. Download the free Merlin Bird ID app to identify birds through sounds, photos and simple questions.

For more ideas, read our article about the Best Places to Go Bird-Watching in Ontario.

Paddle a canoe, kayak or SUP

Paddling quietly in a canoe, kayak or on a standup paddleboard is my favourite way to enjoy nature’s “blue spaces”: lakes, rivers, creeks and wetlands. Being out on the water has a calming effect on the brain and paddling regularly can help lower stress levels and anxiety. Explore the wild and serene shorelines of Halfway Lake Provincial Park’s namesake lake, or extend your outdoor time to an adventurous day trip or even backcountry campout on Bailey or Antrim lakes. The Park offers canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals.

For more ideas, read our article about the Best Canoe & Kayak Day Trips in Ontario.

Take a waterfall hike

When I want to double down on my nature challenge, I seek out a trail to one of Ontario’s many beautiful waterfalls. Heading into the woods for a waterfall hike combines physical benefits—boosting cardio, muscle strength, bone density and balance—with the positive effects of listening and looking at naturally moving water. The sound of flowing water lowers cortisol levels and slows your heart rate, creating a sense of peace. And the airborne negative ions generated by moving water are believed to increase oxygen flow to your brain. Try the Stubb’s Falls Trail (2.6 kilometres) at Arrowhead Provincial Park, where the Little East River rushes down a scenic rock chute.

For more ideas, read our article about the Best Waterfalls in Ontario.

Start a nature journal

Keeping a nature journal when you’re outside can help you become more present and connected with the natural world, shifting your attention away from distracting, self-focused thoughts. Whether you choose to write prose, jot down short notes, sketch, paint or explore other forms of creative nature journalling, you’ll be amazed by what you discover. If you need some prompts to kick-start your journey, I like the “I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of” observation routine to encourage reflection and connection. One-hour guided Nature Observation programs are offered at many Ontario Parks, including Kettle Lakes Provincial Park near Timmins.

Ride your bike to a beach

Whether you ride solo or with friends and family, cycling is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood. Biking also offers a low-impact, accessible option for exploring green spaces. If, like me, you prefer your cycling off-road and away from traffic, head to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and take a spin on the South Kabeyun Trail. You’ll be enjoying the stunning beaches of Tee Harbour on Lake Superior in less than an hour (12 kilometres return).

For more information, read our article about Biking at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Visit a canyon

Craving another dose of natural awe? Try standing eye-to-eye with bald eagles and peregrine falcons atop the jaw-dropping 100-metre-high overlooks at Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park east of Thunder Bay (one-kilometre loop trail). In Algonquin Provincial Park, the easy Barron Canyon Trail (1.5-kilometre loop) skirts precipitous cliffs 100 metres above the Barron River.

Visit a wetland

Embrace wonder on a whole other scale by taking a stroll (or paddle) through a wetland. Ontario’s many marshes, fens and peat bogs are great places to slow down and seek out some of nature’s tiniest marvels. Nestled in the boreal forest, Blue Lake Provincial Park’s Spruce Fen Trail (one-kilometre loop) explores a northern spruce fen and beaver pond where land floats on water and plants eat insects. Join Ontario Parks staff for guided discovery programs in August.

Make a campfire

When enjoyed responsibly, campfires offer a timeless connection to the natural world. If you’re new to building fires outdoors, learn safety essentials and fire-starting tips through Ontario Parks’ Learn to Camp program. Book a 30-minute one-on-one workshop right at your campsite at participating parks. For a deeper dive into outdoor skills, Frontenac Provincial Park offers a variety of Backcountry Basics programs with the Friends of Frontenac.

Play nature bingo

For a fun 30-minute nature activity with kids, try nature bingo. You can print out free nature bingo cards for each player and then head out on an exploratory walk to see who can be first to find five common natural objects in a row. Or play cover-up and see if anyone can fill the whole card! The Beaver Pond Loop (2.5 kilometres) at Driftwood Provincial Park visits a variety of habitats for children to explore.

Connect with Indigenous knowledge

Learning more about Ontario’s Indigenous peoples and their deep connection to the land is a meaningful way to enhance your own nature time. Owned and operated by the Anishinaabek people of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Point Grondine Park near Killarney offers self-guided and guided hikes on the A-Mik Zii-Bi Interpretive trail. This fascinating three-kilometre loop features educational signage detailing Indigenous history and medicinal knowledge about various plants along the way.

For more information, read our Guide to Point Grondine Park.

Learn to fish

Developing an outdoor skill like fishing takes more than 30 minutes but getting hooked on a new nature hobby is a great way to make nature part of your daily routine. And it’s easy to get started with Ontario Parks’ Learn to Fish program—a free, hands-on program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario. This fun two-hour session combines practical teaching on equipment use and species identification with an hour of supervised hands-on fishing. Register your spot at Grundy Lake Provincial Park and chase northern pike, bass, walleye and crappie.

Try outdoor yoga

The combination mind-body workout of yoga pairs perfectly with the overall health benefits of time spent outdoors. Focus on your breath, the freshness of the air, and the peacefulness of your natural surroundings. Find a location that feels good to you; I love yoga beside a lake and the added challenge of finding stability in the sand or on a sloping slab of wave-polished bedrock. Neys Provincial Park offers an abundance of both, with a gorgeous beach and ancient volcanic shoreline perched on the edge of Lake Superior. Rhythmic waves soundtrack included with every stay.

Paint, sketch or create a nature craft

Use your nature time to tap into your creativity, engage your senses, and explore the vibrant palette around you. Short on art supplies or ideas? Ontario Parks’ Discovery program exploration stations include one-hour topics like Colour Study and Nature in Watercolour, with all materials provided and guided exercises to get your started. Join park staff at Lake Superior Provincial Park, where the beauty of Northern Ontario’s rugged landscapes inspired the Group of Seven.

For more information, read our article about the Best Things to do in Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Watch a meteor shower

Every August offers the chance to catch one of the year’s most spectacular celestial spectacles, the Perseids Meteor Shower. These shooting stars are plentiful, colourful and long-lasting, which make Perseids the most awe-inspiring meteor shower in the northern hemisphere. In 2026, you’ll have a moonless sky for spotting up to 80 to 100 meteors per hour. Head to the Dark Sky Preserve at Manitoulin Eco Park for unobstructed views, Perseid Meteor Shower presentations and night hikes, and camping.

Participate in an iNaturalist photo scavenger hunt

Become a citizen scientist by downloading the iNaturalist app and turning your nature observations into valuable data. Every photo you share contributes to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. Plan a visit to participating Ontario Parks, like White Lake Provincial Park, to join a drop-in photo scavenger hunt.

Learn to forage

Deepening your understanding of wild edible plants and mushrooms is a great way to explore nature connections. Bring a field guide on your nature walks or join a beginner program with Wild Muskoka Botanicals to learn foraging safety and ethics on the land, with identification of 10 to 12 species per session. All foraging walks take place in Muskoka between Torrance and Lake of Bays.

For more information, read our Guide to Foraging in Ontario.

Go cloud-gazing

Choose a day when the sky is active with a variety of distinct cloud formations. Often, this will be shortly before or after a change in weather—from rainy to clear, or clear to rainy. Notice how different clouds vary in height, shape, texture and speed. Consider bringing a field guide to help you learn more about your observations; Environment Canada provides an easy-to-use guide to cloud types. The flat limestone terraces of Misery Bay Provincial Park on Manitoulin Island offer wide open sky views above Lake Huron.

Take a cold plunge

To experience the well-documented health benefits of cold-water dipping, you’ll need to take your summer swim to truly toe-numbing waters. My top choice: a sunrise dip in Lake Superior. There’s a postcard-perfect pebble beach just steps from your campsite at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park’s Rossport campground. If the view offshore doesn’t take your breath away, Lake Superior’s famously frigid waters are guaranteed to. 

Paddle out for sunset

For a wonderful end-of-day mood boost (and a great night’s sleep), hop into a canoe, kayak or onto a standup paddleboard and catch sunset on the water. Choose a calm evening when you can float quietly and gaze into the mesmerizing ripples of pink, purple, orange and red dancing across the lake. You’re likely to have only loons for company on peaceful French Lake in Quetico Provincial Park. Paddle right from your campsite in the Park’s Dawson Trail campgrounds. Canoe, kayak and SUP rentals available.

For more information, read our Guide to Quetico Provincial Park.

Go for a full moon hike

Once every month, the moon reaches full and rises at sunset. Across Ontario, Indigenous people know the August full moon by various names—including Sturgeon, Corn, Ricing and Flying Up moon—recognizing its significance to important natural milestones. Taking a moonlight ramble is a memorable way to experience nature’s cycles for yourself. Try the Boardwalk Trail (750 metres) at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park and witness the 40-metre falls and mist-filled gorge bathed in lunar light.

How will you participate?

Need more ideas for your Ontario Parks 30x30 Nature Challenge? Visit the Park Events page for a wide range of unforgettable experiences across Ontario Parks.

Remember, the 30x30 Nature Challenge starts August 1. If you wish, you can share your journey on Facebook and Instagram by posting photos and stories with #OP30x30NatureChallenge.

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