13 Adventurous Things to Do in Ontario

If you’re the kind of person who prefers active weekends or vacations, and whose ears instantly perk up at the word “adventure,” then Ontario is the place you want to visit.

I’ve lived most of my adult life in Ontario, and the more I travel in the province, the more I want to see. There is incredible variety in our landscapes, with lakes, rivers and, yes, even mountains to explore. Not to mention the incredible history and charm in many towns waiting to be discovered.

Plus, it doesn’t matter if you’re a warm or cold weather lover, enjoy big or bite-sized adventures, are young or young at heart—there are unforgettable experiences waiting for everyone, all year long in Ontario.

Here are some suggestions for adventurous things to do in Ontario to launch your thinking and get you on your way to planning your next trip.

Backpacking

Although Ontario is known as canoe country, its many multiday hikes are nothing to scoff at either. Walk along ridgelines, under forest canopies, and over cobblestone beaches, taking in some of the most breathtaking views the province has to offer. And feel accomplished knowing it was just your own two feet that got you there.

Those new to backpacking will do well to do some test runs in Algonquin Park before setting out on some of Ontario’s more challenging backpacking trails. Plan for shorter days than you think you can handle; hiking with a pack on is much different than hiking without. With some experience under your belt, you can next tackle some of the more rugged and remote backpacking trails.

Read about 7 of the Best Backpacking Trails in Ontario to find out more.

Where to go backpacking

• The Lake Superior Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park and the Pukaskwa Coastal Trail in Pukaskwa National Park take you along some of the most remote, undeveloped shorelines of Lake Superior. Each of these trails is approximately 60 kilometres in length and is extremely rugged. Wet conditions along the coast are common, with slippery and uneven rocks, steep climbs and challenging footing.
• If you’ve already hiked the shores of Lake Superior and want an even more physically demanding adventure, the Ottawa-Temiskaming Highland Trail may be for you. Said to be one of the toughest trails to hike in the province, the route roughly follows the Ottawa River from Thorne to Latchford, covering approximately 150 kilometres. While exacting, the trail has many outstanding lookouts, passes through beautiful deep forests, and takes you alongside creeks and rushing waterfalls.

Fat biking

Fat tire bikes are similar to mountain bikes, but have very wide, “fat” tires that give them the ability to travel safely over loose snow and on groomed trails. They’re fantastic for exploring trails and paths in winter in a way that’s typically faster than snowshoes or cross-country skis. No special skills are needed beyond knowing how to ride a bike, and there are many places that specifically cater to this growing, popular sport.

A great resource to learn more is our Guide to Fat Biking in Northern Ontario This Winter.

Where to fat bike

• Sault Ste. Marie: Ride the trails and rent fat bikes at Hiawatha Highlands and Crimson Ridge. You can also rent fat bikes from Velorution.
• Sudbury: Ride the trails and rent fat bikes at Walden Cross-Country. Rent a fat bike from Adventure 365 and hit the trails at Kivi Park.
• Thunder Bay: Ride in Trowbridge Forest and Centennial Park. You can rent fat bikes from Rollin’ Thunder. For more remote winter riding, head to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Winter camping

Winter camping was once an activity practised and enjoyed by few, requiring a big investment in specialized gear—not so anymore! While there are still places that cater to the traditional canvas “hot tent” style of winter camping, many people now use their existing tents with winter sleeping bags, or opt for one of the many cabins and yurts available for rent.

Find the Best Places to Winter Glamp in Ontario and read our Guide to Winter Camping.

Where to winter camp

• Many Ontario Parks are open in the winter for camping. In the parks with drive-in access, plowed roads, comfort stations and easy winter reservations make the process simple. If you’re not ready to winter camp in a tent yet, parks such as Quetico and Sleeping Giant offer roofed accommodations, rustic cabins to get you in on the fun with a limited learning curve.
• If you’re a “hardcore,” experienced winter camper looking to up your adventure, parks such as Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou offer backcountry winter adventures that are second to none. These parks are remote and isolated, so be sure to have some form of emergency communications device and know how to take care of yourself deep in the winter backcountry.
• Choose from two glamping options with Lure of the North near Espanola in Northeastern Ontario.

Hiking

One of the easiest ways to enjoy the beauty of Ontario is by hiking. There are thousands of trails crisscrossing the province. Whether you want a flat hike around a lake or through a wetland, or a challenging traverse up to a rocky viewpoint, there’s a trail to suit. If you’re new to hiking, provincial parks are great places to start out, with well-marked trails, maps, and information about difficulty and length of time it’ll take to complete.

The most important piece of gear you’ll need for hiking is supportive footwear. You can purchase hiking boots or shoes, but for most trails a pair of running shoes will suffice. These will keep rocks and sticks out and allow you to keep your footing on hills and over uneven terrain. It’s a good idea to bring a small backpack with first aid supplies, snacks and water, and to let someone know where you are going beforehand. Lastly, make sure you set out from the trailhead with plenty of daylight to spare.

Read about 11 of the Best Lookout Points in Ontario and 16 Picture-Perfect Fall Hikes in Ontario.

Where to go hiking

• Give your heart, lungs and legs a workout as you hike the trails at Eagle Canyon Adventures in Dorion. Your heart will still be pumping hard, but not due to exertion, when you cross the two suspension bridges over the canyon—one is Canada’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge at 600 feet long. Nearby Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is also a great spot for a hike to views of the gorge.
• The Bruce Trail is Canada’s longest and oldest marked footpath at an impressive 840 kilometres long, and was established in 1960. This grandaddy of trails traverses the length of the beautiful Niagara Escarpment, stretching from the Niagara River to Tobermory and taking hikers through a multitude of natural environments. While it can be completed as a thru-hike, this is difficult to accomplish as there are few places to legally camp along the trail. Instead, many people choose to cover it in segments, completing the full trail over a number of years. You don’t have to take on the challenge of hiking the full thing at all, however. With so many places to get on and off the trail, the Bruce is great for short day hikes to suit whatever you’re in the mood for that day.
• Catch the view atop a 100-metre-high bluff on The Fire Tower Trail at Restoule Provincial Park.
• The Crack trail in Killarney Provincial Park is well-known as one of the best day hikes in the province. It’s become quite popular in recent years, so you’ll need to reserve a special pass to hike the trail. This can be done through the Ontario Parks online reservation system under “day use.”
• Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great destination for hikers with innumerable trails varying in length. The Stubb’s Falls Trail is particularly lovely, bringing you to a cascading waterfall through the woods.

Canoe tripping

Ontario is a canoeist’s paradise with thousands of interconnected lakes and rivers carved through thick forests and wetlands. Indigenous people paddled these waters for thousands of years, and fur traders followed in their footsteps as modern-day Canada began to take shape. The evidence of these historic routes is still present today in the form of overgrown portage trails and campsites.

You can take your pick from canoe tripping in more managed areas, with strict reservation systems, maintained and marked portages and campsites, and detailed maps—or venture out into areas that are seldom paddled or portaged today.

Discover the Best Places to Canoe Trip in Ontario.

Where to go canoe tripping

• Algonquin Provincial Park is synonymous with canoe tripping and is a great place to start out. You can rent full outfits of gear, take guided trips, and rely on plenty of resources to plan your first outing. Read our Guide to Canoe Tripping in Algonquin Park to learn more.
• Quetico Provincial Park is located in Northwestern Ontario and is about two hours west of Thunder Bay. While the drive getting there can be long, the rewards are well worth it.  With an astounding 600 lakes and 1,400 kilometres of canoe routes, Quetico is a dream destination for canoeists. Even better, the portages in Quetico are actively maintained and are generally quite short, averaging only 300 metres. Read our Guide to Quetico Canoe Routes to learn more.
• Wabakimi Provincial Park is the second-largest park in Ontario, covering almost 9,000 square kilometres. Located in Northwestern Ontario, the park boundary is about three hours north of Thunder Bay, although the park is not accessible by car. Canoeists can enter Wabakimi either by paddling in through connected lakes and rivers, taking a specially designated train, or flying in with a floatplane service. Read our Guide to Planning a Wabakimi Canoe Trip to learn more.
• Straddling the border with Manitoba, Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is home to one of Ontario’s largest woodland caribou groups south of Hudson Bay. This remote park sees fewer than 1,000 paddlers per year and has over 2,000 kilometres of maintained canoe routes, making it a fantastic choice for those looking for deep wilderness solitude.  The Ultimate Guide to Canoe Tripping in Woodland Caribou has a list of outfitters and is a comprehensive reference for anyone thinking about a trip to the park.
• While most people immediately think of the water body it’s named after, Lake Superior Provincial Park also includes less well-known canoe routes well-suited for backcountry paddlers. The Park has eight managed canoe routes to choose from, some perfect for a short one or two-day getaway, and a couple taking up to five days or more. This Guide to Canoe Trips in Lake Superior Provincial Park provides further detail for your adventure, including rental options, shuttles and guided tours.

Cross-country skiing

Imagine gliding alongside a rushing river, taking in the sights of an icy cascading waterfall, then entering an ancient snow-covered forest, where the sound of water fades away, and you’re enveloped by the kind of quiet that can only be heard in the wintertime.

Cross-country, also called Nordic skiing, is arguably one of the most exciting, healthy and inexpensive ways to enjoy the incredible beauty of an Ontario winter. It’s also a sport that caters to all ages and skill levels, making it great for families looking for an active getaway, as well as thrill seekers looking for a challenge.

For help planning your trip, read about The Best Cross-Country Skiing Ontario Has to Offer.  Break out the wax and hot chocolate!

Where to go cross-country skiing

• Find groomed trails and equipment rentals at North Bay Nordic
• Stay in a yurt and enjoy the ski trails at Windy Lake Provincial Park; rentals available
• Take in views of Thunder Bay’s Nor’Wester Mountains at Kamview Nordic Centre
• Experience serenity at the trails run by the Rendezvous Ski Club in Nipigon
• Book a stay at Stokely Creek Lodge in the Algoma Highlands for a premier cross-country ski vacation
• Head to Hiawatha Highlands to enjoy 50 kilometres of cross-country ski trails just outside Sault Ste. Marie

Ice fishing

Have you ever experienced the thrill of feeling that quick tug on your fishing line while out on a boat in the summer? Ice fishing brings that same excitement to life in the winter, but in a whole new setting. Imagine standing on a remote backcountry lake, the sun making the snow sparkle all around you, and all you hear are the whispers of the wind; no motorboats or personal watercraft to break the mood. Suddenly, there’s a jingling of a nearby bell—you’ve got a fish on! 

Another fun and accessible sport, ice fishing can be enjoyed in so many ways: out in the open, in a heated hut, or even in a comfortable “bungalow,” complete with stove, furnace and beds. With species such as walleye, lake trout, whitefish, steelhead, perch and more, there are fish to suit any tastes.

Where to go ice fishing

• Book an ice fishing getaway to Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge in Atikokan
• Rent a two-, four- or six-person ice bungalow on Lake Temagami with Temagami Outdoors
• Have a luxe ice fishing experience with Sugar Shack Rentals, northwest of Thunder Bay
• Rent ice fishing equipment at Windy Lake Provincial Park just outside Sudbury
• Book a stay at Saenchiur Flechey Lodge near North Bay and spend afternoons ice fishing on Lake Nipissing

Ice climbing

Climbing frozen waterfalls and icefalls seems intimidating and niche, but it doesn’t have to be. The best way to get started is to go with a knowledgeable guide who will supply all the equipment and provide expert instruction. Arrive prepared for a physical challenge and get excited to see things from new heights.

To help with planning, read our Guide to Ice Climbing Tours in Ontario.

Where to go ice climbing

• Outdoor Skills and Thrills offers a range of ice climbing tour options in the Thunder Bay region
• Seek out One Axe Pursuits for ice climbing adventures in Elora
• Steve Foster Adventure Instruction offers ice climbing courses in the Sault Ste. Marie area

Sea kayaking

For much of the province’s waterways, a canoe is the preferred choice of paddlers. However, when it comes to the Great Lakes, a sea kayak is often a better choice, able to handle the swells and quickly changing conditions. The best way to experience kayaking on these big waters is with a guided tour. From rocky shores to sandy beaches, shipwrecks viewed through crystalline waters, islands, lighthouses and more, there’s so much to be explored.

For more inspiration on where to kayak, read 14 of the Best Places to Kayak in Northern Ontario.

Where to go sea kayaking

• Explore mighty Lake Superior on a guided trip with Naturally Superior Adventures (located in Wawa) or SAND Adventures (based in Rossport).
• Weave in and out of the main islands of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron with a multiday guided trip with Wilderness Adventures, Black Feather or Voyageur Quest.
• Learn about the history of the Toronto Islands on a guided day trip on Lake Ontario with the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre.

Cycling

There are many types of cycling on offer across Ontario. Pick a well-established road riding route if you want to speed along winding paved roads, passing through towering rock cuts, beside shimmering lakes, through rolling farmland, along causeways and more. Read about the Best Road Rides for Cyclists in Ontario.

If you have an adventurous spirit and want to find hidden gems along quiet backroads, gravel biking routes are for you. You’ll pedal along bumpy roadways and trails, passing old mills, cemeteries, ghost towns and more. Read about the Best Gravel Rides in Ontario.

Some like to categorize mountain biking as an adrenaline junkie’s activity, but the truth is that you can find all manner of mountain bike trails in Ontario, some for a leisurely ride in the woods and others for more heart-pounding excitement. Either way, you’ll be winding through thick forests, watching the sunlight filtering through the leaves and wildflowers blooming on the forest floor around you. For more information, read about the Best Mountain Bike Trails in Ontario.

One way to experience cycling in Ontario is by basing your stay in a region with lots of great cycling opportunities. You can stay in comfortable accommodations, enjoy the local food and drink, and drive to the area you’ll be biking in that day. Another is to give bikepacking a try—where you bike and camp along the way. Read about the Best Bikepacking Routes in Ontario.

There are lots of places to rent bikes around the province. Better yet, take a guided bike tour where all the equipment is supplied and a guide will bring you on one of the area’s best routes.

Where to go biking

• North Bay is a popular destination for cyclists of all kinds, with cycling-friendly infrastructure and a well-developed route and trail system. You can mountain bike at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area, ride the Powassan Circle Route and rent from Cycle Works. Read our Guide to Biking in North Bay.
• Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding Algoma region have all the bases covered. Try out the gnarly mountain bike trails at Hiawatha Highlands, go for a gorgeous ride along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, or take a guided tour with or rent bikes from Red Pine Tours. Read our Guide to Biking in Sault Ste. Marie.
• Thunder Bay is another top destination of choice for cycling adventures. You can participate in group rides with the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, tackle the scenic mountain bike trails at Trowbridge Forest, and rent local shop Rollin’ Thunder. Read our Guide to Biking in Thunder Bay.
• Head northwest—way northwest— to explore Kenora and the towns around it by bike. This area is surrounded by lakes, rivers and forests, making for highly scenic rides, both off road and on. Ride the Tunnel Island Trail, the Club Minaki Trail System, and get great local info about local rides at The Hardwear Co. Read our Guide to Biking in Kenora.

Snowshoeing

Do you prefer to go at a slower pace and take it all in? In recent years, when I’m not fat biking or winter camping, I’m off snowshoeing somewhere in a provincial park like Lake Superior or Sleeping Giant. Each of these parks offers trails with breathtaking scenery, and the kind of quiet that is all too hard to find in life these days.

Get out in the snowy woods for an afternoon or book a stay at a cozy resort so you can return to a warm fire and bed after a day traipsing through the snow-laden backcountry. Snowshoe rentals are available all over the province, so there’s no excuse not to get out there and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Read our Guide to the Best Snowshoeing in Ontario.

Where to go snowshoeing

• Book a magical snowshoeing getaway at Bellevue Valley Lodge, nestled in the Algoma mountains
• Rent snowshoes from Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville and venture into Algonquin Park
• Snowshoe at the Wasi Cross Country Ski Club in North Bay, with rentals available from the East Ferris Library
• Rent and hit the trails at BioSki Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Club in Sudbury

Downhill skiing or snowboarding

Some people just like to go fast, I get it. It comes as no surprise that downhill skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter activities in Ontario. Hills and resorts can be found all over the province, ranging in size and difficulty. Take a lesson at a hill local to you to get started. Then plan a ski getaway to one of the province’s many incredible resorts.

Read about 5 Winter Ski Getaways in Ontario to get started.

Where to go skiing or snowboarding

• Mount Baldy and Loch Lomond are two downhill skiing and snowboarding resorts in the Thunder Bay area. Each offers equipment rentals and lessons, so if you’re new to the sport, or want to get your kids started, these are great places to learn and build confidence.
• Blue Mountain Resort is a popular destination for ski getaways in Ontario, offering 364 skiable acres and—some think best of all—an entire village of apres ski opportunities.
• Head to Mount Jamieson for skiing and snowboarding near Timmins
• Searchmont Resort is Ontario’s powder destination, located near Sault Ste. Marie

Underground family adventures

If the weather is hot, or you’d just like to see the province in a whole new light, here’s a fun list of caves and underground activities for the whole family.

Where to go on an underground adventure

• The Bonnechere Caves in Eganville constitute an extensive network of underground tunnels said to have been formed 500 million years ago and discovered in 1855. Safe, family-friendly guided tours take participants down deep to explore this geological wonder.
• A great option for history buffs is a tour of an old “haunted” mine in Cobalt, Ontario.  Learn how this small Ontario town was once a part of a silver mining rush that drew in thousands seeking their fortunes, much like the more famous Klondike gold rush, and ultimately helped to establish policies that impacted mining in Canada to this day.
• Located in North Bay, Science North’s Dynamic Earth experience takes participants seven stories underground to learn about geology and mining. Hands-on opportunities with real mining equipment and technology, as well as multimedia experiences, make this an adventure for the whole family.
• Found along the Mattawa River just outside of Mattawa, Hell’s Gate or Porte de L'Enfer is an ancient ochre mine and cave that has been known to and used by Indigenous people for centuries. Accessible via a one-hour hike from Mattawa, it makes for part of an exciting day trip.
• Underground mine tours are offered each summer in Cobalt, a historic silver mining community.
• Murphys Point Provincial Park offers tours of the Silver Queen Mine—a mica mine that operated in the 1900s—on certain days during their operating season. Check their Facebook page for updates.

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