Outdoor Adventures

Table of contents

Get inspired     
Ontario outdoor activities     
Seasonal adventures     
Provincial & national parks     
Specialty guides

You're an adventurer. An explorer. You thrive when you're outdoors surrounded by the wonders of nature. It's where you play. Where you feel most alive. Where your mind, body, and soul get rebooted.

You can "do-it-yourself" but for the best experience, we recommend letting local experts help you with trip planning, supplying high-quality gear, meals, guides, accommodation, and more.

Get inspired

Let your imagination run wild with these expertly curated lists of the best outdoor activities and most spectacular natural destinations Ontario has to offer.

• 9 Best Places for Outdoor Adventure in Ontario
• 11 of Ontario’s Most Jaw-Dropping Natural Landscapes
• 23 Adrenaline Rushes Found Only in Ontario
• 18 Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in Ontario You Need to Visit
• 7 Breathtaking Mountains in Ontario
• Best Waterfalls in Ontario (That Aren’t Niagara Falls)
• 8 Incredible Paddle-in Hikes in Ontario
• 9 Best Small Towns in Ontario for Outdoor Adventure
• 10 Mind Blowing Images to Make You Want to Explore Ontario
• 15 Stunning Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Ontario
• 25 Incredible Photos of Ontario That Aren’t Ottawa or Toronto

Ontario outdoor activities

From hiking, biking and camping to more niche pursuits like skijoring and disc golf, we have all the top spots to get outdoors and enjoy your favourite pastime.

Camping

• A Beginner's Guide to Camping in Ontario
• 25 Destinations That Offer the Best Camping in Ontario
• 10 Best Private Campgrounds in Ontario
• Everything You Need to Know About Crown Land Camping in Ontario
• 14 Amazing Places to Go Beach Camping in Ontario
• The Best Winter Camping in Ontario Parks
• The Ultimate Guide to Winter Camping in Ontario
• 6 Best Places to Camp on Manitoulin Island

Cycling

• Top 8 Picks for Leisurely Off-Road Cycling
• Unique Cycle Tours in Ontario
• The Best Mountain Bike Trails Ontario Has To Offer
• Best Fat Biking Hotspots in Ontario
• The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail: An Adventure Cycling Dream Come True
• Two-Wheeled Touring on Manitoulin Island

Learn more: Experience Ontario Cycling

Disc golf

• 16 Delightful Disc Golf Courses in Ontario

Dog sledding & skijoring

• Your Guide to Dog Sledding in Ontario
• Dog Sled Races in Ontario
• Huskies: Not Just Another Pretty Face
• Drive Your Own Dogsled at Haliburton Forest
• Dogsledding in Haliburton: The Perfect Weekend Getaway
• Discover the Joy of Skijoring
• 9 Best Places to Go Skijoring in Ontario

Fishing

• Get Tips on How to Catch Brook Trout

Learn more: Experience Ontario Fishing

Hiking & backpacking

• The Complete Guide to Hiking in Ontario
• 13 of the Best Hikes in Ontario to Add to Your Bucket List
• Discover 7 of the Best Backpacking Trails in Ontario
• Best Overnight Hikes In Northern Ontario
• Hike to One of the 11 Best Lookout Points in Ontario
• 5 Hiking Trails with Amazing Views in Northwest Ontario
• Base Camp Hiking: Want to Go Trekking Without a Heavy Pack?
• 5 Haunted Trails to Explore in Ontario’s Deep, Dark Woods

Horseback riding

• A Guide to Horseback Trail Riding in Ontario
• 9 Best Winter Horseback & Sleigh Ride Adventures in Ontario

Ice skating

• Find Magic at These 15 Skating Trails & Outdoor Rinks in Ontario

Paddling

• Get on Board: Stand-up Paddling is Fun and Easy
• Why I SUP: Fall In Love with Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• The Best Guided Georgian Bay Kayak Trips
• Tackling the Turtle: Ontario's Version of Fast & Furious
• The Group of Seven: Paddling the Painted Landscape
• History, Art, Adventure and Kindness on the Missinaibi River

Learn more: Experience Ontario Paddling

Racing & trail running

• The Complete List of Triathlons in Ontario 2024
• Ultimate Guide to Adventure Races in Ontario
• 6 Best Places to Go Trail Running in Ontario

Rock & ice climbing

• A Beginner's Guide to Rock Climbing in Ontario
• 11 Best Places to Go Rock Climbing in Northern Ontario
• Get Out of the Gym and Climb Some Real Rocks
• 4 of the Best Ice Climbing Tours & Courses in Ontario

Scuba & snorkelling

• 14 Best Places for Scuba Diving & Snorkelling in Ontario

Skiing & snowboarding

• Discover the Best Cross Country Skiing Ontario Has to Offer
• Best Backcountry Ski Spots in Ontario
• Everything You Need to Know About Snowkiting in Ontario

Snowshoeing

• A Guide to the Best Snowshoeing in Ontario
• Dreamy Snowshoe Getaways in Ontario
• High Tech or Traditional? These Aren't Your Granddad's Snowshoes
• Ontario Snowshoeing: Get Off the Beaten Path

Swimming

• 12 Amazing Swimming Spots in Ontario

Wildlife viewing & foraging

• 16 of the Coolest Animals You Can See in Ontario
• 13 Photos That Prove Ontario Is the Best Place for Wildlife Viewing
• 10 Classically Canadian Animals You Can See in the Fall in Ontario
• 10 Spectacular Birds in Ontario You Need to See
• 7 Best Places to Go Bird Watching in Ontario
• Learn from the Pros at These Outdoor Photography Workshops
• How to Put the WOW in Your Winter Wildlife Shots
• Foraging in Ontario: How to Get Started

Seasonal adventures

Whatever time of year you’re here, Ontario has unforgettable outdoor adventures on offer. Below, find the best activities for hot summer months, crisp winter conditions, and everything in between.

Summer

• Ontario's 7 Best Summer Adventures
• 25 Perfect Summer Getaways & Vacations in Ontario
• 8 Things to Add to Your Bucket List if You Love Summer

Learn more: Plan Your Summer Trip

Fall

• 25 Must-Do Fall Adventures to Have in Ontario
• 6 Outdoor Adventures to Have in Ontario This Fall
• 16 Picture-Perfect Fall Hikes in Ontario
• 9 Beautiful Places to Visit in Fall in Ontario
• 9 Reasons Fall is the Best Time to Travel in Ontario
• 20 of the Most Beautiful Fall Views in Ontario Away from the Crowds

Learn more: Plan Your Fall Trip

Winter

• 13 Fun Winter Activities in Ontario
• 25 Winter Getaways in Ontario for People Who Love the Outdoors
• 10 Winter-Only Wonders You Can See in Ontario
• 7 Reasons Winter is the Absolute Best Time to Visit Ontario
• 19 of the Best Romantic Ontario Winter Getaways for Couples
• 21 Perfect Valentine’s Day Outdoor Activities
• 10 Winter Getaways For Ontario Snowbirds
• 13 Stunning Ontario Winter Resorts You Need to Visit This Winter
• 11 Unbelievable Winter Glamping Adventures You Can Have in Ontario

Learn more: Plan Your Winter Trip

Provincial & national parks

Wondering how to choose between Ontario’s many stunning, world-class provincial and national parks? Browse the articles below and see where your heart takes you.

• Provincial Parks in Ontario
• National Parks in Ontario
• 12 Quietest Parks in Ontario
• Top 10 Parks Canada Paddling Adventures
• Quiz: How Many of These Ontario Parks Have You Camped At?

Algonquin

• Algonquin Park: Looking to Paddle the Waters Less Travelled?
• Becky Mason’s Favourite Algonquin Trip: Paddling the Petawawa

Lake Superior Provincial Park

• 10 Incredible Experiences to Have in Lake Superior Provincial Park
• Your Guide to Hiking the Lake Superior Coastal Trail
• The Best Hike in the Agawa Canyon

Pukaskwa

• Complete Guide to Backpacking in Pukaskwa National Park
• Paddling the Pukaskwa National Park Coast

Sleeping Giant

• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
• Hiking Guide to the Top of the Giant Lookout

Killarney

• Your Guide to the Best Killarney Hikes
• Point Grondine Park Near Killarney Ontario Canada

Quetico

• Backcountry Experiences: Quetico Provincial Park

Temagami

• Explore Temagami's Ancient Beauty
• Spiritual Sites of the Temagami Region by Hap Wilson

Wabakimi

• Backcountry Experiences: Wabakimi Provincial Park
• Fly In to Experience the Wonders of Wabakimi Provincial Park
• Wabakimi Provincial Park: Trains, Planes and Canoes
• British Bushcraft Expert Ray Mears Explores Wabakimi Provincial Park

Woodland Caribou

• Backcountry Experiences: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
• Ontario's Outback: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
• Kevin Callan is Bewitched by Woodland Caribou

Specialty guides

Get travel advice geared to you with our specialty guides written for women, families, travellers with pets and more.

• 47 Apps (& Websites) to Make Your Next Vacation Way Better

Kids & families

• 6 Affordable Family Adventure Vacations
• 14 Ontario Resorts for an Amazing Family Vacation
• How to Have a Relaxing Family Vacation With Kids
• 12 Best Things to Do in Ontario with Kids This Summer
• Top 5 Kid-Approved Vacations in Ontario That Won't Break the Bank
• These 2 Ontario Parks are Hidden Gems for Family Campers
• Hiking with Children: Tips to Avoid Tedium
• Parks Canada Geocaching: Fun for the Whole Family
• Family Whitewater Canoe Adventure on the French River
• 15 Wild Winter Alternatives to a Family Disney Vacation
• Family Day in Ontario: Fun Things to Do

Women

• 14 Inspiring Women's Adventures in Ontario

Pet owners

• 9 Dog-Friendly Vacation Ideas in Ontario
• 7 Best Trails in Ontario for Hiking with Your Dog
• The Best Dog-Friendly Resorts In Ontario
• 11 Amazing Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in Ontario
• Dog Paddling Tips: Teaching Your Pup To Be A Perfect Paddling Companion

Visitors’ guides

• Best Weekend Escapes Within a Drive from Minneapolis & St. Paul
• 10 Best Weekend Escapes Within a Drive from Detroit
• Best Weekend Escapes Within a Drive from Buffalo & Rochester
• 16 Weekend Vacation Packages from Toronto for Adventurous Couples
• Top 6 Outdoor Adventure Getaways from Ottawa