Ontario’s natural landscapes

The rolling, deep red bedrock of the Cheltenham Badlands was created at the bottom of an ancient sea about 450 million years ago. Located less than an hour’s drive from Toronto, the site spans 36 hectares and was formed from exposed and highly eroded Queenston shale. A high concentration of iron oxide caused its bright vermillion colour, while the rocks’ green streaks were the result of groundwater oxidizing the bedrock. You can view this spectacular sight from an accessible boardwalk and trails marked by interpretive signs. The Cheltenham Badlands are open during the spring, summer and fall season. 

Insider Tip: Reservations are required to visit this site, so be sure to book ahead of time through the Cheltenham Badlands’ official website. The reservation fee covers 1.5 hours and includes one parking space, access to the 1-kilometre-long Bruce Trail and entry to the nearby Terra Cotta and Island Lake conservation areas. 

The Niagara Escarpment curves through southwest Ontario, stretching for almost 725 kilometres from the Niagara River to Tobermory and Manitoulin Island. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve features a diverse landscape of forests, wetlands and animal habitats. The Niagara Falls can be found on one end of the Niagara Escarpment, and Bruce Peninsula National Park on the other end. You’ll be able to take a hike along the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath with over 1350 kilometres of hiking trails to connect visitors with nature. Enjoy camping and water sports in the summer, or spend your time skiing and hiking through pristine snow in the winter.

Insider Tip: Bruce Peninsula National Park can become very busy during all seasons, particularly its most popular attractions like the Grotto. If you want to view the stunning coastline and scenery without dealing with the crowds, check out nearby boat tours like Bruce Anchor Cruises or Blue Heron Cruises that will take you up close to historic lighthouses and Flowerpot Island shipwrecks.

Located on the north shores of Georgian Bay, south of Sudbury, Killarney Provincial Park is best known for its beautiful natural landscapes. Pristine blue waters crash against the pink granite shoreline, dotted with towering evergreen trees and the famed white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche mountain range. Visit the famed Topaz Lake, a popular swimming spot with its beautiful turquoise waters. Those in good physical shape can challenge themselves by hiking the 78-km La Cloche Silhouette Trail, which takes you past distinctive ridges and valleys.  Many other hikes of various lengths and fitness levels are also available, as well as canoeing across the clear lakes in Killarney, Canada.

Insider Tip: Killarney Provincial Park can become very busy during its peak summer season, so it’s recommended to visit in autumn when you can enjoy the cooler temperatures and beautiful colours of the leaves.

The second highest waterfall in Ontario, the Kakabeka Falls drop from 40 metres high and splash into the picturesque Kaministiquia River. 1.6 million-year-old fossils lie at the bottom of the falls, made visible from the river’s erosion into the rocks over thousands of years. Stroll along the boardwalk on the top of the waterfall, providing amazing views of the falls and gorge at any time of the year. You’ll also enjoy walking the nature trails if you visit this park during the summer, or cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.

The Frontenac Arch is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, located a short drive east of Kingston. Walk along this ancient granite bridge that stretches from the Canadian Shield in Algonquin Park, all the way to the Adirondack Mountains in the United States. Over 5000 hectares of rocky cliffs and wetland valleys cover this vast forest region, with a diverse ecosystem of unique plants, insects and animals. Sustainable development and the protection of the natural biodiversity of this awe-inspiring attraction is encouraged by the Frontenac Biosphere Network, which also runs numerous childrens’ programs to foster an interest in nature and environmental responsibility in kids.

Visit the only major pictograph site in southern Ontario, located within Bon Echo Provincial Park. More than 260 Indigenous pictographs are inscribed into the 2.5 kilometres long, 100 metre-tall Mazinaw Rock, painted just above the water level. These awe-inspiring pictographs show stylized humans, animals and abstract symbols, and are even more beautiful to look at when illuminated by the reflection of the sun. Bon Echo Provincial Park also features great hiking trails, canoeing activities and roofed accommodations for outdoor camping. The park is open from May to mid-October. 

Teeming with birds, butterflies and other wildlife, Point Pelee National Park is the second smallest and most ecologically diverse national park in Canada. About an hour’s drive south of Windsor, this enormous park features hectares of gorgeous green trees, an extensive shoreline and natural marshes. You can take the shuttle to the “tip” of the park, which happens to be the southernmost point of Canada. Point Pelee National Park has also been designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, meaning it’s one of the best places to see millions of stars without a telescope.

Insider Tip: Visit between late August and early October, when flocks of monarch butterflies stop at Point Pelee National Park to rest before continuing their migration to Mexico. 

As the fourth oldest provincial park in Ontario, Long Point Provincial Park is a unique natural landscape that has been designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Close to the town of Port Rowan, about a two-hour drive southwest from Niagara Falls, it features many popular attractions such as the park’s outdoor camping experiences, as well as Long Point Public Beach’s soft sands and warm waters.  Relax on a 40-km-long sandy spit of land that stretches along a picturesque coastline, jutting into Lake Erie. Mats have been placed at the beach to improve its accessibility for people with wheelchairs or strollers. To guarantee availability, you can buy a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance. 

Insider Tip: Over 300 different bird species stop by Long Point during migration season, making this place a perfect stop for bird watchers.