Diverse wildlife viewing opportunities in Ontario

Northeastern Ontario

Cedar Meadows Wildlife Tours

One of northern Ontario’s finest resorts features an expansive wilderness park home to bison, elk and fallow deer. 

Join the daily wilderness tours to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures from a tractor-drawn wagon. You may even get the chance to hand-feed some of the animals.

In addition, Cedar Meadows offers a one-of-a-kind Sleeping with the Wolves experience. Stay in cozy accommodations with views into the wolf reserve.

Location: 1000 Norman Street, Timmins

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat

The Polar Bear Habitat provides a fascinating window into the world of one of Canada’s most majestic creatures.

The research, wildlife rescue and conservation station hosts polar bears in a 9.7-hectare subarctic and boreal landscape with a four-hectare lake.

Book unique experiences, such as photography, behind-the-scenes and crate training tours. Seasonal Overnight camping facilities with propane barbecues, a gas stove, potable water and clean restrooms are available.

Location: 1 Drury Park Road, Cochrane

The Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Centre

Nature photographers and avid birders flock to this preserve during the spring and fall migration for opportunities to spot rare and beautiful types of birds native to Ontario, including songbirds, hummingbirds and shorebirds.

Look for fun, family-friendly events like private banding nights, hummingbird garden parties, youth summer camps and the Christmas Bird Count.

Location: 952130, ON-569, Hilliardton

Moosonee and James Bay

Be one of the privileged few to journey to the heart of the Hudson Bay Watershed to Moosonee, Ontario’s only saltwater port. Spring and fall are the best seasons for seeing bearded seals and beluga whales.

Moosonee is just under five hours north of Cochrane by train. From there, you’ll need to arrange a guided boat tour from Moose Factory upriver towards Moose River Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the salt waters of James Bay.

You’ll need ample time to plan and prepare for an adventure such as this, so start at least a year in advance.

Location: Moosonee

Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park

Just west of Timmins, in and around the small Francophone community of Foleyet and the Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park, sightings of white-coloured moose have been reported. The rare colour of the “spirit” or “ghost” moose results from a regressive gene strain. Because hunting the spirit moose is prohibited, numbers are growing.

Car, group and seasonal camping are available at Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park. 

Location: 70 Ivanhoe Lake Road, Foleyet

 Chapleau Crown Game Preserve

Ontario is home to the largest crown game preserve in the world. 

Over 700,000 hectares of Chapleau Crown Game Preserve in the heart of Algoma Country is renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing.

Species under wildlife protection include moose, beaver, fox, wolves, waterfowl, loons, owls and a healthy population of black bears. To witness these shy, solitary animals in the wild is a sight to behold.

Location: Township of Chapleau

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario’s oldest park is home to some of the most iconic Canadian wildlife, including moose.

A guided safari trip by canoe to photograph moose in Ontario is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Join Voyageur Quest and professional photographer Rob Stimpson on a multi-day paddle through the northwest corner of Algonquin Park. Algonquin Park Adventure Tours also offers fully guided canoe trips in this wildlife park.

Location: Algonquin Provincial Park

The Deer Yard

White-tailed deer are the most abundant deer species and can be spotted across the province. However, tens of thousands have traditionally congregated in the Loring-Restoule area, creating one of the largest herds in the province, known as the "Deer Yards."

This unique viewing experience north of Muskoka features 3.6 kilometres of trail systems on Crown Land around stunning wetlands with interpretive signage maintained by local volunteers.

Location: 796 Little River Road, Loring-Restoule

The Georgian Bay Biosphere

The rich and diverse Georgian Bay Biosphere comprises 30,000 islands with rugged shorelines, rock barrens, mixed forests and wetlands, creating a diverse habitat for wildlife.

Sadly, many species are at risk, so the Georgian Bay Biosphere is actively involved in education, research and monitoring to help preserve and restore its habitats.

Algonquin wolves, bald eagles, Blanding’s turtles, eastern hog-nosed snakes, monarch butterflies, red-headed woodpeckers, piping plover and western chorus frogs are some of the at-risk species found here.

Location: 125 William Street, Parry Sound

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Wolf Centre at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve

Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve is a privately owned, sustainable forest and wilderness that offers outdoor adventures such as hiking, canopy tours and the renowned Wolf Centre. 

Dedicated to the conservation and education of Canadian wolves, this massive facility features a large indoor observatory overlooking the forested enclosure, home to an Alpha pair of wolves and their siblings and offspring.

Stay overnight by reserving a cozy holiday unit once used by 19th-century loggers or a secluded, spacious campsite situated on the water.

Location: 1305 Redkenn Road, Dysart 

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Wye Marsh Nature Centre

Trumpeter swans are making a comeback in Ontario. 

Once nearly extinct in this province, efforts to reintroduce this once-native waterfowl have paid off and the wetland habitat in Wye Marsh is a great spot to see these graceful birds.

Location: 16160 Highway 12 East, Midland

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Mountsberg Raptor Centre 

Located within the Mountsberg Conservation Area, this education and protection facility cares for native Ontario and non-native birds of prey, such as owls, hawks, eagles and falcons.

Raptor events include the "Raptor Encounter," where you can experience holding a raptor on a glove and observe feeding, training or enrichment sessions. "Talons and Tailfeathers" offers a chance to learn about the incredible features of raptors and see them up close.

Location: 2259 Milburough Town Line, Campbellville

Southwestern Ontario

Point Pelee National Park

Point Pelee National Park, the southernmost point on mainland Canada, is a key rest stop for thousands of colourful Monarch butterflies along with over 350 bird species on the impressive migratory journey south each year.

View the spectacle mid-September into fall. The park is also an annual pit stop for a rich variety of migrating songbirds and raptors (birds of prey) in the spring and fall. 

Location: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington

Canadian Raptor Conservancy

Just south of Long Point Conservation Area, along the coast of Lake Erie, the Canadian 

Raptor Conservancy focuses on the conservation and education of raptors, vultures, eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. 

The birds-in-flight workshops are a dream for birdwatchers and photographers. Contact the Canadian Raptor Conservancy to book a session.

Location: 2848 Front Road, Vittoria

Southeastern Ontario

Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing

This 3,000-square-metre climate-controlled aquarium and discovery centre is a registered not-for-profit charity located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

Engaging and entertaining exhibits and day tours educate guests on the aquatic world of the river, including its native river otters. Witness two wily, web-footed rescued residents splash, swim and play in a massive glass-enclosed habitat.

Location: 6 Broad Street, Brockville 

Niagara Region

Wainfleet Bog

The largest remaining bog in Southern Ontario, Wainfleet Bog features a peat-rich environment home to various endangered species, including the threatened Massasauga rattlesnake.

Stroll along boardwalks and trails to lush bog views. Interpretive signs allow you to take a self-guided tour through this unique environment while learning about the measures being taken to rehabilitate the bog’s ecosystem.

Location: 20389 Erie Peat Road, Port Colborne