Wildlife viewing opportunities in Ontario
Algonquin Provincial Park | Destination Ontario
Large mammals like moose and black bear, predators such as wolf and fox, otters, mink, weasels and beaver, and waterfowl, birds of prey and songbirds abound across the province. Ontario is also home to sanctuaries, preserves and nature parks dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating these precious creatures.
Discover engaging ways to view native Ontario wildlife, learn about their role in the natural ecosystem and support conservation efforts.
Northeastern Ontario
Cedar Meadows Wilderness Park
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
Canadian Polar Bear Habitat
Truly a one-of-a-kind experience, the Polar Bear Habitat provides a fascinating window into the world of one of Canada’s most majestic creatures. The unique research, rescue and conservation station hosts polar bears in a 24-acre subarctic and boreal landscape with a 10-acre lake.
Location: 1 Drury Park Road, Cochrane
Hilliardton Marsh Research & Education Centre
Nature photographers and avid birders flock to this preserve during the spring and fall migration for exceptional opportunities to spot rare and beautiful birds, including songbirds, hummingbirds and shorebirds and for bird banding events.
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 bearded seals and beluga whale sightings.
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
Stay on the lookout for a magical treat!
Just west of Timmins, in and around the small Francophone community of Foleyet and the Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park, sightings of white-coloured moose (the ‘spirit’ or ‘ghost’ moose) have been reported. The rare colour results from a regressive gene strain, and because hunting the spirit moose is prohibited, their numbers are growing.
Location: 70 Ivanhoe Lake Road, Foleyet
Chapleau Crown Game Preserve
Ontario is home to the largest crown game preserve in the world.
Over two million acres (700,000 hectares) of Chapleau Crown Game Preserve in the heart of Algoma Country is renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing.
Protected species 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
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
This facility is a registered charity that serves as a safe haven for orphaned and injured native wild animals. Staff provide quality care with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing animals. In some cases, animals cannot survive in the wild and require permanent care.
Book a fully guided educational tour and meet some of their resident animals, including silver, arctic and red foxes and coyotes.
Location: 1116 Crawford Street, Rosseau
Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario’s oldest park is home to some of its most iconic wildlife, including moose. A guided safari trip by canoe to photograph moose in the wild 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 Adventure Tours also provides fully-guided canoe trips in the park.
Location: Algonquin Provincial Park
The Deer Yards
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: Loring-Restoule
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.
Location: 1305 Redkenn Road, Dysart
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Wye Marsh Nature Centre
Trumpeter swans are making a comeback in Ontario.
Efforts to reintroduce this once-native waterfowl have paid off, and the wetland habitat in Wye Marsh is a good 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 experiences include hawk walks, guided tours and photography sessions.
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.
Catch 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.
Location: 2848 Front Road, Vittoria
Southeastern Ontario
Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing
This 33,000-foot 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
Greater Toronto Area
Toronto Zoo
With over 5,000 animals, the Toronto Zoo cares for wildlife from around the world.
To view species native to Canada and Ontario, including moose and bison, head to the Canadian Domain.
Location: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
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Last updated: November 25, 2024