Ay caramba, it’s hot in here! “Here” being this giant mass of concrete we call home. When temps get nice and sweltering, take a dip in these swimming holes near Toronto to let your sweat melt away in the water. Then, forget the fact that your sweat is mingling with the water, which means that everyone else’s sweat is also mingling. We’re now all mingling with everyone’s sweat. It’s cool! It’s fine! Let’s go for a dip!
ELORA QUARRY
How cute is this little spot? Only an hour and a half from the city, so we’re planning a roadie. Also, we’re thinking a cliff jump is in order, but only if you hold our hand.
Where: 319 Wellington County Rd 18, Elora
THE FALLS ALONG CHEDOKE RADIAL TRAIL
If you want to be firmly off the beaten path (AKA away from that old man’s speedo) try the swimming areas off Chedoke Radial Trail. They’re unsupervised, super nature-y, and you’ll run into some waterfalls, too!
Where: Trailhead begins at Hillcrest Ave in Hamilton
BRUCE PENINSULA GROTTO
This is hands-down (don’t put your hands down, you’re treading water) one of the prettiest spots in Ontario. Pop by for a dip in the unbelievable blue water, and then just quit your job and never leave!
Where: Northern Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Peninsula National Park
BRONTE CREEK
Take a dip in the creek itself, or you can float away in the 1.8-acre pool designed to look like a mini lake. It’s got a gradual entry shore and everything, so you can avoid the fear of a small child pushing you in when you’re not paying attention.
Where: 1219 Burloak Dr, Oakville
MCCARSTON’S LAKE
This one’s double the fun, or double trouble if you’re a couch potato at heart. You can enjoy a nice light hike around the lake, and then jump on in for some refreshment afterwards. Look at you, bein’ fit and summery!
Where: Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
ST. MARYS QUARRY
This is Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool! Even cooler than that, it’s got a water slide, docks, and a bouncy jump thing. We wish we knew the technical name but hopefully you get our gist. (*Editor’s Note: After some deep dives into Google, we’re pretty sure it’s called a Water Blob.)
Where: 425 Water St S, St. Marys
INNERKIP QUARRY AT TROUT LAKE
Wanna test your scuba skills? There’s some sunken boat action here you can cruise around. Maybe you’ll find a suspicious human skull and get wrapped up in an unsolved murder mystery. Or, maybe you’ll just see some cool fish.
Where: 51 George St, Innerkip
There you have it, 7 of our favourite swimming holes near Toronto! Don that swimsuit and get yourself cooled off, pal. We’ve got an extra pair of water wings if you want them!
