7 Ontario parks with thrilling natural attractions

There’s no doubt that Ontario is full of wonder. Often times, we’re left in awe when discovering some of nature’s most beautiful creations from cascading waterfalls to stunning lakes. Lucky for us, some of the most stunning sights are located in a number of Ontario parks.

We’ve compiled a list of seven Ontario parks with thrilling natural attractions. Check them out below!

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Potholes Provincial Park

This park is home to distinctive bedrock scenery, including “potholes” that were formed by glacial erosion, according to Ontario Parks.

The meltwater flowed over fractured bedrock, which formed large potholes and sculpted the surrounding rock. Today, water from the Kinniwabi River still flows and pools inside these potholes, even forming miniature waterfalls.

When: Open daily until September 4th, 2023
Where: East of Wawa on Highway 101, Algoma District

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park

Located near Algonquin Provincial Park, these thundering whitewater falls are a sight to behold.

A short trail from the parking lot will take you straight to a lookout point so you can witness the waters in all their glory.

Further up the trail, you will come upon Gravel Falls, which “demonstrates the powerful, erosive force of glacial meltwater,” says Ontario Parks. Both Ontario Parks and Muskoka Tourism have called Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls one of Ontario’s top 10 waterfalls.

Where: 1050 Oxtongue Lake Road, Dwight

Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park

The scenic lake is situated on a mountaintop in Prince Edward County, around 60 metres above Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte.

It offers views of the Bay of Quinte, the Glenora Ferry, and the north shore.

But, this is no ordinary lake. Ontario Parks describes it as a “natural curiosity” because it has a constant flow of clean, fresh water, with no apparent source.

Where: 296 County Road 7, Prince Edward

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

While you’re there, you will definitely want to visit the stunning McGinnis Lake.

This lake shimmers with bright blue and green hues. It’s one of the very few meromictic lakes in Canada, where different layers of water don’t intermix, creating a mesmerizing sight.

Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed in McGinnis Lake to preserve its meromictic nature and scientifically significant sediment record.

Where: 2249 Northeys Bay Road, Woodview

Egan Chutes Provincial Park

Within the reserve, there are three picturesque waterfalls, and you’ll have to walk along a short unmaintained road to see them.

There’s no swimming allowed at these waterfalls, and visitors are asked to use caution as there are no guard rails around the falls.

Where: 487 Detlor Road, L’Amable

Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park

You’ve never chased waterfalls like these before! The scenery at Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park is like something out of a storybook, and the cascading falls are the main attraction.

The Hell’s Gate trail might sound scary from its name, but this easy path along the Englehart River is the hike to do if you want to see some incredible waterfall views.

You will see multiple waterfalls along this trail that are connected by rapids.

Where: Kap-Kig-Iwan Road, Englehart, Ontario

Bruce Peninsula National Park – The Grotto

Surrounded by aqua-blue waters and rugged dolomite cliffs, The Grotto is a natural underground swimming pool in Ontario not unlike the cenotes of Mexico or the caves of Greece.

The Grotto is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year for its mesmerizing turquoise water and intricate cave structures, according to the local tourism site Explore The Bruce.

Where: Tobermory, ON