Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and these are definitely beautiful! There’s no doubt that Ontario is full of natural wonder and we’re left in awe when we come across them. Lucky for us, Ontario is home to some of the most stunning sights located within Ontario parks.
We’ve compiled a list of nine Ontario parks with amazing natural attractions:
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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
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
Killarney Provincial Park
If you want to take a dip in the clearest sapphire lakes that our province has to offer, Killarney Provincial Park is where it’s at.
Topaz Lake at Killarney is as vivid and breathtaking as the gemstone itself.
Set against the backdrop of lush forests and mountain ranges, this secluded turquoise lake is worth the trip.
Where: 960 ON-637, Killarney, Ontario
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, Ontario
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Mono Cliffs is conveniently located in the town of Mono, right along the Bruce Trail. It’s part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System and the escarpment Biosphere Reserve.
It’s one of those parks that doesn’t need much to stand out. But what does stand out is its picturesque canyon.
And to enjoy it to its fullest, you can embark on a lovely short trail that cuts right through.
Where: 795086 3rd Line EHS, Shelburne, Ontario
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, Ontario
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, Ontario
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, Ontario
Karen Doradea
Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Netflix, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.
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