Canon ball! Swimming season in Ontario is here, and there are a ton of spots to doggy-paddle through. Forget lakes and streams — why not shake it up a bit and head out to one of the province’s swimming holes? Ontario boasts some really special spots, and here are six to check out.
Jump into Canada’s largest outdoor, freshwater swimming pool (or hole!) St. Mary’s Quarry, once a limestone quarry that closed in the 1920s and reopened in the 1940s as a public swimming area, now offers cliff jumping, a water trampoline, and a slide, plus adorable picnic areas.
Hidden gem incoming: get a load of Paradise Lagoon just outside Sudbury, a natural and turquoise-hued hidden oasis surrounded by a waterfall. Often referred to as the Blue Lagoon, it is only accessible by canoe or hike, located off the Chiniguchi River, and is the perfect swimming hole for those who enjoy a bit of adventure.
Get yourself down to Campbellford and enjoy the 200-acre Seymour Conservation Area, with a former limestone quarry, now a natural swimming hole. A little over two hours from the city and accessible by a 6.5 km loop hike, this area has seen significant natural improvement, like a very special Oak Alvar Savannah Tree restoration.
Cave swimming in Ontario? You betcha. Bring to The Grotto and Indian Head Cove in Tobermory for some unique swims! Natural, clear blue water surrounds you inside the swim cave, a natural wonder that draws thousands of visitors each year. Indian Head Cove is an adjacent inlet with white boulders and limestone rocks.
Another former quarry, another renewed swimming hole. Trout Lake Quarry, aka Innerkip Quarry, is a family-owned business that’s known as the go-to swimming spot in the area. Once abandoned, the quarry is now filled with spring-fed water and welcomes cliff-jumping, scuba diving, and even fishing.
Manitoulin Island’s Bridal Veil Falls is a 34-metre-tall waterfall, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Take the stairway down to the gorge and jump right in, as the water flows down above you. Fed by the Kagawong River, this is a very popular swim spot accessible by Highway 540.
Come on, Ontario, dive in and get your swim on at one of these swimming holes!
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