This Ontario small town is home to 'Canada's largest freshwater pool' and it's a summer oasis

You can float in a limestone quarry.

A person walking through an alley. Right: A person by a quarry.

A historic small town in Ontario. Right: A limestone quarry in Ontario.

Lead Writer, Travel

Who's ready to go for a dip? If you're looking for fun places to swim this summer, this dreamy limestone quarry is worth a trip. With white cliffs and shining water, it's a magical spot to spend a sunny day.

While the Elora Quarry might take the spotlight when it comes to swimming holes, this gorgeous, lesser-known destination is worth checking out. The swimming hole is located in a charming small town about 2 hours from Toronto.

You can spend some time exploring the historic streets, visiting local shops, indulging in food and relaxing at the limestone quarry.

St. Marys Quarry, located in the quaint town of St. Marys, is a former limestone quarry that was converted into a swimming area in the mid-1940s.

The quarry is "Canada's largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool," according to the website, and offers a variety of activities, including cliff jumping, a water trampoline, picnic areas and more.

The quarry is also home to a Super Splash Waterpark featuring obstacles like the 14-foot tall Ice Tower and giant slide.

Admission for the waterpark is not included with the general admission for the quarry.

St. Marys has another quarry located just across the road from the swimming hole that is ideal for fishing.

The town is known as "The Stone Town" due to the many beautiful limestone buildings you'll find there. You can browse through the shops, check out the museum and enjoy the scenic trails surrounding the village.

St. Marys Quarry

Price: $7.50 per adult

When: Until September 2, 2024

Address: 425 Water St. S., St. Marys, ON

Town of St. Marys website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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