14 Best Places To Get In Touch With Nature Near Toronto

1. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Located on the picturesque Bruce Trail, Mono Cliffs is the perfect getaway just an hour north of the city. Walk through a canyon on the spillway trail or past 30-meter cliffs on the cliff top trail and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Photocred - Peterlam

2. Murphys Pinnacle

Located in Boyne Valley Provincial Park. A relic of the last period of glaciation, Murphy's Pinnacle gives breathtaking views of the Park and the surrounding landscape.

3. Elora Gorge Park

One of the most beautiful and spectacular natural areas in the Grand River valley. The Grand River rushes past 22-metre high cliffs. Riverside trails (with safety barriers) and scenic overlooks provide hikers with stunning views of the water far below where kayakers and tubers make their way through the rapids.

4. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

Located on the Bruce Trail, Forks of the Credit, just north of Mono Cliffs features several hiking trails as well as waterfalls and rivers to cool off in.

5. Webster Falls/Dundas Peak

From the escarpment brow, noted for its panoramas, to the forested depths of the gorge below, the Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area exhibits the physical features which have made the Niagara Escarpment one of Ontario's most spectacular geological formations.

6. Bluffers Park

A part of the Scarborough Bluffs, Bluffers park features sandy beaches, sprawling greenery and trails. Great for lazy summer days and barbeques.

Photocred - HHCC

7. Belfountain Provincial Park

Located an hour north of Toronto in the quaint village of Belfountain, this park features gorgeous hiking trails, fishing, picnicking, flower gardens, a suspension bridge, a waterfall, and even hosts Yoga in the Park.

8. Rattlesnake Point

Book a campsite for the weekend, hike on one of the four trails, enjoy panoramic views of the escarpment or try your hand at one of the three designated sites for rock climbers.

9. Sleeping Giant Thunder Bay

Quite possibly the farthest destination on our list, but nonetheless worth the trip. This lookout features absolutely breathtaking views of Lake Superior. Enjoy a relaxing getaway in one of the parks fully serviced cabins or visit the boreal forest and catch glimpses of moose, wolf, fox, lynx and over 200 bird species.

Photocred- Andrew Ogilvie

10. The Grotto Bruce Peninsula Park

Explore the Grotto, a sea cave carved out of the Niagara Escarpment, relax on the Bruce Peninsula's famous boulder beach, or snorkel in the cool clear waters.

11. Kariya park

Like a tranquil lake of serenity at the heart of busy Mississauga, Kariya Park lies calmly in the city core, with the famous Civic Centre clock-tower easily glimpsed through the greenery. Featuring a stunning Japanese garden in the centre, now is the perfect time to catch the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom.

Photocred - CuriousCreature

12. Scenic Caves Collingwood

Outdoor adventures, zip cable gliding eco tours, hiking on trails, suspension bridge and caves... If you're a thrill seeker, this is the place for you.

13. Royal Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanical Gardens is located at the western tip of Lake Ontario. Four distinct formal gardens are contained with 1100 hectares of nature reserve, nestled into the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. The ever changing seasons, blooms, and natural phenomenon make each visit a new experience. Explore and enjoy the many historical plant collections, the Mediterranean Greenhouse, and the 27 km of nature trails.

14. Sandbanks Provincial Park

Featuring three expansive sandy beaches that some say are among the best in Canada, this provincial park also has walking trails that allow visitors to experience the dune and wetland habitats.

Follow us on Snapchat:narcitytoronto