It takes 3.5 hours to drive from Paris to Brussels. 7 hours from Edinburgh to London. In Toronto, getting from one side of the GTA to the other can be a 2 – 3 hour drive, depending on traffic.
Our perception of time and distance is a little skewed. That means that sometimes, staying ‘close to home’ for a Torontonian can keep you behind the wheel for hours, and require at least one Tim Horton’s pitstop along the way.
Ontario is deceivingly large, with vast sections of land choked by millions of lakes and waterways, and armored by the Canadian Shield. These natural roadblocks may have thwarted developers but they’ve also left Ontario brimming with some amazing natural spaces for city dwellers and the like to soak up the sun, adventure, and sleep under the stars.
Whether looking for a quick weekend getaway or craving an adventure, I’ve got you covered with these spectacular Ontario Provincial Parks that are well worth the drive.
Sandbanks
Park: Sandbanks Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Looking for a tropical escape closer to home? Sandbanks is the perfect destination for you! With huge sandy dunes, crystal blue waters, and multiple natural sandy beaches, this park is a beach bum’s natural habitat. As one of the most popular parks in Ontario, a camping reservation at Sandbanks is gold, but a day trip is always well worth it too. Located in Prince Edward County, there are plenty of great wineries, restaurants, and spas around to make any urbanite feel spoiled.
Algonquin
Park: Algonquin Provinicial Park
Distance from Toronto: 3 hours, 15 minuts
Whether a first-timer or a seasoned pro, Algonquin quickly becomes a place you’ll be planning your next trip to while watching it fade from your rearview mirror. As one of the most popular destinations in Ontario, Algonquin offers experiences for every type of explorer and is close enough to Toronto to be the perfect weekend getaway. Test out your portaging skills, overfill a pack and set out to any number of the park’s amazing backcountry sites, or pull up and plug in, in Algonquin you’re sure to make some great memories.
Restoule
Park: Restoule Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: 3 hours, 40 minutes
A hidden gem. Restoule Provincial Park is up past Parry Sound, off freshly paved Highway 534. Boasting ancient cedars, mountain biking trails, beautiful lookouts, starry skies, and gorgeous waterfront campsites, this is a park that is sure to help you recharge. Rent a canoe and enjoy the calm waters of Restoule or close by Stormy Lake and sit back and enjoy the sunset!
Killarney
Park: Killarney Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Definitely more off-the-grid and wild than beachy Sandbanks, Killarney takes you up into the white quartz ridges of the La Cloche Mountains. This park is a BIG one and offers extensive backcountry adventures, some of my favourite hikes in Ontario, and spectacular views best known for having captivated artists such as The Group of Seven. If you’re up for a challenge don’t shy away from some connectivity issues, Killarney is well worth the drive!
Lake Superior
Park: Lake Superior Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: 8 hours, 45 minutes
To be fair, 9 hours is a stretch. That said, I wouldn’t include Lake Superior if it wasn’t an absolutely worthwhile and amazing adventure. On the coast of the greatest of The Great Lakes, this diverse and spectacular landscape has cliffs, caves, beaches, waterfalls, pictographs, surfing, ghost stories, and so much more. If adventure is the goal, this park won’t disappoint. Even as the lengthiest drive, this one has some epic sections of highway that will keep you wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
She Collects Campsites 