10 Best Picnic Spots in Ontario
Canada’s Ontario is well known for its breathtaking beauty, beautiful landscapes, and a vast variety of outdoor activities.
Ontario offers a variety of options for picnics in the great outdoors because of its plethora of parks, woods, and lakes (including the Great Lakes).
Whether you want coastal views, scenic footpaths, or peaceful forests, Ontario has a number of picnic sites that are ideal for a romantic evening with your loved ones.
In this post, look at some of the top picnic spots in Ontario and talk about what made them special as well as why you should go. So gather your equipment, lay out a blanket, and prepare to savour Ontario’s breathtaking outdoors!
Here are the 10 Best Picnic Spots in Ontario:
1. Darlington Provincial Park
Darlington Provincial Park is an amazing park situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, east of Oshawa, Ontario.
Because of its beautiful shoreline, sand beaches, and variety of recreational options, the park is a favourite picnic spot for families, couples, and outdoor lovers.
Two lovely shorelines in the park, Darlington Beach and McLaughlin Bay Beach, are one of its main draws.
These beaches are some of the best picnic spots in Ontario because they provide breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and are wonderful for picnicking, swimming, as well as sunbathing.
In complement to its beaches, Darlington Provincial Park has a number of hiking trails that meander through forests and along the coast, allowing visitors to experience the park’s pristine beauty.
The park also has a boat launch, which contributes to its popularity for boating and fishing.
For those who enjoy a more relaxed lunch, Darlington Provincial Park has a number of picnic areas, some of which are equipped with picnic tables and charcoal BBQs.
Visitors can also rent picnic shelters, which seem to be perfect for sizable parties or special occasions.
Darlington Provincial Park is a great place for a picnic since it has the perfect mix of picturesque vistas, entertainment alternatives, and conveniences.
2. Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is a beautiful park located in Oakville, Ontario, just outside of Toronto.
The park is a well-liked location for picnics and outdoor excursions since it provides guests with a wide variety of recreational opportunities and stunning natural scenery, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
The natural setting of Bronte Creek Provincial Park is one of its key draws. More than 1,000 acres of forests, meadows, and valleys make up the park, which is also home to a wide range of animals and plants, including deer, foxes, and birds.
On one of the park’s many pathways, visitors can hike, bike, or ride a horse to discover the natural splendour.
Moreover, Bronte Creek Provincial Park offers a sizable picnic area with over 200 picnic tables and charcoal BBQs, making it the perfect place for a get-together with family or friends.
There are also several playgrounds in the vicinity where kids may play, and the picnic spot is situated in a gorgeous region with trees and meadows.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities in addition to its scenic surroundings and picnic spots, such as a sizable outdoor pool, a splash pad, and a kids’ farm.
The park also holds unique occasions and activities all through the year, including bird-watching hikes, ghost tours, and maple syrup festivals.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is unquestionably worthwhile for a visit, whether you’re searching for a quiet day in the outdoors or an exciting adventure.
3. Ferris Provincial Park
Ferris Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Campbellford. The park, which is located along the Trent River, provides visitors with a range of leisure activities, such as hiking, camping, swimming, boating, and fishing.
Rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, and rocky outcroppings make up the park’s topography, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
Several hiking routes allow visitors to discover the park’s natural splendour, including the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, which spans the Trent River and provides breathtaking views of the surroundings.
A sizable campground with more than 200 campsites, as well as a number of group campsites and yurts for lease, are also available at Ferris Provincial Park.
There are multiple boat launch ramps available for people wishing to explore the Trent River by boat, and the park’s beach section is a well-liked location for swimming and tanning.
Try Dooher’s in Campbellford if you are searching for an excellent neighbourhood bakery for picnic snacks. Also, do not miss Empire Cheese.
4. North Beach Provincial Park
Visit North Beach Provincial Park if you want to enjoy Ontario’s natural beauty and outdoor recreational options, particularly swimming and beach activities.
The park, situated along the shore of Lake Ontario, offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities, including swimming, boating, camping, hiking, but also fishing.
On the park’s hiking trails, visitors can explore the natural splendours of the marshes, forests, and meadows.
The park’s greatest feature is its lengthy, sandy beach, which stretches for more than a kilometre along the shore of Lake Ontario, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
It is a popular place for swimming, sunning, and picnicking, and there are several picnic shelters and tables available for visitors to use.
The beach is a popular starting location for canoeists and kayakers who want to explore North Bay, which is shielded from high winds by dunes.
North Beach Provincial Park is not only a well-liked recreation place but also a significant hub for birdwatching, with over 240 different bird species having been identified there.
The wetlands in the park are essential to the survival of ducks and other waterbirds.
In addition, North Beach Provincial Park offers a number of group campsites, rented cottages, and a sizeable campground with more than 400 campsites.
5. Murphys Point Provincial Park
Murphys Point Provincial Park is an amazing provincial park situated in the Lanark Highlands of Eastern Ontario.
At the park, which is situated on the southernmost point of the Canadian Shield, visitors can partake in a variety of recreational pursuits. These consist of boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
Visitors can sail their boats into the lakes of the park using any one of the numerous boat launch ramps that are available.
The topography of the park is characterized by forests, rocky outcrops, as well as the hard ground. On the hiking trails, visitors can explore the park’s natural splendours, such as its marshes, forests, and lakes.
One of the best places to have a picnic in Ontario is on the Silver Queen Mine Trail, which takes tourists on a journey of the park’s historic mining sites.
The park is also a strategic point for wildlife in addition to providing recreational activities, with around 200 bird species documented in the park.
Other animals that live in the park include beavers, otters, as well as deer, ducks and other waterbirds depending heavily on its wetlands.
Murphys Point Provincial Park also offers a substantial campground with a little more than 180 campsites, a number of group campsites, and rental cottages.
6. Port Burwell Provincial Park
Port Burwell Provincial Park is a provincial park situated in the region of Port Burwell. The park is situated on Lake Erie’s northern shore and has a total area of about 602 hectares.
Everyone who wants to experience Ontario’s natural beauty and the great outdoors should visit Port Burwell Provincial Park.
Camping, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and fishing are just a few of the recreational activities available in the area. In the summer, the park also has a lovely sandy beach that is great for swimming and tanning.
The Port Burwell Provincial Park is situated alongside a significant North American migration path. Early in September, monarch butterflies pass through here on their way to Mexico.
Fall is a time of passage for eagles, hawks, and turkey vultures, among other raptors. In the area, farmers’ markets sell fresh produce, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
Port Burwell Provincial Park is home to a range of natural and cultural features in addition to its recreational opportunities.
The park’s marshes and woodlands, which are home to numerous plant and animal species, are open to visitors to explore. A historic lighthouse that was built in the park in 1840 and is now accessible to the public is also present.
Try to reserve campsite 402 if you intend to stay with buddies. Given its stunning lake vista, employees refer to it as the million-dollar location.
7. French River Provincial Park
French River Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the District of Parry Sound. It is located on the French River, one of the primary tributaries of Georgian Bay, and spans an area of over 70,000 hectares.
The Canadian Shield, which dominates the park’s stony, arid topography, is its most distinctive feature. Recreational activities available to park visitors include camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
The French River Delta, a sizable wetland area with a diversity of plant and animal species as residents, is one of the park’s features, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
The delta is a well-liked spot for canoeing and kayaking since it provides a special chance to experience the park’s varied ecosystems.
A number of historical landmarks may be found in the park, including the French River Visitor Center, which has displays of the geography’s history and ecology.
Recollet Falls and the Old Voyageur Channel, which served as crucial thoroughfares during the fur trade era, are two other historic attractions in the park.
The park’s award-winning, stunningly designed visitor center is connected to a suspension bridge by a 4-kilometre hiking track.
Bring a picnic blanket if you’re intending to picnic. There are only breathtaking views; there aren’t any picnic tables.
8. Chutes Provincial Park
Chutes Provincial Park is the only provincial park located on Highway 17 between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. It is located along the Aux Sables River, which snakes its way through a small gorge and over a number of Chutes waterfalls.
With its rocky formations, towering conifers, and rapid Aux Sables River, the surroundings are typical of the Canadian Shield.
A river route leads to the Seven Sisters Rapids as well as a waterfall. A pleasant beach is adjacent to the falls and close to the picnic area.
Camping, hiking, picnicking, swimming, and fishing are some of the leisure activities available in the region. The park’s trails can be explored by visitors, and they provide breathtaking views of the river and the nearby woodlands.
As rich in culture as it is in natural beauty is Chutes Provincial Park. At the park, you can still see the remains of a logging camp that was in operation in the early 20th century.
One of the nicest picnic spots in Ontario, the camp’s remains allow visitors to learn more about the area’s logging past.
For everyone going through the area, this is an indispensable place because of its stunning waterfalls, picturesque pathways, and rich cultural history.
9. Fitzroy Provincial Park
Located in Eastern Ontario, Fitzroy Provincial Park is a tiny provincial park. It covers about 200 hectares and is located next to the Ottawa River.
Camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, volleyball court and hiking are just a few of the leisure activities available in the area.
Visitors can explore the park’s trails, and they provide stunning views of the river and the surrounding woodlands. Moreover, Fitzroy features three sizable, distinct picnic spots, each with a group barbeque.
The Carp River Delta, a sizable wetland area that is home to several plant and animal species, is one of the attractions of Fitzroy Provincial Park.
Given that it is home to a variety of species that are uncommon or endangered in the area, the delta is a well-liked location for bird watching and wildlife observation.
Fitzroy Provincial Park offers both natural and cultural features to offer visitors. The remains of a former grist mill that operated in the early 19th century can be found in the park. Visitors can visit the mill’s remains and discover more about the region’s milling history.
Despite its diminutive size, it provides a distinctive and varied array of leisure options and is one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
10. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is a park located in the Canadian province of Ontario, about 25 km west of the city of Thunder Bay.
Kakabeka Falls, a sizable waterfall on the Kaministiquia River that cascades 40 meters down a sheer cliff face, is the source of the park’s name.
Visitors can engage in a range of activities at the park, including hiking trails, camping, picnics, swimming, fishing, and viewing wildlife, making it one of the best picnic spots in Ontario.
The park has a number of routes, from simple strolls to more strenuous excursions. The boardwalk that descends to the base of the falls is the most well-liked trail since it offers breathtaking views of the cascade and the surroundings.
The park also offers a number of campgrounds, including group camping spaces and both serviced and unserviced campsites.
Road trippers love the picnic spot and the waterfall vista at the park. There are 6 hiking paths that range in difficulty from basic to difficult, and you can camp in well-treed areas.
Several hiking routes in the park provide tourists with the chance to discover the region’s natural splendour. The 2.5 km long boardwalk trail that goes to the falls is the well-travelled route.
The wheelchair-accessible walk offers breathtaking views of the forest and falls nearby.
For guests who want to stay the night, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park also has camping facilities. Almost 170 sites, both electrical and non-electrical, may be found at the campground. There are also flush toilets, showers, and a playground in the campground.
The park has numerous picnic spots and shelters, and there are places where people can swim in the Kaministiquia River.
The Kakabeka Falls Visitor Centre, which houses displays and exhibits about the geology, history, and natural environment of the park, is located there in addition to the natural attractions.
Also, the center provides guests with guided tours and interpretative activities.
Conclusion
Ontario’s picnic areas provide something to suit every taste and inclination, whether you’re searching for a quiet escape or an action-packed day out.
In conclusion, guests can enjoy a wide variety of picnic spots in Ontario. There is something for everyone, from beautiful parks and beaches to significant historical sites and cultural attractions.
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