Toronto 
Ontario is a province of contrasts, with the southern half occupied by sprawling cities and the northern half of Ontario rich in dense woodland and grand rivers.
Credit: 1000 Islands Tower
If you are looking for grand views of the province – whether it is of a birdseye view of famous cities or of vast forests, there are plenty of great places to walk or hike up for a terrific view at the top.
Here are ten towers to climb in Ontario, with a stunning view atop:
The CN Tower
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first. The CN Tower is perhaps one of Ontario’s most famous towers. Construction was completed in 1976 of this behemoth of a skyscraper. Standing at 1,815 feet tall, the tower features a stunning 360-degree viewing platform with views of downtown Toronto as far as the eye can see.
For those who seek the ultimate thrill of downtown Toronto, there’s the EdgeWalk – a harnessed walk around the outside of the CN Tower on a narrow platform. If you’re looking for a way to spend an afternoon in Toronto, then a journey to the top of the CN Tower has to be on your list. There’s also a restaurant and bar on the viewing deck.
When: Open year-round
Where: 290 Bremner Blvd., Toronto
How Much: $18 to $62
Parry Sound Tower Hill Lookout
Located in Parry Sound, on the shores of Georgian Bay, the 30m (100ft) Lookout Tower provides stunning views of Georgian Bay and the surrounding area. At only 100 feet high, it takes 130 steps to climb to the observation deck. Below the lookout tower, there is a heritage garden that is planted and maintained every year by volunteers.
Where: 17 George Street, Parry Sound.
How Much: Free
1000 Islands Tower
The 1000 Islands Tower lies not far from the Canadian-American border in the town of Lansdowne. The tower is located on Hill Island, is 400 feet tall and provides a stunning 360-degree view of the Islands surrounding it, as well as the St. Lawrence River, and into New York State beyond.
The tower’s viewing platform is accessible via an elevator, which takes 40 seconds to reach the platform. Open between May 15 and October 19th, with three open observation decks. Take the whole family up high in the sky this summer by making the 1000 Islands Tower one of your stops.
When: June to Thanksgiving Weekend
Where: 716 Highway 137, Lansdowne
How Much: $9.95 to $19.95 t
Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower
Located near Dwight, Ontario – this scenic tower view is buried deep in the Ontario countryside. The Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower is maintained by the Township of the Algonquin Highlands and stands 500 feet high, with observation posts at 100 feet and 465 feet; the original tower was only 82 feet high and was used as a fire lookout. The Tower has been the main attraction for a park that was essentially built up around it, with picnic tables, a gift shop and a hiking trail.
While not so popular in the summer due to the lack of colour – green is about the only colour you’ll see up there! In the fall, it is not uncommon for more than 600 vehicles to visit the tower in a single day.
When: May 15 – October 26, 2026
Where: 1191 Dorset Scenic Tower Rd.
How Much: $5.58 per person for a walk-up and $16.74 for a car during Fall
Skylon Tower
The Skylon Tower offers a staggering view of the awesome power of nature at Niagara Falls. Located just on the edge of the Falls, Skylon offers a breathtaking view from its observation deck, situated 775 feet high, providing 360-degree views of the Falls and the surrounding area. There is also a restaurant in the tower, offering a unique experience with a revolving dining room!
When: Open Year-Round
Where: 5200 Robinson St, Niagara Falls
How Much: $20.00 as an adult, or $10.00 for children between the ages of 4 and 12
Temagami Tower
If you ever felt that you weren’t high enough at the top of a mountain, well, now you can be higher – with the Temagami Tower! The Temagami Tower stands atop Caribou Mountain, standing four hundred feet high – roughly 1300 feet above sea level. It was used as a fire lookout tower before being converted to an observation deck. This tower is a short hike up Caribou Mountain – which isn’t very difficult, and you’re greeted with stunning forests and meandering rivers throughout Ontario’s backcountry.
When: Late Spring to Late Fall
Where: 112 Jack Guppy Way, Temagami
Brock’s Monument, Queenston Heights National Historic Site
Queenston’s National Historic Site is located in Queenston Heights Park. On the site, a monument was built to honour the life and sacrifice of Major General Isaac Brock, a commander during the War of 1812. This monument is 235 steps up the Niagara Escarpment, providing a gorgeous view of what would have been a battlefield in 1812, but today is simply Niagara-on-the-Lake.
When: May to Late August
Where: 14184 Niagara River Parkway, Queenston
How Much: Children (age 5 and under) – Free
Youth (age 6-16) – $4.00
Adults (age 17+) – $5.00
The Lookout Tower, Fort Frances
Fort Frances is a town established by the French in 1731. It was the first European settlement west of Lake Superior and is famous for international bass fishing championships. Standing at 100 feet high, Fort Frances Lookout Tower was originally a fire lookout for the area – like so many of Ontario’s towers.
Where: Sorting Gap Marina, Fort Frances (Directions)
Elliot Lake Fire Tower Lookout
The Elliot Lake Fire Tower Lookout is a serene place, with a gorgeous view of the area’s former mine sites and even Manitoulin Island in the distance. While still operated by the Forest Service today, Elliot Lake’s tower lookout is more of a tourist destination for visitors to the city. The tower area is open during July and August and the local area features picnic tables and walking trails. Check out live views! There is no actual stair climbing of the tower here.
When: Fire Tower Centre — July and August /Area: Year Round
Where: Fire Tower Road, Elliot Lake
How Much: Free
The Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor’s Centre Tower
At the Bruce Peninsula National Park/Fathom Five National Marine Park Visitor’s Centre lies a 112-step tower with a viewing platform. At 65 feet tall, you can be up the tower in about 15 minutes (112 steps). It offers a stunning view of the Bruce Peninsula, including the Village of Tobermory, Bruce Peninsula National Park, and Fathom Five National Marine Park.
When: May to October; 2026 – The Visitor Centre observation tower is currently closed for inspection and maintenance.
Where: 120 Chi-Sin-Tib-Dek Rd, Tobermory
How Much: National Park Admission
