Toronto 
If you are looking for a perfect, inexpensive weekend getaway from GTA to relax and rejuvenate, look no further than Ontario Provincial Parks.
Credit: Ontario Parks
Whether you want to camp out under the stars, hike rolling woodlands and bio-diverse marshes, or just laze around at Lake Ontario/Simcoe/Erie beaches – provincial parks in and around GTA are your best bet for a cheerful weekend getaway. With over 15 parks within 200 km of Toronto, Ontario provincial parks are also great day trip destinations to immerse yourself in nature and to have a fun family day out.
Fees:
Day use Vehicle permit: $12.25 to $21.00 (Best answer for what to do under $25.00 in GTA!)
Camping: Maximum of $59.33 (tent) per night.
Call: 1-800-668-2746 (toll-free) for more info.
The article lists 20 provincial parks (non-operating parks not included) with activities and approximate distances from GTA cities. For the city of Toronto, the distance from Ontario Science Centre (~centre of Toronto) is mentioned. Provincial parks are arranged in alphabetical order.
Ontario Parks has a Learn to Camp Program to help you with the basics of camping – See here for more details.
You may also like to visit:
Fathom Five National Marine National Park
1. Awenda Provincial Park
Enjoy the slow pace of a day at the beach or hike the numerous trails through hardwood forests and boardwalks at the park that is located on the shores of Georgian Bay. Short trails (like Beaver Pond Trail), beaches, playgrounds and interpretive programs make Awenda Provincial Park a good destination for families with young children. The park also has a pet beach.
Activities include canoeing, children’s programs, biking, birding, boating, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and swimming.
Camping: Private and shaded campsites, including RV camping. In addition to other park amenities, Awenda has a stone cottage for rent. More about the park
2. Balsam Lake Provincial Park
Build sand castles with kids at the sandy beach and enjoy a boat ride on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Hike through the eskers and kames on the Lookout Trail before retiring to count the diamonds in the sky.
Activities include canoeing, biking, birding, boating, fishing, children’s programs (July & August) and swimming.
Camping: Private, shaded campsites, including RV sites. In addition to other park amenities, Balsam Lake Park has a four-bedroom fully serviced cottage for rent. More about the park
Camping: May 8, 2026 to October 26, 2026
3. Bass Lake Provincial Park
Hike the 2.8 km interpretive trail and learn about Rowe Homestead, a working farm for more than 100 years, swim in the crystal clear waters of Bass Lake and explore the lake through canoeing.
Activities include canoeing, biking, birding, boating, fishing, and swimming, groomed cross-country ski trails, and hiking trail in winter.
Camping: Tents, trailers and RVs. More Details about the park
May 8, 2026 to October 13, 2026
4. Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek Park, with its 1.8 acre outdoor pool, children’s farm with farm animals and a 150-year-old play barn, is a perfect day trip destination for young families of the GTA. Whether you are searching for winter/ summer activities in a wilderness setting or for long weekend events, Bronte Creek Provincial Park has something for everyone.
Activities include children’s programs, biking, birding, fishing, tobogganing, skating, skiing, snowshoeing and swimming.
Camping: Private and shaded campsites, including RV camping. In addition to other park amenities, Bronte Creek Provincial Park has three yurts that sleep a maximum of 6 people for rent. More about the Park
Day Use: Year-Round.
5. Craigleith Provincial Park
Hunt for fossils with your aspiring paleontologist on the shale plates and watch beautiful sunsets on Georgian Bay. The park provides easy access to Ontario’s famous Bruce Trail, Georgian Trail, and Blue Mountain Village.
Activities include canoeing, children’s programs (summer months), biking, birding, and fishing.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. More about the park
6. Darlington Provincial Park
Located in GTA, Darlington Provincial Park provides great access to Lake Ontario. Enjoy a day at the beach or on the water and explore the many nature trails.
Activities include swimming, canoeing, children’s programs (summer months), boating, hunting, birding, fishing, and winter activities.
Camping: RVs, trailers & basic camps. Details
Day use: Year-round.
7. Earl Rowe Provincial Park
Watch salmon spawning, enjoy the outdoor pool and relax at the Earl Rowe Lake beach.
Activities include biking, canoeing, hiking, swimming, fishing & children’s programs.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. Park Website
8. Emily Provincial Park
Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy a day at the sandy beaches of Pigeon Lake and enjoy glorious fall colours.
Activities include biking, boating, canoeing, hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing & snowshoeing, fishing & children’s programs.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. Details
9. Ferris Provincial Park
Hike the unspoiled acres of woods along the Trent River, and cross Ontario’s first 300 foot-long suspension bridge over the Trent river gorge and take in the beauty of the Ranney Gorge. In winter, explore the winter wonderland through snowshoeing or skiing.
Activities include children’s programs, hiking, biking, birding, canoeing & boating, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and swimming.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. More about the Park
Winter & other activities: Walk in during from September – May
10. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
11. Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park
Enjoy the wilderness at its finest at the largest provincial parks in Southern Ontario. Go for wilderness canoeing and camp under the twinkling sky.
Activities include hunting, hiking, biking, birding, canoeing & boating, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and swimming.
Camping: Backcountry campsites. Lodges (not by Ontario Parks) are also available nearby. Park Website
12. Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park
Go for a walk in the woods made up of some of the oldest trees in Ontario including a 300+ year old sugar maple tree. Great destination for a fall colour hike.
Activities: hiking.
No camping. Day use only. Park Website
13. McRae Point Provincial Park
Watch sunsets over Lake Simcoe after a relaxing day at the beach.
Activities include boating, swimming, hunting, hiking, biking, birding, and fishing.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. Park Website
14. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Hike the many trails suited for all ages and abilities on the spectacular Bruce Trail.
Activities include horseback riding, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing.
No Camping. Details
15. Petroglyphs Provincial Park
Visit this park to see the largest known concentration of Aboriginal rock carvings (petroglyphs) in Canada. This National Historic Site, believed to have been created between 900 AD and 1100 AD, is sacred to First Nations. No photographs are allowed inside the Petroglyphs site. Stroll the trail along the woodland habitat and spot the varied animal species.
Activities include Children’s programs, Birding, and Hiking.
No Camping. Park Website
16. Presqu’île Provincial Park
A birder’s paradise, Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Explore the sandy ridges and the bio-diverse Presqu’ile marsh and wetlands through the boardwalk. Do not miss the second-oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario.
Activities include Children’s programs, Birding, Hiking, Biking, Canoeing & Boating, Swimming, Fishing, Winter hiking, Hand hunting.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents.
17. Rock Point Provincial Park
Take a long stroll along the sandy shores of Lake Erie and explore limestone shelves with coral reef fossils. Learn about migratory birds by attending talks and demonstrations at the bird banding station that is part of Haldimand Bird Observatory.
Activities include Children’s programs, Birding, Hiking, Boating, Swimming, Fishing, Hunting.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. Park Website
18. Selkirk Provincial Park
Explore Lake Erie’s shoreline and spot the migrating birds as you stroll the boardwalk alongside the marsh wetland. Selkirk park offers a quiet weekend getaway and is a short drive from Port Dover.
Activities include Birding, Hiking, Canoeing, Swimming, and Biking.
Camping: RVs, trailers & tents. Park Website
May 11, 2026 to October 13, 2026
19. Sibbald Point Provincial Park
Visit the Eildon Hall (Sibbald Museum) constructed by Sibbald family, tour the Lake Simcoe waterfront, take the interpretive boardwalk and learn about the varied ecosystems in the park. Spend a day at the sandy beaches of Lake Simcoe and try your hand at fishing.
Activities include Birding, Hiking, Canoeing & Boating, Swimming, Biking, Fishing, Children’s Programs, snowshoeing, skiing and ice fishing.
Camping: RV’s, trailers & tents. Details
Day Use: Year Round.
20. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Glorious white sandy freshwater beaches! Spend a relaxing day at the longest freshwater beaches (blue flag designated for water quality) and enjoy nature’s spectacular sunset painting across Lake Simcoe. Learn a bit about the War of 1812 naval battle at the Nancy Island Historic Site and about the rich natural and cultural resources of the Wasaga Beach area at the Welcome Centre. Hike or ski along trails surrounded by towering woods.
Activities include Birding, Hiking, Canoeing & Boating, Swimming, Biking, Fishing, Children’s Programs, snowshoeing, and nordic skiing.
No Camping. Park Website
Day use Winter – December 11, 2026 to March 21, 2027
