25 Ontario Provincial Parks to Visit During Winter in Ontario
Most people think to visit a provincial park in the summer. But what might not so apparent is that most provincial parks in Ontario remain open in the winter months and offer several winter activities, nature programs and unique nature sightings.
If you enjoy bundling up, getting some fresh air and challenging yourself, then read on for a list of provincial parks that remain open over the winter and offer invigorating winterized activities, no matter your particular level of experience.
Come along and experience the great outdoors even in the winter months!
1. Algonquin Provincial Park
The vast wilderness of Algonquin Park has made it an iconic symbol of Ontario’s tourism market. With kilometres of untouched forests, extensive networks of rivers and a mixture of traditional campsites and rustic sites meant for trailblazers, Algonquin has something for every adventurer.
Trails such as Fen Lake Ski Trail, which has four separate paths of differing lengths and difficulty levels, and the Minnesing Trail, a loop trail ranging from 4.7 to 23 kilometres long (amongst others) are maintained in the winter which makes them great for snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Permits for park entrance can be purchased at either the East or West Gate.
There are seven winter yurts available at Mew Lake Campground. They are equipped with basic furniture and electric heat. Reservations are required and can be made either on the park’s website or by phone.
Address: Highway 60, and Frank Macdougall Parkway, South Nipissing District
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2. Arrowhead Provincial Park
Another very well-known provincial park, Arrowhead is famous for its outdoor skating path through an enchanted forest. But outdoor skating is not all that the park has to offer. The park is also a popular place to go tubing and tobogganing and offers tube rentals. There are over 15 kilometres of hiking, fat biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing trails through the wilderness where you may encounter wildlife (bears, or maybe even a moose!). For those who are interested in history, there are small, abandoned settlements dotted across the park waiting for you to discover them! There are also 10 winterized cabins available for rent. Reservations are required.
Address: 451 Arrowhead Park Rd, Huntsville
3. Killarney Provincial Park
The scenes of Killarney Provincial Park have become immortalized in the Group of 7 paintings, and has since become a popular destination for painters and other artisans seeking an authentic Canadian experience in the wild.
Admire the La Clouche Mountains and the network of sapphire lakes. The park’s Silhouette Trail, is great for winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.
Visit George Lake Campground and stay in the park’s rustic cabins (2 available for winter occupation).
For all you history and art lovers, visit the Historic Village of Killarney which was first established in 1820 as a fur trading settlement.
Address: 960 ON 637 Killarney
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4. MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay, just west of the quaint town of Port Elgin, is MacGregor Point Provincial Park.
Known for its access to the sandy shores of Georgian Bay, this park has many activities available in the winter, from 11 kilometres of groomed cross-country skiing trails to a 400-metre skating trail through the snow-covered trees.
Stay the night in one of the parks 16 winterized yurts. The park has also opened its heated shower stations and washrooms, for maximum comfort.
Reservations are required.
Address: 1593 Bruce County Rd 33, Port Elgin
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5. Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
This gorgeous park, hugging the impressive Kakabeka Falls, is situated just outside of Thunder Bay. Enjoy the views of the falls via the park’s expansive boardwalk trails and viewing platforms.
The park also offers over 10 kilometres of trails freshly groomed and perfect for skiers, snowshoers and adventurous winter mountain bikers.
Unfortunately, the park does not offer any roofed accommodations.
Address: 4853 highway 11/17 Kakabeka Falls
6. Murphy’s Point Provincial Park
Located in the wilderness between Kingston and Brockville, the park offers more than eight kilometres of back country skiing trails with warm up chalets available just off of the trails.
There are trails that are not maintained but these are great for the adventurous snow-shoer who may want to have a fur-traders experience of the terrain. Experience the wildlife habitats of the forest and Rideau River.
The park offers one winterized cabin which can be rented. Reservations are required.
Address: 2243 Elmgrove Road, R.R. 5 Perth
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7. Rushing River Provincial Park
This park is located in the remote wilderness of northern Ontario, close to the border between Ontario and Manitoba. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Rushing River freshly covered under a blanket of snow.
The park offers sixteen kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails just waiting for you to explore them. Other popular activities include hiking, dog walking and snowshoeing.
Address: Kenora
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8. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Most people associate Wasaga Beach as a summer destination town. Welcome to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, a day use park which features kilometres of groomed trails on the shores of Georgian Bay.
If you are an avid skier, challenge yourself on the Hugh Dunes Trails. If you are looking for a more leisurely experience, try the Blueberry Trail. Snowshoe rentals are also available.
Wildlife viewings are commonplace here. As this is a day-use park, there are no roofed accommodations available.
Address: 11-22nd St. North, Wasaga Beach
9. Windy Lake Provincial Park
This park boasts one of the better winter experiences in Ontario. Located just north of Sudbury, it is cold but stunningly beautiful.
The park offers some of the best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the region.
The park is great for winter enthusiasts who would just like to escape the concrete jungle for the day, but also great for weekend adventures as there are several trail-side winterized yurts available for rent. Reservations are required.
Address: 51 Pine St, Onaping
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10. The Pinery Provincial Park
One of the most beautiful parks in Ontario, the Pinery is located on the shores of Lake Huron close to Sarnia. Bundle up and go for a walk along the many miles of beach and watch the sun rise or set.
The park offers ten well-groomed trails for cross country skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing. Take your time enjoying the beauty of this park by booking an overnight stay in the park’s winterized cabin.
Address: 9526 lakeshore Rd., Grand Bend
11. Silent Lake Provincial Park
Enjoy the beautiful rocky- forested landscape of the Bancroft area, at Silent Lake Provincial Park.
Visit the lookout that offers an excellent view of Silent Lake. Go hiking, or cross-country skiing on the parks 19 kilometres of trails. There are four loop trails, all colour coded and ranging from novice to difficult.
Ice fishing on Lake trout is also a must-try experience. There are winter yurts and cabins for rent if you’d like to stay over night.
Address: 1589 Silent Lake Park Road, Bancroft
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12. Wabakimi Provincial Park
This lesser-known park is the second largest provincial park in Ontario, is located in the backcountry surrounding Thunder Bay.
The park is on the Canadian Shield, and has over 10, 000 lakes! If you are a wildlife enthusiast, this is the park for you! Moose, black bears, woodland caribou, and eagles have been spotted throughout the park. is known for its remote backcountry experience. All permits for backcountry camping can be purchased on the provincial park’s website.
Address: 435 James Street S., Suite #221d, Thunder Bay
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13. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Come visit this exceptional provincial park which boasts unique geological formations called, the “Sea Lion,” and “Tee Harbour”, both overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Superior.
This park also boasts an impressive network of trails that cover over 100 kilometres of terrain. But don’t be daunted by that number, the trail network has something for everyone with trails rated from novice to difficult.
Go snowshoeing, winter hiking, cross country skiing and you’ll probably even see some wildlife! Winter accommodation is available in one of the parks fully serviced cabins.
Address: R.R. #1 Pass Lake
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14. Quetico Provincial Park
Located northwest of Thunder Bay, this park is well known for its excellent network of rivers which makes for great canoeing in the summer months.
In the winter, this is the land of snow-covered pine forests and icy waterfalls. Explore the vast wilderness on foot, on skies or on snowshoes. Other such activities as, birdwatching, wildlife sighting and ice fishing. There are three rustic cabins available for year-round use.
Address: 108 Saturn Ave., Atikokan
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15. Awenda Provincial Park
Located just off of the shimmering shores of Georgian Bay, and just forty minutes from Barrie, this park is well known for its stunning views of the bay and its excellently groomed winter trails. Go snowshoeing for a few hours and then come back and enjoy the comforting features of the trail lodge, which is a cozy wood headed log cabin just off of the trails. Please note that this park is only open for day use during the winter months.
Address: 670 Awenda Park Rd, Tiny
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16. Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek is well known for its excellent festivals held at various times of the year from Camper Halloween to Victorian Christmas and Maple Syrup festivals, you are sure to have an amazing time as the staff bring the fun of those seasons to life.
For all history enthusiasts the park offers tours of the old settler’s farmhouse on the grounds which was established circa 1899. The park offers winter outdoor activities such as tobogganing, and cross-country skiing.
There are three winterized yurts available for rent.
Address: 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville
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17. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Located just a few kilometres south of Orangeville ON, Forks of the Credit Park is enjoyed by many winter hikers because of its easy access to one of Ontario’s Premier trail networks: Bruce Trail.
Enjoy beautiful scenes from waterfalls, to rushing rivers and thick brush. This park is only open for day use.
Address: 17760 McLaren Rd, Caledon
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18. Pigeon River Provincial Park
Located just west of Thunder Bay, this park is well known for its beautiful, rugged waterfalls, which turn into icefalls during the winter.
The view from the cliffs is breathtaking and so far, reaching that you can see the American shoreline.
The park gives homage to the natural history of the area by exhibiting metal and wood art pieces along the hiking and skiing trails, which symbolize the history and culture of the peoples who had inhabited the area from 7000 BC.
Please note that there are no overnight accommodations available.
Address: 4853 Hwy 11/17 Kakabeka Falls, ON
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19. Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Located just west of Belleville on the edge of Lake Ontario, Presqu’ile provincial park is an excellent day use or overnight destination in the winter months. Known as a place for bird-migrations and breeding, this is a great place to spot that unusual bird.
Take a walk along the One-kilometre long boardwalk trail through the marshlands.
Visit the second-oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario. And go skiing, hiking or fat biking along the 12-kilometre loop trails. The park offers one winterized cottage that can be rented for overnight trips.
Address: 328 Presqu’ile Parkway, Brighton
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20. Sibbald Point Provincial Park
Located on the shores of Simcoe Lake, Sibbald Point offers some of the best ice fishing in Ontario, with rivers overflowing with perch and whitefish ready to be caught.
The park is just a short drive from Barrie and about an hour away from the GTA, making it a great choice for a day trip away from the concrete jungle.
Address: 26071 York Rd 18 (Park Road) Sutton West
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21. Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau park is located off the shores of Lake Erie and is hidden with the old growth of Carolinian forest.
This park has become a hot spot for bird-watching and wildlife viewing.
Other winter activities available are cross country skiing and snowshoeing along rustic ungroomed trails. There are also excellent conditions for ice-fishing.
Address: 18050 Rondeau Park Road, Morpeth
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22. Frontenac Provincial Park
Come and enjoy the winter splendor of the ‘old country’ located just outside of Kingston.
This is a great park for winter enthusiasts as it offers several activities from winter camping to cross country skiing.
The park also offers wilderness skiing training programs, which can be reserved on their website.
There are winter campsites available but no roofed accommodations.
Address: 6700 Salmon Lake Rd Sydenham
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23. Sandbanks Provincial Park
THE famous summer park located just south of Belleville offers unique expanses sand dunes, and Lake Ontario shorelines, which can be enjoyed even in the winter months. Take a walk along one of six of the parks hiking trails.
Take a breath of wintry-fresh air and revel in the peace of the area. The park offers one cottage for rent in the winter months.
Address: 3004 County Rd. 12 RR#1 Picton
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24. Voyageur Provincial Park
Visit the beauty of historic-Ontario, at Voyageur Provincial Park, located between Ottawa and Montreal.
You can choose to hike or ski the trails or strap those snowshoes on and discover the park on foot. Close your eyes and whimsically imagine the first settlers to the area navigating the area via the Ottawa river.
Address: 1313 Front Road, Box 130 Chute-à-Blondeau
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25. Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park
Kawartha Highlands offers an almost overwhelming taste of Canadian wilderness that you will not forget any time soon. Enjoy the rugged beauty of the area located around Bancroft.
The park can be explored on foot or by snowshoe. The trails are available for use but are not maintained over the winter.
The park does allow for winter camping, however there are some specific rules so please visit the website before arriving at the park.
Address: 106 Monck Street, Bancroft
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