Last Updated on December 5, 2023
Ready to embrace the magical winter season? Here are bucket-list places to visit in Ontario during winter!
Being local to Toronto, I have experienced many Ontario winters in my lifetime. While many people are afraid of cold weather, in my experience, it’s such a special time of year.
When the temperatures drop and the snow arrives in Ontario, it’s time to get out and explore a winter wonderland. There are plenty of beautiful landscapes to explore as well as winter activities in Ontario to keep you busy.
Whether you’re looking to go ice skating on a skating trail through Ontario woods, or wanting to cozy up by a fire at a ski lodge, this Ontario winter guide has got you covered. Read on for 16 places to visit in Ontario in winter.
- Winter in Ontario: The Basics
- 16 Best Places to Visit in Ontario in Winter
- 1. Arrowhead Provincial Park
- 2. Huntsville
- 3. Toronto
- 4. Point Pelee National Park
- 5. Ottawa
- 6. Algonquin Provincial Park
- 7. Niagara Falls
- 8. Niagara-on-the-Lake
- 9. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
- 10. Elora + Elora Gorge
- 11. Collingwood & the Blue Mountains
- 12. Muskoka
- 13. Hardy Lake Provincial Park
- 14. Bruce Peninsula National Park
- 15. Rouge National Urban Park
- 16. Enjoy Winter Hydrotherapy at Vettä Nordic Spa
- Enjoy Your Adventures During Winter in Ontario!
Winter in Ontario: The Basics
If you aren’t local to Ontario, and are planning to visit Ontario during winter, you will need to know some basics about what the weather is like in this region of Canada, during the coldest months of the year.
What is winter in Ontario like?
Winter in Ontario lasts from December to March. During these months daylight hours are short, and temperatures are cold, ranging from 0 to -30 degrees celsius. Depending on how north you are in Ontario, you can expect storms, ice, and sometimes several feet of snow on the ground.
How do people enjoy winter in Ontario?
The best way to enjoy winter in Ontario is to get outside and embrace the weather! There are lots of winter activities that can spice up your experience of Ontario winter, from ice skating, to cross country skiing, downhill skiing, and winter hiking. For a more relaxing experience in the Ontario outdoors, head to a Nordic spa so you can enjoy the winter weather while soaking in a cozy pool.
16 Best Places to Visit in Ontario in Winter
Let’s dive into the best places to visit in Ontario in winter, and Ontario winter activities.
1. Arrowhead Provincial Park
Location: Muskoka, Ontario – 10 minute drive from Hunstville
Arrowhead Provincial Park is one of the best Ontario parks in winter because it has gorgeous winter skiing and hiking trails, a 1.3 kilometers of ice skating trail that winds through Muskoka forest, and many amenities for winter activities.
The park has a rental center where you can rent skis, snowshoes, and ice skates. Throughout the park are plenty of campfires that are kept lit throughout the day, making a perfect spot to warm up on a chilly afternoon. And, many of the bathrooms are heated, too.
The ice skating trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park is one of the most popular draws to the park in winter, and for good reason. This loop trail takes you through beautiful, snow-covered forest, making for a unique and special skating experience.
The park also hosts Fire & Ice nights, where you can skate along a beautifully lit up trail under the stars.
Arrowhead Provincial Park is very busy in the winter. To ensure you can access the park, buy your permit in advance (online), or arrive early in the morning.
The skating trail typically opens in early January, and skating is available daily throughout winter (weather permitting). Check the Arrowhead Provincial Park website here for permit details and weather updates.
2. Huntsville
Location: 2.5 hours north of Toronto, 1.25 hours north of Barrie
Huntsville is the largest town in the Muskoka region. Surrounded by beautiful nature, it’s one of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter for a balance of winter activities and cozying up by the fire.
Check into a cottage or hotel like Cedar Grove Lodge, where you can enjoy a toasty fire in a log cabin. When you’re hungry, pop into town to enjoy craft beers at the Huntsville Brewhouse, or head to The Mill On Main for some tasty pub food. If you’re in the mood for Mediterranean dishes, head to The Artisan House.
If you’re staying in a lodge or resort, you can use their winter amenities to get outdoors. Or, head to one of the nearby Ontario parks. Arrowhead Provincial Park is just a 10 minute drive from Huntsville!
You can also drive 25 minutes to Limberlost Forest and Reserve, which is free to enter and does not require a day permit. Limberlost Forest has many serene trails for walking, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing.
If you’d like to rent equipment like cross country skis for your Huntsville adventure, drop by Algonquin Outfitters. There’s several locations around the area, including one in downtown Huntsville.
3. Toronto
Outdoor-oriented regions are the only places to visit in Ontario in winter! There’s tons of outdoor and indoor things to do in Ontario’s capital city during the chilly months.
In December Toronto transforms into a festive city full of holiday spirit. The Christmas Market is held in Toronto’s famous Distillery District, a pedestrian-only area of the city that is known for its industrial 19th-century architecture and cobblestone streets.
The Toronto Christmas Market lights the district up with thousands of lights, and a tall, decorated Christmas tree.
You can shop at the dozens of outdoor market stands selling treats, handmade gifts, and goodies. Or, grab a cup of hot chocolate, mulled wine, or another festive drink.
If you visit Toronto after the holidays, a must-do winter activity is skating at Nathan Phillips Square.
It’s free to go on the rink, and you can rent skates if you need them. The Nathan Phillips Square skating rink typically opens in early December, operating daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm.
When you’re ready to warm up on a cold Toronto winter day, head to one of Toronto’s many museums (like the Royal Ontario Museum), or go up the CN Tower!
4. Point Pelee National Park
Location: 4 hour drive from Toronto, 2 hour drive from London, 1 hour drive from Windsor.
Point Pelee National Park is one of the most interesting places to visit in Ontario in winter, because it’s the southernmost point in the province.
This Ontario park is actually a peninsula that tapers out into a long, sharp point, surrounded by the waters of Lake Erie.
During the winter months, the park’s trails become a wonderland of snow, and the beaches and shores of the peninsula become blanketed by sheets of ice that create interesting ice formations on trees and driftwood.
Walk the Marsh Boardwalk trail to see the marsh in winter, and head to the famous Point to see the best ice formations.
During the winter months, the park is open from 7:00am to 7:00pm. You can obtain a permit to enter the park on arrival.
For accommodations, you can book a hotel or bnb in Leamington (15 minutes away) or Windsor (1 hour away).
5. Ottawa
During the chilly months of the year, Canada’s capital city comes alive with outdoor winter activities!
Ottawa is most known for being home to the longest skating rink in the world, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Rideau Canal Skateway is open as soon as weather permits (usually sometime in December or January).
You can bring your own skates, or rent a pair. Be sure to skate the full 7.8 kilometers, and grab a tasty hot chocolate along the way.
If you’re visiting Ottawa in winter, it’s worth planning your trip around Winterlude. This is a winter festival that typically takes place in the first 2-3 weeks of February.
During Winterlude, the city is transformed into a winter wonderland of ice sculptures and snow sculptures. The festival takes place in three key areas of the city: the Byward Market, the Snowflake Kingdom, and the Rideau Canal.
Head to the festival to watch ice sculpting competitions, or to play in a playground made entirely of snow!
If you’d like to be pampered, the Nordik spa is a must. The winter totally transforms this partially outdoor spa. You can lounge in the hot pools while taking in gorgeous views of snow-covered woods.
If you’d like to escape the cold, pop into one of Ottawa’s many awesome museums, like the Canadian Museum of History.
This museum is located on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River. It has rotating exhibits, as well as permanent collections that take you through Canada’s history, beginning with Indigenous Nations.
6. Algonquin Provincial Park
Location: 3.5 hour drive from Toronto, 3 hour drive from Ottawa.
Algonquin is one of Ontario’s most epic parks, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter for nature.
In the winter, the Algonquin Provincial Park is blanketed in a layer of fluffy white snow, and the days are crisp and short. It’s a wonderful time of year to experience the solitude of the park’s wilderness.
Go on a winter hike around Algonquin’s Mizzy Lake Trail or Spruce Bog Boardwalk. Or, cross-country ski along one of the park’s many groomed winter trails.
If you’d like to explore the park on snowshoes, you can go on one of Algonquin Park’s designated snowshoe trails, or venture into the backcountry.
Cross-country skis, snowshoes, and ice skates can be rented at Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville or Algonquin Outfitters’ Oxtongue Lake store.
If you’re up for winter camping, Mew Lake Campground stays open year round. You can camp in your own tent, or rent one of the park’s yurts. In the winter months, Mew Lake Campground has an outdoor skating rink, and fire pits.
A permit is required to enjoy Algonquin Provincial Park regardless of the season. You can purchase a permit online here, or pick one up when you arrive at the park, at the Visitor’s Centre.
7. Niagara Falls
Location: 1.5 hours from Toronto, 2 hours from London.
Niagara Falls might be known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World,” but it’s actually just as fun to visit this famous city and waterfall with friends, with family, or alone.
In the winter, the typically busy city of Niagara Falls becomes much quieter, and the Falls themselves become enveloped in ice. It’s rare that Niagara Falls fully freezes over – this will only happen during a very intense cold snap.
Niagara Falls is one of the coolest places to visit in Ontario in winter because even if it’s not super cold, you’ll still see mounds of ice that pack up around the falls, making them particularly beautiful.
There are a few great ways to experience the Falls in winter. You can admire them for free at the Table Rock Welcome Centre. The viewing platform is open all the time, day and night!
You can also opt to get up close to the falls by Journeying Behind the Falls. This brings you behind the actual waterfall, and then down to the base of Niagara Falls, where you can feel the power of the water as it spills over.
Once you’re done admiring the Falls, head downtown to visit one of Niagara Falls museums or dine in one of the city’s many restaurants.
8. Niagara-on-the-Lake
Location: 1.75 hours from Toronto, 2.25 hours from London.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a historic town that’s about a 20 minute drive from Niagara Falls. In the winter, it becomes a charming spot to cozy up in some wineries and quaint restaurants, and for shopping in local boutiques.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its abundance of wineries. This makes the area one of the best places in Ontario for a winter wine tasting. There are over 30 wineries nearby, many of which are open for tastings year-round.
During the winter, Peller Estates creates a winter lounge. You can book a table (minimum 4 people) on their heated covered patio, complete with comfy chairs and blankets.
After dining, you are brought to a private firepit with Muskoka chairs where you get to roast Icewine marshmallows that are crafted in-house.
For three weekends in January, Niagara-on-the-Lake celebrates the Niagara Icewine Festival! A stretch of the main street is closed to vehicles and becomes pedestrian only. You can wander the ice wine festival, all bundled up, sampling wines from local wineries.
The best way to see the historic town? By horse-drawn carriage of course! Sentineal Carriage runs horse drawn carriage rides that take visitors all through Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic downtown.
You can cozy up with some blankets in the back of a carriage. Your driver will narrate your ride through town, sharing interesting facts and history about what you’re seeing. The tour lasts 30-45 minutes.
A fun place to stay is the Prince of Wales Hotel. It was built in 1864, and today is a historical landmark in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The hotel’s rooms are decorated in Victorian era style, while still having modern conveniences.
9. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Location: 1 hour, 15 minute drive from Toronto.
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is one of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter because the trails aren’t too challenging or slippery, and the park has a unique canyon that’s particularly pretty when it’s covered in snow.
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is part of the Niagara Escarpment. The park has all the escarpment features you’d expect, like crevices, rocky footpaths, and its famous small canyon.
There are eight hiking trails within the park. While all of the park’s trails are lovely, the Spillway Trail is unique because it takes you down into a small, magical canyon.
You’ll descend wooden stairs down to a short path that brings you through the canyon. It’s only a 1.3 kilometer long trail, so it’s easily done.
During the summer this canyon trail at Mono Cliffs is super busy. The benefit of going in winter is that there’s far less people on the trail. You have more time and space to admire the beauty of the rock and woods.
There are also multiple lookouts along the trails at Mono Cliffs. The Lookout Side Trail and the Cliff-Top Side Trail both take you to lookout points, for views of the surrounding area.
You will need to pay for a parking pass to visit Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. It can be bought online, or at the machine in the park’s parking lot.
10. Elora + Elora Gorge
Location: 1.5 hours from Toronto, 20 minutes from Guelph.
Elora is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Ontario in winter. This little town is known for its 19th-century limestone architecture, and its proximity to the beautiful Elora Gorge.
On a winter escape to Elora you can admire the town’s architecture, browse Elora’s boutiques, dine in Elora’s restaurants, wander down into Elora Gorge, and explore the surrounding area.
In December, Elora becomes lit up and festive for the holidays. The boutiques and specialty shops downtown host a Starlight Shopping event. You can shop for gifts until later in the evening than usual.
Throughout winter, you can explore Elora Gorge. The cliffs of Elora Gorge rise 22 metres above the river, and the Grand River rushes through the middle.
In winter, there’s even a man-made ice wall that rises 20-meters high and stretches more than 15 meters wide. The ice wall is open to both experienced climbers and beginners.
If you’d like to learn the ropes of ice climbing, you can take a lesson with experts through One Axe Pursuits.
If you’re in the mood for some pampering on your glamping trip, head to the Elora Mill and Spa. In the early 1800s Elora Mill was a grist mill, but today, it’s a beautiful hotel, spa, and restaurant that overlooks the Grand River.
Winter is the perfect time to get cozy over a glass of craft beer at Elora Brewing Company. Or, head to The Handsome Devil Bistro for dishes made with local, fresh ingredients. They also serve Ontario craft beers, and make signature cocktails.
11. Collingwood & the Blue Mountains
Location: 2.5 hour drive from Toronto
Collingwood and the Blue Mountains are the perfect places to visit in Ontario in winter for skiing and other outdoor activities.
The town rests on the shores of Georgian Bay, with the Blue Mountains right behind it. Downhill skiing is the main attraction of Collingwood in winter.
The ski season at Blue Mountain Ski Resort runs from November to April, depending on snowfall. The hill is open every day, including public holidays.
Blue Mountain Ski Resort offers rentals if you don’t have ski equipment. The resort includes a cute ski village called Blue Mountain Village, which is full of restaurants, shops, and lodges for accomodation.
You can also go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at the trails at Scenic Caves or Blue Mountain. If you need to rent equipment for this, you can pick some up at Alpine Sports or Rick’s Pro Shop.
After a day in the chilly outdoors, you’ll want to relax! Head to one of Collingwood’s several spas to get pampered.
Scandinavie Spa is one of the most popular, famous for their cold and hot pool experience. There’s also Living Water Resorts & Spa, which does an Aquapath water experience.
Hungry? Collingwood has tons of options for great food. The Tremont Cafe is the spot to go for an upscale experience. Or, drop by The Smoke for barbecue, or the Low Down for Asian-inspired dishes.
Collingwood becomes very busy in the winter. Be sure to book you accommodation, skiing, spa, and restaurants in advance!
12. Muskoka
Location: 3 hour drive from Toronto.
Muskoka is known for being cottage country during Ontario summer, but in the winter, this region of Ontario is equally beautiful for a winter weekend getaway.
I’ve touched on some specific areas of Muskoka to visit during Ontario winter already in this guide, like Arrowhead Provincial Park. But, you can also head to Muskoka to just unwind in a winter cottage or lodge.
Rent an off-grid tiny cabin, like the ones offered by Cabinscape, or check into a Muskoka lodge like Deerhurst Resort. You can curl up around a fire, play board games with friends or family, or go for a walk on local trails.
For a unique winter experience, go dog sledding while you’re in Muskoka! There are a couple of companies that offer dog sledding excursions, including North Ridge Ranch and Snow Forest Adventures.
13. Hardy Lake Provincial Park
Location: 2 hour drive from Toronto.
Hardy Lake is a small provincial park in the Muskokas. The park has three hiking trails, which lead around a quiet lake.
There’s a 3 kilometer loop, an 8 kilometer trek around the lake, and a 7 kilometer trail that brings you through forest and wetlands.
On the trails you get to walk across some boardwalks and explore a tiny island, marshland, and a small waterfall. In the winter, the woods are covered in snow, and the lake is partially frozen over.
Most of the trails bring you past a small pond, when you’re nearly back at the parking lot. In the winter, you’ll likely spot a beavers dam out on the ice. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot the beavers themselves!
Hardy Lake is one of the smaller provincial parks, and so it doesn’t offer many amenities. It’s a non-operating park, so there are no visitor facilities, and biking, motorized vehicles, fires and camping are not permitted.
There is an outhouse available in the park’s parking lot, and parking at Hardy Lake is free.
14. Bruce Peninsula National Park
Location: 3-4 hour drive from Toronto.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of places to visit in Ontario in winter for nature. The park is situated on a peninsula that stretches north from southern Ontario, and becomes a frozen wonderland in the winter months.
The peninsula is surrounded by the waters of Georgian bay on one side, and Lake Huron on the other. Since the park is part of the Niagara Escarpment, it has lots of dramatic cliffs and rock faces along the lakes.
During the winter you can go for a winter hike on one of the park’s many trails, like the Cyprus Lake Trail, Marr Lake Trail, and Horse Lake Trail.
It’s also possible to go front country camping at Tamarack Campground or backcountry camping at Stormhaven and High Dump. The park also offers yurt camping at Cyprus Lake.
To see the famous Indian Head Cove, the Natural Arch, and the Grotto, take the Georgian Bay Trail. You’ll walk through peaceful snow-covered forest until you reach the water, where you’ll see gorgeous ice formations.
To visit Bruce Peninsula National Park in winter you’ll need to pay the regular park fee at the Cyprus Lake Campground Office.
It’s also a good idea to check in with the park staff about the current weather conditions. You can see up to date fees and instructions for reserving parking, right here.
15. Rouge National Urban Park
Location: 1 hour drive from Toronto.
Rouge Park is a national urban park in Ontario, just on the outskirts of Toronto, in between Scarborough and Pickering. The park is a massive green space with various walking trails, centred around the Rouge River. Particularly for people who live in the city, this park offers a great winter escape from the city.
During winter, Rouge National Urban Park is a haven for winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter birdwatching.
In the winter, the best place to observe birds in the park is from the trails. There are tons of species you might spot, including American goldfinches, tree sparrows, black-capped chickadees, cardinals, and crows.
The Rouge Valley Loop trail via the Vista trail is one of the best trails to walk during winter in Rouge Park. It’s a 9 kilometre loop trail that takes most people 2-3 hours to complete.
16. Enjoy Winter Hydrotherapy at Vettä Nordic Spa
Location: 1.5 hours from Toronto.
If you want to enjoy Ontario’s winter weather in a relaxing, luxurious way, head to Vettä Nordic Spa. This is an authentic Finnish spa and sauna is in Oro-Medonte, near Barrie, Ontario.
You can spend an afternoon cycle through the Finnish hydrotherapy routine of heat, cold and relaxation. Many of the pools are outdoors, so you can enjoy Ontario winter from the comfiness of their pools!
Vettä Nordic Spa also offers registered massage therapy, and you can dine in their Finnish-inspired restaurant or in-spa bistro.
Enjoy Your Adventures During Winter in Ontario!
There are tons of amazing places to visit in Ontario in winter. Whether you’d like to get out on skis, do some winter hiking, relax in an outdoor spa, or try out dog sledding, there’s truly something for everyone.
There is no bad weather – Only bad clothes! So don’t let the chilly temperatures hold you back from enjoying this magical season in Ontario.
Looking for more Ontario inspiration?
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.