Ontario Summer Trips

Summer in Ontario is not complete without planning a trip to a cottage, provincial park or just visiting a town or city somewhere in our vast Province. I have assembled a list of three different destinations that are great experiences that I have personally enjoyed and would recommend as a Summer Trip.

Evening at Port Burwell Provincial Park Beach

I have broken down my three recommended destinations into Day Trip, Weekend Trip and Week-long Trip.  All of the listed destinations offer many different activities that can be enjoyed individually or as a family.

Day Trip

Port Burwell, Ontario

Port Burwell was originally surveyed in 1830 by Lieutenant-Colonel Mahlon Burwell, a surveyor for Colonel Thomas Talbot. Situated at the mouth of Big Otter Creek on the north shore of Lake Erie, it has over 1000 residents. Like many of the Ports along Lake Erie, it is known for its fresh perch and pickerel. 

It is also home to one of Canada’s oldest wooden Lighthouse. Standing 20m (65ft) in height visitors can climb to the top.

Port Burwell Lighthouse

Port Burwell

Monument to Fisherman lost on Lake Erie

Port Burwell Provincial Park

The park has 232 campsites, great trails for hiking and many other activities. I think it has one of the best beaches in Ontario. I love camping here or just visiting for the day.

Beautiful day at the Port Burwell beach

Location Coordinates:  42° 38′ 48″ N, 80° 48′ 10″ W    UTM  17N  516167 E   4721598 N

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.elgintourist.com/Tourism/Port-Burwell

www.ontarioparks.com/english/portb.html

Weekend Trip

Algonquin Provincial Park

 

Algonquin Provincial Park holds the title of being the oldest provincial park in Canada. It was established in 1893. Encompassing about 7653 square kilometres, it is bigger than the state of Delaware or Prince Edward Island. Over 2,400 lakes and thousands of kilometres of rivers and streams are located within the park boundaries.



Algonquin Provincial Park Plaque



There are many places in Algonquin that are fantastic to visit - two of my favourite are the Lookout Trail and Whiskey Rapids. The view from Lookout Trail granite outcropping is breath taking and really worth the hike. Whiskey Rapids are worth exploring for the sheer beauty of the surroundings. Once you visit Algonquin Park you will be planning another trip soon.

Barron River Canyon in Algonquin





Canoeing on the Barron River

 

Whiskey Rapids in western Algonquin Park

Location Coordinates:   West Gate  45° 26’ 34.16” N   78° 49’ 14.98” W   

                                      UTM  17N  670416.12 E   5034464.80 N

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/algo.html

www.algonquinpark.on.ca/

Week-long Trip

Killarney Provincial Park

Once you arrive at Killarney Provincial Park you are surrounded by what makes Ontario one of the best places to live - beautiful lakes, Georgian Bay and the La Cloche mountain range.  There are only a few places on earth that have taken my breath away. Killarney is one of them. I think I waited too long to finally make the trip.  It was really worth it.



The natural beauty of Killarney





Great trails to explore





Aspen and Birch forests





La Cloche Mountain Range with white quartzite





Canoeing in Georgian Bay





Pink granite dominates the shore





Large eastern white pine



Location Coordinates:   46° 5′ 0″ N    81° 20′ 0″ W     UTM 17N  474228 E  5103360 N

Check out these links for more information:

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/kill.html

http://friendsofkillarneypark.ca/joomla/

Christie Lake Conservation Area - Dundas Ontario

Ten years ago I started visiting Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas Ontario. Once I discovered this interesting and wild area, I continued exploring more and more of it space.



Christie Lake Conservation Area

There are many activities that Christie Lake has available. The conservation area encompasses 336-hectares and 10 kilometers of hiking trails with connections to Crooks’ Hollow Historical Trail, Bruce Trail and the Lafarge 2000 Trail, there are many options for hikers and walkers.  Many special events are held yearly, such as Christie Antique Show and Greensville Optimist Fishing Derby.



Natural beauty around Christie Lake



Wild cucumber



Bullrushes

Christie Lake Conservation Area is a great place to start exploring today.

Location Coordinates:   43° 17’ 16.25” N   80° 01’ 40.87” W        UTM   17N   578874 E   4793229 N



Spencer Creek



Great trails to walk



Margaret snapping a photo

Go Outdoors on Father's Day Weekend

Father’s Day is fast approaching and the nice weather has arrived. I have many great memories of getting outdoors with my Dad for a hike. I have compiled several locations close to Toronto that would be great to get the family out for a few hours or for the day.  

My Dad and I at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area 2009

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek has so much to offer, from hiking and biking trails and much more. The park is 684 hectares (1690 acres) in size. The park is divided by the Bronte Creek. The valley was carved by the water of melting glaciers approximately 14, 000 years ago. Water rushed towards Lake Ontario and cut through the shale of what is now the park, leaving the large valley and creek. There are 10 kilometers of trails, a nature centre, children’s barn, 1.8 acre pool, turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 144 campsites.

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/bron.html

http://www.brontecreek.org/



Spruce Lane Farm



Fields in Bronte Creek

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

I have been visiting Crawford Lake since I was 16 years old and have explored most of the property. With over 16 kilometers of hiking trails, great place to get outside. Don’t forget to check out the 15-century Iroquoian village that has been reconstructed and the lookouts on the Nassagaweya Canyon.

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1083





Crawford Lake



Long House at Crawford Lake Conservation Area



Stockade around the Village

Lookout on the Stockade

Mountsberg Conservation Area

This is a great place to hike and check out the Raptor Centre. With 16 kilometers of hiking trails, visitors centre and Mountsberg Reservoir there is something to do for everyone. The Raptor Centre is home to many species of raptor such as bald eagle, owl, turkey vulture and hawks.

www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1088

www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1455




Mountsberg Conservation Area - Raptor Centre



Bald Eagle at the Raptor Centre - Mountsberg

Owl at the Raptor Centre

Great trails to walk at Mountsberg Conservation Area

Mountsberg Reservoir

Waterfalls in Hamilton Ontario

In the Hamilton-Burlington area there are over 100 waterfalls that plunge over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. I have visited many of the waterfalls and they are worth the visit.

www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca/

www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/




Albion Falls, Hamilton Ontario



Albion Falls, Hamilton Ontario

Kelso Conservation Area - Milton Ontario



Limestone Edge - Kelso Conservation Area

Stretching over 3.97 square kilometers, Kelso Conservation Area is a great place to explore anytime. If you are looking for a place to cool off during the summer, check out Kelso Lake with its sandy beach or bring the canoe, kayak or dingy.



Kelso Lake Beach

The property was sold to Conservation Halton in 1961. Kelso Lake helps provide flood control for the Sixteen Mile Creek and makes sure the town of Milton Ontario remains dry. The water control dam was built several years after the purchase for $325,000.



Eastern White Pine



Turkey Vulture riding on the breeze

Kelso has over 22 kilometers of marked trails that travel through meadows and forest nestled along the Niagara Escarpment. There are hiking trails with ranging from easy to extreme difficulty.




Trail Markers



Margaret at the Escarpment Lookout

Several kilometers of the Bruce Trail runs through Kelso Conservation Area heading north to Tobermory or south to Niagara. 

Coordinates:   43° 30’ 40” N    79° 56’ 45” W             UTM   17N  585208 E  4818115 N





Bruce Trail

Trail up the Escarpment



The Escarpment Trail and Bruce Trail



Milton Outlier Plaque

Tiffany Falls Conservation Area - Hamilton, Ontario

Tiffany Falls Conservation Area Entrance

If you enjoy waterfalls, Hamilton is a fantastic place to start exploring waterfalls. Blessed with the Niagara Escarpment as a major topographical element, waterfalls are scattered along its length. Named after Dr. Oliver Tiffany, he was Ancaster Township’s first Doctor.

Margaret at the Lookout - Foot of Falls

Tiffany Falls is where Tiffany Creek drops over the Escarpment. The Falls is 21 metres in height and is located in a V-shaped canyon that has been eroded over thousands of years.

Tiffany Falls

Some nearby attractions are; Sherman Falls, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Hermitage Ruins and the Bruce Trail.

Coordinates:  43° 14’ 22” N     79° 57’ 31” W          UTM  17N 584553.13 E     4787932.69 N

Bruce Trail - Side Trail

Tiffany Falls V-Shape Canyon

Tiffany Falls Walkway

Tiffany Falls Side Trail