Discover Ontario’s Natural Wonders On These 3 Scenic Road Trips

Ontario, Canada’s second largest province, is surrounded by natural beauty and hidden gems. June weather brings fresh and exciting outdoor experiences on land and water with endless possibilities. Ontario covers more than 415,000 square miles and is home to lush forests, waterfalls, rivers, trails, Provincial Parks, and charming small towns ready to welcome tourists for the season with open patios, cottage rentals, and polite Canadian charm. These three scenic road trips will take you past rugged beauty and natural landscapes, and each destination offers something totally unique for your spring or summer adventure in Ontario.

Georgian Bay Coastal Route

The Georgian Bay Coastal Route in Northeastern Ontario is a loop tour taking you through the heartland of this stunning and diverse province. Whether you travel this scenic route clockwise or counter-clockwise, you will be amazed at Ontario’s beautiful landscapes. There are multiple entry points to begin the 840 mile (1,350-km) route and this map can help plan your trip. Drive through some of Georgian Bay’s legendary destinations such as Tobermory, Manitoulin Island, Sauble Beach, and Port Severn, an area packed with fun seasonal activities.

If you stop for a few days in Manitoulin Island there are endless things to do including gorgeous beaches, a thriving restaurant and brewery scene, and an opportunity to learn about the Indigenous cultural landscape of Canada. Manitoulin Island is locally known in Ojibway as ‘Spirit Island’. It’s located in Lake Huron and is the world’s largest freshwater island. The island itself has 108 freshwater lakes so needless to say, pack a bathing suit for this road trip.

Thousand Islands

A road trip to the Thousand Islands region is guaranteed to be packed full of adventure with outdoor experiences around every corner. Although I haven’t been in ages, I have fond memories of traveling to Thousand Islands as a kid and being in awe of the natural beauty. Located on the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York State, the Thousand Islands area is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve consisting of 1,864 islands. If driving from the border it’s only 15 minutes, a two hour drive from Ottawa, and three hours from Toronto.

The famous Thousand Islands International Bridge connects with Highway 401 in Ontario and US Interstate 81 in New York. There are many options to stay overnight including luxury resorts, motels, rustic lodges, adorable inns, or rent a cottage for a few days with views of deep blue water the glorious sunrise. This destination is filled with historic sites, boat tours past castles, cycling along trails, and paddling in a canoe or kayak through waterways and bays. You can even go diving in the stunning freshwater in search of ancient shipwrecks, there are dozens down below dating back to the 1800’s.

Muskoka Region

The Muskoka Region, or “cottage country” as locals fondly call it, is a fun destination to spend the weekend and a peaceful road trip adventure, especially now that summer weather has finally arrived. The region includes the picturesque towns of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Huntsville, and the townships of Lake of Bays, Georgian Bay, and Muskoka Lakes. The natural and rugged beauty in all these areas is one of the reasons why Muskoka is consistently named as one of the best places to visit in Canada.

Other reasons it’s a top destination include paddling along the water, hiking through lush forests, riding a mountain bike through trails, cooling off at one of the beaches in the area (there are over 30 public beaches) or simply sitting under a tree enjoying the peace and quiet of nature. Patio season has arrived and you will have your pick of charming outdoor dining options ranging from something casual to upscale restaurants. If driving to Muskoka from Toronto, Highway 400 and Highway 11 will lead you to paradise.