Discover 11 perfect outdoor escapes less than 3 hours from Toronto—ideal for weekend roadtrips from Toronto or spontaneous day trips from Toronto!
Are you craving a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Whether you’re looking for Weekend Road Trips from Toronto or spontaneous Day Trips from Toronto, this guide has you covered. Within just three hours of driving, you’ll find breathtaking landscapes, charming small towns, and endless outdoor adventures perfect for nature lovers.
From hiking trails and scenic lookouts to waterfalls, beaches, and lakes, these destinations offer something for everyone. Whether you want to wander through the vineyards of Prince Edward County, marvel at the rugged beauty of Bruce County, or explore the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay, this list has the perfect outdoor getaway for you.
Get ready to pack your bags and hit the road—here are 11 perfect outdoor escapes less than 3 hours from Toronto that are ideal for nature-filled weekends and quick day trips!
Read More // For more Ontario inspiration check out my 11 Best Ontario Lookouts!
Let me help you plan your next weekend roadtrips from Toronto!
11 Perfect Weekend roadtrips from Toronto
1. Prince Edward County
Distance from Toronto: ~2.5 hours
Why Visit: Known for its wineries, sandy beaches, and charming towns, it’s perfect for foodies and nature lovers alike.
What to Do: Explore Sandbanks Provincial Park, enjoy some of the local wineries and breweries, have a spa day at Wander the Resort.
Where to Stay: The June Motel or Drake Devonshire for trendy, Tiny Stays for a unique glamping experience.
More Info: Check out my guides to Prince Edward County in the Fall, 12 Best things to do in Prince Edward County in the Summer and Prince Edward County in the Winter for seasonal tips!
2. Bruce Peninsula
Distance from Toronto: ~3 hours
Why Visit: Ideal for hiking, camping, and exploring the rugged shoreline of the Bruce Peninsula.
What to Do: Visit Bruce Peninsula National Park, hike the Grotto Trail or Lion’s Head Lookout, and kayak in Tobermory.
Where to Stay: The Grotto Getaway for a glamping experience or rent a cottage on Lake Huron.
3. Beaver Valley
Distance from Toronto: ~2 hours
Why Visit: A peaceful valley offering scenic drives, hiking, and charming villages.
What to Do: Hike Old Baldy Lookout, visit Eugenia Falls, and try one of the many wineries
Where to Stay: The June Motel in Beaver Valley (one of my favorites in Ontario!)
More Info: Check out my guide on what to do in Beaver Valley.
4. Thousand Islands
Distance from Toronto: ~3 hours
Why Visit: A stunning collection of islands along the St. Lawrence River, ideal for boating and history lovers.
What to Do: Take a boat cruise, explore Boldt Castle, hike the Landon’s Bay trail in Thousand Islands National Park or go kayaking between the islands.
Where to Stay: The Ivy Lea Camping group or rent an O’Tentik tent at Parks Canada
More Info: Check out my guide on what to do in the Thousand Islands.
5. Muskoka & Algonquin
Distance from Toronto: ~2.5-3 hours
Why Visit: A quintessential cottage country experience with forests, lakes, and wildlife.
What to Do: Canoeing, hiking trails in Algonquin Park, and relaxing at Muskoka’s lakeside resorts.
Where to Stay: One of the many cottage rental on Airbnb.
More Info: Check out my guide for a weekend away in Bracebridge, Muskoka.
We are halfway through the list of weekend roadtrips from Toronto…
6. Niagara Falls
Distance from Toronto: ~1.5 hours
Why Visit: World-famous waterfalls combined with family-friendly attractions and wineries.
What to Do: Take a Hornblower Cruise, hike Niagara Glenn, and tour Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries.
Where to Stay: Sheraton Fallsview or charming inns in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
More Info: Check out my complete guide to Niagara Falls.
7. Rice Lake
Distance from Toronto: ~1.5 hours
Why Visit: Great for fishing, boating, and nature escapes with fewer crowds.
What to Do: Fish, kayak, and explore local hiking trails.
Where to Stay: Away Cabins for the most gorgeous views.
8. Frontenac Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: ~3 hours
Why Visit: Ideal for backcountry hiking, canoeing, and wildlife spotting.
What to Do: Paddle through lakes, hike rugged trails, and camp under the stars.
Where to Stay: Cabinscape for a remote glamping experience or A Frame on Thirthy Lake for the cottage vibe.
9. Pinery Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: ~2.5 hours
Why Visit: Home to sand dunes, beaches, and rare oak savanna forests.
What to Do: Swim at the beach, hike or bike the trails, and go canoeing.
Where to Stay: Park campgrounds or Kiwi Motel for a trendy vibe.
10. Bon Echo Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: ~3 hours
Why Visit: Famous for its towering Mazinaw Rock and Indigenous pictographs.
What to Do: Hike to viewpoints, kayak or canoe along Mazinaw Lake, and explore the rock carvings.
Where to Stay: Try some glamping at Tiny Village
11. Sauble Beach
Distance from Toronto: ~3 hours
Why Visit: One of Ontario’s longest freshwater beaches, perfect for swimming, sunsets, and summer relaxation.
What to Do: Swim, sunbathe, stroll along the boardwalk, and explore nearby hiking trails.
Where to Stay: The June Motel in Sauble Beach or the Beach Motel in Southampton.
More Info: Check out my list of Things to do in Sauble Beach.
I hope this will help you choose your next weekend roadtrips from Toronto!
No matter what type of outdoor adventure you’re looking for, these Weekend Road Trips from Toronto and Day Trips from Toronto provide the perfect escape into nature. From stunning beaches and rugged hiking trails to charming small towns and scenic lakes, these destinations offer something for everyone. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a weekend retreat, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to unwind, explore, and create unforgettable memories. So grab your bags, hit the road, and start your next adventure today!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Follow me on Instagram!
I knew I was going to love this cabin… but I wasn’t ready for that lake view.
Away Cabins really understood the assignment with this one
📍Away Cabins, Rice Lake
💾 Save it for your next lakeside escape
👣 Tag someone who’d love a no-plans, coffee-by-the-lake kind of weekend
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires! ⬇️
#AwayCabins #OntarioGetaways #CabinGoals #RiceLake #ExploreOntario
Smiths Falls is officially one of the most underrated day trips in Ontario, and I can’t believe no one told me sooner.
Cute downtown? Check. Water views? Check. A dentist train car you didn’t know you needed to see? Weirdly… also check.
If you’re looking for a chill little day trip with just the right mix of outdoors, food, and quirky history, here’s exactly how I’d spend the day:
🛶 Start with a paddle through The Swale and pass under the old bascule train bridge
🥪 Grab a sandwich at The Pickled Pig (get the Pickled Pig sandwich!)
🥐 Pick up something sweet at C’est Tout Bakery
🚤 Bring your lunch to the Rideau Canal locks for an easy picnic by the water
🚂 Visit the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (the train cars are wild, including a dentist train that now lives rent-free in my head)
☕ Wander downtown and grab an iced coffee from The Sweet Scoops Lighthouse Café before heading home
It’s walkable, it’s peaceful, and it’s full of surprises. Save this for your next sunny Saturday and thank me later.
📍Smiths Falls, Ontario
👯♀️ Tag someone who needs a day off and a dentist train in their life
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
#SmithsFalls #OntarioRoadTrip #ExploreOntario #HiddenGemsOntario
Summer in Ontario means one thing: Prince Edward County.
The moment the weather hits 25°, I’m mentally halfway to the beach with a bag of roadside strawberries in the passenger seat.
There’s just something about PEC in the summe… those wide-open roads, sun-bleached grass, swimsuits drying on a fence post, and a slow buzz of “do whatever you want” in the air.
You spend the day chasing swims, tasting wine like you know what you’re doing, and wandering into tiny farm stands just because the sign looked cute. By golden hour, you’re barefoot, slightly sunburned, and wondering if it’s too soon to come back. (Spoiler: it’s not.)
If you’re dreaming of that windows-down, toes-in-the-lake, wine-in-a-mason-jar kind of weekend—start here.
📍Prince Edward County, Ontario
💾 Save this for when you’re ready to romanticize your own summer
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#PrinceEdwardCounty #SummerInOntario #OntarioGetaways #PECVibes
Ever wanted to walk on the ocean floor and kayak over it, all in the same day?
That’s the magic of Hopewell Rocks. Located along the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, this park lets you experience one of the most mind-blowing natural phenomena on earth.
It’s wild to see just how much the water moves here (we’re talking over 50 feet!), and even wilder to paddle through rock formations that completely disappear a few hours later.
Whether you’re a geology nerd, a casual hiker, or just chasing a truly unique Canadian adventure, this spot is unforgettable.
📍 Save this for your East Coast bucket list
💬 Already been? Tell me what time of day you went?High tide or low tide?
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
#HopewellRocks #BayOfFundy #NewBrunswickAdventures #ExploreCanada
Here are 7 places in Jasper that live in my head rent-free… and honestly, I think they’ll move into yours too.
1. Athabasca Falls – powerful, dramatic, and SO loud in the best way
2. Old Fort Point – a short climb with one of the best panoramic views in the park
3. Maligne Lake – classic Jasper beauty, especially right before sunset.
4. Medicine Lake – surreal, calm, and shaped by underground rivers
5. Downtown Jasper – cozy, local, and full of post-hike treats
6. Sunwapta Falls – don’t stop at the first viewpoint, go down to the lower falls
7. Pyramid Lake – the most gorgeous mountain views.
📍Don’t forget to save this for later
💬 Been to Jasper? What would you add to the list?
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#JasperNationalPark #CanadianRockies #ExploreAlberta #TravelCanada
