This is my guide for the best Ontario lookouts! I’m sure I’m missing a lot of great views around the province and I will update this list as my top 10 evolves and changes. So be sure to check back every once in a while to see who’s made it on to the list!
Let’s be honest, Ontario might not have the mountains of Alberta or BC, or the coastal views of Nova-Scotia or Newfoundland, but don’t overlook this central province of Canada too quickly. Ontario has so many amazing nature destinations, and I would even go so far as to say that some of them rival other parts of the country.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to explore the province quite extensively and I’ve complied my favorite lookouts in this list. Now it’s important to note that some part of Ontario have a greater elevation than others – for example south of London is fairly flat -, however, if you venture up not, the number of amazing lookouts goes up.
In this list, I’ve tried to spread the love across the province! I surely have missed many but I’m always discovering new spots that blow my mind by there beauty. I’ll be shore to add them to this list!
Read More // For more Ontario inspiration check out my list of 11 nature roadtrips to do from Toronto!
TOP 11 ONTARIO LOOKOUTS
Top of the Giant Lookout
THE DETAILS
Where | Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Find it here on google map.
Price | 21.50$ per car for a day park permit.
It will come at no surprise that the Top of the Giant at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay comes at the top of my list. If you have to visit one Ontario lookout during your lifetime, this is the one. Not only is it the tallest cliff in Ontario at 563 meters (1,847 feet) high, but it’s also one of the most stunning. It offers some absolutely breathtaking views on Lake Superior.
However, reaching this view requires effort… a lot of it! The hike from the parking lot is about 22 kilometers. It’s definitely the most demanding hike I’ve done in Ontario so far. However, the view from the top is absolutely worth the sweat, wouldn’t you agree? And if you are curious as to where the park got it’s name, local Ojibway legend explains that the large volcanic rock formation known as Sleeping Giant, or ‘Nanajibou’—which translates to ‘The Spirit of Deep Sea Water’—is said to have turned to stone as a consequence of the nearby silver mine’s location being revealed
The Crack
THE DETAILS
Where | Killarney Provincial Park. Find it here on google map.
Price | 21.50$ per car for a day park permit.
The first time I saw The Crack at Killarney Provincial Park near Sudbury, I could hardly believe this view was in Ontario : it looked so different than all of the other lookouts on this list.
To reach this view, you’ll have to hike the 6km trails to the viewpoint overlooking the La Cloche Mountains. Although the first half of the trail is fairly flat, don’t be fooled because things start to pick up around the 3-kilometer mark. From there, you’ll have to show some climbing skills – some section are quite steep (this trail is definitely not recommended for kids or dogs). Once you’ve climbed over the boulders, you’ll finish the hike by climbing white granite all the way to the top. To say that you will be blown away is an understatement!
Cup and Saucer
THE DETAILS
Where | Manitoulin Island. Find it here on google map.
Price | Free
This is one of the lookout I’ve not had the chance to explore yet. However, it is so high on my list that I still wanted to included it here.
The Cup and Saucer Trail leads you to the highest point on Manitoulin Island – 70 meters high to be precise – , the largest freshwater island in the world. From the top, you’ll get to enjoy stunning views over the Niagara Escarpement. The hike to the lookout is 2km (4km round-trip) and has some steep sections along the way. For those of you who like a little history with your hiking, you might be interested to know that trail’s traditional name is ‘Michigiwadinong,’ an Ojibway term meaning ‘bluff in the shape of a spearhead.’ According to the legend, Michigiwadinong is where Nanabush, a cultural hero, dropped his spearpoints while escaping from Iroquois warriors.
Barron Canyon
THE DETAILS
Where | Algonquin Provincial Park (Northeast section). Find it here on google map.
Price | 15.50$ per car for a day park permit.
Barron Canyon in Algonquin Provincial Park near Pembroke, is maybe the most accessible of all the lookout on this list. The Barron Canyon Trail is located in the northeast section of Algonquin Park, which, it’s important to note, is quite expansive. So if you are coming from another section of the park, expect a long drive to get here (for example it’s a 2.5h drive from Mew Lake). I myself made a specific trip to Pembroke to see this trail!
The trail itself is relatively short at 1.5 kilometers. You will need to climb around 400 meters in the first part of the trail, but the rest is fairly easy. And the view is incredible. From the lookout, you can see the Barron River winding through a magnificent canyon that seems to stretch endlessly into the distance. I’ve seen many people paddle the canyon so make sure you plan a longer stay than me to try that as well!
Eagle’s Nest
THE DETAILS
Where | Calabogie. Find it here on google map.
Price | The trail is free but the parking fees are 5,35$
Eagle’s Next Lookout is located in the small town of Calabogie, about 1h20 from Ottawa. It’s definitely one of the busiest lookouts on this list so make sure you either go during the week or arrive early (the parking often gets full in the afternoon).
Read More // The Ultimate Fall Weekend in Calabogie
There are many different way to get to the lookout (8 to be precise), but the easiest is straight across the parking lot. That trail is a 2km trail straight to the lookout – so expect some heavy climbing at the beginning. On the way back, you can retrace your steps or choose one of the other many trails if you want to keep hiking. You might also be interested to know that he site is considered sacred by the Anishinaabe and got its name because it used to be a nesting area for bald eagles.
Ouimet Canyon
THE DETAILS
Where | Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park. Find it here on google map.
Price | 15.50$ per car for a day park permit.
I’m still kicking my butt for missing out on Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park during my road trip to Thunder Bay. Located along highway 17 about an hour from Thunder Bay, Ouimet Canyon is definitely a sight to see.
Ouimet Canyon is a stunning natural formation, 100 meters deep and 150 meters wide, carved by glaciers and erosion. Gazing into the depths of the canyon is a surreal experience—it’s difficult to grasp just how profound it is. At the canyon’s floor, you’ll find a unique mini-ecosystem where arctic plants manage to thrive. Much like for Barron Canyon, the trail to ket to the lookout is fairly short, just over a kilometer long and leads to two amazing viewpoints overlooking the canyon.
Old Baldy
THE DETAILS
Where | Old Baldy Conservation Area. Find it here on google map.
Price | The parking fee is 10$.
Located just 5 minutes the small town of Kimberley in the Beaver Valley, Old Baldy Conservation Area is probably the lesser know of all the lookouts on this list. . But trust me is absolutely stunning!
Read More // Ultimate Weekend Itinerary in Beaver Valley
Rock Dunder
THE DETAILS
Where | Morton. Find it here on google map.
Price | 6$ per person
Rock Dunder is in my neck of the woods, only 35 minutes from Kingston on highway 15 and it’s definitely one of the best Ontario has to offer. Once again, I suggest you get there early in the morning because the parking gets quite full after 10am on the weekends.
Rock Dunder is part of the UNESCO Thousand Islands Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. Rising 275 feet above Morton Bay, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and woodlands – this is definitely the highest point in this area of Ontario. There are 3 different trails in the park, but to see the lookout you have to follow the Summit Loop, a 3,9km trail. It’s important to note that Rock Dunder is open from May to November and that you should buy your pass online before coming to ensure you have a spot.
Devil’s Rock
THE DETAILS
Where | Temiskaming Shores. Find it here on google map.
Price | 6$ per person
Devil’s Rock in Temiskaming Shores is a fairly new one on my radar. I don’t know how I didn’t know about it before, but now that I do, I will try to make my way there soon.
Rising 150 meters above the rugged shoreline of Lake Temiskaming, Devil’s Rock offers stunning views of Lake Temiskaming and of the province of Quebec. The trail is a fairly easy 2km loop that starts in Bucke Park. According to Ojibway legends, the cliff is home to memegwesiwag, a small and hairy water spirits that dwell in high secluded ledges along lakes and rivers. I’ve heard that offering tobacco can help ensure good relations wit the spirits. However, if they feel their homes are disrespected, memegwesiwag are known to blow canoes off course or snatch the day’s catch
Robertson Cliff
THE DETAILS
Where | Sault Ste Marie. Find it here on google map.
Price | 6$ per person
Located just 30 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie, Robertson Cliffs is one of the top lookout hikes in Ontario. The cliffs feature several stunning viewpoints that extend for miles across Bellevue Valley, offering sweeping vistas of the Goulais River and even reaching out to Lake Superior.
There are three routes to reach the top of Robertson Cliffs. The Blue Route, a 300-meter path starting from the western parking lot, connects with the White Route – this one is steep! The White Route is a 2-kilometer trail that takes about 45 minutes and begins at one of the two eastern parking lots. It meanders through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest before meeting up with the Blue Route, after which the trail becomes steeper as it ascends to the lookout points. For a longer hike, the Yellow Route offers a 2.5-kilometer trek that passes by beautiful waterfalls – this is definitely my favorite of the three!
Lion’s Head
THE DETAILS
Where | Bruce Peninsula. Find it here on google map.
Price | 20$ per person. Reserve your parking online here.
I would say that Lion’s Head Lookout in the Bruce Peninsula is in my top 3 favorite lookouts in Ontario. Looking out over the stunning 200-foot cliffs, you’ll be mesmerized by the incredible turquoise and ultramarine blue waters below.
The Lion’s Head Trail features two loops—the main trail and the inland trail—covering a total of approximately 18 kilometers. Although I highly recommend doing the longer hike, the quickest way to get to the lookout itself is through the main trail. In total that trail is 7,1km (in and out) – it takes 3,5km to get to the lookout. The trail is mainly flat – expect for the end when you get closer to the lookout – but with a lot of rocks and roots sticking out, so be careful. I also highly recommend getting there at first light because otherwise you’ll have to park in one of the further parking lots adding quite a bit of distance to your hike.
READ THESE BEFORE VISITING MORE OF THE BEST ONTARIO LOOKOUTS
ONTARIO GUIDES | The Ultimate Fall Weekend in Calabogie; Ultimate Weekend Itinerary in Beaver Valley; The Best In and Around Niagara Falls : A Complete Guide; How to spend the Perfect Weekend in Bracebridge
ONTARIO TOP 10 |
WHERE TO STAY IN ONTARIO | Tiny Stays: A Unique Stay in Prince Edward County; Spend the night with Alpacas at Haute Goat Farm
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy – home of the highest tides on the planet – and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
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#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#wolfeisland #kingstonontario #thousandislands #exploreontario #ontariotravel
I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
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#OntarioGetaway #GlampingOntario #OntarioTravel #WeekendGetawayOntario
ExploreOntario
