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!
Want to touch the southernmost point of mainland Canada? 👇🇨🇦
Then Point Pelee National Park needs to be on your summer list.
From epic sunsets and peaceful marsh boardwalks to migrating birds and butterflies, this park packs a lot into a small space.
In this quick guide:
📍 What to do
🗓️ Best time to visit
⛺ How to camp (hint: it involves oTENTiks)
🦋 And a few cool facts to impress your road trip buddy
Save this for later & tag someone who’d love to stand at the tip of Canada with you 🌊
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires.
#PointPeleeNationalPark #ExploreCanada #TravelOntario #ParksCanada #BucketListTrip #OntarioRoadTrip #NatureEscape #BirdingSeason #WanderOntario
Did you know Peterborough & the Trent-Severn Waterway made the New York Times list of 52 Places to Visit in 2025?
After a weekend exploring the area… I get it. Here’s what makes it one of Ontario’s best summer road trips ⬇️
🌿 Walk with alpacas at a local farm
🚤 Cruise through the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock
🍷 Sip sangria + eat wood-fired pizza at a vineyard
🛶 Visit the brand-new Canadian Canoe Museum
🌄 Hike through caves & forests at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area
🥧 Taste-test butter tarts in Hastings, Campbellford & Lakeside
The perfect Ontario getaway: nature, small towns, good food, and local gems everywhere you turn.
📍 Save this for your next summer road trip!
And tell me below — which stop are you adding to your bucket list?
🇫🇷 Saviez-vous que Peterborough et la voie navigable Trent-Severn figurent sur la liste des 52 destinations à visiter en 2025 selon le New York Times ?
Après un week-end à explorer la région… je comprends tellement pourquoi. Voici pourquoi c’est un road trip incontournable en Ontario cet été ⬇️
🌿 Marcher avec des alpagas dans une ferme locale
🚤 Naviguer sur la plus haute écluse hydraulique au monde
🍷 Boire de la sangria et déguster une pizza au feu de bois dans un vignoble
🛶 Visiter le Musée canadien du canot
🌄 Explorer les sentiers et les grottes du parc Warsaw Caves
🥧 Et bien sûr, faire le plein de tartes au beurre dans les charmants villages de Hastings, Campbellford et Lakeside
Le combo parfait : nature, petites villes, bouffe locale et histoire à chaque détour.
📍 Sauve ce guide pour ton prochain road trip d’été en Ontario !
Et dis-moi en commentaire : quelle activité te tente le plus ?
#discoveron
@ontariotravel and @kawarthas_northumberland
#PeterboroughOntario #TrentSevernWaterway #OntarioRoadTrip #ExploreOntario #SummerInOntario #HiddenGemsOntario #CanadianTravel
These Ontario spots understood the assignment… Saunas in the forest, hot tubs with a view, outdoor soaks under the stars, we’ve got it all!
Here are 6 places where the spa setup is reason enough to book the trip:
1. Aux Box (Huntsville)
2. The Baltic by Fort Tree House Co. (Minden)
3. Back Forty Glamping (Meaford)
4. Anupaya (Deep River)
5. Tiny Stays (Prince Edward County)
6. The June Motel (Beaver Valley)
Tag someone who owes you a spa weekend 💆♀️
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#OntarioStays #GlampingOntario #WeekendGetaway #SaunaVibes #HotTubGoals #OntarioSpas #TinyCabins #TravelOntario
I’m on a mission to put Belleville on the map for your Ontario summer adventures 🌞
This is way more than just a drive-by on the 401. Think: charming town vibes, scenic hikes, amazing food (I’m still dreaming about those perogies), and… turtles. 🐢
✨Here’s what I did (don’t forget to save the reel for the full breakdown!):
📍Explored downtown + coffee at Benji’s
🐢 Turtle Pond sanctuary
🥟 Lunch at Kafana (get the perogies!)
🌲 Hiked up Sager Tower (located in Quinte West just a short drive away)
🌮 Dinner at Pop-Ups on the Bay
🍓 Smoothies, wildlife, breweries & more on Day 2
🏖 Bonus: Presqu’ile for a beach day just 35 minutes away.
For this visit, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Belleville, perfectly located for all your Bay of Quinte adventures. 👌
Save this for your next summer roadtrip & tag someone who needs a mini escape!
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
*made in partnership with Bay of Quinte Tourism*
#VisitBelleville #BayofQuinte #OntarioGetaways #HiddenGemsOntario #ExploreOntario #WeekendTripIdeas #MsurlarouteAdventures
Everyone visits Banff, but just an hour away, there’s also this. 👀
Grassi Lake in Kananaskis might just be one of the most underrated hikes in Alberta.
It’s short, it’s scenic, and the turquoise water? Totally unreal.
💦 Take the interpretive trail for waterfalls and forest views
⛰️ End at a lake so vibrant it looks photoshopped
So if you’re heading to the Rockies this summer, don’t sleep on Kananaskis.
Some of the best views are just off the radar.
💬 Been to Kananaskis or still on your list?
💾 Save this if you’re planning an Alberta trip!
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires! ⬇️
#GrassiLake #KananaskisCountry #AlbertaRoadTrip #HiddenGemsAlberta #ExploreKananaskis #HikingAlberta #BanffVsKananaskis #CanadianRockies #SummerInAlberta
