If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for your next road trip. The summer heat is finally upon us in Canada, and we want you to be ready for those precious weekends. Pack up a few of your closest friends and hop in the car to head out on these summer road trip destinations just outside of Toronto.
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Tobermory
At Bruce Peninsula National Park you’ll get the stunning crystal waters of the Georgian Bay alongside a host of other provincial parks to explore. Head over to Fathom Five National Marine Park to explore Flowerpot Island and soak in those beautiful swimming spots. At Bruce Peninsula, you’ll have everything from the Grotto Caves to Boulder and Little Cove Beach to explore. What are you waiting for? Pack up the car and get going! You’ll hit Bruce Peninsula in under 4 hours if you leave from the heart of downtown Toronto.
Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward County
While anywhere in Prince Edward County makes for a pretty cute road trip, Sandbanks Provincial Park has so much to offer. From sloping sandbanks that give the park its name, to stunning clear waters that make you feel like you can’t possibly be in Canada, this place is sure to be a fun time. Make sure you scope out less crowded areas near the beaches since summertime brings big crowds. At only 2 hours and 30 mins away from the downtown core of Toronto, this is a must-see for the summertime.
Grand Bend Beach, Lambton Shores
This beautiful beach is definitely worth a road trip. It has stunning blue waters that make you feel like you’re sitting along the coast of Miami. Since the summertime peak has hit Ontario, we’re sure that this beach is going to get crowded in no time. Pack up the car in the early hours of the morning to get to this beautiful beach and score a primetime spot. At just over a 2 hour and 30-minute drive, Grand Bend is sure to impress.
Port Dover, Norfolk County
At just under a 2-hour drive from Toronto, Port Dover is a summer must that you need on your road trip bucket-list ASAP. From everything to family getaways and adult escapes, Port Dover can provide a little bit of small-town fun for the big Toronto city dweller to enjoy for the weekend. Explore the beach or head over to the Port Dover Lighthouse at the harbour and let the summer bliss go on!
Elora Quarry, Elora Gorge Conservation Area
This abandoned quarry has turned into a beautiful swimming spot that you should check out on your next road trip this summer. The limestone quarry is surrounded by 40-metre high cliffs. It’ll provide a stunning backdrop for any Instagram shot. Make sure you put your phone down for this road trip though and enjoy the summer breeze au naturelle. A mere hour and a half from downtown Toronto, this has got to hit your summer road trip list.
Inglis Falls, Georgian Bluffs
Located at the Georgian Bluffs in Owen Sound, Inglis Falls is a beautiful summer road trip destination. You do have to hike in order to get to the best views of the falls, but who are we kidding? What’s a short 2.5km hike in comparison to the joys of seeing the rushing water across these beautiful rocks? Bring your bathing suit and hiking shoes and enjoy all that Inglis Falls has to offer. At only 2h30min away from Toronto, you’ll definitely want to add this one to the list.
Decew Falls, St. Catherines
A quick hour and 30 minutes road trip will have you enjoying Decew Falls in St. Catherine’s. You can take a quick dip at the bottom of the falls and explore the rocky waters below. Bring some water shoes and make sure none of those sharp rocks get your feet. Always be careful when swimming near a waterfall since the rocks can get super slippery. Safety concerns aside, these falls are worth a road trip this summer. Grab some snapshots in front of the flowing water before you hike back through the beautiful scenery.
This is what summer is made of!