10 Nature & Parks in Ontario's Near North That You Shouldn't Miss

January 22, 2022 Enedina Augsburger

Discover the best top things to do in Ontario's Near North, United States including Barron Canyon Trail, Big Pines Trail, Algonquin Logging Museum Trail, The Screaming Heads of Midlothian, Mikisew Provincial Park, Laurentian Ski Hill, Centennial Ridges Trail, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, Beaver Pond Trail, Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail.
Restaurants in Ontario's Near North

1. Barron Canyon Trail

Km 29.0 of the Barron Canyon Road, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/barron-canyon-trail.php
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Barron Canyon Trail

Reviewed By DaveAFamilyMan - Chatham, Canada

Finally crossed it off of our list this was quite the journey from our cottage, over 3 hours one way, but well worth it. We had my Parents 68 and 70 and my children 6/8/13 and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day. The hike was short but we stayed for a while to take it the breath taking views. There is a number of scenic look outs at the top and every one just as stunning. We also explored the river down at the picnic area and canoe launch. Definitely recommend this shot trail if you travel east of Algonquin at all!

2. Big Pines Trail

Km 40.3 of Highway 60, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/big-pines-trail.php
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Big Pines Trail

Reviewed By carriem57 - Oshawa, Canada

Impressive sized trees. No trail map and could not see the logging camp. Took 1 hour with a 10 year old child.

3. Algonquin Logging Museum Trail

Highway 60 Algonquin Logging Museum, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/algonquin-logging-museum-trail.php
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Algonquin Logging Museum Trail

4. The Screaming Heads of Midlothian

Midlothian Road, Burk's Falls, Ontario P0A 1C0 Canada +1 705-382-6413 [email protected]
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 109 reviews

The Screaming Heads of Midlothian

Reviewed By JazzyButtons - Brantford, Canada

A great place to visit! The volunteers on the property are so friendly and more than willing to chat and tell you their stories about the place. We spent an hour there walking the trails and viewing the sculptures. Admission is free (they do have a donation box, with proceeds going to the Burk’s Falls foodbank and library). Plenty of free parking. Go and enjoy!!

5. Mikisew Provincial Park

301 Park Road, South River, Ontario P0A 1X0 Canada +1 705-729-2010 http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/mikisew
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 54 reviews

Mikisew Provincial Park

Reviewed By GC450

Great park. I have been camping all around Ontario and this park is beautiful, quite, and good fishing. love the beaches and the staff is amazing.

6. Laurentian Ski Hill

15 Janey Ave, North Bay, Ontario P1C 1N1 Canada +1 705-494-7463 [email protected] http://www.laurentianskihill.com/
Excellent
58%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Laurentian Ski Hill

A non profit community based ski hill right in the heart of North Bay, Laurentian Ski Hill has something for everyone. Rental equipment and lessons for the first timers and a terrain park with its own lift and moguls for the more experienced. Laurentian Ski Hill offers 6 runs and 3 lifts with a 300 foot vertical drop.

7. Centennial Ridges Trail

Km 58 from East entrance or Km 37 from West entrance, on Route 60 Algonquin Park, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/centennial-ridges-trail
Excellent
74%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 57 reviews

Centennial Ridges Trail

Reviewed By MandA2012 - Toronto, Canada

This was easily the most beautiful hike we have done in Ontario. It is moderately challenging with lots of ascents and descents. Each of the ascents rewards you with a spectacular view from along the ridge. There are 12 marked viewpoints but each one of the viewpoints along the ridge (there are at least 4 that I recall) actually has multiple viewpoints. When you arrive on top of the ridge there is no need to congregate with everyone, just walk ahead and you will find several other spots, each more beautiful than the last. On top of the ridge are sweeping views over the tree canopy and the lakes below. We timed our visit (Sept 26) around the peak viewing season for maples and the canopy was a sea of red, orange and yellow. The trail was full of colourful maples and poplars, contrasted by beautiful white birch trees. None of this 10 km hike is flat or smooth - it is winding and narrow (single file for much of it) and you are hiking over rocks, rock face, tree roots and mud. Wear hiking shoes or you will regret it. There are no washrooms except for an outhouse in the parking lot. Go early - we arrived around 10:30am and had to park on the side of the road 1/2 km from the parking lot (by the time we got back cars were parked nearly 2km out). The last two viewpoints of the 12 were a slow go because of all the people entering the park and just doing those last few viewpoints in reverse direction instead of the full loop. The full 10km loop took us 4 hours including 1/2 hour picnic lunch, tons of photos, and the painfully slow last few kilometres when the trail got crowded.

8. Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

6905 Hwy 17, Mattawa, Ontario P0H 1V0 Canada +1 705-744-2276 http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/samueldechamplain
Excellent
49%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

Reviewed By OntarioCanuck1 - Georgetown, Canada

Great trails, we started at red pine loop, wonderful views of the gorge, trail easy to moderate, easy to follow, good parking. Lots of mushrooms, go for it . Then did shorter wabashkiki trail, said use at own risk but easily done, not as good view wise but ok.

9. Beaver Pond Trail

Km 45.2 of Highway 60, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/beaver-pond-trail.php
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Beaver Pond Trail

Reviewed By 796eliasj - Mississauga, Canada

We selected this trail at Algonquin Park since my daughters were young. But to my amaze, they took it with ease. Walking was tricky at times with stairs at certain places. There are park bench around the lookout point and the most amazing part was to walk through the trail with the fall colours all around you. Love the nature. Recommended specially during Fall..

10. Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail

Km 42.5 of Highway 60, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada +1 705-633-5572 http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/spruce-bog-boardwalk-trail.php
Excellent
49%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 101 reviews

Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail

Reviewed By RandyRoss - Ridgetown, Canada

This is a nice short trail on level ground and suitable for all ages and almost all levels of ability. Not strenuous. There are several benches along the trail for those who wish to stop and enjoy - or to stop and rest.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.