Summer time in Toronto is the perfect opportunity to travel — and we’re not talking Europe. Why not explore our own great outdoors, right here in Ontario? There are so many stunning provincial parks to visit, but you usually have to pay a fee to enter. However, there is one day a year where you can enjoy all the natural beauty Ontario has to offer totally for free, making it the perfect cheap summer vacation activity — and it’s coming up this month.
The Ontario government announced that on July 17, to celebrate Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, it will be offering free admission to all provincial parks — which usually cost around $12 to $21 for a daily use vehicle permit.
Meant to help Ontarians strengthen and rediscover their connection to nature, the annual celebration is part of a global movement based on the evidence that spending time in nature has positive benefits on health.
All visitors who enter a participating park on July 17 will be issued a complimentary day pass to the park, and they can enjoy the park facilities until 10 p.m. To make sure you guarantee your spot, you can use Ontario Parks’ reservation service to obtain a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance of your trip to your chosen park. However, if you’re planning on making use of faculties not included in a day pass, such as camping, you’ll have to pay separately.
There are over 300 parks across Ontario to visit, so choose wisely! Popular spots include Lake Superior Provincial Park, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Algonquin Provincial Park and Killarney Provincial Park, so make sure to register for your day pass promptly if you’re interested in these locations.
For an under-the-radar park with bright blue waters, try Pancake Bay Provincial Park. If you want to enjoy world-famous sunset views, book a pass to Pinery Provincial Park! Check out Devil’s Glen Provincial Park for a breathtaking natural lookout and incredible hiking trails. And then there’s Blue Lake Provincial Park, fittingly named since it has mesmerising, crystal clear blue waters. For a park featuring shipwrecks and a lighthouse, check out MacGregor Point Provincial Park. And for Ontario’s first urban park, check out this one located in Uxbridge.