Since travel is not so much an option this year, local day trips are where it’s at. Local day trips are a perfect way to get outside, and explore the country you live in! Here are five day trips that are just outside of Toronto. They’ll definitely get you outside and you may even feel like a tourist in your own province.
Here’s a run down of five day trips near Toronto that are worth visiting:
- Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
- Belfountain Conservation Area
- Killbear Provincial Park
- Sandbanks Provincial Park
- Scarborough Bluffs
1. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 1 hour
Key Highlights:
- Fishing
- Mountain biking
- Beginner hiking
- Picknicking
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is the perfect day trip to get outside, as it is just outside of Toronto. Forks of the Credit is located in Caledon, Ontario and it is part of the Niagara Escarpment biosphere. It is very easy to hike (beginner) and it takes about 1-2 hours to get to the waterfall at the end of the trail, depending how many times you stop.
If you are taking the trip out here, you can also visit Belfountain Conservation Area, as it is a short 11 minute drive away! So might as well do two hikes in one day if you have the time.
2. Belfountain Conservation Area
Distance from Toronto: 1 hour
Key Highlights:
- Hiking trail
- Suspension Bridge (perfect spot for photos)
- Perfect picnic spots
- Waterfall
- Trout fishing in the Credit River
Located at 10 Credit Park St, Belfountain in Caledon, Ontario, Belfountain is the perfect place to go on beautiful nature walks. It is strung along the West Credit River, it has a beautiful waterfall, and a picture perfect suspension bridge.
3. Killbear Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Key Highlights:
- Camping destinations
- Kayaking
- Clean beach
- Hiking trails
One of the top camping spots in Ontario, Killbear park is located in Nobel, Ontario. It gets booked up really fast for camping so book in advance, or keep checking back very frequently to snag a last minute spot that people may have cancelled (that is how I usually book my camping spots – last minute type of deal).
If you’re a fan of night photography, remember to bring your camera and tripod because you will be seeing thousands of stars at night at Killbear. It is the perfect place to camp, enjoy the lake, kayak, stargaze, drink with friends by the bonfire, and have some good chats!
4. Sandbanks Provincial Park
Distance from Toronto: Just under 3 hours
Key Highlights:
- Camping destinations
- Stunning beach
- Sand dunes
Sandbanks Provincial Park is a provincial park located on Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County near Picton, Ontario, Canada. Prince Edward County has the cutest little town to explore and Sandbanks Provincial park has one of the most beautiful beaches in Ontario – no doubt. There are also picturesc sand dunes that make you feel like you’re in another country.
With over 620 camping spots, it is still one of the most toughest spots to book. So again, remember to book in advance or keep checking back to get lucky for some last minute cancellations!
5. Scarborough Bluffs
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 25 minutes
Key Highlights:
- Day trip
- Picnics on the beach
- Swimming
- Short beginner hiking trail (4.7km)
Right in Toronto’s East end in Scarborough, is Scarborough Bluffs (also known as The Bluffs). The Bluffs are definitely a must see spring or summer destination!
Scarboro Crescent Park & Bluffers Park Lookout
The most common spot of the Scarborough Bluffs that you most likely see all over Instagram when you type in the Scarborough Bluffs location destination, is the look out spot at the top of the cliff.
To get to this lookout spot you can type in “Scarboro Crescent Park” or look up “Cecil Crescent”, which you can park on the side of the road here. I will mention, the Scarborough lookout is blocked off by a fence and you could potentially be fined for hopping over.
Please note: To access Bluffers Beach you will have to hop back in your car and drive ten minutes down. This lookout spot is above the beach and it’s a pretty far walk, so I definitely recommend driving.
Scarborough Bluffs Trail
You can hike the 4.7km trail and take in the beautiful views of the Scarborough Bluffs. This trail is super easy and loops in a circle from Bluffer’s Beach to Bluffer’s Park. Just note, don’t expect any high elevation on this trail as it is a beginner trail and very flat. I also highly recommend NOT climbing the Bluff cliffs as they are very unstable and have been collapsing over the past years due to erosion.
Bluffer’s Beach
Once you park in the main Bluffer’s Beach parking lot you can either (when you are facing the water) you can either walk to the right for some amazing more secluded picnic spots; or, walk to the left for the main beach are. You will know which is which because there will most likely be more people on the main beach area.
This beach has received a Blue Flag to represent it’s high quality of water for swimming so it is definitely safe to swim at this beach. In fact, the water is very clean for a Toronto Beach. Although, you can still check the Beach Water Quality by clicking here.
You can also access this beach on the 175 bus route, so it is pretty easy to get there by TTC if you do not drive. Just note, that you need to drive if you plan on visiting both the Bluffers Park Lookout and Bluffer’s Beach because they are not in walking distance.
Recommended reading: Top Things to do in Downtown Toronto in the Winter Time
If you liked my recommendations for five day trips to visit just outside of Toronto, don’t forget to check out some more travel tips and guides here!
