25 Amazing Places to Go Snowshoeing in Ontario

There are so many awesome places to go snowshoeing in Ontario. Many of your favourite hiking trails transform into amazing snowshoeing trails in the winter, provided that there’s enough snow. While there are lots of fantastic places for winter hiking in Ontario, these are some of the most epic spots for snowshoeing in the province.

Once the snow becomes too deep to go hiking, strap on your snowshoes and you’ll glide across the white fluffy stuff with ease. I’ve listed which Ontario parks and trails offer snowshoe rentals, but I find that it’s good to invest in your own pair. That way, you can go snowshoeing wherever you like.

While these are some great places to go snowshoeing in Ontario, here are even more snowshoeing trails in Toronto and the GTA. Some places from the Toronto area make the cut here, but that blog post offers a more comprehensive list. And since pretty much every hiking trail can make a good snowshoeing trail if there’s enough snow, grab a coffee and browse our extensive list of the top 100 hiking trails in Ontario.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in Canada, established back in 1893. It’s also the largest provincial park in Ontario with over 8000 square kilometres of lakes, forests and rivers in the rugged Canadian Shield. There are numerous hiking trails scattered throughout the park. I’ll make a few recommendations for the winter months.

If you’re looking for a shorter snowshoeing trail, try the Two Rivers Trail, the Lookout Trail, or the Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail. The Barron Canyon Trail is another short trek (1.6km) with stunning scenery. For those who are more experienced, you should tackle the Track and Tower Trail or Booth’s Rock Trail, which feature spectacular lookout points. The Mizzy Lake Trail (11km loop) is another challenging yet rewarding hike, especially in the winter.

Arrowhead Provincial Park

Arrowhead Provincial Park is a snowy playground with so many fun activities for the whole family. In the winter, you can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and even tubing! It is possible to rent snowshoes at Arrowhead. Please take note of which trails are ski trails in the winter months as snowshoeing and walking are not allowed on these.

If you’re looking to go snowshoeing, there are several loop trails: Stubb’s Falls Loop (2km), Mayflower Lake Trail (1km), and Hemlock Ridge (connects the two loop trails). Arrowhead Provincial Park gets very busy on the weekends, so I recommend checking it out on a weekday if it’s possible.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is the closest provincial park to Toronto, and you can explore all of its hiking trails via snowshoe. There’s also a thrilling toboggan hill and about 10km of cross-country skiing trails. You’ll need to bring your own snowshoes as there aren’t any rentals at the park.

There are five winter hiking trails in total: Maiden’s Blush Trail (1km), Trillium Trail (1km), Ravine Trail (2.7km), Gateway Trail (1.5km), and the Halfmoon Valley Trail (2km). There are also a couple of leash free hiking trails for your dog at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, too. You will need to keep your dog on a leash on all of the regular trails, however.

Cold Creek Conservation Area

Cold Creek Conservation Area protects an ecologically diverse region within the Humber River watershed. The park opened in 1962, and it’s managed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). It’s 190 hectares in total, and contains a wide variety of flora and fauna that are unique and rare to the region. There’s a mixed conifer forest that includes black spruce, seldom found in southern Ontario.

There are over 7km of trails, including the main outer loop trail (6.6km). Follow the yellow trail markers for the main loop and the red markers for several interconnecting paths in case you’d like a shorter hike.

Cold Creek Conservation Area offers snowshoe equipment rentals if you don’t have your own pair. They will only be available if there is over 15cm of snow on the ground along with proper trail conditions. You must pre-register your snowshoe rentals (no drop-ins allowed). They also rent out cross-country skis, too.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Crawford Lake Conservation Area boasts 19km of hiking trails on five separate paths, including an elevated boardwalk that extends around the perimetre of a meromictic lake. Four Crawford Lake trails stay within the boundaries of the park, and one meanders outside of the park for a lengthier journey.

In addition to the five Crawford Lake hiking paths, the Bruce Trail winds through the property, joining with the Nassagaweya Trail on the outskirts of the conservation area. In the wintertime, there are 8.5km of snowshoe trails rated as either easy or moderate.

The Snowshoe Trail is 3.4km and the trail has a snowshoe marker. The Pine Ridge Trail is 3.6km and has green trail blazes. And the Woodland Trail is 1.5km and has red trail blazes. You can rent snowshoes at Crawford Lake Conservation Area, too.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Dundas Valley Conservation Area is one of my favourite places to go hiking, and it offers some of the best trails for snowshoeing in Ontario. You’ll need to pack your own snowshoes as there aren’t any available for rent here.

There are 40km of trails in total that are part of the conservation area. The Main Loop Trail is the hiking trail you must experience, especially if it’s your first time visiting. One notable landmark on the Main Loop Trail are the Hermitage ruins. You can wander around the crumbling buildings and structures that used to be a grand estate on 120 acres of property.

Other trails at Dundas Valley Conservation Area include the Monarch Trail, the McCormack Trail, the Headwaters Trail, the Spring Creek Trail, and the Rail Trail. The Bruce Trail also extends throughout the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.

Frontenac Provincial Park

Frontenac Provincial Park in Southeastern Ontario offers 160km of hiking trails past 22 lakes. It can take weeks to explore all of its trails. You’ll enjoy a variety of scenery, like mixed forests, picturesque lakes, and peaceful wetlands. Everything looks so magical covered in snow and ice, too! Even though there are lengthier hiking trails, there are short loop trails as well. So, strap on those snowshoes and get outdoors!

Ganaraska Forest

The Ganaraska Forest spans 11,000 acres and it is one of the largest forested areas in southern Ontario. There are numerous trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. In the winter, there are two specific snowshoe trails: a short snowshoe trail (2.5km) and a long snowshoe trail (8km). There are also 35km of groomed cross-country skiing trails.

Gatineau Park

In the National Capital region, Gatineau Park has 80km of snowshoeing trails in the winter. Some of the trails are on the Ontario side in Ottawa and some are on the Quebec side in Gatineau. You could spend years exploring all of these trails! They range in difficulty, and I suggest planning your trips ahead of time on the official website. You’ll need a daily or season pass to access the trails.

Greenwood Conservation Area

Greenwood Conservation Area is situated on the banks of Duffins Creek, and it’s part of both Pickering and Ajax. The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail) is one path that meanders through the park. There’s also a bunch of interconnecting paths called the Greenwood Trails. You can go hiking and snowshoeing throughout the conservation area. Bring your own snowshoes to Greenwood Conservation Area.

If you plan to go hiking for the whole day, you could probably hike the northern and southern sections. I made a big loop in the southern section that totaled about 5km. There’s a separate north entrance for those seeking to hike those trails, so you can visit either section to hike a shorter distance.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Hardy Lake Provincial Park

Hardy Lake Provincial Park is a non-operating park without any facilities, and it’s a wonderful place for winter hikes in Ontario. The trail is well marked and there are several lookout points along the way. You’ll need to bring your own snowshoes with you, and it’s one of the best places to go snowshoeing in Ontario.

In terms of trails, there’s the 9km trail around the perimetre of Lake Hardy for the full experience. There are a few boardwalks along the way and loads of scenic viewpoints. If you’d like a shorter hike, there are also two different 3km loop trails that both run along portions of the lake.

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park is only a half hour drive west of Thunder Bay, and it’s one of the top things to do in Thunder Bay in the winter. At 40 metres high, Kakabeka Falls is the second highest waterfall in Ontario. It’s also called the “Niagara Falls of the North”.

Kakabeka Falls is brilliant in all seasons, but it looks really beautiful in the winter. The waterfall viewing platform is only a short walk from the parking lot. You will need to bundle up as the mist off the waterfall is absolutely frigid in the winter.

There are a few other hiking trails at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park: the Mountain Portage Trail (1.25km loop), the Little Falls Trail (2.5km loop), Poplar Point Trail (4km loop), and two additional loop trails off the Poplar Point Trail. You can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing here (bring your own snowshoes).

Killarney Provincial Park

Killarney Provincial Park is a true winter wonderland where you’ll be able to savour some quiet moments in the north. There are several of the greatest winter hikes in Ontario at Killarney PP, including the Crack, Killarney’s most famous hiking trail. It’s a 6km difficult trek that leads up to some astoundingly beautiful views at the top of the Killarney Ridge.

You can also go snowshoeing on some shorter, less intense trails around the park, like the Granite Ridge Trail (2km), the Chikanishing Trail (3km), and the Lake of The Woods Trail (3.5km). You can rent snowshoes at Killarney Provincial Park. Don’t attempt to hike the Crack in the winter unless you have a reasonable level of fitness and you start earlier in the day. Nightfall arrives much more quickly during the winter months in Ontario.

If you’re looking to make a weekend of it, Killarney PP has a pair of rustic cabins for a comfy accommodation in the wilderness. There are also six Mongolian inspired yurts for a glamping experience. You can even go winter camping if you want more of an outdoor adventure!

Kivi Park

Kivi Park is one of the best places to go hiking in Sudbury, and it’s a fantastic spot for winter outdoor adventures. There’s a 55km extensive trail network for hiking and snowshoeing, as well as fat biking and cross-country skiing. You can rent all sorts of winter equipment like snowshoes, skis, and fat bikes with their on site partner, Adventure365.

Lake Superior Provincial Park

While many facilities and the visitor centre at Lake Superior Provincial Park are closed during the winter months, you’re welcome to bring your snowshoes and embark on an adventure through this winter wonderland. There will be far fewer visitors this time of year, making it a really peaceful place to go for a winter hike. It’s also a great place to go cross-country skiing.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve

Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve is a favourite amongst members of the Ontario Hiking Facebook group as there are always rave reviews shared. It’s a publicly accessible, privately owned wilderness area with 10,000 acres of forest and 20 lakes. There are more than 70km of trails that are available to the public at no charge.

I counted 11 main hiking trails and 8 link trails on their website, and they’re all perfect for snowshoeing adventures in the winter. You could return to Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve again and again, having new experiences each time. 

Snowshoeing Ontario: MacGregor Point Provincial Park

MacGregor Point Provincial Park in Port Elgin is one of the most ecologically diverse places to visit on the shores of Lake Huron. While it’s a prime birdwatching destination (mainly in the spring and fall), it’s a great place to snowshoeing in Ontario when winter rolls around.

Go snowshoeing at the Tower Trail, a loop trail that encircles vast wetlands with endless amazing views. The Lake Ridge Trail and the Old Shore Road Trail are great places to go for a winter hike, too. While there aren’t any snowshoe rentals at MacGregor Point, you can buy snowshoes at the park store on site.

Oxtongue-Ragged Falls Provincial Park

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is located on the outskirts of Algonquin Provincial Park, and it’s definitely worth visiting before entering Algonquin (or checking it out all on its own!). A short trail from the parking lot leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ontario. Gravel Falls exhibits powerful, whitewater falls that are the result of glacial meltwater.

This trail is only 1km long, but it’s great for snowshoeing in the winter. While the waterfall looks brilliant in the summer months, I can only imagine how pretty it looks in the frozen weather.

Pinery Provincial Park

Pinery Provincial Park offers flat and easy nature trails on the edge of Lake Huron in southwestern Ontario. It’s a unique natural place to visit in the province all year long. It’s the largest remaining tract of Oak Savanna in the province. It’s also home to one of the lengthiest freshwater coastal dune ecosystems in Ontario.

There are two main hiking trails that are properly maintained in the winter months: the Cedar Trail (2.3km loop) and the Heritage Trail (2.5km). The Cedar Trail features a wooden boardwalk that leads to wonderful views of the Old Ausable Channel, which is partially frozen in the wintertime. If there’s enough snow, you can rent snowshoes at Pinery Provincial Park.

While a trip to the beach might not be on your winter bucket list, you’ll want to at least take a peek down by the waterfront at Pinery Provincial Park. Lake Huron is so beautiful in the winter, whether you’re checking out the scenery by day or for the famous sunsets. Spend the night in a cozy winterized yurt at Pinery PP for the full experience.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Rouge National Urban Park

Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first national urban park, and it’s a unique wilderness setting in the capital city of the province. It combines amazing biodiversity and natural landscapes with history and culture of the area. You’ll find Toronto’s only campground, vast marshes, a sandy beach, Carolinian forest, and some of Canada’s oldest Indigenous sites.

There are numerous hiking trails at Rouge Park, and you can easily go snowshoeing on any of them. You’ll need to return to Rouge Park multiple times to trek all of its trails. This park is perfect all year long for memorable moments in nature. It’s one of the top places to go snowshoeing in Toronto.

Silver Creek Conservation Area and Scotsdale Farm

Snowshoeing at Silver Creek Conservation Area and Scotsdale Farm is always a good idea! There aren’t any equipment rentals at these locations, so you’ll need to bring your own snowshoes. If you are looking for a place with snowshoe rentals, you should visit the nearby Terra Cotta Conservation Area.

Scotsdale Farm is an Ontario Heritage Trust site on the site of an old farm. The hiking trails there are managed by the Bruce Trail Conservancy, and they include the Bruce Trail and its side trails. Scotsdale Farm is home to some of Ontario’s oldest trees, and many of these woodlands are part of an old growth forest. Many trees are 150-200 years old and some are even over 250 years old!

There are several hiking trails at Scotsdale Farm, though we stuck mostly to the Bennett Heritage Trail and the main Bruce Trail. It all depends how much snow is on the ground. If there isn’t too much, you can rely on using microspikes to avoid sliding on the snow and ice. If there is a good amount of snow, bring your snowshoes.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is about an hour from Thunder Bay, and it’s well worth the trip up north in the winter. While the Top of the Giant may be inaccessible during the snowy season, there are lots of spectacular wintery trails that will make you fall in love with this park. Plus, it’s far less busy in the winter, perfect for those who seek silence and solitude in nature.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park has over 100km of hiking trails, including the 40km Kabeyun Trail. There are numerous peaceful lakes, gorgeous scenic outlooks, and intriguing rock formations. I recommend tackling the Sea Lion Trail where you’ll see the stunning natural arch pictured above. It’s a relatively short trek with a big payoff. Definitely strap on a pair of snowshoes (or at least microspikes) as this trail can get icy.

Another one of the top winter hikes in Ontario at Sleeping Giant is the Middlebrun Bay Trail. The trail leads to an isolated beach at Middlebrun Bay with amazing views of Lake Superior. While the parks office is closed in the winter, you can spend the night at cozy cabins within the property. I spent two nights in a cabin at Sleeping Giant PP and it was a wonderful experience.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve

Torrance Barrens Conservation Area and Dark Sky Preserve is one of the best places to go stargazing near Toronto, as its only a two hour drive from the city. It is the first dark sky preserve in Canada, and it also happens to be a fantastic place to go snowshoeing in Ontario.

All hiking trails at Torrance Barrens begin at the main parking lot, and they’re perfect for snowshoeing in the wintertime. There are two main loop trails, the Main Trail and the Pine Ridge Loop Trail. The Barrens  Extension offers a lengthier extension for both trails if you want to keep hiking for a longer distance.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park

Wasaga Beach isn’t only about the beach (although it is the world’s largest freshwater beach!). It’s a great winter destination, too! Head to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (north of Barrie, near Collingwood). The Wasaga Beach Nordic and Trail Centre has snowshoe rentals. Then, venture over to the 10 km snowshoeing trail that meanders through a pristine forest.

Snowshoeing Ontario: Windy Lake Provincial Park

Windy Lake Provincial Park is located west of Sudbury, and it’s one of the best places to go snowshoeing in Ontario. There are over 15km of trails in the winter, and you’re welcome to go snowshoeing on all of them. On the weekends, the chalet offers snowshoe and ski rentals. Plus, there are cozy winterized yurts at Windy Lake Provincial Park if you’re looking to stay the night.

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