You’ve skated on the city’s outdoor and indoor hockey rinks… but have you ever gone skating in the wilds of Ontario? It’s possible in our gorgeous province’s parks! Families can even camp in heated cabins and yurts for a fully immersive natural winter experience. Rush into our Guide to the Best Spots to Go Skating at an Ontario Provincial Park for more details.
Note: These popular parks often fill up, especially on weekends. So Ontario Parks has implemented an advance daily vehicle permit program – find out more here.
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Where: Arrowhead Provincial Park, 451 Arrowhead Park Road, Huntsville
Located in the Muskoka region, this 1.3km ice trail is a wintertime bucket-list item for many Ontario families. Furthermore, on “Fire and Ice Nights”, the wilderness skate trails are lit at night so you can feel at one with nature as you skate under the stars. If you want to make a trip of it, Arrowhead also has heated cabins for overnight stays!
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Where: MacGregor Point Provincial Park, 1593 Bruce Road 33, Port Elgin
On Lake Huron, MacGregor Point turns their summer campground loops into an enchanting 400-metre wilderness skating trail, plus there’s also an extra outdoor rink. You can even camp at the park year-round in a comfortable roofed cabin or yurt to make a longer visit.
Mew Lake at Algonquin Provincial Park
Where: Mew Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, South Nipissing District
If you’d rather play a game of shinny, there is also a traditional open-air outdoor rink at Mew Lake in Ontario’s best-known provincial park, Algonquin. In case you forgot to bring equipment, the park even offers has some sticks, nets and pucks to borrow. Many trails are maintained throughout the winter for visitors, and further activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, dogsledding, plus yurt camping.
Strap your skates on and fly over to our full list of Outdoor Skating Rinks in Toronto here!
