A cozy cabin in the woods blanketed with snow. A forested trail leading to your very own frosty adventure. Gliding through the woods by skate or ski.
Sound like something out of a fairy tale? It’s not; it’s winter at Ontario Parks!
Thirty-one provincial parks are open in the winter for your romantic adventure. Drop-dead gorgeous landscapes are waiting to be explored. With a winter trip to a park, you can reconnect with nature and your loved one.
If you want to extend your stay, we have fourteen parks that offer winter camping or heated roofed accommodations.
Local ski clubs help keep hundreds of kilometres of park trails groomed or track set for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Try skating through the woods on a cool ice path at MacGregor Point Provincial Park or skate around the rink at Algonquin Provincial Park.
And don’t fret: our roofed getaways have all the facilities you need to cook up a romantic candlelit dinner for two. Holiday and New Year’s Eve events, ski loppets, snowshoe races, and other events are planned every winter.
Here is a sampling of winter adventures worth travelling for:
Muskoka
Beat the weekend crowds at Arrowhead Provincial Park and book a midweek stay in one of its beautiful park cabins. You’ll have to ski, snowshoe or walk to the campground loop where the ten camp cabins are located, but it’s worth it!
Each cabin is beautifully equipped with a comfy queen-sized bed, two bunks, and a fireplace. A kitchenette features a microwave, mini fridge, and coffee maker, plus a dining room table and chairs.
Outside, you’ll find a gas barbecue, picnic table, and fire pit. A heated comfort station is just a short walk away.
The winter activities at Arrowhead are endless. Skate through the forest on the 1.5 km ice trail, or explore the groomed ski trails and designated snowshoe trail.
Southwestern Ontario
If you love breathtaking sunsets and long walks on the beach, head for Pinery Provincial Park on Lake Huron. This popular park is far quieter in winter than in the summer, especially during the week.
Rustic one-room cabins are available for an overnight stay. They have all the creature comforts you need for a cozy winter vacation. All you need to bring is your bedding, food, pots and pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.
Thirty-eight kilometres of trails wind their way through the Oak Savannah forest here, so bring your snowshoes or skis too.
Southeastern Ontario
Prince Edward County is a culinary darling, two hours east of Toronto. The compact Lake Ontario island is the perfect winter destination for food and wine lovers, and Sandbanks Provincial Park‘s roofed accommodation makes it affordable too.
The four-bedroom Maple Rest Heritage House and the two-bedroom Jacques Cottage come fully equipped.
Explore the county’s backroads or its four-season Millennium Trail for culinary finds before creating your own delicious dinner-for-two complete with County wine.
Finish off the evening with some amazing countryside stargazing.
Northeastern Ontario
Speaking of snow, if you love lots of it, head north! A northeastern Ontario sweet spot is Windy Lake Provincial Park, about an hour west of Sudbury.
You’ll find amazing cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails, which are beautifully groomed by the local Onaping Ski Club. No skis? No problem! You can rent skis from the park.
At Windy Lake, you can rent one of two lakeside cabins. Outside, you get your own large deck, propane barbecue, picnic table, and fire pit. A heated privy is close by.
Please note: the yurts at Windy Lake will be closed for improvements during the 2025 winter season.
Windy Lake also offers an ice fishing kit, complete with their own ice auger and pop-up canopy. Be sure to ask about winter fishing limits and ice conditions before arriving. Don’t forget to check the fishing regulations before heading out!
Northwestern Ontario
Choose Quetico Provincial Park in northwestern Ontario for the ultimate winter adventure.
This wilderness park is two hours west of Thunder Bay. Heading north and fancy a short cut? Catch a flight to Thunder Bay out of Toronto via Porter, WestJet, or Air Canada.
Quetico is a massive winter wonderland with three winter cabins and two camping pods for rent in its Dawson Trail Campground.
One is quintessentially Canadian: a rustic hand-hewn log cabin nicely decorated with log furniture. It comes complete with a high efficiency wood stove and electric heat.
Thirty kilometres of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails start outside your cabin door and are kept maintained. Better yet, your cabin rental fee includes a pair of snowshoes.
Check out our full overview of roofed accommodation options here.
Up for an adventure?
Plan a backcountry winter camping trip!
Frontenac Provincial Park, north of Kingston, and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, north of Peterborough, make for wonderful winter getaway locations for the nature enthusiast.
Feeling the chill?
Book time to snuggle with your sweetheart on a midwinter getaway!
