We’re not trying to be rude; we literally want you to take a hike!
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Discovery staff across the province are encouraging everyone to explore our provincial parks.
What is Take a Hike Day?
It’s an opportunity! An opportunity for exploration, discovery, wonder, and awe.
Whether with our knowledgeable Discovery staff or on your own, it’s a chance to enjoy the beauty of our trails.
How can I participate?
It’s simple: go take a hike!
Over 75 provincial parks will be offering special hiking programs on August 8!
These include:
Guided hikes
Hit the trails led by one of the park’s incredible Discovery staff.
While the topic of the programs will vary, there are a few things that are guaranteed no matter what park or program you attend:
- One-of-a-kind stories. Like all Discovery programs, guided hikes are designed to share stories with you in meaningful and engaging ways that will leave you wanting to know more.
- Breathtaking views. Discovery staff know all the best places to stop along a trail. Let them share their favourite views with you!
- Memories. Thought-provoking, funny, inspirational, and engaging: Discovery programs are what memories are made of.
From sunset strolls to night hikes, parks are putting their best foot forward for Take a Hike Day. We want you to strap on your walking shoes or hiking boots to do the same!
Check out each park’s event calendar, see in-park program listings, or speak to staff for details about what programs are being offered.
Mindful Hike Nature Connection program
Discovery staff have set up a self-guided hike with prompts to help you tune into your senses. There is no doubt that nature is good for our mental and physical health.
Take a moment out of your day to be mindful of the feelings that nature inspires during this Mindful Hike program.
These drop-in programs are self-paced and an easy way for any age to explore a new side of the park.
Don’t forget to grab a free Discovery Activity Book for additional hands-on exploration activities.
Self-guided hiking
Can’t make it to a program on August 8? Not to worry: Ontario Parks has over 2,000 km of trails for you to plan a self-guided hike.
Many park trails have Discovery products like trail guides and interpretive panels to help you dive deeper into the heritage of the trail.
The only question is: which trail will you take?
For younger visitors, some trails have a story walk along them. These are signs or trail posts with pages of a story that you interact with as you walk the trail.
Story walks are fun, educational activities that promote literacy, learning, and outdoor play — a perfect fit for a hike!
Don’t forget to pack your Discovery Activity book or to pick one up at the main park office.
Filled with lots of great prompts and activities to encourage exploration, these FREE books turn any trail into a place of discovery!
Why guided hikes?
Guided hikes have a long history within Ontario Parks. They’re reputed to be the spark that began the Discovery Program, which now reaches over 1 million visitors every year.
Discovery programs like guided hikes are one of the many ways Discovery staff share the natural and cultural stories of a park. These stories transcend time and space, and trails are a great way to explore them!
Trails can be anything we want them to be. A quiet moment for self-reflection, an artist’s inspiration, a chance to reconcile with our past, and look to the future at what our legacy will be.
Discovery staff help visitors explore and create deeper connections with Ontario’s heritage, one step at a time.
So what will you be doing on August 8?
We hope the answer is “taking a hike!”
We know you can hit the trails any day, but on August 8, you’ll hike in solidarity with thousands of other visitors across the province.
How cool will it be to say you were part of the largest group of Ontario Parks visitors (across a whole province), all taking a hike on the same day?
Our Discovery team is excited to share the trails and stories of Ontario with you.
