{"id":2204,"date":"2020-05-28T21:22:55","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T21:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/?p=2204"},"modified":"2021-09-02T19:35:43","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T19:35:43","slug":"4-stunning-places-in-ontario-that-are-open-now-to-connect-with-the-outdoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/4-stunning-places-in-ontario-that-are-open-now-to-connect-with-the-outdoors\/","title":{"rendered":"4 STUNNING PLACES IN ONTARIO THAT ARE OPEN NOW TO CONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS."},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"b12171e95ca29a06569361a76d0dc3e3\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:10px 0 10px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6144103376590397\" async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>This Summer will definitely be a Summer like no other.\u00a0 With social distancing in place, and most events and festivals being cancelled, nature will be our summer BFF and one we can most likely count on that will allow us plenty of space to safely enjoy our always too short summer.\u00a0 Luckily for us, Ontario is full of beautiful places to connect with the awe of nature and we have picked 4 places that are open right now to do just that.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Pathways on Pleasure Valley (GTA)<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2208\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-5.11.49-PM.png\" alt=\"People riding a horse\" width=\"259\" height=\"139\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A short drive NE of Toronto,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pleasurevalley.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Pathways on Pleasure Valley<\/a>\u00a0offers a unique horseback riding experience for all levels of riders through 225 acres of breathtaking scenery and tranquil forest trails.\u00a0 Enjoy a private morning, afternoon or even a romantic evening ride for two with a well-trained equine partner as your guide. Pathways on Pleasure Valley is currently open for private rides and by appointment only.\u00a0 Masks are mandatory for all trail rides.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Conservation Halton Parks (GTA)<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2207\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-5.11.55-PM.png\" alt=\"Trees in a forest\" width=\"262\" height=\"138\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/conservationhalton.ca\/parks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Conservation Halton Parks<\/a>\u00a0is a nature lovers dream.\u00a0 With over 10,00 acres of natural parkland to explore, you will find everything from waterfalls, spectacular forests and caves to explore! Five of the seven parks for hiking and biking are currently open and can be accessed by using their new reservation system. Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Rattlesnake Point, Mount Nemo and Kelso Summit (biking only) will be open to members and to the public, for paid access, from 9am-9pm. Most, if not all of the trails will be available, but facilities such as washrooms, outhouses and visitor centers, will remain closed. Keep checking their website as other parks and facilities will be added in the coming weeks!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve (Central)<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2206\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-5.12.02-PM.png\" alt=\"Starry night sky\" width=\"260\" height=\"136\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The first of its kind in Canada, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovermuskoka.ca\/things-to-do\/hiking-trails\/torrance-barrens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Torrance Barrens Conservation Area<\/a>\u00a0was the first in the world to be officially recognized as a Dark Sky Reserve where star gazers can get a spectacular unobstructed 3600-degree view of the night sky! Located in the Municipality of Muskoka you will be completely removed from any urban light pollution where even an amateur\u2019s telescope can see the rings of Saturn.\u00a0 Get lost in distant galaxies and in the late summer and early fall you may even see the magnificent northern lights!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Algonquin Park (Northern ON)<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-5.12.09-PM.png\" alt=\"Two men in a canoe\" width=\"259\" height=\"136\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.algonquinpark.on.ca\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Algonquin Park<\/a>\u00a0is an incredibly stunning outdoor playground with many options on how to explore it.\u00a0 It\u2019s also the biggest provincial park so it can be a little intimidating knowing where to start! As of now there is no camping or beaches open at any Ontario parks however it is open for day use to enjoy many activities such as hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding and boating.\u00a0 The best place to start for hiking is off Hwy 60, as there are many trails along this Hwy.\u00a0 Its best to get a trail guide which can be picked up at the entry gate.\u00a0 Each trail is designed to explore a different aspect of Algonquin.\u00a0 If you are keen to see wildlife check out the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.algonquinpark.on.ca\/visit\/recreational_activites\/mizzy-lake-trail.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Mizzy Lake Trail<\/a>\u00a0or if you are more set on finding those picturesque views, try the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.algonquinpark.on.ca\/visit\/recreational_activites\/centennial-ridges-trail.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Centennial Ridge Trail<\/a>\u00a0for the best scenic lookouts.\u00a0 If you are looking to bike there are three bike trails ranging from flat surfaces, best for families and children, to the more rugged mountain biking experiences.\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.algonquinpark.on.ca\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Algonquin Park<\/a>\u00a0is also home to some of the finest Brook Trout and Lake Trout fishing in the world so a day out fishing is guaranteed to be a winner.\u00a0 One of the best ways to explore the park is by canoe.\u00a0 Check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.voyageurquest.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Voyageur Quest<\/a> who are currently offering curb side canoe rentals by appointment only.\u00a0 There are select washrooms open in the park but but make sure to bring your own water, food and hand sanitizer as there is no running water for hand washing or drinking.<\/p>\n<p>We hope to see more of our beautiful province open in the next couple weeks but for now we still have many great options that are close to home and make for a fun day outing.<\/p>\n<p>Have a great summer!<\/p>\n<p>Natalie &amp; Phil  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Summer will definitely be a Summer like no other.\u00a0 With social distancing in place, and most events and festivals being cancelled, nature will be our summer BFF and one we can most likely count on that will allow us plenty of space to safely enjoy our always too short summer.\u00a0 Luckily for us, Ontario&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-central-ontario-region"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2204"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3476,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204\/revisions\/3476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.summerfunguide.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}