We moved from the city to Port Elgin in 2020 – a week before COVID hit. The past 2 years in the Bruce Peninsula has given me the feeling of always being on a vacation. I absolutely love this area and all the amazing things it has to offer. When we lived in Toronto, I was constantly trying to find day trips from Toronto. I was looking for new and exciting places and trying to steer away from Niagara Falls for every single day trip. I am sure you are here because like me, you have tried to research about day trips from Toronto. So here’s a list of my Bruce Peninsula day trips from Toronto.
After personally visiting these places, I am happy to share my list of top 10 Bruce Peninsula day trips you can take from Toronto.
1. Eugenia Fall and Hoggs Falls
Just 2.5 hrs north from the core of downtown Toronto, you can visit a town called Flesherton. The town houses the famous Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls. Both these waterfalls are gorgeous and they are accessible by car with a short walk up to the falls. While you can’t get up close to the Eugenia Falls, you can swim in the warm water of the Hoggs Falls.
If you are planning to pack a picnic and spend a day at one of these falls, then Eugenia Falls is the place for you! There is a nice picnic pavilion and you can even hike to the Hoggs Falls from here. This hike is long but it is very beautiful. We made it halfway there before we had to turn back.
Tip: there is paid parking available at the falls. Make sure you get there earlier in the day to be able to buy parking. Even though there is quite a bit of parking, it fills up pretty quick.
2. Inglis Falls
3 hrs north of Toronto in the town of Owen Sound, you will find the beautiful Inglis falls. These falls had to make my top 10 list because of how easily accessible they are and the magnificence of it. For those that do not wish to hike, you can park at the parking lot located on the top and see the falls from there. If you are in the mood for a hike, there are various trails of around 7km with different difficulty levels that you can choose to take. If you chose to hike, there is a separate parking near the foot of the falls as well.
3. Bruce Peninsula National Park
One of THE highlights of the Peninsula is the Bruce Peninsula National Park. It is located 3.5 hrs from the core of downtown. This park has so many different things you can do. Hike to the Halfway Log dump, visit the Indian head cove or laze around at the grotto. If you are planning to visit the park, make sure you purchase a time slot at the grotto well in advance. You can purchase your parking pass here.
Usually you get a 4 Hr time slot to visit the Indian head cove and the grotto. If you reach the park earlier, you can go to the halfway log dump before. You do not need to book a time slot for the halfway log dump so you can visit it before or after the grotto. All these stops requires a 1.5-3km hike so be prepared to walk!
TIP: One of the best ways to spend time at the Bruce Peninsula National Park is by camping in one of their famous campgrounds.
4.Singing Sands
Right opposite the Bruce Peninsula National Park are the Singing Sands. Singing sands gets its name from the singing sound that the sand makes. This is also part of the Bruce Peninsula National Park but parking is first come first serve so if you plan to visit singing sands, make sure you arrive early. Bring lots of sunscreen and your swim suits. There is a food concession stand there as well as a picnic area if you chose to go that route. The water is warm and shallow and it is the perfect spot for an infant to enjoy as well.
5. Tobermory
4 hrs north of Toronto lies Tobermory. No matter how many times we visit this town, we love to keep going back. During the summer months, this town is filled with tourists and the turquoise blue colour of the water reminds you of the crystal blue waters from the Caribbean. For those adventure seekers, there are many options of water activities in Tobermory.
You can take the Blue Heron cruise and cruise around the famous shipwrecks and flowerpots or even get off at the flowerpot island. Again, make sure you purchase tickets for your ferry well in advance. You can also take a sunset cruise to visit the grotto and watch it from sea. While in Tobermory, make sure you rent a kayak in the Big Tub harbour and kayak around the beautiful shipwrecks. Click Here to read my blog post on things to do in Tobermory.
6. Sauble Falls and Sauble Beach
These falls remind me of the Dunn’s river waterfalls in Jamaica. While they are not as big as the Dunn’s river waterfall, you can still climb up the falls and spend a day around the falls area. The falls is part of a provincial park so make sure you buy your parking pass in advance. This is another spot that fills up quickly so make sure you arrive before the crowds do. 15 minutes drive from the falls is Sauble beach.
Well, this beach needs no introduction! We tried going to the beach 3 times last summer and parking was always full from end to end. You can try finding parking in the inner streets but make sure you pay at the meters or be prepared to get a ticket. The beach area is always crowded because a lot of people visit this area as part of their Bruce Peninsula day trips from Toronto. If you are craving some tacos, check our Casero’s taco truck on the Main Street!
7. Lion’s Head and Greig’s Cave
This would be one of my favourite combinations. Both these locations are driving distance to one another. They both have beautiful views. The Lion’s Head lookout is by far my favourite hike because of the splendid views of the lake from up top. The hike is long and tiring so be prepared to walk. The Greig’s Cave hike is shorter and quicker but if you have kids, it might be a challenge to do both these hikes on the same day! If you like to hike, I would highly recommend this as one of the Bruce Peninsula day trips from Toronto.
NOTE: Both these places require quite a bit of hiking so be prepared to walk!
8. MacGregor Provincial Park
This provincial park is one of the best parks in Ontario. The trails in this park are beautiful and we have been to this park in the hot summer months as well as the cold winter months. It is beautiful no matter when you go. If you have a pet, there is a dog friendly beach at the park. We camped here and it was an amazing experience. Make sure you book a reservation through Ontario parks prior to visiting the park
TIP: When you are on highway 33, between the park entrance and concession rd 4, there is a little trail on your right hand side. It is very easy to miss the entrance but there is parking space for 2-3 cars here. If you do find it, make sure you visit. It is a beautiful trail perfectly lined with tall trees and one that leads to a lake.
9. Chantry Island and Southampton
Southampton is a beautiful tourist town. The Main Street leads to the flag pole right in front of the lake. The beach here is great but rocky! To read some information on which beach to visit in Southampton, click here. When in Southampton, from the beach you will see an island with a lighthouse! This is Chantry Island. You can pre-book tickets to take a ferry to the island here. Once on the island, there is a lighthouse tower. You can climb the 107 steps to take you to the top! Enjoy some of the best views of Southampton from the top of the tower. Here are my top 10 things to do in Saugeen Shores!
10. Kincardine
A Scottish town in the midst of the Bruce Peninsula, Kincardine is located 3 hrs north of Toronto. The beach is perfect for swimming, the water activities here are splendid, the food is phenomenal and the shopping is fun! If you are in the mood for some fish and chips, try the Erie Belle restaurant. Friday evenings at sundown, you can watch the bagpiper pipe down the sun from the lighthouse. If you are in the mood to hike, there are some beautiful trails right along the water.
11. Flowerpot Island – BONUS
I absolutely do not recommend visiting the flowerpot island if you are doing a day trip and if you are travelling with kids. The day can get really long. 4 hrs drive one way from Toronto, plus the ferry, plus 4 hours at the island. It would mean a really long day. BUT, if you are planning to stay here, make sure to visit the flowerpot island!
Final thoughts
The Bruce Peninsula has so many more beautiful spots to explore. If you are planning Bruce Peninsula day trips from Toronto or even an overnight stay here, your itinerary will be packed with things to do! Bruce Peninsula has become home to us and I am so glad that we live in this beautiful area of Ontario. If you are looking for a place to stay during your visit, make sure you check out our AirBnb!
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to DM us on Instagram or send us a message on here! We always look forward to hearing from you!
