Valentine’s Day can be about more than roses and champagne.
Why not surprise your loved one(s) with a trip to the great outdoors? It’s a great opportunity to get in touch with nature and spend some quality time together.
If you’re not sure where to go, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at some of the romantic activities here at Ontario Parks:
Snowshoe through a winter wonderland
Upgrade your casual stroll to a full wilderness experience. Snowshoeing allows you to access trails sights you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see! An abundance of parks offer snowshoe trails for you and your Valentine’s enjoyment.
No snowshoes? No problem! Arrowhead, Frontenac, Pinery, Wasaga Beach, Windy Lake, and Killarney rent snowshoes.
Watch the sun set
A classic romantic activity with a wintery twist. Bundle up and make your way down to the beach for a view you’ll never forget.
Bring chairs and plenty of blankets. Sit back, relax, and watch the natural light show.
If you’re early birds, why not try waking up to watch the sunrise? Both the sunset and sunrise are spectacularly beautiful at Pinery Provincial Park.
Wish upon a star
If you’re already watching the sunset, you might as well stay for the stars! For amateur astronomers, there are plenty of stargazing apps available on your phone to help you identify planets, stars, nebulae, and more!
Killarney Provincial Park became Ontario’s first provincial park to receive a Dark Sky Preserve designation from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. That means you’re more likely to see the night sky in its natural splendor.
Make sure to dress for the temperature and bring your hot beverage of choice in a thermos to keep warm. We suggest hot chocolate!
Skate through a fairy-tale forest
Picture yourself gliding through the trees with your love on a cool winter night. Find out which parks offer skating here (and don’t forget to use our Snow Report to check ice conditions for our skating rinks and trails!).
Feel like turning up the heat? Book your day-use permit in advance and head to Arrowhead Provincial Park! Skate through their 1.3 km trail (lit by hundreds of torches on special Fire and Ice nights). Rentals are available!
Team up to land the big one
Nothing’s more romantic than starting a new hobby. Take a turn for the unexpected, and go on an ice fishing date!
For those who can get away during the week, visit Windy Lake Provincial Park!
Midweek yurt or cabin rentals are available. The staff at Windy Lake know all the ins and outs, and are happy to help you catch a big one!
Snuggle up while winter camping
Why choose just one activity, when you could take a trip and check a bunch off your list?
Silent Lake Provincial Park has ten camp cabins and eight yurts available to keep you toasty warm through the cold winter nights. Spend the day ice fishing, snowshoeing through Bonnie’s Pond, and cross-country skiing through their 40 km of trails, then return for a cozy night in.