If you ever find yourself in Toronto, Ontario, you’re probably less than an hour away from Rouge Urban National Park—a unique gem as Canada’s first and currently only Urban National Park, with several potential candidate sites for future parks.
National Urban Parks play a crucial role in preserving nature, connecting people with the environment, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous communities, as part of Parks Canada‘s mission.
Before diving into our adventure at Rouge, we first explored Toronto itself. Our day started with a refreshing stop for iced coffee, accompanied by the stunning view of the city’s skyline, at Rooster Coffeehouse by East Riverdale Park. The city had more in store for us as we chanced upon the bustling Toronto Outdoor Arts Fair, featuring live music, live painting, and an array of artists’ booths.
After a morning well-spent, we made our way out of the city to explore Rouge Urban National Park. Though the hiking trails were limited compared to other parks, we embraced the opportunity to follow a park ranger’s recommendations and explore some overlooks within the park.
Our visit to the park was brief, as the ranger candidly shared that the park was still a work in progress. The Visitor Center was scheduled to open in 2025.
We camped for the night along the serene Roseau Canal (Locks 43 – 44), after paying a small fee for a peaceful campsite—a delightful experience that earned a solid 10/10 rating.
The next morning, we continued our journey along Canada’s southern border to reach Thousand Islands National Park. This area has been a summer vacation destination for thousands of years, with its islands being the main attraction. While many choose boat tours to explore the granite shorelines and islands, home to castles and modern day mansions, we opted for the 1,000 Islands Tower, offering 360-degree views of the surroundings. Additionally, we took a scenic drive, pausing along the way to pick up some local honey and take in the views.
Though these two National Parks didn’t boast the expansive landscapes or readily accessible hiking trails we were accustomed to in our U.S. travels, they held significant historical and natural value worth preserving.
