Cool Rocks, Hidden Caves, and Fun Outcroppings

Some people chase waterfalls, while others chase stories written in stone. In Ontario’s Highlands, you don’t have to choose between the two. 

Ontario’s Highlands is a playground for geology lovers, curious wanderers, and anyone drawn to mossy boulders and glittering quartz veins. Here, the ruggedness of the Canadian Shield meets layers of metamorphic and limestone geology, shaping a landscape of dramatic rock formations, deep caves, mineral-rich outcrops, and ancient cliffs that tell stories older than time.

The best part? You don’t need to be a geologist to explore here. Read on for your field guide to some of the coolest rock-based experiences in the region—hands-on, climbable, explorable, and undeniably photo-worthy.

Scale New Heights at Haliburton Forest

Ever looked up at a rock wall and thought, “Could I climb that?” At Yours Outdoors in Haliburton Forest, the answer is yes—and someone will show you how. Their intro to rock climbing experience is beginner-friendly where you will learn the basics: harnesses, knots, belaying. 

Ancient Art at Bon Echo

At Bon Echo Provincial Park, the rocks don’t just tower—they tell stories. Mazinaw Rock stretches 100 metres above Mazinaw Lake, a slab of sheer granite etched with over 260 Indigenous pictographs. The best way to see them? From the water. Book a boat tour through the park, and a guide will take you up close, sharing the meaning behind the red ochre drawings and their Indigenous history. 

Dig Into Bancroft, Canada’s Mineral Capital

If Ontario’s Highlands had a gem, it would be Bancroft—literally. Known as the Mineral Capital of Canada, this small town sits on a treasure chest of geological wonder. Rockhounds from around the world come here to hunt for minerals like fluorite, apatite, and tourmaline. Time it right and you can also catch the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree, Canada’s largest gem and mineral show, where vendors and collectors bring out their shiniest finds and best stories.

Go Underground at Bonnechere Caves

Carved from limestone more than 500 million years ago, Bonnechere Caves is aptly located in Eganville, a town known as the Ordovician Fossil Capital of Canada. Wander through the limestone caves and hear the story of this ancient sea floor, complete with fossils embedded in the walls. The air down here is cool, the ground underfoot solid with history. Bring a light jacket and your sense of wonder. 

Eco-touring at Greenmantle Farm

Just outside Wilberforce, Greenmantle Farm Mineral Eco-tours isn’t your average nature stop. This 300-acre property is home to the rare mineral fluororicherite, along with other interesting minerals. You can take a guided eco-tour of the property through Greenmantle Tours, and learn more about rock formations and the minerals that are found there, including a stunning quartz crystal outcrop. 

Mining Comes to Life at Silver Queen Mine

At Murphys Point Provincial Park near Perth, the Silver Queen Mica Mine offers a window into Ontario’s 1900s mica boom. This mine not just an old shaft in the woods – a visit here included guided tours that take you underground (helmet and flashlight included) and into the daily life of miners who once hauled mica, feldspar, and quartz out of the rock by hand.