Wild Rides, Dizzying Heights and Scalable Walls: 4 Ontario Staycations to Get Your Heart Racing

There are some of us who are looking for a quiet and restful vacation, a chance to unwind and breathe….and then there are those who are looking for a wild ride or breath-catching activity that will get your heart racing and you will remember for years to come.

These are the adrenalin seekers and maximum fun finders, and they are in their natural habitat in Ontario’s Highlands.

With such epic outdoor and wild settings in Ontario’s Highlands, is it any wonder that we specialize in adrenalin-inducing activities? Find your summertime excitement right here, in Ontario’s Highlands.

Mile-High Rush in Haliburton Highlands

Okay it’s not exactly a mile high, but who’s counting? Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve’s Canopy Tour has a half-kilometre (the longest in the world!) that takes you up into the treetops for a new perspective on the forest. Stay in one of the rustic cabins in Haliburton Forest or head to The Pines on Boshkung Resort and stay in one of their fully equipped cottages. Try stand-up paddleboarding or kayak the Minden Wild Water preserve, nearby.

Fueling the Rush: There is a delicious smokehouse right in Haliburton Forest or Rhubarb in nearby Carnarvon offers chef-prepared meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Try their upscale homestyle dishes like their roasted, grain-fed chicken pot pie.

Off-road Adventure in Frontenac and Lennox & Addington

When you’re pedaling hard over challenging hills and down gravel trails you will really get your blood moving. In Frontenac County and Lennox & Addington, you’ll find off-road cycling experience that take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Ontario. At the end of the day you’ll look forward to resting up at Pleasantview Lodge in Plevna. Only steps away from the K&P Trail, this cozy lodge can be your home base for pedal-focused activities across the region.

Fueling the Rush: In Plevna, North of 7 Market & Restaurant will have a hot meal waiting for you, or you can also  pick up some food stuffs to make back at the cottage. The restaurant is mid-way through the Plevna Cycling Loop so you can stop for a break, or grab and go!

Wild Whitewater Rides in the Ottawa Valley

Whitewater rafting or paddling is adventure boating at its best. In the Ottawa Valley, there are two world renowned whitewater experiences to choose from, OWL Rafting and Wilderness Tours. Both providers will give you a heart thumping ride down the mighty Ottawa River, and the laughter and soaking wet clothes to remember the day afterwards. Both experiences also offer on-site camping, glamping, or cabin rentals.

Fueling the Rush: Most meals are included with each package but if you’re craving French fries The Chip Pit is only a short drive from the resort and worth the excursion.

Adrenalin Spiking Climb with Elements Guiding

Climbing a rock wall must surely be the pinnacle for exciting outdoor activities! This is truly a test of your stamina and fears as you push yourself ever higher, challenging yourself and then coming out the other side with a big grin on your face. Elements Guiding offers six-hour guided climbing expeditions that take you deep into the wild places in Ontario’s Highlands to find the perfect rock wall for your adventure. Find a place to lay your head at the end of the day with our list of 25 Places to Claim Your Ontario Staycation Tax Credit.  

Fuel the Rush: Pick up a lunch to take with you from Truss Foodworks or for pre-made meals Abbey Gardens offers natural, vegan, and wholesome food choices that you can eat on the go (or on the wall!).