Best Lakeshore Parks in Toronto

Summertime in Toronto means long days spent outdoors enjoying the warm weather. And what better way to enjoy the summer sun than by picnicking in one of the city’s many lakeshore parks? Toronto is home to some of the best parks in the country, and each one offers its own unique set of attractions and activities. 

So if you’re looking for a great place to spend a day out, be sure to check out these ten amazing parks. From scenic hikes to sandy beaches, there’s something for everyone at these quintessential Toronto spots. So grab your picnic basket and sunscreen and head to one of these amazing parks!

Did you know that you can also see the cherry blossoms in Toronto? If you’re looking for a breathtakingly beautiful spot to enjoy the springtime flowers, then be sure to check out our list of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Toronto.

Spend a day by the water with our list of the best lakeshore parks in Toronto.

10) St. Lawrence Park

St. Lawrence Park
Photo by Bud
Located on 75 St Lawrence Dr, in Mississauga, you will find a cozy little park with a scenic view of Lake Ontario. This park features well-maintained paved walkways, plenty of benches, and even a small gazebo to provide shelter from the rain. This is a great spot to go for a nice evening stroll by the waters, with its beautiful scenery and the occasional chirping of birds from a distance.

9) Marie Curtis Park

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Photo by Gary J. Wood
Marie Curtis Park is a public park located by the Etobicoke Creek on Lake Ontario. This park offers a serene escape into nature with the various wildlife and native plants which inhabit here. One of the many wildlife you’ll find here is ducklings and ducks casually swimming on the lake. But what makes this park stand out is the scenic view of the lakeshore by the pier. If you look hard enough, you can even see the CN Tower and the Toronto skyline from here. Like most public parks in Toronto it can get crowded, so come early if you want to grab yourself a parking spot.
Photo by Kiril Strax
This natural park is located on the Leslie Street Spit, which is a man-made peninsula that stretches 5km into Lake Ontario. This is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway as you’re surrounded by the beautiful lake, and you can feel a gentle breeze at every turn. The relaxing and serene environment you’ll find here makes it hard to believe that there’s a bustling city right next to it. Make sure to bring a camera, as this park offers some of the best views of the Toronto skylines.

7) Port Credit Memorial Park

St. Lawrence Park
Photo by @nerhys.hall
This is a lively park located by the lakeshore in Mississauga. This park features well-paved walkways, a large pavilion, plaza space, and a wide-opened lawn that’s perfect for hosting festivals and events. Some of the festivals which have been held here are the Ribfest, Water Lantern Festival, and many others. Although this park can be quite energetic, it has a calmer side to it as well. During the nighttime, this park offers a tranquil environment that is perfect for an evening stroll, as you walk along the peaceful and serene river.

6) J.C. Saddington Park

J.C. Saddington Park
Photo by Michael
J.C Saddington Park is another park that’s located by the lakeshore in Mississauga. This huge waterfront park features several outdoor recreational spaces, picnic areas, and multiple paths with a scenic view of Lake Ontario. You‘ll also find visitors enjoying a nice barbeque by the waters, as this park provides BBQ grills for visitors to use. The paths here are easy to navigate, and there are many spots at the park for taking amazing photos of the lakefront. Best of all, the park here is free with plenty of spots available!

5) Jack Darling Memorial Park

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Photo by Joe deSousa
This is one of the biggest parks by the lakeshore in the GTA. With plenty of green space, walking trails, and a sandy beach with an incredible view of the Toronto skyline. This is a great park to visit for a nice family outing. This park is definitely one of the more popular parks on this lake, as not only does it have many amenities available, but the view of the lake waterfront is simply one of the best you’d find in the city. Best of all, you don’t have to just look at the lake from a distance, you can actually swim in it! Just a heads up, this park can get pretty crowded (especially on the weekends), so better arrive earlier in the day if you want to find a parking spot.

4) Colonel Samuel Smith Park

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Photo by Jeff Hitchcock
This urban park is located by the lakeshore in Etobicoke was known to be a famous destination for a weekend getaway for Victorian Torontonians. This 78-hectare park features bike trails, a playground, a picnic shelter, and even a dogs off-leash area. But the lakeside views are definitely the selling point of this park. This park is extremely fun to explore, as whichever trail you take will lead you to a different spot with a gorgeous view of the lakeshore. The best part is that during each season, the change of scenery at the park will feel like a whole new experience.

3) Trillium park

Trillium park
Photo by Roozbeh Rokni
This is a government-owned park located right by Ontario Place. A fun fact about this park is that it used to be a parking lot, but has since been transformed into a stunning park that attracts people from all over the city. The park is surrounded by nature with tall trees, plants, flowers, and beautifully formed sedimentary rocks. One thing that makes this park stand out is its unrivalled view of the sunrise/sunset by the waters. It’s so easy to just spend a whole day here and admire the beauty of the scenery you’ll find here.

2) Scarboro Crescent Park

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This stunning cliff top park in Scarborough is definitely one of the must-visit parks on this list. The breathtaking views you can get of Lake Ontario from on top of the cliffs of Scarborough Bluffs is truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to the stunning view, here you will also find a beach, gardens, trails, and plenty of space for recreational activities. And if you don’t want to be closer to the waters, you can even bring a motorboat and enjoy the serene lake firsthand.

1) Lakefront Promenade Park

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Lakefront Promenade Park is definitely one of the best (if not the best) parks by the lakeshore. Not only is the park large in size, but it also offers various recreational facilities including beach volleyball, splash pads, and a playground, which is great for outdoor activities by the waters. If you’re into boats, there’s also a boat launch available to kayak on the lake. Outdoor activities aside, this park is also a great place to relax while sitting on its many benches and taking in the breathtaking view of Lake Ontario. Be sure to take advantage of the gorgeous views here, and take some incredible photos by the lakeshore.
That’s it for our list of the best lakeshore parks in Toronto. We hope this list has helped you find your next weekend getaway to one of Toronto’s many stunning lakeshore parks. If you want more inspiration on where to visit next, be sure to check out our other blogs on all things Toronto.

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