Summer Visit to Scenic Caves
Scenic Caves in Ontario is one of Canada’s great natural wonders. Located just west of Collingwood, it’s the highest part of the Niagara Escarpment. This attraction is a 2.5 hour drive north of Toronto and makes a great summer activity for all ages.
Scenic Caves Highlights
Caves
These caves used to be under water during the Glacial Ages. In the 17th century, the Hurons and Petuns lived and hunted around the area, using the caves as a fortress from their enemies. Today, an easy hiking trail connects the caves and you can explore the Ice Cave, Fern Cave, Bear Cave, and a cave called Fat Man’s Misery.
Fat Man’s Misery requires you to climb down into a cave, then squeeze sideways into a crevice that’s only 36 cm at the narrowest spot. I started going in the crevice about 2 ft but decided to abort!
I have to say that the caves are a little underwhelming. Just don’t expect full blown underground caverns with stalagmite and crystal formations. It’s not that kind of place!
Suspension Bridge
This is the longest suspension bridge in Southern Ontario! It’s suspended 300 m above Georgian Bay. Surprisingly, I couldn’t feel the bridge sway at all when walking across the platform. There are expansive views of Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain, and Wasaga Beach. On a clear day, Penetanguishene is visible in the distance.
Thunderbird Twin Zipline
This is Canada’s longest twin-zipline going one half-mile over the Niagara Escarpment. My heart was racing when I was standing at the top of the 50 ft tower waiting to zip off. I’m terrified of heights, but it was already past the point of no return! Everything was fine once it got started. The ride was really fun and I wanted to ride it again!
The initial vertical drop of 287 feet gives you a lot of speed to coast at 70 km per hour to the other end. The good thing about this zip line is that you can control your own speed with the hand control so some people even stopped part way to take pictures of the scenery.
The initial vertical drop of 287 ft gives you a lot of speed to coast at 70 km per hour to the other end. You have full control over your zip speed using the hand control so some people stopped part way to take pictures of the scenery. Riders must be at least 10 years old.
Guided Eco Adventure Tour
There’s also a 3 hour guided tree top canopy walk. This tour takes you 600 m across platform decks suspended across trees 40 feet above the ground. On this tour, there are 2 different ziplines: a 300 ft and a 1000 ft zipline.
Other Things To Do at Scenic Caves
There is also a train ride, tractor ride, mini-golf, gemstone mining, and a nature trail.
The Niagara Escarpment is a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. Hiking through the nature trail, you will come across sugar maples, red oaks, white birch, fern, and trilliums.
Other Attractions Nearby Scenic Caves
To make a full-day excursion, check out these nearby attractions:
Collingwood (15 min from Scenic Caves)
Ths is Sunset Point Beach at Georgian Bay.
Casino Rama Resort (1.5 hours from Scenic Caves)
Casino Rama Resort is an entertainment complex located in Orillia. We signed up for the free Players Passport Club card and got a $10 new member bonus credit. Playing slots, I was up $18 and used it towards dinner at the Crouching Court Buffet. The Players card also gets you $2 off the buffet. Winning!
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
260 Scenic Caves Road, Collingwood, Ontario
Open daily May to October
Scenic Caves Park Admission: $22.57 (mini golf and gemstone mining extra)
Scenic Caves Park with Zipline: $43.80
Scenic Caves Park with Guided Eco Tour: $85
Safe Travels!
xx Deb
Robert Parker Teel says
Excellent article, and so great to see this post! I remember visiting those caves when I was a kid – the zipline and I think the suspension bridge are new additions, but I remember teasing my father about squeezing through Fat Man’s Misery! 🙂
Deb Che says
There’s surprisingly a lot of fun attractions in Ontario. Summer is a great time to road trip around the province. Fat Man’s Misery is way too narrow for a lot of people! Thanks for reading 🙂