Ontario Provincial Parks Cyclists Will Love
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The Best Parks for Road, Gravel & Mountain Biking
Ontario Provincial Parks and cycling go hand in hand. Some of my favourite rides haven’t started from a trailhead or parking lot; they’ve started right from a campsite, coffee in hand, lake mist still hanging in the air. Ontario Provincial Parks make that easy, offering everything from mountain bike trails to quiet gravel roads and scenic campground loops.
Whether you’re a mountain biker chasing singletrack, a gravel rider looking for long forest roads, or a casual cyclist who just wants to explore a park at an easy pace, there’s an Ontario Provincial Park that fits your riding style.
Below are eight Ontario Provincial Parks cyclists will love, including what cycling is available inside the park, what’s nearby, and what type of rider each park is best suited for.
Ontario's Algonquin Park is famous among canoeists and hikers, but it is just as enjoyable to explore by bike.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Best for: Mountain bikers, gravel riders, and road cyclists
Location: Central Ontario
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s most iconic outdoor destinations, and it quietly offers some of the most diverse cycling in the province. If you plan to do one ride in the park, the Old Railway Bike Trail is your best choice, a straightforward ride with stunning scenery. I recommend combining the Old Railway Bike Trail with Rock Lake Road (gravel) and a stretch of Highway 60 for a slightly challenging 33 km loop.
Cycling in the park
Algonquin has three designated cycling trails:
Old Railway Bike Trail – Flat, scenic, and ideal for gravel bikes, hybrids, and touring setups
Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail – Technical singletrack with rocks, roots, and climbs
Byers Lake Mountain Bike Trail – Shorter but challenging mountain bike loop
Road cyclists often ride Highway 60, which runs through the park and offers classic Algonquin scenery (early mornings are best to avoid traffic).
Nearby riding
Muskoka and the Ottawa Valley provide endless gravel and road cycling options near the park. That said, with Algonquin Park being as large as it is, I would not call cycling outside the park nearby.
Why cyclists love it
Algonquin offers something for nearly every type of cyclist, from relaxed rail-trail riding to demanding mountain biking.
With official mountain bike trails and bikes permitted on some hiking paths, Restoule Provincial Park is a personal cycling favourite.
Restoule Provincial Park
Best for: Beginner and intermediate mountain bikers
Location: Near North Bay
Restoule Provincial Park is one of the most underrated cycling destinations in Ontario, especially for mountain biking. It is among the few parks with designated mountain bike trails within its boundaries. Connecting these trails with some of the multi-use paths and gravel roads can create an enjoyable loop.
Cycling in the park
The park features over 8 km of mixed singletrack and doubletrack. Trails like Angel’s Point and Ranger’s Point are flowy, scenic, and approachable, making them ideal for riders building confidence on singletrack.
Nearby riding
Quiet local roads and forest access routes offer opportunities for short gravel extensions.
Why cyclists love it
Restoule delivers fun, low-pressure mountain biking in a beautiful lakeside setting, perfect for camping-based riding trips.
With some of Ontario’s top mountain biking trails accessible from your campsite, Turkey Point Provincial Park is a must-visit.
Turkey Point Provincial Park
Best for: Mountain bikers of all skill levels
Location: Norfolk County, Southwestern Ontario
Turkey Point Provincial Park is a must-visit for mountain bikers in southern Ontario. This is the only Ontario Provincial Park that I am aware of where you can access some of the province's best mountain biking trails right from your campsite.
Cycling in the park
Inside the park, riding is mostly casual, campground loops and short paved sections.
Nearby riding
Just outside the park is the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Trail network, which offers dozens of kilometres of singletrack ranging from beginner-friendly flow trails to advanced technical sections.
Why cyclists love it
Few places in Ontario offer this combination: serious mountain biking right next to a provincial park campground. Ride hard during the day, swim in Lake Erie in the evening, and relax by the fire at night.
The roads around Awenda Provincial Park are a cyclist’s paradise.
Awenda Provincial Park
Best for: Casual cyclists and gravel riders
Location: Near Penetanguishene, Georgian Bay
Awenda Provincial Park is ideal for cyclists who value scenery over speed. While a bike is a fun way to explore the park, gravel and road riders will find excellent cycling opportunities along the roads outside the park.
Cycling in the park
Trails such as Bluff, Brûlé, and Beach are smooth and well-packed, making them ideal for gravel bikes, hybrids, and casual riders. Expect gentle terrain and frequent scenic stops overlooking Georgian Bay.
Nearby riding
The surrounding area offers quiet paved and gravel roads for longer exploratory rides.
Why cyclists love it
Awenda is perfect for relaxed cycling, where rides naturally turn into beach stops, swims, and photo breaks.
One of the best ways to explore Killbear Provincial Park is by bike.
Killbear Provincial Park
Best for: Casual cyclists and road riders
Location: Near Parry Sound
Killbear Provincial Park is one of the top Ontario parks for easy, scenic riding. The recreational trail is a pleasant ride, and I find that riding along the paths connecting the different campgrounds and providing access to the shoreline is a fun way to explore the park.
Cycling in the park
A long recreational trail runs through the park, allowing cyclists to explore beaches, campgrounds, and viewpoints at a comfortable pace.
Nearby riding
Road cyclists can venture outside the park to enjoy scenic Georgian Bay routes around Parry Sound. If riding from the park, know that the only road out of the park can be busy. For mountain bikers, the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre is a 30-minute drive away and provides trails for all skill levels.
Why cyclists love it
Killbear is ideal for morning spins, family rides, and recovery days, with constant water views and minimal elevation.
The roads around Mikisew Provincial Park are a gravel rider’s dream.
Mikisew Provincial Park
Best for: Casual cyclists and families, gravel riders and mountain bikers.
Location: Near South River
Mikisew Provincial Park offers simple, enjoyable cycling without technical challenges along park roads. I wasn't aware you could ride the hiking trails, so I didn't bring my mountain bike, but I will next time. What brought us to Mikisew in the first place are the endless gravel hiking routes you can explore around the park.
Cycling in the park
Campground loops and short trails make it easy to explore Eagle Lake by bike. The terrain is flat and beginner-friendly. Bikes are allowed on the hiking trails; a mountain bike is your best option.
Nearby riding
Local roads provide additional low-traffic riding options. The gravel riding opportunities are limitless.
Why cyclists love it
Mikisew is perfect for easy cycling in the park and a gravel riders paradise beyond the park.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is on our list to revisit and ride more.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Best for: Mountain bikers and gravel cyclists
Location: Near Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s most dramatic landscapes, and one of its most adventurous cycling destinations. Located on the Sibley Peninsula, this park offers a rugged riding experience that feels remote and rewarding. During our short stay in the park, we cycled the South Kabeyun and Talus Lake Trail to access the hike to the top of the giant. A nice, approximately 20 km return ride that provides access to nice beaches.
Cycling in the park
Cycling here is primarily on gravel roads and multi-use trails rather than purpose-built singletrack. Trails such as Sawyer Bay, Burma, and Pickerel Lake can be linked for longer rides that combine gravel, dirt, and rocky terrain. A hardtail mountain bike or gravel bike with wider tires works best.
Nearby riding
Outside the park, quiet roads on the peninsula provide extra gravel and paved routes for extending your ride. If you're seeking a singletrack mountain bike experience, the Trowbridge Forest Multi-Use Recreation Trail System, which features 30 km of singletrack and a bike skills park, is about a 45-minute drive from Thunder Bay.
Why cyclists love it
Sleeping Giant is ideal for riders who enjoy exploration, distance, and solitude. Some backcountry campsites can be accessed by bike, making it a great option for bikepacking-style trips. Add in Lake Superior views and minimal crowds, and it’s a standout for adventure-focused cyclists.
The Ornea Rise is overkill for the trails at Arrowhead Provincial Park, but it is perfect for the nearby Huntsville Mountain Bike trails. For more on the bike, read my first e-mtb experience here - My First Ride on an E-MTB: Why It Took Me So Long
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Best for: Casual cyclists and intermediate mountain bikers, with expert mountain bike trails nearby.
Location: Near Huntsville, Central Ontario
Arrowhead Provincial Park often flies under the radar for cycling, but it’s a great choice if you want accessible riding without leaving the park. While I find the park trails suitable for casual riding, my main reason for camping at Arrowhead is the proximity to the nearby Huntsville Mountain Bike trails.
Cycling in the park
Arrowhead has two designated cycling trails:
Arrowhead Lake Trail (approx. 4.5 km)
Lookout Trail (approx. 3 km)
These trails offer gentle climbs, roots, and forested scenery, making them ideal for beginner to intermediate mountain bikers. Campground roads also provide easy riding for casual cyclists.
Nearby riding
Arrowhead is close to Muskoka and Algonquin, making it easy to combine park riding with nearby road or gravel routes. If you are a mountain biker, you are in for a treat. A twenty-minute drive from Arrowhead Provincial Park, the Huntsville Mountain Bike Association developed and maintains a fantastic network of mountain bike trails suitable for all skill levels in the Hidden Valley Ski Area and Deerhurst Resort area.
Why cyclists love it
This park is perfect for riders who want a low-stress mountain bike experience or a casual spin straight from their campsite.
Ontario Provincial Parks offer some of the best cycling experiences in the province, not because they’re extreme, but because they’re balanced. You can ride, camp, swim, hike, and slow down all in the same place.
Whether you’re a mountain biker, gravel rider, road cyclist, or casual explorer, these parks prove that bikes belong at the campsite just as much as canoes and hiking boots.
If cycling is part of how you experience the outdoors, these Ontario Provincial Parks deserve a spot on your list.
