10 Quiet Spots for a Sunday Picnic in the GTA

live together | 2021-08-20

Looking for the best picnic spots or a quiet place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors? While many of the most popular picnic places in Toronto and the GTA can get crowded on sunny weekends, there are still plenty of peaceful parks where you can spread out a blanket, enjoy a meal, and reconnect with nature.

From waterfront parks and scenic conservation areas to hidden gems along the Humber River, these are some of the best picnic spots in and around Toronto. Whether you're planning a family outing, searching for a peaceful picnic spot, or having an outdoor BBQ with friends, these locations offer beautiful scenery, open green space, and plenty of room to unwind.

1. Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Location: 1219 Burloak Dr, Oakville

Image Credit: The Heart of Ontario

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is one of the best family picnic places in Ontario, with thousands of picnic tables, sheltered areas, and designated spaces where visitors can use approved BBQs. With five hiking trails, a ravine, a pool, and a children’s farm with live animals, there is lots to explore during your time picnicking at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

2. Etiénne Brûle Park

Location: 10 Catherine St, Toronto

Image Credit: All Trails

Etiénne Brûle Park is located along the Humber River and has plenty of scenery and wildlife. The park has plenty of picnic tables and even a fire pit, making it a perfect picnic spot in Toronto. You’ll also find a number of hiking and biking trails throughout the park. Etiénne Brûle Park is also known as a good spot for fishing, and you may even spot salmon swimming in the river during the annual salmon run in September and October.

3. King Mill’s Park

Location: 105 Riverwood Pkwy, Etobicoke

Image credit: City of Toronto

Located south of Bloor Street West and the Old Mill Subway Station, King Mill’s Park is another scenic spot along the Humber River, making it a great quiet picnic location. A unique feature of this park is the Humber River marina launch, which is frequently used by kayakers and canoers. There are lots of grassy areas to set up a blanket and enjoy a picnic away from the city sounds. There is also an off-leash dog area so you can bring along your pooch.

4. Darlington Provincial Park

Location: 1600 Darlington Park Rd, Bowmanville

If you prefer to picnic on the beach, then you should check out Darlington Provincial Park. This beachfront picnic spot on Lake Ontario offers camping opportunities and hiking trails. The park has four large day use areas with picnic tables, BBQs, water taps, and washrooms. Three of these areas have picnic shelters available for rent.

Nearby Minto Community: Residents of Creekstone are just a six-minute drive from Darlington Provincial Park, a popular Lake Ontario destination for beach picnics, hiking, and outdoor recreation.

5. Rouge National Urban Park

Location: 1749 Meadowvale Road, Scarborough

With forests, hiking trails, a beach, campgrounds, and marshes, Rouge National Urban Park offers a little something for everybody, making it one of the best parks in the GTA. This park, located near HWY 401 East and the Toronto Zoo, is the largest urban park in North America. After a full day of outdoor activities, such as guided tours and canoeing on the river, you can settle in for a relaxing picnic on the beach while enjoying the view of Lake Ontario.

6. Colonel Sam Smith Park

Location: 3145 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke

Image Credit: City of Toronto

Located in south Etobicoke, Colonel Sam Smith Park is known for its diverse variety of plants and wildlife. This quiet waterfront park sits on the shoreline of Lake Ontario and offers grasslands, a wetland habitat, an off-leash dog area, trails, and platforms to view all the wildlife. There is a covered picnic area in the park that can be booked ahead of time. The park is also a designated Toronto Bird Sanctuary, making it a great picnic spot to birdwatch while you enjoy your meal.

Nearby Minto Community: Located just an 8 minute drive away from Colonel Sam Smith Park, Westshore offers easy access to this waterfront destination known for its trails, wildlife, and picnic areas.

7. Port Credit Memorial Park

Location: 40 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga

Image Credit: Culture Mississauga

Port Credit Memorial Park is a serene spot on the waterfront. With group picnic sites in the park, gathering the family for a picnic will be easy. This family friendly picnic spot also has hiking trails, a playground, and recreation areas, sure to keep kids entertained.

8. Toogood Pond Park

Location: 280 Main Street, Unionville

Image Credit: Enjoy Ontario

Toogood Pond Park features a partially naturalized pond and marsh. This secluded picnic spot has park benches and picnic tables surrounding the pond so you can eat alongside the peaceful views. There is also a walkway circling the pond and a man-made dam and waterfall in the south-east end of the park.

Nearby Minto Community: Union Village and Park & Main are conveniently located near Toogood Pond Park, one of Markham's most beloved outdoor spaces for relaxing by the water and enjoying nature.

9. Toronto Music Garden

Location: 479 Queens Quay W, Toronto

Image credit: City of Toronto

Inspired by Bach’s First Suite For Unaccompanied Cello, this enchanting park on Toronto’s inner harbour is the perfect oasis for a quiet picnic spot in the GTA. The park is beautifully designed with features like Canadian Shield boulders, a wildflower meadow, and ornamental grasses. There are also various trails and curving paths for you to wander along.

10. Sunnybrook Park

Location: 1132 Leslie St, Toronto

Image Credit: City of Toronto

Once a working farm, Sunnybrook Park was donated to the City of Toronto in 1928 and has since become one of the city's most popular green spaces. Today, it's a great option for a picnic - with expansive open fields, scenic trails, a pond, and the historic Sunnybrook Stables. As one of the more versatile family picnic places in the city, the park offers designated picnic areas and public BBQs, making it a popular choice among those searching for BBQ parks in Toronto, good parks for picnics, and relaxing picnic spots in Toronto. Whether you're planning a casual afternoon outdoors or a larger gathering, Sunnybrook Park is one of the best picnic places in Toronto for enjoying nature without leaving the city.

FAQs

What are the best picnic spots in Toronto?

Some of the best picnic spots in Toronto include Sunnybrook Park, Etienne Brûlé Park, Toronto Music Garden, and Rouge National Urban Park, offering scenic views, green space, and plenty of room to relax.

Are there any quiet parks in Toronto for a picnic?

Yes! If you're searching for quiet parks near me or secluded picnic spots near me, consider Etienne Brûlé Park, King's Mill Park, Toogood Pond Park, and Toronto Music Garden.

Which Toronto parks have picnic shelters?

Toronto parks with picnic shelters highlighted in this article are Colonel Sam Smith Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Bronte Creek Provincial Park, and Darlington Provincial Park.

Are there any BBQ parks in Toronto?

Yes. Popular BBQ parks in Toronto include Sunnybrook Park and Bronte Creek Provincial Park, both of which offer picnic areas suitable for family gatherings and outdoor meals.

What are the best family picnic places in the GTA?

For a family outing, some of the best family picnic places and picnic areas in Ontario include Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Port Credit Memorial Park, and Sunnybrook Park.

What should I bring for a picnic outing?

For a comfortable picnic outing, bring a blanket, food and drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, and any outdoor games or activities you'd like to enjoy. If you're visiting BBQ parks in Toronto or reservable picnic locations in the GTA, be sure to review park guidelines before you go.