Four of Ontario’s most significant landscapes have been designated as World Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. Here are four UNESCO world heritage sites In Ontario, including the Georgian Bay, Long Point, Niagara Escarpment, and Frontenac Arch. Lace-up your shoes, put on your gear, and prepare to explore amazing places by foot, pedal, and paddle.
World Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and its mission is to “contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, science, culture, communication, and information.” Although UNESCO is widely regarded as a champion of socioeconomic efforts, ecotourism and land protection are also critical.
World Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO as protected natural spaces that contain unique land and water ecosystems, maintain a sustainable balance between the environment and humans, protect at-risk species, contain important Indigenous and heritage sites, and emphasize eco-education. These distinct ecologies are uncommon, with only about 700 identified worldwide. Ontario is proud to safeguard these four.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Ontario
Georgian Bay – Canadian Biosphere Reserve
This biosphere reserve is made up of a cluster of islands, bays, and inlets that stretch over 13,000 square kilometers along the eastern Georgian Bay shoreline. The extraordinary topography supports forests and wetlands while providing out-of-this-world scenery.
Things To Do: Cross the French River suspension bridge for spectacular views of the rock-walled gorge below. Hike through old-growth pine forests to Wemtagoosh Falls and paddle along Indigenous peoples’ traditional routes in Point Grondine Park.
Where To Stay: Reserve one of the secluded waterfront cabins at Christian Beach in Georgian Bay Islands National Park for the ultimate nature retreat.
Long Point – Best UNESCO World Heritage Site In Ontario
This diverse landscape of woodlands, sand dunes, bluffs, marshes, meadows, and beaches is shaped around a 40-kilometer-long sand spit deposit in Lake Erie, the largest of its kind in the Great Lakes. The area is rich in flora and fauna, including more than 350 bird species, making it a globally significant migratory birding area.
Things To Do: Hike or bike through Big Creek National Wildlife Area’s undisturbed marshlands. The Black Bridge Waterford Heritage Trail features a 166-meter-long bridge with breathtaking views. Long Point Eco Adventures offers ziplining through the Carolinian forest.
Where To Stay: Long Point Eco Adventures offers a variety of glamping options, ranging from rustic camping pods to luxury wilderness suites with outdoor showers so you can get suds up under the stars.
Hike or bike through Big Creek National Wildlife Area’s untouched marshlands. The Black Bridge Waterford Heritage Trail features a 166-meter-long bridge with breathtaking views. Long Point Eco Adventures offers ziplining through the Carolinian forest.
Where To Stay: Long Point Eco Adventures offers a variety of glamping options, ranging from rustic camping pods to luxury wilderness suites with outdoor showers so you can get suds up under the stars.
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Niagara Escarpment – Majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site In Ontario
This spectacular limestone ribbon of the forest, wilderness, cliffs, and wetlands, stretching over 700 kilometers from Queenston in the Niagara Region to Tobermory on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, has the most topographic variability in southern Ontario, ranging over 430 meters in elevation.
Things To Do: Descend into ancient caves and follow the escarpment’s rocky ridges along the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest hiking trail. Climbers are drawn to Mount Nemo and Rattlesnake Point in Milton, Old Baldy Conservation Area in Grey County, and Lion’s Head on the Bruce Peninsula for their challenging climbs and rewarding views.
Where To Stay: Located near Caledon Village, Alabaster Acres Farm’s Insta-worthy glamping sites allow you to connect with nature without sacrificing the creature comforts of home.
Frontenac Arch Biosphere
The Frontenac Arch biosphere represents the ancient granite bridge connecting the Canadian Shield north to the Adirondack Mountains south, extending approximately 2,700 square kilometers through southeastern Ontario and including the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands.
Things To Do: Travel back in time at Fort Henry and experience 19th-century military life, or go deep into the rocky earth on the Silver Queen Mine Trail. Views from Spy Rock, the 1000 Islands Tower, and Mink Lake Lookout in Frontenac Provincial Park are spectacular.
Where To Stay: The remodeled Victorian Rosemount Inn and Spa at the heritage boutique hotel. The Rosemount Inn’s limestone manor has been in the historic Old Stones district of downtown Kingston since 1850, and it’s the ideal blend of old and new. Historic craftsmanship coexists with modern conveniences and amenities.
18 Biosphere Reserves In Canada
Apart from the four places in Ontario mentioned above, you can visit other biosphere reserves around Canada. There are 18 biosphere reserves in Canada you should explore:
- Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec
- Waterton, Alberta
- Long Point, Ontario
- Riding Mountain, Manitoba
- Charlevoix, Quebec
- Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
- Clayoquot Sound, BC
- Redberry Lake, Saskatchewan
- Lac Saint-Pierre, Quebec
- Mount Arrowsmith, BC
- Southwest Nova, Nova Scotia
- Frontenac Arch, Ontario
- Georgian Bay, Ontario
- Manicouagan Uapishka, Quebec
- Fundy, New Brunswick
- Bras d’Or Lake, Nova Scotia
- Beaver Hills, Alberta
- Tsá Tué, Northwest Territories
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