Whether you’re feeling trapped at home, needing to pause from the daily grind, or need a vacation from a vacation, there are many wellness retreats in Ontario to choose from that are easy to get to from Toronto.

I think everyone can relate to feeling out of gas and overwhelmed. We often feel like we can just ride it out but often the cure for the feeling of exhaustion and sluggish is to stop, disconnect, and reset.

Here is a list of 5 retreats and experiences that’ll get you thinking outside the box.

5 wellness retreats in Ontario

8 women doing yoga with view of forest and lake in wellness retreat in ontario

Wellness retreats come in all different forms and sizes. These are five to get you started. All of these are an easy getaway from Toronto.

Full Moon SUP Yoga

3 women lying down on stand up paddleboards in the lake

We all know about the healing and and self-healing benefits of yoga but what if you combined it with stand up paddleboarding (SUP)?

man and woman doing yoga pose on stand up paddleboard with full moon sup yoga

With this activity you’ll be able to work on your balance, strength, and stability while on a paddleboard in the middle of calm waters while connecting with nature.

Full Moon SUP Yoga is for beginners and pros alike. Aside from the wellness benefits, you’ll also be getting a nice core work out and other muscles you never knew you had.

While this is a short experience, this activity will give you a chance to build your own single-day or multi-day wellness retreat by booking a Cedar Cottage or a lakefront cottage in the Algonquin Highlands.

This is the kind of healing that you might not even realize that you need. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to take on the world!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Location:  Haliburton, Ontario

Hours: 7:30PM

Length: 1.5 hours

Price:  $44 per person

BOOK

The Dwarf Goat Experience

nigerian dwarf goat upclose at sky river meadows

I don’t know if you knew but goats have a remarkable ability to read and respond to facial expressions and personal feelings. A recent study also says that goats prefer to happy people.

Sky River Meadows has a herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats that are hand raised to be the perfect therapy to turn that frown upside down.

two dwarf goats butting heads

With two different time slots in the day, you can book yourself a private experience with these lovable, intelligent, and huggable creatures.

Find yourself a peaceful corner in the farm nestled in the Muskoka wilderness, make new friends, and immerse yourself with these incredible little goats.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Location:  Utterson, Ontario

Hours: 9:00AM or 2:00 PM

Length: 3 hours

Price:  Starts at $49.50 per person in a group of 4

Maximum group size: 9

BOOK

Rise and Shine Adventures

7 women holding yoga pose while holding each others hands in hike and yoga with a view wellness retreat

There’s something about being outdoors and mindfulness that come together really well. It’s the idea that through joy, your mind-body-spirit connection is what allows for change, healing, and lasting happiness.

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This is what Marissa of Rise and Shine Adventures lives by in her collection of lifestyle experiences that’ll puts you out of your comfort zone in a good way.

6 women on table in a mala making workshop with boardshorts and boots

Currently she offers a combination of hiking and yoga in The Blue Mountains region, an introduction to SUP, and an intention-infused mala making workshop.

Combine all 3 experiences and make a full-day wellness retreat out of it!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Location:  The Blue Mountains, Ontario

Hours: 9:00AM or 2:00 PM

Length: 2.5 hours for Hike & Yoga with a View

Price:  Starts at $27.50 per person for a group Hike & Yoga with a View experience

Maximum group size: 9

BOOK

Quest for Balance

practicing yoga outdoors on dock at northern edge algonquin

So far, all the experiences mentioned so far are half-day sessions and require you to build out your own day-retreat. For those that are looking for an immersive outdoor wellness retreat in Ontario that spans multiple days, this one is the one to consider.

Over the course 4 days, you’ll be treated to twice daily restorative yoga sessions while on a stand up paddleboard on Kawawaymog Lake.

In the evening, practice the ancient and universal form of self-healing in a wood fired sauna.

northern edge algonquin facilities with cabin and surrounding forest

You’ll also be fed by very well by Chef Gregor in the dining room with locally grown and organic meals. Some food ingredients come from their garden and others are all sourced from Ontario farms and local organic meat providers.

You’ll be spending your 3 nights in comfortable cabins in the forest that range from canvas glamping-style to traditional log cabins.

At this price, this wellness bundle can’t be beat!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Location:  Algonquin, Ontario

Length: 4 days and 3 nights

Price:  $330 per person

Maximum group size: 12

BOOK

Nature’s Harmony

natures harmony woman on canoe looking out to the mist of the lake

I initially introduced Nature’s Harmony in the best yurts in Ontario feature. Beyond just the accommodations there, they are a full-fledged resort that will allow you to do your own digital detox and reconnection with nature.

cozy yurt accommodations with light coming in the centre

In addition to yurts, they also have chalets, cabins, and canvas glamping sites available for your group.

With 485 acres at your disposal, you’ll be able to experience the wilderness here with a variety of outdoor activities in all four seasons. In the summer, this means you’ll be able to take advantage of their extensive trails for hiking and biking, canoeing in the serene Bang’s Bay, and lawn games such as bocce ball, croquet, and horse shoes.

Beyond the activities, wake up everyday to the stillness of the Laurentian Mountains in the distance, wildlife passing through, and the quiet sounds of nature.

This is your chance to go off-the-grid and put together your own version of what an outdoor wellness retreat should look like.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Location:  Mattawa, Ontario

Length: Any number of nights

Price:  $126.50 for two people in a chalet

Maximum group size: Depends on the accommodations

BOOK

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to book in advance?

Yes, drop-ins aren’t available and so you do need to book in advance on the platform.

Can I book a private experience?

Yes, many of the providers on Joya Travel offer private sessions. Quest for Balance does not offer a private option.


Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

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eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

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If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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