Vacation rentals in Collingwood

Whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, skier, snowboarder, or beach lover, you’ll find plenty to do in Collingwood, gateway to Ontario’s Blue Mountains along Georgian Bay. For hikers and bicyclists, the Georgian Trail, built on a former railway route, runs 21 miles (34 kilometers) west from Collingwood along the bay. In winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski along this path. For more of a challenge, hikers and mountain bikers can continue on the 25-mile (41-kilometer) Tom Thomson Trail, which meets the Georgian Trail in Meaford and extends west to Owen Sound.

Collingwood is only a 30-minute drive from the world’s longest freshwater beach, Wasaga Beach, and you can swim or sunbathe at other Georgian Bay beaches nearby. At the local ski resort, the relatively gentle hills may not rival the Rocky Mountains, but the 42 runs can keep most snow lovers occupied. Collingwood, a community of about 20,000, has a surprisingly large number of good restaurants and cafés, and you can follow the Apple Pie Trail through the region, sampling local orchards, cideries, and bakeries.

You’ll find plenty to do in Collingwood year-round, depending on what activities you most enjoy. From late spring through fall, you can hike, bike, or road trip through the Collingwood region, and the local ski resort regularly hosts concerts and other weekend activities. When the warm summer weather arrives, you can add swimming and beachcombing to your plans. In winter, you can ski or snowboard, or follow local snowshoe or cross-country ski trails. Collingwood’s quietest seasons are the early spring, when the snow melts but the weather is still unpredictable for other outdoor activities, and the chilly, damp late autumn before skiing starts, making both times easier to find cottages for rent.

Skiing, Hiking, or Ziplining down the mountain

The main attraction in the Collingwood area is the ski resort, less than 20 minutes from town. Skiing and snowboarding — and a lively après-ski scene — draw winter visitors, but there’s plenty to do once the snow melts, too. From spring through fall, the resort is open for hiking, ziplining, tackling the ropes course, and a variety of adventure activities.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

This adventure park located on the Niagara Escarpment — with views across Georgian Bay — is another destination for outdoor activities in summer and winter. There’s a network of caves to explore, the region’s longest suspension bridge to cross, and nearly ten miles (15 kilometers) of hiking paths to wander. In winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski across an extensive trail network.

Creemore

Wander among the heritage buildings in this village 20 minutes south of Collingwood, checking out the galleries and shops, or stopping for a pint in the local craft brewery. The town’s quirkiest attraction is its former prison, a tiny stone structure built in 1892 that’s reputed to be North America’s smallest jail.