Don’t let summer slip away without one last hurrah. Discover our favourite Canadian getaways worth road-tripping to before things cool down. From wine country weekends to backcountry breaks, it’s easy to love where you live when there’s so much to explore just around the corner.
1. Muskoka & Algonquin Park
Drive from Toronto: 2.5 hours
Drive from Ottawa: 4.5 hours
Anyone can add a little cottage country magic to their summer, even if you don’t have a vacation home of your own. Our Travel Experts have plenty of cozy stays up their sleeves, from simple cabins to luxury resorts with all the fixings.
Fancy a splash of adventure to complete your lazy days? Try a motorized canoe tour, guided paddling trip, riverside biking circuit, or a sightseeing steamship cruise.
2. Sunshine Coast
Drive + Ferry from Vancouver: 2 hours
Drive + Ferry from Victoria: 6 hours
Almost every destination professes to have “something for everybody”, but the Sunshine Coast really walks the walk. Scuba diving, distillery tours, and boutique shopping aren’t the half of it. You can even rent a boat and head to Savary Island to enjoy some white sand beaches! Take it all in with a last-minute weekend stay in Madeira Park.
3. Banff & Rocky Mountains
A journey to one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada deserves a special kind of trip. Consider relying on the original horsepower and turning your Banff road trip to an equestrian getaway!
You can get up close and personal with postcard-perfect gems like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and all the beautiful nooks and crannies of the Canadian Rockies.
4. South Pender Island
Drive + Ferry from Vancouver: 3 hours
Drive + Ferry from Victoria: 2.5 hours
A mild Mediterranean climate and a network of inviting parks and trails welcome you to the Pender Islands. Watch the boats floating by while you soak in the hot tub or work up a sweat exploring Gulf Islands National Park – it’s your vacation, do as you please.
Intrepid travellers can even get the small island perspective on road tripping by trying out Pender Island’s car stop program, a locally-run chain of hitchhiking stops.
5. Rideau River
Drive from Toronto: 4.5 hours
Drive from Montreal: 2.5 hours
Canada’s capital always makes for a delightful trip. Restaurants-on-wheels, flourishing gardens, and heaps of museums (many of which are opening their doors in August) are ready for exploring!
“Been there, done that?” Not so fast. Why not trade in your wheels for a houseboat? You can book a private floating hotel that takes you from Smiths Falls to photogenic townships all the way up the Rideau.
6. Okanagan Valley
Drive from Vancouver: 4.5 hours
Drive from Calgary: 7 hours
First of all, no drinking and driving. That’s what guided wine tours are for! Explore beautiful British Columbia wine country from Osoyoos to Kelowna to Lake Okanagan one tasting tour at a time.
Try pairing your picturesque getaway with a tasty dinner cruise across the lake, a relaxing dip in some hot springs, or a sunny round of golf.
7. Churchill River
Drive from Saskatoon: 4 hours
Drive from Edmonton: 8 hours
While some of us are in dire need of a break, others are overdue for a healthy challenge; for that, there’s outdoor adventuring. Head to La Ronge, Saskatchewan to meet a team of professional outfitters who will guide you through Churchill River’s secrets.
Whitewater rapids, easy paddling stretches, and plenty of time for swimming, hiking, and portaging will fill out your epic camping trip.
Staying close to home doesn’t have to be ordinary. Explore our top Canada vacation deals or dream up your next Canadian getaway with our Travel Experts today!