10 Nature Spots for Families In or Near London, ON (Easy Day Trips)

Looking for a simple way to get your family outside without packing for a full weekend?
The London area is packed with easy outdoor escapes — from riverfront parks and shady hiking trails to sandy beach days that feel like mini vacations.

Whether you’re planning a relaxed afternoon picnic or a full-blown beach adventure, these 10 day trips around London make it easy to unplug, explore, and create unforgettable family memories — without going far from home.

Here’s where your next outdoor adventure could begin:

Springbank Park

Springbank Park is one of London’s largest and most popular green spaces — and it’s perfect for families who want a full day outdoors without leaving the city.

• Location: West London
• Best For: Babies through tweens
• What You’ll See: Thames River trails, splash pad, playgrounds, open fields
• Why Families Love It: Tons of room for picnics and free play; river views and paved stroller-friendly paths
• Insider Tips: Visit early in summer to beat the splash pad crowds — and bring bikes or scooters!

Komoka Provincial Park

If your family loves a little adventure, Komoka offers gentle escarpment hikes with beautiful river valley views — perfect for school-age kids ready to explore.

• Location: Just west of London (15-minute drive)
• Best For: School-age kids through teens
• What You’ll See: Forested hills, Thames River views, beginner trails
• Why Families Love It: Scenic river lookouts; gentle elevation changes to keep hikes interesting
• Insider Tips: Wear sturdy shoes — trails can get muddy after rain!

Fanshawe Conservation Area

Fanshawe feels like a real getaway without the long drive. Families can rent canoes, hike wooded trails, camp overnight, or just enjoy a lakeside picnic.

• Location: East London
• Best For: Toddlers through teens
• What You’ll See: Fanshawe Lake, forest trails, boat rentals
• Why Families Love It: Easy paddling options; big shady campsites for weekend trips
• Insider Tips: Book paddling rentals or campsites online ahead of time for weekends.

Westminster Ponds Conservation Area

A hidden natural gem right inside the city, Westminster Ponds offers easy forest boardwalks and peaceful wildlife spotting.

• Location: South London
• Best For: Toddlers through tweens
• What You’ll See: Forest trails, ponds, wetlands
• Why Families Love It: Short, stroller-friendly trail loops; lots of birdwatching opportunities
• Insider Tips: Visit early morning for the best chances to spot deer and herons!

Medway Valley Heritage Forest

Wind your way through shaded woodland trails, gentle hills, and scenic creek crossings in this peaceful stretch of urban forest.

• Location: North London
• Best For: Preschoolers through early teens
• What You’ll See: Woodlands, boardwalks, Medway Creek
• Why Families Love It: Adventure feel without a long drive; shady summer hikes
• Insider Tips: After heavy rains, some low areas can flood — bring waterproof shoes just in case!

Gibbons Park

This lively riverfront park blends nature play with city amenities — splash pads, playgrounds, sports fields, and riverside trails all in one place.

• Location: Central London
• Best For: Babies through tweens
• What You’ll See: Playgrounds, splash pad, riverside trails
• Why Families Love It: Water play in summer; picnic areas right by the river
• Insider Tips: Bring bathing suits for a spontaneous splash pad stop!

Storybook Gardens + Thames Valley Trail

If you want a day that combines playtime with nature exploration, Storybook Gardens (a small, outdoor fairy tale-themed amusement park) is a great add-on to the Thames Valley riverside trails.

• Location: Springbank Park area
• Best For: Toddlers through early tweens
• What You’ll See: Outdoor amusement park, forested river trails
• Why Families Love It: Perfect for little kids who love rides and playgrounds plus easy riverside walks
• Insider Tips: Combo a morning at Storybook with a picnic and a shaded walk along the river trail!

Greenway Park

Greenway Park stretches along the Thames River with tons of room for biking, playgrounds, splash pads, and big open spaces — a great simple family adventure.

• Location: Central London
• Best For: Babies through tweens
• What You’ll See: Riverfront trails, splash pad, shady picnic areas
• Why Families Love It: Big spaces to run, splash, and play without feeling crowded
• Insider Tips: Pack scooters or bikes — the trails are perfect for little riders.

Port Stanley Beach

Ready for a true beach day without the long drive? Port Stanley offers a sandy family beach with shops, restaurants, and calm Lake Erie waters ideal for young swimmers.

• Location: Port Stanley (about 40 minutes south of London)
• Best For: Babies through teens
• What You’ll See: Sandy beach, Lake Erie shoreline, small town boardwalk
• Why Families Love It: Easy beach access; charming small-town feel for lunch or ice cream after playing
• Insider Tips: Bring beach umbrellas — shade is limited on the open beach!

Pinery Provincial Park

For the ultimate beach day adventure, head to Pinery Provincial Park — one of Ontario’s most beautiful stretches of sandy beach, with stunning Lake Huron sunsets and gentle, family-friendly swimming.

• Location: Grand Bend (about 55 minutes northwest of London)
• Best For: Toddlers through teens
• What You’ll See: Sand dunes, pine forests, Lake Huron beaches
• Why Families Love It: Massive sandy beach; beginner paddling and hiking trails
• Insider Tips: The beach gets busy — arrive early or plan a sunset visit for magical evening light!

Ready for a full camping adventure? Explore our Beginner-Friendly Southern Ontario Campgrounds!

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to plan a full-blown vacation to build amazing family memories.
Sometimes the best adventures are the simple ones — a riverside hike, a splash pad picnic, a sandy beach afternoon, or a trail where the only soundtrack is laughter and birdsong.

These easy day trips around London make it simple to step outside, slow down, and reconnect — one adventure at a time.

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