10 Adventurous Day Trips Around Barrie That Your Family Will Love

Big memories start with simple adventures.

Around Barrie, outdoor family time is easy — and unforgettable. Whether you’re paddling a quiet bay, hiking through the woods, splashing at a lakeside beach, or learning to ski together for the first time, these day trips offer more than just fresh air.
They build connection, confidence, and those little moments that turn into lifelong stories.

Ready to plan your next memory-making adventure?
Here are 10 of our favorite family-friendly outdoor outings in and around Barrie.

Centennial Beach

This waterfront gem is the heart of summer fun in Barrie. Soft sand, shallow swimming, a huge playground, and a waterfront trail make it the perfect place for an easy, joyful family day by the lake.

• Location: Barrie
• Best For: Toddlers through pre-teens
• What You’ll See: Kempenfelt Bay, sandy beach, splash pad, playground
• Why Families Love It: Easy beach access, stroller-friendly promenade, huge playground and splash pad for hot days
• Insider Tips: Arrive early on sunny weekends — parking fills up fast!

Hewitt’s Fun Farm

Old-fashioned outdoor fun meets endless energy at Hewitt’s. Explore sprawling play areas, climb giant inflatables, meet farm animals, and tackle corn mazes — perfect for letting kids run wild and free.

• Location: Barrie
• Best For: Toddlers through tweens
• What You’ll See: Farm fields, corn mazes, animal barn, giant play zones
• Why Families Love It: Tons of active outdoor play, seasonal events like fall harvest festivals, affordable admission
• Insider Tips: Bring extra clothes — kids WILL get muddy if it rained recently!

Ardagh Bluffs Trails

Lose yourself in a peaceful pocket of forest right inside the city. These shady trails are perfect for beginner hikers, nature explorers, and families who just need a breath of fresh air.

• Location: Barrie
• Best For: Preschoolers through teens
• What You’ll See: Shaded forests, occasional wildlife, gentle hills
• Why Families Love It: Free, stroller-friendly sections available, short loop options for little legs
• Insider Tips: Bring bug spray in summer and snap a photo of the trail map at the entrance.

Snow Valley Ski Resort

Snow Valley is built for beginners — gentle slopes, small lifts, and a welcoming vibe make it the perfect place for a first family ski day or snow tubing adventure.

• Location: Minesing (just outside Barrie)
• Best For: Kids 3+ and beginner skiers
• What You’ll See: Bunny hills, snow tubing park, winter forests
• Why Families Love It: Relaxed atmosphere, excellent beginner lessons, tubing fun for non-skiers
• Insider Tips: Reserve rentals and lessons early during holiday breaks — it books fast!

Tiffin Centre for Conservation

This natural oasis is packed with kid-friendly trails, wetlands teeming with birds, stroller-ready paths, and a maple syrup festival that’s a must-visit in early spring.

• Location: Utopia (10 minutes from Barrie)
• Best For: Babies in carriers through teens
• What You’ll See: Wetlands, boardwalks, forests, wildlife
• Why Families Love It: Easy trails, accessible for strollers, beautiful seasonal changes year-round
• Insider Tips: Spring syrup season weekends offer wagon rides and pancake breakfasts — check event dates.

Springwater Provincial Park

Quiet and uncrowded, Springwater offers peaceful walking trails, picnic areas, and winter rentals for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing — a hidden gem for year-round outings.

• Location: Barrie
• Best For: All ages
• What You’ll See: Forests, fields, small lakes
• Why Families Love It: Easy day trip with lots of space to run and roam, winter snowshoe rentals available
• Insider Tips: BYO sleds for winter fun if there’s enough snow!

Horseshoe Resort Adventure Park

Adventure-loving families will find something for everyone — climbing walls, ziplines, tree-top trekking, and mini golf in summer, plus skiing and snow tubing in winter.

• Location: Oro-Medonte (15 minutes from Barrie)
• Best For: Adventurous kids 5+ through teens
• What You’ll See: Adventure courses, zip lines, mini golf, ski hills
• Why Families Love It: Four-season fun packed into one easy-to-access destination
• Insider Tips: Adventure passes and winter tubing tickets sell out quickly — book ahead online.

Little Lake Park

Just a short drive north, this waterfront park in Midland offers splash pads, a playground, shaded picnic areas, and an easy beach day without the crowds.

• Location: Midland (30 minutes from Barrie)
• Best For: Toddlers through tweens
• What You’ll See: Little Lake, sandy beach, splash pad, playground
• Why Families Love It: Relaxed vibe, free or low-cost activities, easy water access for little ones
• Insider Tips: Bring bikes — there are easy paths looping the park and around the waterfront.

Kempenfelt Bay Paddling + Fishing

Calm, protected waters right in downtown Barrie make Kempenfelt Bay ideal for beginner paddlers and first fishing experiences with kids.

• Location: Barrie waterfront
• Best For: Families with kids 5+
• What You’ll See: Open water views, waterfront parks, fishing docks
• Why Families Love It: Gentle waves, easy kayak rentals in summer, close access to playgrounds and beaches
• Insider Tips: Rentals at Centennial Beach open seasonally — call ahead for availability.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

While technically closer to Collingwood, this destination is worth the short drive — towering suspension bridges, tree-top treks, scenic lookouts, and easy hiking trails make it an unforgettable day trip.

• Location: Collingwood (40 minutes from Barrie)
• Best For: Confident walkers 4+ and adventurous tweens
• What You’ll See: Caves, forests, bridges, breathtaking views
• Why Families Love It: Unique adventure with lots of flexibility — from easy walks to mini-ziplining
• Insider Tips: Closed-toe shoes are mandatory — and arrive early to beat the afternoon crowds.

Final Thoughts

Every family adventure doesn’t need to be epic to be unforgettable.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple trail, a splashy afternoon, or the shared triumph of trying something new together.

Around Barrie, outdoor adventures are waiting — short drives, small joys, and big memories built one beautiful day at a time.

Where will your next adventure take you?

You only get one chance to live this life with your kids.

Let’s make it count — outside.
Join the Paddles and Packs newsletter and unlock our members-only collection of free planning tools, guides, and resources.
They’re designed to help your family get outside more often — and with less stress.

Join & Get the Collection →

Related Posts You’ll Love

• 10 Best Family-Friendly Day Trips in Ontario
• 10 Scenic Collingwood Hikes Under 3km for Families
• Family Day Trip Guide: Explore Ontario’s Best Adventures Together

If you want to save this for later, Pin this to your Ontario Travel board on Pinterest.