Explore

Jump ahead: Waterfront Activities / Trails / Parks & Sports

Known as the gateway to cottage-country, the Sunshine City draws outdoor enthusiasts year round to explore the city's outdoor amenities. Explore the trails, get out on the water, and indulge in Orillia's lake country adventures.

Waterfronts

Orillia is surrounded by water that acts as a rippling blue magnet to attract visitors from far and wide who love to boat, fish, and enjoy being on the water. Check out our most popular waterfront attractions below.

The Port of Orillia

Every summer, thousands of boaters dock at the Port of Orillia. For many Orillia is a destination; for others, it is a special stop on a voyage through the historic 386-kilometre Trent-Severn Waterway. The adjacent waterfront parks offer scenic trails, sandy beach, picnic areas, free Sunday evening band concerts and a delightful replica steam train for kids of all ages. The Port of Orillia is also just steps away from great dining and shopping in Downtown Orillia.

 

For more information on bookings and events, visit the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce website.

To learn about Sunday evening concert lineups, visit orillia.ca/musicinthepark.

Beaches

Orillia is nestled between two beautiful lakes and offers many places to swim and enjoy water sports. The Community Services Department operates two public beach areas.

More information can be found by visiting our Orillia beaches webpage.

Marinas

For many Orillia is a destination; for others, it is a special stop on a voyage through the historic 386-kilometre Trent-Severn Waterway. A variety of marinas, including the Port of Orillia exist in and around the city. A full list of marinas can be found by visiting our marinas webpage.

Fishing

If you like to fish, Orillia is where you want to be. Surrounded by Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, Orillia is also just a cast away from Sparrow Lake, where you can mosey up the Severn River and then over the lift locks at Big Chute into Gloucester Pool. You can also drop a line in Bass Lake, the Narrows, Lake St. John or countless other lakes, streams and ponds. During winter, ice fishing is a favourite local pastime. 

Naturally, the area is home to several popular fishing tournaments including the famous Perch Festival, which kicks off the season each spring.

Please review the fishing regulations to find out more about official regulations and information on fishing in Ontario or call The Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940.

 

 Fishing Gear Rentals

A Breath of Fresh Air offers ice hut rentals for fishing on Lake Couchiching.

 

Orillia is home to a variety of sports stores offering gear purchases. Visit our Shop & Dine page to help you find local business directories.

 Rotary Aqua Theatre

The historic Rotary Aqua Theatre was built in 1958 and has been home to many concerts in Couchiching Beach Park. During the summer months, Sunday Evening Band Concerts take place each week, showcasing bands from across the province much to the delight of local crowds. The Rotary Aqua Theatre is also available for rental.

Keep up-to-date with the summer lineup by visiting orillia.ca/musicinthepark.

Trails 

The City of Orillia maintains more than 29 kilometres of trails that complement our remarkable waterfronts and scenic landscapes. 

For the enjoyment of outdoor enthusiasts, the entire trail from J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park to Wilson's Point Road is plowed on a regular basis through the winter, as well as the boardwalk lit.  Wrap up and enjoy Orillia this winter for some hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, cross country skiing, and more!

Visit our trail page to access more information and trail maps. 

Scout Valley

A 230-acre City-owned oasis, Scout Valley is located at the south-west edge of Orillia, bounded by Highway 11 and Old Barrie Road. There are three loop trails at Scout Valley, which is dominated by mature deciduous forest. There is also a refreshing spring of water and a small stream. At the top of the hill is a lookout with fine views across Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.

The oldest house in Orillia, known as Regan House, has found new life at Scout Valley after being moved and lovingly reconstructed at the Line 15 parking lot entrance.

You can learn more about Scout Valley and access available trail maps on the Couchiching Conservancy website.

Parks & Sports 

The City of Orillia is well known and well regarded for its impressive parks, home to an extensive list of sports fields, our public parks also famously host annual festivals and events such as the Mariposa Folk Festival. From tranquil waterfront spaces, fun playgrounds, and splash pads to beautifully manicured lawns and flower gardens, these public spaces are designed to enhance and complement the natural beauty of our community.

A full list of public parks can be found by visiting our parks webpage, along with detailed information on supplied amenities. Below you can find a list of available sports spaces, along with nearby outdoor-driven businesses. 

Baseball Diamonds

Orillia has some of the finest baseball diamonds in the region. Diamonds can be found at the following parks:

Bayview Park
- 1 small unlit diamond

Kitchener Park
- 2 lit diamonds

Franklin Carmichael Park
- The Cliff Yeo Diamond is a  large, unlit diamond

McKinnell Square Park
- Gander Ross Diamond is a lit diamond
- Dean Heliotis Diamond is an unlit diamond

J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park
- Jerry Udell Diamond is a large lit diamond
- Tudhope Diamond is a medium sized lit diamond

 

For information on booking a ball diamond including rental rates, please visit the Booking a Facility or Park page. 

Golf 

Orillia is home to Couchiching Golf Club, a semi-private parkland style course featuring 9 holes. Visit couchichinggolf.com for hours, bookings, and services.

Playgrounds & Splash Pads

Orillia hosts over two dozen playgrounds open to the public. View our playgrounds webpage to view the full listing.

Six splash pads exist throughout the city's parks and waterfronts. Visit our splash pads webpage for up-to-date information.

Skateboard Park

Located in Veterans' Memorial Park, the Kiwanis Skateboard Park was built in 1999 through the hard work of many people in the community. Some of the features of the park include a fun box, bank, rails, stairs with rail, and snake run. Please consider the following when using the park:

 

  • Helmets must be worn by all participants
  • All litter must be placed in containers
  • No foul language is permitted
  • No food or drink is permitted on the concrete skateboard pad

Skating Rinks

The City of Orillia operates eight free outdoor skating rinks throughout the city that are open in the winter depending upon the weather.

Visit our outdoor rinks webpage for current hours and rink status.

 

Sharpening Services

 The following businesses may offer skate sharpening services, please visit their website for up-to-date information:

 

 Sports Fields

The Community Services Department maintains and books sports fields in three locations. Various sized fields are available that are both lit and unlit. Sports fields are available for soccer, rugby, football, field lacrosse and any other field sports.

 

Kitchener Park

  • 2 full-size lit natural turf fields
  • 1 three-quarter sized unlit natural turf field
  • Multiple smaller sized unlit natural turf fields

West Orillia Sports Complex

  • 1 full size lit artificial turf field
  • 1 full size lit natural turf field
  • 2 three-quarter sized unlit natural turf fields

 

For information on booking a sports field, including rental rates, please visit the Booking a Facility or Park page. 

Tennis Courts

Tennis anyone? The City operates tennis courts at three separate locations: 

 

West Orillia Sports Complex 
- 4 lit courts

Kitchener Park 
- 2 lit courts

Morningstar Park 
- 2 unlit courts

 

Courts remain open until end of October (weather dependant) and are available free to the public all day outside of the times that the Orillia Tennis Club and Community Services Department have them booked for league play and registered programs. To view the programs booked through the City of Orillia, please visit the SUN Registration System.

 Please visit the Orillia Tennis Club's etiquette poster and view current court rules below:

• Only tennis or running shoes are permitted on the courts

• Only tennis is permitted on these courts

• Sitting/leaning on nets is damaging and is strictly prohibited

• As a courtesy, if people are waiting, limit play to one hour

• Keep the courts tidy and safe

• Respect players on the courts

 


Looking for help? 

Email: visit@orillia.ca
Facebook: @VisitOrillia
Instagram: @VisitOrillia

Tourism Information/Box Office: (705) 326-8011
Orillia Opera House, 1 West St. N. Orillia, ON. L3V 3A6
Current hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Can't get through during these times? Leave a message and one of our Tourism Ambassadors will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

© City of Orillia, 50 Andrew Street South, Suite 300, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 7T5, Tel: (705) 325-1311, Fax: (705) 325-5178, Email: info@orillia.ca

By GHD Digital