If you’re looking for a secluded spot to cool off in the water while exploring limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches, why not visit one of these former quarries-turned-swimming holes near Toronto?
Here are some of the best former quarries that you can take a dip in on your next summer vacation.
Elora Quarry in Elora
This two-acre limestone quarry located up the Grand River is just over a 1.5-hour drive from Toronto. The secluded space is encircled by towering sheer cliffs up to 40 feet high, making it the perfect spot to relax while taking gorgeous Instagram photos. The tree-covered conservation area also has places to picnic, barbecue, and enjoy nature.
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The quarry is open from the end of June until Labour Day.
Address: 319 Wellington County Road 18, Elora, ON
St. Marys Quarry
This summer, visit Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool! This quarry—only a 2-hour drive from Toronto—was formerly a limestone quarry that shut down in 1920. In the mid-1940s, it was converted into a public swimming area, and it remains one of the most popular spots in the area to visit for a weekend getaway or a summer vacation to this day. After taking a dip in the water, try other exciting attractions, like cliff jumping and stand-up paddleboarding.
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There is also a large, grassed area for a quiet picnic or sunbathing, a spot for sand volleyball, and the Tiki Hut to enjoy some local snacks.
The quarry is open from the end of June until Labour Day.
Address: 425 Water St S, St. Marys, ON
Innerkip Quarry – Trout Lake
This quarry was abandoned 50 years ago but was soon filled with spring-fed water, with an average depth of 30 feet, transforming it into the perfect spot to spend the day (or the entire summer) swimming, fishing, and scuba diving. Its main attraction is its underground waterpark, created with school buses, planes, and sunken ships.
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It’s about an hour-and-a-half drive from Toronto and has over 100 seasonal campsites available, with playground equipment for kids, washroom/shower facilities, and a snack bar. Come cool off in the quarry’s clean waters and take pics of the epic sunsets.
Address: 51 George St, Innerkip, ON, northeast of Woodstock
Kelso Quarry/Area 8 (The former Milton Limestone Quarry)
The former Milton Limestone Quarry is nestled on the edge of the Greater Toronto Area, about an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto. The quarry opened in 1958 and provided construction materials to build Highway 401. The quarry has since been transformed into a beautiful escarpment, with warm waters and hiking trails that run along the outside.
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Exotic wildlife can be spotted throughout the area, allowing animal lovers to take Insta pics of species like the Widow Skimmer Dragonfly, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Area 8’s Bobolinks.
When you’re done visiting these stunning swimming quarries, check out these five stunning white sand beaches near Toronto as well as these wild roadside attractions in Ontario.
