Rouge National Urban Park
Canada's first national urban park protects forests, farmland, and the Rouge River valley at Scarborough's eastern edge, minutes from suburban neighbourhoods.
Address: Rouge Valley, Scarborough (multiple access points)
Rouge National Urban Park became Canada’s first national urban park when it was established in 2015, though the Rouge Valley has been valued for farming, Indigenous use, and recreation for thousands of years. The park spans over 79 km² across Scarborough, Markham, and Pickering.
What you’ll find
Mixed Carolinian forest, working farms, the Rouge River, wetlands, and hiking trails that feel surprisingly remote given the surrounding suburbs. Birding, fall colours, and spring wildflowers reward patient walkers.
Try this
- Start at the Rouge Beach area where the river meets Lake Ontario
- Join a Parks Canada guided walk in summer (free, registration required)
- Link a morning hike with an afternoon at the Toronto Zoo
Good to know
Multiple trailheads. No single main gate. Some paths are muddy after rain. Respect farm fields and stay on marked trails.