National park · Canada
Canada's Wonderland
Treat it as a full day, not a hike: arrive at opening (10:00 in summer), buy dated tickets online, and ride Leviathan and Yukon Striker before 12:00; skip weekends in July–August and Halloween Haunt nights if you want short queues.Treat it as a full day, not a hike: arrive at opening (10:00 AM in summer), buy dated tickets online, and ride Leviathan and Yukon Striker before 12:00 PM; skip weekends in July–August and Halloween Haunt nights if you want short queues.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km²1 sq mi
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1 km²1 sq mi
- About 134 hectares (330 acres) of parkland; the figure is the site area, not a natural reserve.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Toronto
Canada's Wonderland is a seasonal amusement park in Vaughan, Ontario, about 40 km north of downtown Toronto, built around an artificial mountain and eight themed areas on roughly 134 hectares. It carries 17 roller coasters — second in the world by coaster count behind Six Flags Magic Mountain — plus Splash Works, an 8-hectare waterpark with Canada's largest outdoor wave pool. It is not a national park and has no hiking trails: the reader's questions are ticket price, which coasters to ride first, and which days to avoid. The park opens daily from May to early September, runs Halloween Haunt into early November and WinterFest in late December, and is owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation after the 2024 Cedar Fair merger.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
1 km²1 sq mi · national park since 1981
About 134 hectares (330 acres) of parkland; the figure is the site area, not a natural reserve.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Toronto.
Why go
- 17 roller coasters on one site, second only to Six Flags Magic Mountain by coaster count.
- Leviathan and Yukon Striker are among the tallest and fastest in Canada.
- Splash Works adds a 3,300 m² wave pool and 16 slides for hot afternoons.
- Halloween Haunt and WinterFest extend the season past the summer crowds.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecGo
- JanClosed; WinterFest ends early January
- FebClosed
- MarClosed
- AprClosed; opening weekend is usually late April or early May
- MayOpens for the season; school groups on weekdays
- JunWarm, long days, before the July crush
- JulPeak crowds and heat; go on a weekday
- AugBusiest month; Splash Works at capacity by noon
- SepWeekends only after Labour Day; short queues
- OctHalloween Haunt nights; separate ticket, very busy after dark
- NovClosed except early-November Haunt dates
- DecWinterFest, late December; lights and shows, few coasters
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada geese and gulls around the ponds and parking lotsApr–Oct · Do not feed them; food litter draws them into ride areas. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Squirrels and chipmunks in the landscaped bedsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Toronto (downtown)
Line 1 subway to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, then YRT Route 20 north to the Norwood Avenue stop, a short walk from the Jane Street entrance.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ)
Drive 409 East to 401 East, then 400 North and exit at Rutherford Road; or transit via Kipling and Line 1 with a YRT connection.
30–45 min by car
Open the page →
From Maple or Rutherford GO station
Barrie Line train, then YRT Route 4/4A or 85/85C to Vaughan Mills and Route 20 to Norwood.
30–45 min
From Vaughan Mills
YRT Route 20 north to Norwood Avenue; Route 760 runs to the park gate on weekends only.
10–15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| International Street | Entrance boulevard, shops, La Cantina and the fountain view of the mountain. | Open with admission. |
| Medieval Faire | Leviathan, Dragon Fyre and King's Feast patio. | Open with admission. |
| White Water Canyon | Muskoka Craft Burger and Beer, plus the rapids ride. | Open with admission. |
| Splash Works | Wave pool, lazy river and 16 slides; separate gate inside the park. | Included with admission in summer; closes in cool weather. |
| Action Zone and Frontier Canada | Yukon Striker, Behemoth and the big steel coasters. | Open with admission. |
Sketch map
- 1Main entrance (Rutherford Road) · Gate≈43.843, -79.540Map ↗
- 2Jane Street entrance and drop-off · Gate≈43.842, -79.537Map ↗
- 3Parking lots · Ranger station≈43.840, -79.543Map ↗
- 4Leviathan · Viewpoint≈43.844, -79.541Map ↗
- 5Yukon Striker · Viewpoint≈43.843, -79.537Map ↗
- 6Splash Works · Beach≈43.840, -79.535Map ↗
- 7Vaughan Mills · Town≈43.825, -79.538Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-day admission (online, dated) | CAD 45–75 | person | 2026 estimate; gate price is higher, and prices rise on peak dates. |
| Season pass | CAD 100–200 | person | 2026 estimate; pays off after about three visits. |
| Parking | CAD 25–35 | car | 2026 estimate; buy in advance with your ticket to save time at the gate. |
| All-day dining plan | CAD 39 | person | 2026 estimate, plus tax and a processing fee up to $10; single meal about $19. |
| Halloween Haunt or WinterFest night | CAD 35–60 | person | 2026 estimate; separate dated ticket, not covered by a summer day pass. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Dated admission ticket permit or guide
Parking pass no permit
Halloween Haunt / WinterFest entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Bag checks
- Bags are searched at the gate; no outside alcohol and no glass containers.
- Outside food
- You may bring your own food and eat at the picnic tables outside the entrance; coolers are not allowed past the gate.
- Loose articles on rides
- Bags, phones and hats must go in a locker or with a non-rider before boarding; lockers are paid.
- Height and health limits
- Each coaster posts a minimum height and health warnings; measure children at the entrance board before queueing.
- Costumes at Halloween Haunt
- Full-face masks and prop weapons are not allowed; check the event page before you dress up.
Where to stay
Near the park
Vaughan Mills area hotels
Chain hotels 2–3 km away, walkable to the mall and a short bus ride to the gate.Chain hotels 1.2–1.9 mi away, walkable to the mall and a short bus ride to the gate.
Near the park
Toronto
Stay downtown and come by Line 1 and YRT if you want the city in the evening.
Safety
Heat and dehydration in July–August medium
Queue-time burnout with children medium
Thunderstorms medium
Lost children in crowds low
Accessibility
- The park is flat and paved, with rental manual and electric wheelchairs available inside the gate.
- Most shows and several rides offer accessible entrances; ask staff at each ride for the transfer procedure.
- YRT Route 20 stops on Norwood Avenue, a short walk from the Jane Street entrance.
Visiting lightly
- Refill a bottle at water fountains instead of buying single-use plastic.
- Use the YRT and GO connections from Toronto rather than driving alone.
- Sort waste at the marked bins; the park separates recyclables and organics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Canada's Wonderland?
A dated single-day ticket bought online is roughly CAD 45–75 in 2026, and the gate price is higher. Parking is about CAD 25–35 per car, and Halloween Haunt or WinterFest nights need a separate ticket. Season passes start around CAD 100.
What are the best hikes in Canada's Wonderland?
There are no hiking trails: the park is a flat, paved amusement park on about 134 hectares. The closest thing to a walk is the loop around International Street and the mountain, and the real trails are in the surrounding York Region and Toronto ravine network.
When is the best time to visit Canada's Wonderland?
Weekdays in June and the weekends after Labour Day in September give the shortest queues. July and August are the busiest, October nights are for Halloween Haunt, and the park is closed from November to late December apart from event dates.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes for practical purposes. Tickets are dated and cheaper online, and peak summer days and Haunt nights can sell out. Add parking to the same order.
Can I bring my own food?
You can bring food and use the picnic tables outside the entrance, but coolers and outside alcohol are not allowed past the gate. Inside, single meals run about CAD 19 and an all-day dining plan about CAD 39.
How do I get there without a car?
Take Line 1 to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, then YRT Route 20 north to the Norwood Avenue stop near the Jane Street entrance. On weekends and holidays, YRT Route 760 runs from Finch Station to the park gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go