10 Best Places to Camp In Ontario

With 38.3% of the nation’s population, Ontario is the second-largest province in terms of total area and is situated in Central Canada (after Quebec). When the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are taken into account, Ontario ranks as the fourth-largest jurisdiction in Canada in terms of total area.

Ottawa, the capital of the country, as well as Toronto, the largest city in the country and the provincial capital of Ontario, are both located there. The Ontario government organization, Ontario Parks, is responsible for safeguarding important natural and cultural resources in a system of parks and protected areas throughout Ontario, Canada.

This system is sustainable and offers possibilities for recreation, inspiration, and education. Many provincial parks make camping in Ontario easier. Over 78,000 square kilometres (30,000 square miles) or nearly 10% of the total surface area of the province, or roughly the size of Nova Scotia, is taken up by the Ontario Parks system.

Here are the 10 Best Places to Camp In Ontario-

1. Lake Ontario

Seasonal campsites, a range of monthly, weekly, and nightly campsites, as well as cabin rentals, are all available. Ontario Lake has pull-through and back-in RV sites that can accommodate vehicles of various sizes.

From cozy double rooms to warm cottages ideal for family vacations, they offer a variety of cabin rentals. The lake, pool, and playground are all within a short stroll of the cabins, which also feature everything from a stove to a refrigerator and all essentials like heat, and a bathroom with a hot shower.

Lake Ontario’s objective is to create a family campground that is more traditional, down-home, and reminiscent of the family values we experienced as children. The events are designed to involve the entire family. The kids can participate in dances, trick-or-treating, wagon rides, kids’ game evenings, crafts, candy bar bingo, and much more.

For the adults, there are also chilli cook-offs, poker runs, pool parties, bingo, artisan beer and wine tastings, DJs, and wine and painting workshops. People often have parties, campfires, or card games while they are not swimming, biking, taking long walks, or playing cornhole. It is a place to escape the stress and hectic pace of home and unwind.

At Ontario Shores RV Park, they make every effort to offer a wonderful getaway where visitors may unwind and enjoy themselves. Ontario Lake takes great delight in how spotless its buildings, sites, and grounds are.

Their campground also provides activities and facilities for visitors, such as a laundry room, a swimming pool, a lovely garden, playgrounds, a basketball court, etc. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride across our campground, or take a quick stroll to our beach to see the dawn or sunset.

They intend to make practically every site better in the future and will strive to make everyone’s visit as enjoyable as they can. They ought to be able to accomplish this goal with a little perseverance, time, and hard work. Ontario Lake hopes that everyone who visits has a good time and leaves with at least a few fond memories. Life is too brief to miss out on creating memories with loved ones.

2. George Lake Campground– Killarney Provincial Park

It would be impossible to compile a list of the top camping locations in Ontario without including Killarney Provincial Park.

The magnificent scenery of Northern Ontario may be seen in this vast park close to Sudbury, which is why the Group of Seven painters convinced the government to designate it as a park.

The provincial park, which is primarily a wilderness area, only includes one campground named George Lake. You may locate this close to the park’s entrance.

Think of it as a remote campsite with hot showers and flushing toilets instead of a fantastic base for exploration. Booking in advance is advised because it might get rather busy.

There are fewer than 100 campsites at Lake George Campground in Killarney, and it has a radio-free zone. For those who enjoy backcountry camping, there are several locations along the 80-kilometre La Cloche Silhouette Trail. It is also considered one of the sleeping giant provincial parks. It is also famous for camping in Ontario.

Killarney Provincial Park, which is home to vast marshes, woodlands, and towering mountains, is a force to be reckoned with. You may go on some challenging hikes here, such as the La Cloche Silhouette Trail, which traverses the La Cloche Mountains’ white quartz ridges. Otherwise, intrepid canoers can paddle an incredible distance between all of the lakes to connect them.

If you’re up for it, the difficult climb to “The Crack” is worth it. The hiking in this area is just amazing. This provincial park has got various hiking trails for one to enjoy their stay there. Killarney is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places for camping in Ontario. Moreover, it is suggested to use hiking boots in these places to keep your feet safe and to take some cool hand and feet pics while hiking. 

George Lake, where the campground is located, has crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and canoeing. In the distance, white quartzite mountains may be seen, shimmering in the late-afternoon sun. The Killarney campground is divided into numerous parts, each of which provides a little something different.

3. Bon Echo Provincial Park

In Ontario, Bon Echo Provincial Park is one of the more well-liked camping destinations. This provincial park, which lies midway between Toronto and Ottawa, sees a lot of people in the summer. But there’s a good reason it’s so well-liked. Bon Echo is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and a 100-meter-high rock face covered in many Indigenous pictographs.

You will never forget the sheer granite rock face dropping 100 meters straight down into Mazinaw Lake as one of the many memorable aspects of camping at Bon Echo Provincial Park. It is one of the go-to places to camp for backcountry camping.

Bon Echo Provincial Park has two campgrounds with hundreds of spaces each. Additionally, it has wilderness campsites that are spread out along hiking and canoeing routes, 12 simple cabins, and walk-in sites.

A long bathing beach and a few old structures can be reached by taking a short stroll down to the lake. Because of the mountainous terrain, you should pick your campsite carefully and think about the kind of camping gear you are carrying.

There are many pathways to discover here, one of which leads to the summit of Mazinaw Rock. If you enjoy paddling, check out the day trips or multi-day canoe routes around the breathtaking lakes.

4. Hattie Cove Campground – Pukaskwa National Park

Northern Ontario’s Pukaskwa National Park is a picturesque natural wonderland that is located on the shore of Lake Superior. Here you can take in breathtaking views and gorgeous boreal forests because it has the longest unspoiled shoreline of any of the Great Lakes.

There are also ancient rock formations that the region’s first occupants built. Due to the area’s isolation, backcountry campsites are the main type of camping available here. But Highway 627 makes it simple to reach the Hattie Cove Campground in the park’s northern region.

The sites are secluded and include lots of greenery, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the neighbouring coast. Campfires are permitted, there is potable water accessible, and there are restrooms and showers. It also has hiking trails around it to enjoy the natural beauty of the provincial park.

Without cell service and distance from any other people, it had the feeling of being in a remote wilderness. The park was immaculate, and the hiking is amazing. Surprisingly, this is Ontario’s least frequented national park. It is also considered one of the sleeping giant provincial parks. It is one of the go-to places to camp for backcountry camping.

If you prefer a more luxurious camping experience, you may also reserve an o-Tents. There are complete restrooms available. Pukaskway has hiking paths for day treks, with the suspension bridge being the most popular. You may reserve a boat shuttle to transport you to the backcountry and rent kayaks and canoes. It is one of the best places to camp.

The hiking in Ontario’s Pukaskwa National Provincial Park is some of the greatest. Whichever trail you choose, you won’t be let down. Longer routes can lead to an amazing suspension bridge over the White River, while shorter trails can lead to stunning vistas.

5. Cyprus Lake Campground – Bruce Peninsula National Park

Bruce Peninsula National Park is one of Ontario’s most visited national parks, but it’s also an excellent area to camp. It’s a rough but beautiful location, with high cliffs and Georgian Bay’s blue seas as a backdrop. The Grotto, a beautiful grotto with a pool of azure water, is the highlight of Bruce Peninsula National Park.

There are many front-country campsites available at Cyprus Lake Campground in the Bruce Peninsula National Park, or visitors can camp in two backcountry locations along the Bruce Trail. Camping at the Bruce Peninsula National Park is always a fantastic idea because it has easy access to the Bruce Trail and is surrounded by numerous paths.

Additionally, Tobermory, where you may board a boat to visit Flowerpot Island, is only a short drive away. Fair warning: during the summer, this location becomes more and more crowded. If you plan to camp or even just visit for the day, you must make reservations. It is a great way for backcountry camping in Ontario. 

A long bathing beach and a few old structures can be reached by taking a short stroll down to the lake. Because of the mountainous terrain, you should pick your campsite carefully and think about the kind of camping gear you are carrying.

6. Pinery Provincial Park

With 1,275 campsites split across three camping sections, Pinery Provincial Park is a sizable campground. This is a group camping provincial park, so if you’re a family searching for a fantastic location where the kids can meet other kids while mom and dad get some alone time, this provincial park is the site for you.

This provincial park campground’s 10 km of sand beach along Lake Huron is what makes it so big and well-liked. There are numerous water sports accessible here, and you may rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and other watercraft. It is one of the go-to places to camp for backcountry camping.

Pinery Provincial Park is the place to go if you want a Caribbean vibe. The enormous dunes give way to Lake Huron’s magnificent shores. In the summer, Pinery Provincial Park is a popular destination for day visitors, but campers can enjoy their private beach area in this park.

Within this provincial park, there are three camping areas: one near the Old Ausable Channel, one in the woodland, and one by the shore. It is one of the best camping locations in Ontario because it is only a short distance from the closest beach access point.

Bikes and walking shoes are advised. Ten walking routes and the 14-kilometre Savanna bike track are located away from the coastline and both wind through the park.

7. Lake Superior Provincial Park

Agawa Bay is the place to go if you’ve ever wished for a waterfront campsite on one of the Great Lakes. The majority of these locations are directly on the beach. Get out of your tent first thing in the morning, make some coffee, and wriggle your toes in the sand while you watch the sunrise across the lake.

The three-kilometre beach is made up of a mixture of stones and sand. You will have a great possibility of spotting wildlife, making it the perfect place for a stroll. The Agawa Rock pictographs are located close by in a breathtaking cliffside environment, just above the river.

With vistas and pullouts, driving this section of highway is a must; it’s only an hour from Wawa. There are excellent hiking trails, but the Orphan Lake Trail stands out as a particularly lovely one. 

Check out the fantastic day hiking paths while you’re here, investigate the waterfalls, or try your hand at lake kayaking. It is one of the most beautiful places for camping in Ontario.

Backcountry camping or automobile camping are the two options for camping in Northern Ontario’s magnificent Lake Superior Provincial Park. There are several wilderness campsites along the hundreds of kilometres of canoeing and hiking paths. You must purchase a permit from the visitor center, but it is first come, first served.

It’s crucial to make reservations if at all possible because the campground is very tiny, with only 147 sites scattered along the coastline and nestled in the pine trees. It is one of the go-to places to camp for backcountry camping with good hiking trails.

8. Killbear Provincial Park

One of Ontario’s most well-liked campgrounds, if not the most popular, Killbear is especially popular with families. It is situated on a peninsula and is bordered by water on three sides.

A massive campsite, Killbear Provincial Park has 880 sites spread out over seven loops. The sites are largely level, with a combination of sand, grass, and soil, and are situated in pine and mixed deciduous woodland.

Every one of Killbear Provincial Park’s seven beaches is close to a campsite loop and a great area to go swimming, canoeing, or engaging in other water activities on Georgian Bay. The park features four paths, three of which are appropriate for hiking, and one, a six-kilometre trail, which is suitable for biking and hiking. These activities are enjoyable here.

9. Lake of Two Rivers Campground – Algonquin Provincial Park

Perhaps the most well-known park in the entire province is Algonquin Provincial Park. This vast park has multiple top-notch campgrounds and is almost 8,000 square kilometres in size.

The majority of the campgrounds are located along the Highway 60 corridor, which passes through the park’s middle southern region. Each of these campgrounds has its personality. If you want a little more privacy, go to one of the park’s more distant camping locations.

The Lake of Two Rivers Campground is the most well-liked camping location in this region. The locations are stunning, hidden under soaring white pines. The campground has direct access to hiking and bike paths, as well as a sizable sandy beach where you may go swimming or launch a canoe.

For those who genuinely want to disconnect from technology, Algonquin Provincial Park is about three hours north of Toronto. Backcountry camping can be challenging, so be ready for that. It also has some great hiking trails with mountain biking trails. It is also known for its inland lake for canoeing.

10. Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

A fascinating park, Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, is situated along Lake Superior’s northern beaches in two distinct areas, both of which provide excellent camping in Ontario.

There are roughly 100 campsites in the northern part, which is known as Whitesand Lake. You can swim and paddle in the lake nearby, and there are also various hiking paths nearby, one of which goes to Rainbow Falls.

Rossport, in the southern portion, features only 36 campsites but is situated near Lake Superior’s beach. Although there are no hiking routes in this area, the campgrounds and beach views are quite stunning.

Campfires are permitted, toilets are provided, pets are permitted, potable water is available, and a picnic table is available.

Conclusion

Camping in Ontario has always been in trend and something that every visitor wishes to do. There are many places to camp in Ontario. Awenda Provincial Park, National Marine Park, Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Silent Lake Provincial Park, and Arrowhead Provincial Park are also some of the famous places to camp.

National Park at Point Pelee The southernmost section of the nation is also among its most stunning. This national park is filled with fantastic hiking paths, and the warm waters of Lake Erie make for excellent swimming.

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