5 backcountry gems of southeastern Ontario

Ontario’s wilderness is a lot closer than you think.

Did you know you can leave downtown Toronto and be paddling out to your campsite in less than 3 hours?

These five southeastern parks are perfect for finding backcountry solitude close to home:

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Finding myself at Ontario Parks

Today’s post comes from Candace Sampson of Life in Pleasantville. Last summer, we invited Candace to document her adventures in four provincial parks. If you’re new to RVing and thinking of giving it a shot this year, this post is for you.

When first planning a trip with Ontario Parks to learn more about our beautiful provincial parks, I was married with a motorhome and had someone to drive it.

By the time the trip rolled around a few months later, I was down one husband, one motorhome, and one driver (the first and last being the same person). My life had basically become a country song, and I really wasn’t loving the tune.

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Backcountry for beginners: the best destinations

When executed safely, your first backcountry trip forges lifelong memories, opening an immersive getaway into nature.

But the leap from car camping to backcountry requires preparation and learning.

New paddlers and hikers can find themselves in serious trouble if they overestimate their skills or choose a too-challenging route.

Here are some recommended trips for backcountry beginners:

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More group sites available to book online

Looking for a fun way to camp with a bunch of people? Consider group campsites!

We’re happy to announce that group campsites can now be reserved online and via our call centre for an additional 25 provincial parks.

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The dazzling tigers at Charleston Lake

Today’s post comes to us from Chris Robinson, Natural Heritage Education Leader at Charleston Lake Provincial Park.

This is a vibrant, colourful time of year at Charleston Lake Provincial Park, with lasting sunshine and seemingly endless days. June and July are also when butterfly watching is at its best!

Some of the park’s most showy butterflies are the tiger swallowtails, known for their large size, distinctive colours and streamer-like “tails” on their hindwings.

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B&Bs make terrific homebases for exploring provincial parks

Crave the warm welcome, soft bed, and hearty meals of a bed & breakfast on your travels? Eager to explore Ontario’s breathtaking natural landscapes?

Why not do both?

Book a stay in a cozy bed & breakfast, and use it as a homebase for daily excursions into parks.

We chatted with the Federation of Ontario Bed & Breakfast Accommodation to uncover nine of the best B&B/provincial park combos across Ontario.

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