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Killarney

Killarney Provincial Park

Backcountry Camping

1. The Experience:

Killarney Provincial Park provides a wilderness experience like no other in Ontario. Suitable for all skill levels, there are two ways to explore Killarney’s backcountry: the canoe routes network and the backpacking trail network.

Paddling across clear topaz coloured lakes is one of the highlights of the backcountry. The park is home to the LaCloche mountain range, which offers one of the most breathtaking and challenging hikes in the country on the La Cloche Silhouette Trail.

While camping in Killarney’s backcountry, visitors will find basic amenities on most campsites including a designated fire pit and box privy. The backcountry trails, portages and campsites are well-marked, however, understanding and utilizing map navigation is essential.

2. Reservations and Interior Camping Permits

Paddling: Campsite specific reservations are available online or by phone up to five months in advance of your arrival date. Reservations are recommended to secure your campsite.

Hiking: Campsite specific reservations are available online or by phone up to five months in advance of your arrival date for the La Cloche Silhouette hiking trail.

Reservations are recommended to secure your campsite

Interior camping permits are required for backcountry camping at Killarney Provincial Park.

Visitors can obtain permits upon arrival at the following locations:

  • George Lake campground and Killarney backcountry access – George Lake campground office
  • Bell Lake backcountry access – Bell Lake access point
  • Highway 6 access point – All permits for the west end of the park interior can be picked up at the Highway 6 access point
  • The Crack day use hike – Day use permits can be purchased at the Crack Trail access point
  • Chickanishing Creek Trail assess point, Georgian Bay access point – Day use Permits can be purchased at the Chickanishing Creek Trail access point.

3. Trip Planning

Maps are available for purchase online through the Friends of Killarney or at the park.

It is recommended that you obtain a copy of the official park map before heading out into the backcountry. If you have any questions about reading or understanding a map, please ask the park staff for assistance upon your arrival. The Friends of Killarney also produce guides that can assist in trip planning.

Killarney works closely with a number of organizations and outfitters that can assist you in planning and securing equipment for your trip.

There is a ban on cans, glass bottles, and chainsaws in Killarney’s backcountry.

Please be respectful of the natural environment and other visitors. Practice leave-no-trace camping, camp only on designated campsites within your lake/zone, and be aware of your surrounding neighbours, ecology, and wildlife. We appreciate your efforts to maintain this pristine environment.

Backcountry campsite number changes

This table lists changes to the campsite numbers in Killarney backcountry campsites
Lake Name Old Site Number New Site Number Lake Name Old Site Number New Site Number Lake Name Old Site Number New Site Number
George 2 1 Three Mile 77 145 Van Winkle 162 231
3 2 75 146 145 232
4 3 Grey 239 141 146 233
5 4 238 142 Van 160 234
6 5 237 143 Grow 161 235
Killarney 20 11 236 144 Rocky 163 236
19 12 Balsam 115 151 Fish 153 237
21 13 114 152 154 238
18 14 116 153 Great Mountain 158 241
17 15 113 154 155 242
16 16 118 155 157 243
15 17 117 156 Gail 159 244
14 18 120 157 Howry 151 245
24 19 Little Bell 111 158 150 246
22 20 Deacon 123 161 McGregor Bay 135 301
23 21 122 162 136 302
Norway 13 31 Fox 121 163 137 303
11 32 Peter 240 164 Three Narrows 48 311
12 33 241 165 47 312
Sandy 10 41 Hideaway 230 166 46 313
Kakakise 7 51 Harry 128 171 50 314
9 52 129 172 52 315
OSA 28 61 130 173 45 316
29 62 132 174 44 317
30 63 David 91 181 43 318
31 65 92 182 51 319
32 64 93 183 42 320
Murial 34 71 109 184 39 321
35 72 94 185 41 323
Baie Fine 36 81 97 186 40 324
37 82 98 187 Boundary 110 325
38 83 99 188 Panage 227 401
Collins Inlet 184 91 100 189 226 402
185 92 101 190 245 403
Carlyle 57 101 106 191 246 404
62 102 104 192 247 405
56 103 103 193 248 406
55 104 102 194 249 407
61 105 Clear Silver 70 195 Walker 209 411
60 106 Grace 180 201 208 412
Johnnie 67 111 179 202 Little Bear 206 413
68 112 181 203 205 414
69 113 Nellie 142 204 202 415
66 114 143 205 203 416
65 115 144 206 204 417
63 116 Helen 139 211 Bear 216 421
64 117 138 212 217 422
Ruth Roy 72 118 173 213 218 423
73 119 Ishmael 172 214 219 424
Turbid 235 121 171 215 220 425
234 122 170 216 221 426
Bell 83 131 Low 138 217 High Lake 225 427
74 132 McGregor Bay NC 134 218 Horseshoe 214 428
82 133 87 137
81 134 Murray 149 221 88 138
86 135 148 222 89 139
80 136 156 223 79 140
133 219 Leech 200 224
201 225
Hanwood 183 226
182 227

Car Camping

George Lake Campground is open for camping all year. The main gates are closed during the snowy season and the campground and yurts become “walk in” from approximately the end of November to the beginning of May. Guests get toboggans to carry their gear.

Reservations can be made online or by phone.

Radio-Free Camping

Campground “D” – sites #82 to #113 including the East Beach are radio-free.

Roofed Accommodation

Roofed Accommodation Rustic Cabin

Number at Park: 2

Site Number(s) / Name: 137, 138

The camp cabin is a rustic one room cabin with wood interior and a screened in front porch. The cabin sleeps five on a queen bed and double/single bunk bed.

Check-in/Check-out

4pm/10am

Sleeps:

5

Amenities

The cabin features a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker, kettle and counter space. There is a dining table and chairs for inside meals. Outside you will find a gas barbeque and picnic table. A propane fireplace provides a cozy temperature and atmosphere inside.

The camp cabin is within approximately 300m from the park office. Outside the office there are two heated washrooms with a tap for potable water. There is also a privy toilet located approximately 100m from the cabin.

What to Bring

Visitors should bring their own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

Restrictions

There is a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Please note that pets are not permitted in the camp cabin and smoking is prohibited.

Parking

Parking for one vehicle is included in your rental fee. In the winter month visitors will leave their vehicles at the park office and take all gear down to the cabin using a toboggan. Toboggans are provided by the park.

How to Reserve

Reservations can be made online or by phone.

Special Notes

Special Notes:

  • Summer (July-August): 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Shoulder Season: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Winter Season (November-April): 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • In the winter season, campers must book at least three days in advance.

If you arrive after office hours or on days when staff are not available, an incoming yurt reservation package will be left for you in the Self Serve Reservation Kiosk.

Roofed Accommodation Soft Sided Shelters

Number at Park: 6

Site Number(s) / Name: Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6

Killarney’s six yurts are located in the George Lake Campground in their own site away from other campers. A short walk of 70m to 200m will take you to your accommodation.

Check-in/Check-out

4pm/10am

Sleeps:

6

Amenities

All six yurts are available year round. Each yurt sleep six people on two sets of bunk beds; each a double lower mattress and twin upper mattress. Inside, your yurt has lighting, electric heat and a power outlet.

Outside you will find a propane barbecue, two picnic tables and a fire pit. Yurts 3, 4, 5, and 6 also have an outdoor dining area with roof. A metal bear proof food storage locker is available at each yurt.

Parking is available nearby but not on the yurt site. A wagon is available to transport your gear to the yurt. Vault privies are located very close to the yurts and a comfort station is a short distance away.

What to Bring

Campers should bring their own bedding, cookstove, cookware, dishes, food and other personal items.

Restrictions

There is a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Please note dogs are permitted in Yurt 6. Pets are not permitted in any other Yurts. Smoking is prohibited in all facilities. Cooking in yurts is not permitted.

Parking

Parking is available nearby but not on the yurt site. A wagon is available to transport your gear to the yurt. Parking for one vehicle is included in your rental fee.

How to Reserve

Reservations can be made online or through our call centre by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK.

Special Notes

Special Notes:

  • Summer (July-August): 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Shoulder Season: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Winter Season (November-April): 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • In the winter season, campers must book at least three days in advance.

If you arrive after office hours or on days when staff are not available, an incoming yurt reservation package will be left for you in the Self Serve Reservation Kiosk.