Backcountry Camping
The Experience:
Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is renowned for its remote backcountry camping experience. The park offers several paddling routes, many with excellent fishing opportunities. The high occurrence of Canadian Shield rock outcrops and the open boreal setting are ideal for a variety of campsites, with up to 1,000 to choose from.
The campsites in Woodland Caribou are primitive. They are small and are equipped with a small fire ring. Campsites are not signed and may not be easily spotted from the water.
Tent pads consist of open flat or slightly angled bare areas over moss or bedrock. The clearing of vegetation, brush, and small trees to accommodate more tent pads is not permitted. Each campsite is managed for a set number of tents and are limited to a maximum occupancy of nine campers.
Reservations and Interior Camping Permits
Camping reservations are not available at this park. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
Interior camping permits are required for backcountry camping at Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Permits can be purchased online up to two weeks in advance of your arrival date.
Interior camping permits may also be obtained in-person at the front counter of the Ontario Parks office located at 227 Howey Street, Red Lake, at a self-serve kiosk outside of business hours, or through a local permit issuer. For a complete list of local permit issuers please contact the park office.
Trip Planning
A map showing the locations of approved established campsites and canoe routes is available for purchase online or by contacting the park office. Park maps may also be available through local outfitters.
There is a ban on glass bottles in Woodland Caribou.
Please be respectful of the natural environment and other visitors. Practice leave-no-trace camping, and be aware of your surrounding neighbours, ecology, and wildlife. We appreciate your efforts to maintain this pristine environment.
Winter Camping
Winter camping, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are permitted, but access is limited during the winter months. There are no groomed winter trails in the park.
Ice fishing is subject to Ontario’s fishing regulations.
Snowmobiling is only permitted in the access zones of park additions. There are no groomed park trails. Contact the Park Office for specific details and maps.
Winter visitors should take extra precautions. Woodland Caribou’s isolated location means help is not nearby. Only those with significant winter wilderness experience should stay overnight in the park.