tent surrounded by forest

10 reasons you should try spring camping

Close your eyes and imagine:

  • your face flush with your first dose of spring sunshine
  • your ears are filled with the beautiful songs of migrating birds
  • your nervous system soothed by the rhythm of waves on the shoreline

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

Here are our top ten reasons to try spring camping this season:

1. Hook, line, and sinker

person with fish on hook on foggy morning

Spring provides an amazing opportunity to enjoy Algonquin Provincial Park’s Brook and Lake Trout fishing. However, when fishing in the spring, please always ensure parks haven’t delayed their opening dates and the ice is out.

Have a more northern attitude? Nagagamisis Provincial Park, Missinaibi Provincial Park, and Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park are hotspots for spring fishing.

If the fight of the Walleye or pike floats your boat, you should set anchor at Sandbanks Provincial Park or Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

Where will you be on opening day?

2. Birds of a feather

Cedar Waxwing Bird in tree

The saying “birds of a feather stick together” rings especially true during spring migration.

No matter your level of birding knowledge, spring is an amazing time to learn or check the next species off your life list.

Whether you are looking for a whimbrel, Blackpoll Warbler, or a Blue-headed Vireo, provincial parks offers great locations to make this possible.

Many parks, including MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Rondeau Provincial Park, and Presqu’ile Provincial Park, have terrific birding events planned for spring.

3. Say cheese!

person photographing bog

Looking for that perfect, vibrant shot?

The greens are never greener than in the spring! Dig out that camera and show off your skills.

4. A spur of the moment trip

trailer, screened shelter. and barbecue

It was the longest. Friday. Ever. So why not get away?

Spring is the perfect time for impromptu trips to your favourite provincial park. Take a few days off and book the campsite you really want before peak season hits.

It’s also a great opportunity to get the first reservations of our roofed accommodations or trailer-equipped sites like the ones at Blue Lake Provincial Park and Rushing River Provincial Park.

Prefer tenting? Don’t forget to be prepared for the weather and review our tips for camping in the rain.

5. Long walks on the beach

sunset
Beach sunset in Pinery

Whether you rise or set with the sun, spring provides amazing scenery.

Beaches are generally thought of as a summer location, but you can enjoy the sanctity of a sunrise or sunset in the quieter months.

Enjoy solitude this spring.

6. Hit refresh

person standing at lookout looking at falls

Winter left you sluggish? Spring is the perfect time to take in the fresh air and soak up some Vitamin D.

Being active outside isn’t only fun; it’s proven to decrease stress and improve attention span.

There are also a lot of physical benefits such as decreased blood pressure, increased weight loss and fitness, and lowers the risk of heart attacks, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

7. New life

Canada Goose gosling

Wildlife is always a positive reason to get out in nature, but spring is when you could see babies! Who doesn’t want to see cute little fuzzy creatures?

Whether you are seeing a shaky legged moose, fuzzy fledglings or tiny baby rabbits, animals are out in abundance in the spring.

**Remember to remain a respectful distance and keep your hands off wildlife!

8. Surround yourself with the ones you love

family posing for photo on bridge

Time to start a new tradition!

Get a group of family and/or friends, and enjoy your time camping together. Partake in all the amazing activities and create new ever-lasting memories!

(Did we mention memories are made even greater with no bugs?)

9. Walking through a forest of spring ephemerals

spring forest

Ephemeral means quickly fading, and there is a group of beautiful spring wildflowers that do indeed quickly disappear.

As you hike a forest in the spring, the sun beats all the way to the forest floor, allowing flowers like trilliums and Yellow Trout Lilies to bloom.

The sunshine is short-lived however, and is forced out by the leaves of the many canopies of shrubs and trees. Then it is time for these wildflowers to wilt away.

10. The roaring of a campfire

Family cooking spider dogs around a campfir

After venturing out in the wilderness on a brisk day, nothing seems to warm your fingers and toes like a campfire.

Don’t wait until the night to enjoy the rewards of building a fire, the cool days of spring give you a perfect excuse to have a campfire all day long!

Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a midday s’more?

person holding smore

Steal a few days away and fall in love with spring camping!