Summer is winding down, but there’s still time to enjoy the beautiful weather!
Squeeze the most out of summer by camping this weekend at one of the following campsites (available as of 12:00 pm on August 16, 2018).
Southwestern Ontario
Wheatley Provincial Park
Wheatley’s campgrounds are situated among a tangle of creeks in a beautifully wooded Carolinian forest (at the same latitude as northern California!).
Hikes in the park wind through a mature forest of oak, hickory, Tulip, Sassafras, chestnut and Black Gum trees. Finish off your hike by swimming on our 1.6 km stretch of sandy beach.
Wheatley is 1 hour from Detroit, Windsor and London.
Southeastern Ontario
Darlington Provincial Park
Darlington has a beautiful stretch of sandy beach on the shores of Lake Ontario. The sheltered waters of McLaughlin Bay are ideal for canoes and paddle boats.
Darlington is less than 1 hour from Toronto, 2 hours from Kingston and 20 minutes from Oshawa.
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Located on Big Rideau Lake (part of the historic Rideau Waterway), Murphys Point offers great opportunities for paddlers and boaters. Staying on land? Explore wildflowers and archaeological sites on the park’s hiking trails.
This Saturday is Murphys Point’s 2nd Annual BioBlitz! Campers are invited to come together with staff and experts on Saturday to record their nature sightings in the park. This year’s event will be packed full of discovery/exploration activities for kids and adults alike.
Murphys Point is just over an hour from both Kingston and Ottawa.
Silver Lake Provincial Park
Located on a picturesque lake, this park offers great swimming, canoeing, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Silver Lake is just over 1 hour north of Kingston, and just over 1 hour south of Ottawa.
Near North
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park
Whether you stick to Sturgeon Bay or head onto Georgian Bay, you’ll find scenic views and excellent fishing opportunities from this park. Bring your own canoe or rent one from the park!
The cottage sleeps five (a double bed is located in the first bedroom and a double bed with single bunk is located in the second bedroom), and includes a kitchen, a furnished common area, running water and a three piece bathroom.
*NOTE* This cottage must be reserved by phone at 1-888-ONT-PARK (668-7275).
Sturgeon Bay is 3 hours from Toronto, and 1.5 hours from Sudbury.
Restoule Provincial Park
Paddle along the base of the Stormy Lake Bluffs, or hike to the top for a view of the local landscape. More than 90 species of birds frequent the waters and forests of Restoule, including Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and Osprey.
Restoule is 1 hour south of North Bay, and 2 hours north of Orillia.
Northeastern Ontario
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
Kettle Lakes is part of the great expanse of boreal forest that covers northern Ontario, and offers great hiking, birding and fishing opportunities. This park has 14 km of bike trails that wind through the forest and lead you to Slab Lake, where you can have a swim before continuing your journey.
There are a bunch of events taking place within the park this weekend, including a Ghosts and Spirits night where ghosts from across Ontario will come out to teach us about the rich history of Ontario Parks. Come prepared for a night of thrills, chills, and entertainment!
Kettle Lakes is 4 hours north of Sudbury.
Nagagamisis Provincial Park
This campsite is just steps from the sandy beach; you can relax and swim all day in the clear water. Use the park as a jump-off point for challenging canoe routes on the Nagagami and Shekak Rivers. Anglers return year after year to this large secluded lake, drawn by the excellent fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.
There’s a lot in store for Nagagamisis campers this weekend, including Art in the Park, where participants create their own painted masterpiece outdoors, inspired by the natural beauty around them. Art supplies are provided.
Nagagamisis is 4.5 hours north of Sault Ste. Marie.
Northwestern Ontario
Blue Lake Provincial Park
Blue Lake boasts a long sandy beach and water so clear you can see the bottom.
This is “Take a Hike Weekend” in the park, where you are invited to get acquainted with Blue Lake’s four diverse trails! Take a hike with park naturalists through a spruce fen and stands of majestic pines, over ancient bedrock, past lady’s slipper orchids and blueberry bushes.
Blue Lake is 3.5 hours from Winnipeg, and 4.5 hours from Thunder Bay.
Neys Provincial Park
Neys is home to one the finest sand beaches on Lake Superior’s north shore. You can go on a plant walk in search of sub-Arctic plants, or hike up to the Pagoda to get a spectacular view of Pic Island, as it was immortalized on canvas by Lawren Harris of the famous Group of Seven.
Neys is 3.5 hours from Thunder Bay.