Summer’s drawing to a close…don’t miss your chance to squeeze in one more camping getaway!
You can scout out your ideal campsite on our Campsite Browsing/Reservation tool (including pictures of most campsites!), or check out these featured campsites (available as of noon, August 18):
Southeastern Ontario
Rideau River Provincial Park
Rideau River is a great base for exploring Ottawa and the historic Rideau waterway. The park offers lots of opportunities for paddlers and boaters who want to explore. Visit this website and click on “Paddling Guide 14” for points of interest near the park, for example, a 7 km paddle up Kemptville Creek to the town of Kemptville.
Rideau River is 40 minutes from Ottawa and 1.5 hours from Kingston.
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
Waterfront site alert!!!
The park is located on two beautiful, clear lakes that offer great swimming, canoeing, boating and fishing. You can park your vehicle and enjoy all the park amenities within easy walking distance of each other, which is great for young families.
Sharbot Lake is 1 hour from Kingston, 1.5 hours from Ottawa, and 3.5 hours from Montreal.
Southwestern Ontario
Wheatley Provincial Park
Campgrounds are situated among a tangle of creeks in a beautifully wooded Carolinian forest. The park sits on a major migratory bird route and provides excellent bird-watching. Boosey Creek and Sugar Creek provide great opportunities for fishing. Kids love to dip their lines and see what they can catch (borrow equipment free from the TackleShare program).
Wheatley is 1 hour from Detroit, Windsor and London.
Sibbald Point Provincial Park
The blue waters of Lake Simcoe and the sandy beaches of the park are ideal for family swimming. Lake trout, bass, whitefish, pike, yellow pickerel and jumbo perch are abundant in Lake Simcoe. Lake Simcoe is the perfect place for sailing and motorboats.
Sibbald Point is just over 1 hour from Toronto.
Near North / Central Ontario
Driftwood Provincial Park
The cool, clear waters of the Ottawa River provide a relaxing way to spend the day. A sandy campers’ beach stretches the entire length of the Ottawa Campground adjacent to many of the campsites.
Couldn’t get into Algonquin? You can day-trip to Algonquin with your camping permit, which gives you free access to any provincial park. The Brent Access Point is only an hour away, and Achray Access Point is just over 2 hours away.
Driftwood is 2.5 hours north of Ottawa, and 1.5 hours east of North Bay.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
There are eight (yes, eight!) natural sand beaches recommended for swimming. There are countless inland lakes offering endless canoeing and kayaking adventures (as well as top-notch fishing!), which are great for beginners. Canoe and kayak rentals are available nearby.
Arrive before 4:00 pm on Friday to meet some amazing animals up close, or take in the Murder Mystery Spirit Night on Saturday.
Grundy Lake is 3.5 hours from Toronto or 1 hour from Sudbury.
Northeastern Ontario
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
Kettle Lakes 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. Bicycles are available for rent at the front gate. Canoe rentals are available including paddles and lifejackets.
Bonus: the park has some stellar events this weekend, including a jigging demo from Métis Nation and Halloween in August.
Kettle Lakes is 4 hours north of Sudbury.
Wakami Lake Provincial Park
Waterfront site alert!!!
One of Ontario Parks’ undiscovered fishing hotspots! This waterfront campsite is nestled on the shoreline of Wakami Lake. Discover strange plants like the pitcher plant and sundew on Wakami Lake’s hiking trails, or rent a kayak and explore the park by water.
Wakami Lake is 4 hours from Sault Ste Marie, and 5 hours from Sudbury.
Northwestern Ontario
Sandbar Lake Provincial Park
The sandy beach’s gently sloping swimming area is great for kids. Paddle through some of the finest fishing lakes in Northern Ontario (canoe rentals available). A fish-cleaning station, with lights, running water and cutting tables is located by the boat launch.
Sandbar Lake is 3 hours from Thunder Bay or 1.5 hours from Dryden.
Lake Superior Provincial Park
Waterfront site alert!!!
You’ll find world-class hiking and paddling along the Lake Superior shoreline. The diversity of habitats in the park provides good bird-watching opportunities. In Lake Superior and the park’s coastal streams and rivers, there are good populations of lake and rainbow trout, and three species of salmon.
Lake Superior is 2 hours north of Sault Ste Marie.