We’re in the last weeks of summer. Make the most of it by heading out on an impromptu weekend camping getaway!
We’ve got some beautiful sites available, including electrical sites in southern Ontario, and a lakeside cabin nestled in the forest (available as of 12:00 pm on August 23, 2018).
Southeastern Ontario
Rideau River Provincial Park
Rideau River is a great base for exploring Ottawa and the historic Rideau waterway. 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.
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Lake St. Peter is known its for Lake Trout and bass. Rent a canoe or kayak, or hike the Lookout Trail. You can also spend the day at nearby Algonquin Provincial Park with your camping permit.
Lake St. Peter is 3 hours from Ottawa and Kingston.
Southwestern Ontario
Earl Rowe Provincial Park
Enjoy daily Discovery programming, and free Learn to Fish lessons. Spend the day swimming, or explore the park’s hiking trails, including the paved Fletcher’s Mill Pond Trail.
Earl Rowe is only 1.5 hours from Toronto, or 45 minutes from Barrie.
Sauble Falls Provincial Park
This historic waterfall used to power a timber mill and generating station. Now flanked by immature forest, the falls are the end of the Rankin River canoe route. Sauble Falls is the perfect base camp for visits to nearby Sauble Beach and exploring the Bruce Peninsula.
Sauble Falls is 3 hours from Toronto, and 2 hours from Barrie.
Near North
Driftwood Provincial Park
The cool, clear waters of the Ottawa River provide a relaxing way to spend the day. The park has a large sandy beach and makes an ideal base camp for exploring this section of the Ottawa River and the mouth of the Dumoine.
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 two hours away.
Driftwood is 2.5 hours north of Ottawa, and 1.5 hours east of North Bay.
Mikisew Provincial Park
There are three sand beaches for swimming located along Eagle Lake in Mikisew Provincial Park. The lake is also great for boating, paddling and fishing.
This Saturday, don’t miss David Archibald’s Happiest Camper in Ontario concert at Mikisew! This popular show includes original songs about the joys of poison ivy, campfires, the Great Lakes, forest fires, geology and more. He will have you singing about Ontario pirates and horse manure in a show that you and your family will love.
Mikisew is just over 3 hours away from Toronto and 2.5 hours from Sudbury.
Northeastern Ontario
Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!**
The long sandy beach with warm, shallow water and a playground makes this park great for families with young children. Hikers will love exploring the boreal forest and beautiful esker ridges. And don’t forget your fishing gear!
Ivanhoe Lake is 2.5 hours from Timmins, and 5.5 hours from Sudbury.
Mississagi Provincial Park
If you’ve been to Mississagi, you know that it’s one of Ontario’s best kept secrets. The scenery is spectacular with hills, ridges, cliffs, valleys and sparkling blue lakes. Three beaches slope into the pleasant waters of Semiwite Lake and hikers will love the seven hiking trails with fantastic views.
Mississagi is just over 3 hours west of Sudbury and 3 hours east of Sault Ste. Marie.
Northwestern Ontario
Rainbow Falls Provincial Park — Whitesand
You’ll want to stay all week when you catch a glimpse of the striking Lake Superior shoreline! This gorgeous and private site backs on to a steep wooded slope leading down to Whitesand Lake.
Shake out the cobwebs with a hike along the Casque Isle Trail, or view the cascading waters as they plunge over the rock ledges of Rainbow Falls on their way to Lake Superior.
Rainbow Falls is 2.5 hours from Thunder Bay, and 5 hours from Sault Ste Marie (just follow the Lake Superior shoreline!).
Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico is renowned for its rugged beauty, towering rock cliffs, majestic waterfalls, virgin pine and spruce forests, and picturesque rivers and lakes. This weekend, you can enjoy this iconic wilderness class park from the comfort of a lakeside cabin.
This cabin sleeps 4 and has electric heat, mini fridge, microwave, coffeemaker and BBQ.
Quetico is under 2 hours from Thunder Bay, or 30 minutes from Atikokan.