This August, Ontario Parks is challenging you to spend 30 minutes in nature each day for 30 days. You know what would make meeting that challenge really easy? Spending a FULL WEEKEND in nature. There are tons of great sites available across the province. We’ve got tent sites, RV and trailer sites AND electrical sites that are open for you to tune back in to nature.
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 4):
Southeastern Ontario
Voyageur Provincial Park
Iroquois Campground has its own beach which is a short walk from this site. The park has many small bays and inlets where visitors can explore and view wildlife by canoe or kayak. Dropping a line in the spring to catch catfish and barbotte (bullhead) is a popular local activity.
Voyageur is just over an hour away from both Ottawa and Montreal.
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Whether you are an ardent hiker, a nature lover, or just out for a family stroll, you’ll find a hiking trail at Silent Lake that suits you. Each of the three trails has the same underlying qualities – the tranquility and solitude of the natural environment. Each one will expand your wilderness experience at Silent Lake and introduce you to the ecology and history of the park area.
There are two sandy beaches located on Silent Lake which is motor-free.
Silent Lake is 2.5 hours from Toronto and 3 hours from Ottawa.
Southwestern Ontario
Rondeau Provincial Park
Eleven beach accesses lead to 11 kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches along the Lake Erie side of the Rondeau peninsula.
Rondeau also offers six hiking trails that will allow you to explore the world renowned bird watching destination.
Rondeau is 3 hours from Toronto and 1.5 hours from London.
Darlington Provincial Park
Darlington offers a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, perfect for swimming, on the shores of Lake Ontario. The sheltered waters of McLaughlin Bay are ideal for canoes and paddle boats. PFDs are available for loan at the main gate and fishing gear is available through the Tackleshare program at the park store.
Join us for a spooky stroll through Darlington on August 6, and meet the people that once lived on the land that became the park. Fun for the whole family!
Darlington is 15 minutes from Oshawa, and 45 minutes from Toronto.
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 1 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.
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Samuel de Champlain is located on historic Mattawa River fur trade route in the scenic Mattawa Valley. The park offers great hiking trails with scenic views.
Speaking of Wildlife will be visiting the park this weekend! They will be bringing with them approximately 5 animals that can be found in Ontario’s natural ecosystems. Visitors will have the chance to meet these creatures up close and learn all about their adaptations, homes, and current challenges
Samuel de Champlain is 2 hours from Sudbury, and 3.5 hours from Ottawa.
Northeastern Ontario
Marten River Provincial Park
Marten River is the southern gateway to the Temagami area and makes the perfect base for canoeists, boaters and anglers. Marten River itself provides lots of opportunities to explore, with numerous bays and long stretches of shoreline.
Marten River is 45 minutes from North Bay, and 1.5 hours from Sudbury.
Esker Lakes Provincial Park
The collection of picturesque lakes — separated by short, fairly level portages and no motorboats — makes the park ideal for canoeing. The pleasant, family-oriented park also has trails for hiking, sandy beaches and a full range of campground facilities.
Esker Lakes is 2 hours from Timmins, and 1.5 hours from Rouyn-Noranda.
Northwestern Ontario
Aaron Provincial Park
The park’s Thunder Lake is a remnant of the ancient glaciers that covered Ontario tens of thousands of years ago. Two sandy beaches and the clear, shallow waters make Aaron an ideal destination for water-based activities, such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Aaron is 4 hours from Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.
Rainbow Falls Provincial Park
Rainbow Falls is a perfect Northern park to visit during Family Fishing Week as the East Beach will be the location of their 9th Annual Bass Blast! Participants can look forward to all sorts of fishing fun and games, a BBQ lunch, including giveaways, and prizes for the kids.
Whitesand Lake offers great opportunities to catch lake trout and bass. Rainbow trout, salmon and whitefish can be found in nearby Lake Superior.
Rainbow Falls is 2.5 hours from Thunder Bay, and 5 hours from Sault Ste Marie (just follow the Lake Superior shoreline!).