Summer has officially begun!
Taking your RV on a road-trip this St. Jean Baptiste Day weekend? A lot of parks still have lots of campsites available — including some great waterfront spots to provide the perfect spot for the first swim of the summer.
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, June 23):
Southeastern Ontario
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Presqu’ile was made for walking; its flat terrain and views of Lake Ontario attract visitors all year.
Couldn’t get a campsite at Sandbanks? Presqu’ile is less than an hour away — the perfect distance for a day trip to the beach.
Presqu’ile is 1.5 hours from Kingston, 2 hours from Toronto, and 4 hours from Montreal.
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
Sharbot Lake 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
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek offers two interpretive centres. Spruce Lane Farmhouse showcases what life for the early farmer must have been like. The Nature Centre is located next to the big Red Play Barn and Children’s Farm. Kids love to visit with turtles and explore hands-on in our discovery room.
Bronte Creek is 30 minutes from Hamilton, and 1 hour from Toronto.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
MacGregor Point is one of the most ecologically diverse natural places along the Lake Huron shoreline. A complex ecosystem unfolds at this all-season park on a seven-kilometre stretch of coast, just south of Port Elgin. More than 200 species of birds have been sighted here, including the Black-crowned Night Heron and the American Egret which find the wetlands in the park to be ideal feeding grounds.
MacGregor Point is 3 hours from Toronto, and 2.5 hours from Barrie or London.
Central Ontario
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.
Samuel de Champlain is 2 hours from Sudbury, and 3.5 hours from Ottawa.
Restoule Provincial Park
Restoule has a number of great trails including The Fire Tower Trail. The trail ascends through mixed forest cover and provides the opportunity to experience several stages of natural history including forest fire and severe wind events. The reward for your hard work is a spectacular view from atop the 100 meter tall Stormy Lake Bluffs and a close inspection of a historic fire tower.
Restoule is 2 hours from Sudbury, and 4 hours from Toronto.
Northeastern Ontario
Fushimi Lake Provincial Park
The cabin features a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker and counter space. There is a dining table and chairs for inside meals. Outside you will find a gas barbeque, picnic table and breathtaking view of Fushimi Lake. A propane/electric fireplace provides additional comfort.
Fushimi Lake offers great fishing opportunities for walleye, northern pike, whitefish and yellow perch. You can clean your catch at the fish hut next to the boat launch.
Fushimi Lake is 3.5 hours from Timmins.
Esker Lakes Provincial Park
The collection of picturesque lakes — separated by short, fairly level portages and no motorboats — makes the park ideal for canoeing. There are about 15 kilometres of canoe routes and a canoe launching site on Panagapka Lake.
Esker Lakes is 2 hours from Timmins, and 1.5 hours from Rouyn-Noranda.
Northwestern Ontario
White Lake Provincial Park
This campsite is right on the shore of White Lake – a 6,500 hectare lake – one of the largest lakes on the Lake Superior Circle Route. The warm waters and sandy beaches are perfect for a weekend of swimming.
White Lake is 4 hours from Sault Ste. Marie or Thunder Bay.
Aaron Provincial Park
This site is right on the clear, shallow waters of Thunder Lake. Aaron is an ideal destination for water-based activities, such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Aaron is 4 hours from Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.