The forecast is looking good for this weekend, so why not spend it outside?
We’ve got a slew of waterfront campsites available, PLUS some parks even have unbooked cabins (available as of 12:00 pm on September 6, 2018).
Southeastern Ontario
Balsam Lake Provincial Park
Campers love the Lookout Trail (2.6 km) at Balsam Lake. Walk through eskers and kames formed over 10,000 years ago from the Wisconsin Glacier, and take in a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Balsam Lake is 2 hours from Toronto, and 45 minutes from Orillia.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!**
Need a quiet escape? Located on the eastern shore of Charleston Lake, this rustic cabin is water access only. Solar-powered interior lights are provided and a composting outhouse is nearby. Relax in Muskoka chairs on the deck while you watch the sunset.
Charleston Lake is under 1 hour from Kingston, 2 hours from Ottawa, and 3 hours from Toronto.
Southwestern Ontario
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek offers fantastic interpretive experiences including a big red play barn and Children’s Farm. Five great hiking trails showcase the natural beauty of the park.
Bronte Creek is 30 minutes from Hamilton, and 1 hour from Toronto.
Port Burwell Provincial Park
Port Burwell’s 2.5 km sand beach is one of most beautiful on the northern shore of Lake Erie. In addition to hiking and biking opportunities, the park boasts an amphitheater, children’s playground, volleyball/badminton courts, horseshoe pits, baseball diamond, Frisbee golf course, and basketball foul shooting court.
Port Burwell is 1 hour from London and 2.5 hours from Niagara Falls.
Near North
Bonnechere Provincial Park
One of the Ottawa Valley’s hidden gems, your family will fall in love with Bonnechere.
Explore the quiet Bonnechere River, a great spot for introducing little ones to paddling. The park rents kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards, which can be picked up right at the boat launch.
*NOTE* Call the Ontario Parks reservation service at 1-888-ONT-PARK (668-7275) to reserve.
Bonnechere is 2 hours from Ottawa, and 3 hours from Kingston.
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park
The park’s cozy cabins are perfect for when it gets a little colder at night. Paddlers and boaters can enjoy a scenic tour of Sturgeon Bay, or (if more experienced) head out onto Georgian Bay.
Anglers love Shawanaga Bay, a huge inlet reaching inland from Georgian Bay with hundreds of islands and lots of underwater structures that fish like to hang out around.
*NOTE* Call the Ontario Parks reservation service at 1-888-ONT-PARK (668-7275) to reserve.
Sturgeon Bay is 3 hours from Toronto, and 1.5 hours from Sudbury.
Northeastern Ontario
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!**
Kettle Lakes is part of the great expanse of the boreal forest that covers northern Ontario, and offers great hiking, birding and fishing opportunities. 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 on your journey.
Kettle Lakes is 4 hours north of Sudbury.
Wakami Lake Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!**
This waterfront campsite is nestled in the forest on the shoreline of Wakami Lake. Discover plants like the pitcher plant and sundew on the park’s hiking trails, or rent a kayak and explore by water.
Also, did you know that Wakami Lake is one of Ontario Parks’ undiscovered fishing hotspots?
Wakami Lake is 4 hours from Sault Ste Marie, and 5 hours from Sudbury.
Northwestern Ontario
Quetico Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!**
Quetico is known for its rugged beauty, towering rock cliffs, majestic waterfalls, virgin pine and spruce forests, and picturesque rivers and lakes.
This campsite is right on French Lake and steps away from 35 km of hiking trails.
Quetico is under 2 hours from Thunder Bay or 30 minutes from Atikokan.
Caliper Lake Provincial Park
**Waterfront site alert!!!**
The peaceful waters of Caliper Lake offer a relaxing option for a day of canoeing. A large beach and sectioned off swimming area make swimming a favourite activity at Caliper Lake. Enjoy the warm, shallow water and floating swim platform.
Caliper Lake is an hour from Fort Frances and 4 hours from Winnipeg.