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 whole weekend in nature!
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 on August 15, 2019):
Northwestern Ontario
Quetico Provincial Park
Quetico is one of our iconic parks – known for its rugged beauty, towering rock cliffs, majestic waterfalls, virgin pine and spruce forests, and picturesque rivers and lakes.
Quetico is 4 hours east of Kenora or 2 hours west of Thunder Bay.
Neys Provincial Park
Neys is home to one of the finest sand beaches on Lake Superior’s north shore. While you’re here, don’t miss the Pic Island Overlook Trail. It takes you to a gazebo that has a spectacular view overlooking Pic Island, immortalized on canvas by Lawren Harris of the Group of Seven.
Neys is 3.5 hours from Thunder Bay.
Northeastern Ontario
Pancake Bay Provincial Park
Pancake Bay boasts more than 3 km of beautiful sand beach and Caribbean blue waters. Enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Superior from the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout hiking trail. The park is located along the historic paddling route of the voyageurs, and is only a short drive from many regional attractions.
Pancake Bay is 1 hour from Sault Ste Marie.
Nagagamisis Provincial Park
This campsite is just steps from the park’s beautiful sandy beach where you can relax and swim all day in the clear water. Use the park as a jump-off point for challenging canoe routes on the Nagagami and Shekak Rivers. Anglers return year after year to this large secluded lake, drawn by the excellent fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch.
Nagagamisis is 4.5 hours north of Sault Ste. Marie or 4.5 hours west of Timmins
Near North
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Samuel de Champlain is located on the historic Mattawa River fur trade route in the Mattawa Valley. Discovery staff at the park provide interactive programming suitable for all ages. Relaxing beside the refreshing, clear waters of Moore Lake is a fantastic way to spend a warm day.
Samuel de Champlain is 40 minutes east of North Bay, and approximately 3.5 hours from Ottawa.
Finlayson Point Provincial Park
Unwind and relax on the shore of beautiful Lake Temagami, where canoes, boats, and float planes pass by. Swim at sandy beaches and dive in the deep clear water. Hike to Caribou Mountain lookout or head into town to climb the Temagami Fire Tower for a view of the park, the town of Temagami, and Lake Temagami.
Finlayson Point is under 5 hours from Toronto, and 2 hours from Sudbury.
Southwestern Ontario
Wheatley Provincial Park
Wheatley’s campgrounds are situated among a tangle of creeks in a beautifully wooded Carolinian forest (at the same latitude as northern California!). Hikes in the park wind through a mature forest of oak, hickory, Tulip, Sassafras, chestnut, and Black Gum trees.
Wheatley is 1 hour from Detroit, Windsor, and London.
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.
Southeastern Ontario
Darlington Provincial Park
At Darlington you will find a beautiful stretch of sandy beach on the shores of Lake Ontario. The sheltered waters of McLaughlin Bay are ideal for canoes and paddle boats.
Darlington is less than 1 hour from Toronto, 2 hours from Kingston, and 20 minutes from Oshawa.
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.
