Planning an RV trip to an Ontario Park this season? Ontario has over 100 parks to choose from that accommodate RV camping. Most people though tend to flock to about 5 of them.
Top 5 Ontario Parks:
- Killbear Provincial Park (over 300,00 annual visitors)
- Sandbanks Provincial Park (over 750,000 annual visitors)
- Bon Echo Provincial Park (about 300,000 annual visitors)
- Pinery Provincial Park (over 750,000 annual visitors)
- Algonquin Park (1 million annual visitors).
In fact, the most visited post on this entire website is the one for Sandbanks Provincial Park.
If you have ever tried to reserve a site at one of these parks for a summer weekend you know how frustrating it can be. The earlier you book the better your chances.
But if you can’t secure a site or are simply looking for a place to go that is a bit off the beaten path, you really should check out what I consider the top 10 best overlooked and underestimated destinations in the Ontario Parks system.
Top 10 Ontario Parks List
1. Restoule Provincial Park
The thing I like best about Restoule is that it’s not near ANYTHING. For that reason, I think it is often overlooked. I, however, like the remoteness of Restoule. It is quiet and private. You can paddle the lakes and hike the trails and enjoy the serenity of a nature experience. An excellent place to relax and unwind.
2. Chutes Provincial Park
Chutes is a quiet campground located on the Aux Sables River in the town of Massey Ontario. There is a six-kilometre hiking trail with great views of scenic waterfalls and the river gorge. It is a beautiful park with large sites near amenities and a good base to check out Manitoulin Island. I think the reason Chutes is overlooked is because there isn’t much in the way of water activities. There is no boating or kayaking/canoeing accessible within the park, however, these activities can be enjoyed a short distance away. The site size, location and nature experience make Chutes Provincial Park worth checking out if not as the primary destination then certainly as part of a larger road trip.
3. White Lake Provincial Park
White Lake has it all. There is lots of space, great sites, nice beaches, fishing, boating, trails…you name it. Unfortunately, it is overshadowed by the parks that are nearby on Lake Superior. The draw of Lake Superior brings visitors to the area and parks like Lake Superior Provincial Park and Sleeping Giant are popular. White Lake Provincial Park is an excellent northern park on a 6500-hectare lake with all the amenities for family camping and is perfect for an extended stay.
4. Inverhuron Provincial Park
Sites are spacious and private at Inverhuron Provincial Park. The beach is long and the water is clean and clear. Inverhuron was originally opened as an overnight park in the 1950s but closed in the 1970s as a safety precaution when the Bruce Nuclear Plant was built nearby. The park was given a complete facelift and reopened in 2005 as an overnight park again. It’s completely safe to camp there but perhaps some people underestimate it because of its proximity to the power plant and instead go to nearby MacGregor Point Provincial Park and Point Farms Provincial Park. Inverhuron is a well-maintained park where you can enjoy a comfortable stay- and oooh those beautiful sunsets on Lake Huron shouldn’t be missed.
5. Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Charleston Lake Provincial Park is located in a busy area of Ontario. I am surprised that it isn’t more widely visited. Charleston Lake has 3 campground areas in a nicely spaced out park. Amenities include a boat launch, well taken care of beaches, a discovery centre and excellent paddling opportunities. The water is clear and refreshing and dozens of islands are dotted throughout the lake affording lots of opportunities for exploration. Not to mention the park is located in the midst of the Thousand Island tourist region providing various options for Day trips. This park is a rare treat!
Awenda Provincial Park situated on Georgian Bay. Sites are nestled in the secluded campgrounds located atop the bluff. There are numerous hiking trails and 6 kilometres of Georgian Bay shoreline. Several beaches offer stunning natural swimming opportunities. It makes no sense to me why this park is underestimated. Awenda is close to amenities while still maintaining a very private nature-based camping experience.
7. Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park is located near Timmins. There are several Provincial Parks along this stretch of Highway 11. Esker Lakes Provincial Park, Rene Brunelle Provincial Park and Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park are all within 2 hours of Kettle Lakes. There are a lot of sites in the combined parks competing for a small number of campers venturing to this area of the province. It’s northern Ontario- nature is the draw. Kettle Lakes is private, quiet and offers all of the activities for the outdoor enthusiast. This is camping at it’s best and worth checking out.
8. Mikisew Provincial Park
Mikisew Provincial Park is a hidden gem located on Eagle Lake. It is about 110 km from Algonquin Park (just over an hour drive) and I think that is why people overlook Mikisew. Algonquin Park is arguably the granddaddy and the crown jewel in the Ontario Parks system with good reason- it is a gorgeous park and people flock to it. Mikisew can’t compete with Algonquin but you shouldn’t underestimate it. The park is quiet. You can enjoy a nice paddle on the lake, hike by beaver ponds, boat, fish and enjoy sandy beaches. The sites are good and the park has all the amenities camping at provincial parks afford. Don’t miss it, Mikisew is worth checking out.
9. Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is the biggest surprise to me on this list. I don’t understand why this park isn’t more frequently visited, except that I guess it is off the beaten path a bit. The park has numerous hiking trails of various lengths and degrees of difficulty. There are two beaches for swimming. You can sign up for a tour in a replica Voyageur canoe down the Mattawa River. It is bike-friendly. There is a museum detailing the history of the Mattawa River. There is an observatory that houses a 16″ Meade telescope where on summer weekends you can enjoy a naturalist-led program to view the night skies. Heck, the Amable du Fond River even acts as a natural lazy river- just bring your own flotation devices and enjoy. Don’t overlook this park. Great memories are made here.
10. Marten River Provincial Park
Marten River Provincial Park is like a step back in time. There is an old-growth forest with 350-year-old white pines, as well there is a 19th-century replica logging camp depicting the importance of the river to Ontario. The pace is slow and the campground is quiet. The sites are good with some excellent ones right on the water. The boating, canoeing/kayaking and fishing are all excellent. The only reason this park is overlooked is because of its location. For most people, it is just too far away for a weekend destination. Plan for an extended stay. It is worth it.
In My Opinion:
Some of the best camping destinations are at Ontario Parks. Of course, there are some that everyone has heard about and has enjoyed visiting but there are many more that are not as widely known that are equally worthy of attention. Check them out and enjoy one of Ontario’s overlooked and underestimated parks this season as an RV Place to Go.
