During the pandemic, more people than ever discovered Ontario Parks as a safe alternative to more traditional vacations requiring public travel and hotels. That trend is expected to continue. How many new RVers will want to return to their old methods of travel is hard to say, many of them may have caught the RV bug for life. And if that’s you then it’s that time of year again- time to book those sites for your Ontario Parks camping getaways.
But where to go? Did you know that over 50% of reservations made by the end of March at Ontario Parks are for the five most popular parks?- Bon Echo, Algonquin, Killbear, Sandbanks and the Pinery. It may be possible that you have only heard of these 5 parks, but in fact, there are over 100 provincial parks across the province that offer RV camping.
Selecting a Park:
The first thing you need to do is to decide what park you would like to visit. The park locator on the Ontario Parks website can help. Would you like a park with a great beach? Do you want a park that is close to home? One that you can use as a base to explore the surrounding area. There is lots of information on the website to help you narrow things down and determine your desired destination.
On the RV Places to Go website, you will find a page dedicated to detailed reviews of the Ontario Parks that we have visited so far (42+ and counting). But maybe going through every review for every park is daunting. Here is a quick list that I have compiled of my favourite features from the parks we have visited.
Favourites:
Top 20 favourite things to do at 20 different Ontario Parks
1. Favourite for Biking:
Presqui’le Provincial ParkWith its flat terrain, Presqu’ile is well suited to cycling. There is a dedicated walking/bike lane beside the paved 8 km road loop that provides access to picnic grounds, visitor centres and trails.
2. Favourite for Hiking:
Sleeping Giant Provincial ParkSleeping Giant Provincial Park has over 100 kilometres of trails that lead hikers along the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, past towering cliffs, to scenic vistas and to quiet lakes and streams deep within the park’s wilderness areas.
3. Favourite for Kayaking:
Rideau River Provincial ParkThe Rideau River is part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site. This waterway offers lots of opportunities for paddlers wanting to explore.
4. Favourite Beach:
Sandbanks Provincial ParkSandbanks is famous for its beaches and swimming. It has three natural sand beaches on the shore of Lake Ontario.
5. Favourite for Boating:
Emily Provincial ParkThe Pigeon River leads to the Trent Severn Waterway. This canal system links Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay and is popular with recreational boaters. There are two boat launches located in the park.
6. Favourite Forest Walk
Chutes Provincial ParkTwin Bridges Trail – 6 km return (2 hours) moderate difficulty. It follows the Aux Sables River and leads to lookouts at the falls and the Seven Sisters Cataracts while meandering on a well-marked path through the forest edge.
7. Favourite for Waterfalls:
Kakabeka Provincial ParkThe 40 metre high Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario with year-round access for viewing. There are excellent views from multiple spots of the falls and the gorge from the easy to access boardwalk that wraps around the top of the falls.
Voyageur Provincial Park is located about an hour from Ottawa and from Montreal. Its location makes it a great park where you can both relax and enjoy a great provincial park camping experience as well as incorporate some day trips to 2 of the country’s most fascinating cities.
Moose – approximately 3,500 moose live in Algonquin Park
White-tailed deer are often seen along Hwy. #60 on spring mornings
Beaver – you may want to hike the Beaver Pond Trail
Black Bear – about 2,000 black bears
Wolves – about 35 wolf packs reside in Algonquin Park
272 recorded bird species have been identified in Algonquin Park
31 different species of reptiles and amphibians live in Algonquin Park
10. Favourite for Sunsets
Point Farms Provincial ParkSunsets on Lake Huron can’t be beaten. Watch the world-renowned sunset while listening to the waves crash into the shore. Sitting at the beach is your best bet for a perfect view, but also from the clearing at the top of the bluff.
11. Favourite for Day Use:
Rock Point Provincial ParkMany people visit Rock Point Provincial Park as Day Use visitors. There are 4 large Day Use areas along the shore of Lake Erie with separate parking lots. There is a shaded grass section just up from the beach where there are numerous picnic tables. The park’s beach at the point has fossilized evidence of a coral reef that dates back to over 350 million years ago. There is a Park Store with basic amenities in the centre of the Day Use areas. Lots of room for everyone.
Marten River Provincial Park is located in the Temagami Region which is called the gateway to the north. It is known for its interconnected waterways. You can easily explore a variety of bays and shorelines along the Marten River by boat and the river offers an excellent opportunity to fish for Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.
13. Favourite for Something Different:
Samuel de Champlain Provincial ParkVisitors to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park can bring their own floatation devices and enjoy a float down the Amable du Fond River. There is a ‘put in’ and a ‘take out’ spot. The float portion is about 1 to 1.5 km long. Just be prepared to walk yourself, and your tube, back to where you started.
14. Favourite for Solitude:
Ojibway Provincial ParkTranquil and wild, this retreat on Little Vermillion Lake offers a sandy beach and great swimming, as well as fantastic fishing. It is a small, quiet park where camping reservations are not usually necessary. A true gem in the wilderness.
15. Favourite for a Scenic Drive:
Lake Superior Provincial ParkThe 80 km drive through the park will give you some amazing views of the forests, rock outcrops and huge expanses of water. There are plenty of opportunities to pull over and take photos of the scenery. Arguably one of the best scenic drives in the country.
16. Favourite Visitor Centre:
Killbear Provincial ParkThe Visitor Centre has 1,000 square metres of exhibit space with interactive exhibits about the park and the surrounding area. There is a team of naturalists ready to answer any questions. There is a full line-up of interpretive programs to provide visitors with both entertainment and education.
17. Favourite for Campsites:
Inverhuron Provincial ParkInverhuron has three campgrounds with electrical service and pull-through sites. The campsites are well separated and private. All sites are treed, spacious and have a level surface making them ideal for larger trailers. The large, private sites may mean that you need to bring an extra-long extension cord to reach the electrical outlet. All sites are conveniently located close to the comfort stations and showers.
18. Favourite for Scenery:
Arrowhead Provincial ParkWhether it is the sky reflected in calm Arrowhead Lake, a walk to Stubbs Falls, the burst of autumn colours, or perhaps the view from the big bend lookout. Wherever you look the beauty of the scenery abounds. Looking for the perfect instapic?- you definitely won’t be disappointed here.
With a selection of activities that includes biking, birdwatching, boating, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, hiking and swimming, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
20. Favourite Overall Park:
Grundy Provincial ParkMaybe it’s the quiet lakes, the relaxed pace, the picturesque hikes, the wildlife, the jumping rocks, the calm paddle, the variety of sites, the seclusion…I can’t narrow it down but Grundy Lake Provincial Park is my favourite.
Be sure to check them out! All are fantastic RV Places to Go!
