When you have ever tried to e-book a campsite at Algonquin, Sandbanks, Bon Echo, Killbear, or Pinery, you already know the wrestle! In keeping with the Ontario Parks web site, over 50% of campsite reservations made by the top of March are made at simply these 5 parks. That may make discovering a campsite, particularly on the final minute, really feel practically inconceivable.
However I’ve excellent news! The province is stuffed with lovely, hidden gem Ontario Parks places that provide beautiful surroundings, peaceable travels, and unbelievable tenting alternatives (with out the crowds). Over the previous few years, my husband and I’ve road-tripped to an extended listing of provincial parks with our pack of adventure-loving pets, and we will confidently say there are numerous AMAZING choices exterior of that high 5 listing!
Whether or not you’re planning a weekend tenting getaway or simply want an escape from the town, listed here are 10 lesser-known Ontario Parks which can be 100% definitely worth the drive from Toronto.
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3.5 Hours
Simply north of Bancroft, Lake St. Peter Provincial Park is an ideal instance of why it’s best to try a few of the lesser-known Ontario Parks in your space. This park could also be small, however what it lacks in measurement, it makes up for in its peaceable appeal. In the event you’re in search of quieter, much less fashionable alternate options to Algonquin, this could positively be in your listing.
The park is located on a transparent, calm lake with loads of waterfront campsites to select from (together with some with electrical entry). The lake is ideal for paddling and swimming. We even had the unbelievable alternative of witnessing a loon in her nest by the facet of the lake whereas kayaking throughout our keep. The park’s two sandy seashores had been surprisingly quiet even on the most well liked days. Whereas there isn’t any devoted canine seaside, our pups had been capable of take a dip on the boat launch space to chill off.
There are two trails situated inside the park boundaries, the Lookout Path (2.5 km) and the Cabin Path (4 km). These are thought-about strenuous trails and aren’t the most suitable choice for a newbie hiker, however for those who’re up for the problem, the lookouts are beautiful.
For these whose excellent weekend getaways begin with a seek for the perfect Ontario provincial parks for a peaceable paddle and escape to nature, Lake St Peter is a strong alternative.
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3 Hours
Because the title suggests, Silent Lake Provincial Park is a wonderful possibility for many who choose peaceable Ontario Parks for tenting and climbing. Simply south of Bancroft, this park is a wonderful alternative for many who are thinking about calm paddling, together with first-time paddlers. Why? No motorboats are allowed on the lake, conserving it calm and straightforward to handle for any ability degree.
One of many park’s main highlights is the Lakeshore Climbing Path, a surprising 15 km loop across the park, providing lovely waterfront lookouts, beaver meadows, and hardwood forests. We visited the park over the Thanksgiving weekend, and my pup, Lucifer, joined me for the hike. Not solely had been the views unbelievable, however they had been made much more magical by the autumn colors. In the event you’re in search of a memorable fall hike, I can’t suggest it sufficient!
For many who choose a barely shorter or much less difficult hike, there are two different trails to select from: Lakehead Loop path (1.5 km) and Bonnie’s Pond Path (3 km). Whereas they’re significantly shorter, don’t let that discourage you. They nonetheless supply some unbelievable views of the park and the lake it’s named after.
In the event you’re in search of a winter getaway, Silent Lake can also be an ideal possibility. When the snow falls, the park is reworked right into a cross-country skier’s paradise, with 4 trails starting from novice to troublesome, totaling 34 km. Tenting, snowshoeing, and ice fishing are additionally out there.
Awenda Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 2.5 Hours
Simply north of Penetanguishene on Georgian Bay, Awenda Provincial Park is a superb vacation spot for anybody trying to find provincial parks near Toronto. The park is a well-liked family-friendly getaway with personal campsites, a number of seashores (together with a pet-friendly seaside), and recurrently scheduled youngsters’s applications to be taught in regards to the park and its native wildlife.
We visited this park throughout a heatwave and had been extraordinarily grateful for the pet seaside! Positioned between 1st Seaside and a couple ofnd Seaside, the Pet Seaside is a superb place to take a dip and funky off whereas having fun with the views of Georgian Bay. No pet? No drawback! With 4 camper seashores to select from, there’s loads of beachfront house. It’s a gorgeous different to the extra fashionable places with their crowded seashores!
For many who get pleasure from climbing, there are seven trails starting from 1 km to 13 km in size, together with a barrier-free path. We took our canines on the Nipissing Path, a well-groomed 1 km return path with a 155-step staircase taking you up onto the bluff.
Whether or not it’s your first time tenting in Ontario provincial parks otherwise you’re trying to find a brand new park to discover, Awenda is nicely definitely worth the journey!
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3.5 Hours
I couldn’t create a listing of hidden gem Ontario Parks with out highlighting this lovely and peaceable location. Sharbot Lake Provincial Park is a smaller park, nevertheless it solely took one go to for me to fall utterly in love. Positioned within the Frontenac Highlands, this park is surrounded by two lakes: Sharbot Lake and Black Lake. Not solely are there loads of waterfront campsites, nevertheless it’s additionally an excellent getaway for many who get pleasure from water-related actions, akin to seaside days, fishing, and paddling.
The park options two sandy seashores, situated on Black Lake, and a delegated canine seaside on Sharbot Lake. Whereas we did make a journey to the canine seaside with our pups at one level (simply to test it out), we had been capable of swim proper off our campsite after following a path all the way down to the water.
Throughout our time on the park, we rented a canoe and explored Black Lake with each canines and our cat (sure, a canoeing cat). Not solely was it a calming, lovely paddle, however we additionally witnessed a loon and its child out on the water, swimming.
Sharbot Lake presents two trails for many who get pleasure from climbing. The Discovery Path is a 1.2 km loop with some lovely views. It is a bit more rugged at factors, and the rocks on the path can turn out to be fairly slippery after a rain (ask us how we all know), so applicable climbing footwear is required. In the event you choose a shorter hike, the 0.5 km Ridgeview Path can also be out there.
That is the right possibility for many who love quiet Ontario Parks with lovely views.
Restoule Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 4 Hours
Whether or not you’re in search of a country backcountry getaway or a comfortable automobile tenting weekend, Restoule Provincial Park may be your excellent vacation spot. It is a little farther from Toronto, nevertheless it’s nicely definitely worth the drive for its unbelievable views, quiet lakes, glorious paddling, and delightful climbing trails. Regardless of having a lot to supply, it’s one of many hidden gems in Ontario for nature lovers.
After we camped right here with our canines, I used to be struck by simply how peaceable it was, even throughout peak season. The automobile tenting campsites are shaded with a wide range of choices for campers of all types, together with electrical, non-electrical, barrier-free, and waterfront websites. It’s even one of many spots for seasonal Ontario Provincial Parks tenting, for those who’d choose discovering that excellent go-to spot to name your personal.
In the event you choose a extra personal or adventurous expertise, there are secluded walk-in campsites out there. Their easy-access paddle-in websites are the right alternative for these thinking about attempting backcountry tenting for the primary time. On the identical time, longer paddle routes prolong out into the French River for extra skilled backcountry lovers.
For climbing lovers, the park’s standout path is the Hearth Tower Path (4.1 km). This reasonably difficult hike leads as much as a surprising lookout, providing panoramic views of Stormy Lake and the encompassing forest. You might simply plan an entire weekend on the paths, with 5 extra trails within the park, starting from 860 m to 4.8 km.
There are three sandy seashores for many who need to take a dip. For pet-friendly vacationers, a pet-friendly seaside is obtainable close to the boat launch. Nonetheless, the true gem was the fenced leash-free pet space which featured its personal devoted seaside. Our pups beloved working and enjoying on this spot for hours on finish.
Restoule is a perfect getaway in order for you a extra remote-feeling journey at one of many much less crowded Ontario Parks.
Level Farms Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3 Hours
Positioned on the shores of Lake Huron, simply north of Goderich, Level Farms Provincial Park is a must-see vacation spot for many who choose to stay to the Southern Ontario provincial parks. This park is one among our go-to spots for a relaxed tenting expertise.
Right here, you possibly can select from a mixture of shady and open websites throughout two campgrounds, one among which (Huron) is radio-free. We discovered many personal choices, particularly in Huron Campground. There are additionally six group campsites for those who’re planning a getaway with a bigger group of household or pals, with the power to accommodate from 9 to 45 individuals.
The park options three trails, together with two simpler choices for an off-the-cuff stroll together with your pets: the Previous Farms Path (4 km) and the Beneath the Bluff Path (0.5 km). The Previous Farms Path was a favorite of my senior canines, permitting them to get out and revel in a hike with out pushing them too far. The Ravine Path (1 km) isn’t too lengthy, however the rugged terrain is barely tougher.
In the event you’re in search of a possibility to chill off on a sizzling day, Level Farms has a gorgeous lengthy seaside space. This features a human-only seaside close to the Colborne campground and a big canine seaside space by the Huron campground.
For a peaceable and enjoyable getaway, I extremely suggest testing this park.
Lengthy Level Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 2.5 Hours
One other lovely park in Ontario, Lengthy Level Provincial Park is located on a slender, sandy peninsula that extends into Lake Erie, making it an unbelievable seaside vacation spot.
With over 1.5km of lengthy, sandy seaside, together with two designated canine seaside areas, there’s loads of house for everybody to benefit from the heat waters of Lake Erie with out feeling such as you’re crammed in too shut (even when there are extra individuals there on the height summer season days). The shallow waters rapidly made this a favorite swimming spot for our pup Lucifer (pictured) throughout our final journey.
The park itself is break up into two separate campground areas, the Previous Park, the place you’ll discover Cottonwood Campground, and the New Park, which incorporates Firefly Campground, Monarch’s Relaxation Campground, and Turtle Dunes Campground. Many campsites even supply direct entry to the seaside. We stayed in Cottonwood throughout our go to. The campsites had been all sand, which was a really completely different tenting expertise than what we often discover when visiting different Ontario Provincial Parks.
There are not any climbing trails at this park. Nonetheless, there are numerous locations to discover close by for those who’re seeking to hit the paths, together with the Large Creek Nationwide Wildlife Space, which is a brief 10-minute drive away. Right here, you’ll be capable of see numerous native wildlife within the space’s marshes and wetlands, together with frogs, turtles, and over 200 species of birds.
In the event you’re in search of a beachy different to fashionable parks like Sandbanks, think about planning a visit to Lengthy Level Provincial Park.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3.5 Hours
Grundy Lake Provincial Park is actually one of the unbelievable hidden gem Ontario Parks within the Canadian Protect. Discovered simply south of Sudbury, this park combines pink granite rocks, pine bushes, and deep blue lakes in a surprising, rugged, and peaceable vacation spot for nature lovers.
That is one among my favorite parks to discover by canoe or kayak. There are a number of lakes, all related, making it a great place for day paddles and even beginner-friendly canoe tenting. There are six sandy seashores unfold all through the park, plus two canine seashores, making this an ideal possibility for a sizzling summer season day. There are additionally many clean rock areas alongside the shoreline for sunbathing or taking a dive into the cool water.
Nonetheless, my favorite time of yr to go to Grundy Lake is through the fall. The attractive surroundings all through this park is made much more magical with the transition into the daring fall colors.
The park options 4 climbing trails, ranging in problem from simple to troublesome, which means there are alternatives to go well with hikers of all ability ranges. If I needed to choose a favorite, it might be the Swan Lake Path (1.5 km loop). Rated “reasonable to troublesome” on the Ontario Provincial Parks web site, the path does have some rugged rocky ridges that may be difficult for newer hikers. That stated, the beautiful lookouts make it nicely definitely worth the effort.
In the event you’re trying to find a peaceable and nature-focused park the place you possibly can really disconnect from the world and benefit from the unbelievable magnificence held by the Northern Ontario provincial parks, Grundy Lake is a superb alternative.
MacGregor Level Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3 Hours
Simply south of Port Elgin on the Lake Huron shoreline, MacGregor Level Provincial Park is definitely one among my favorite go-to parks. The truth is, we make a degree of visiting this level a minimum of as soon as yearly. Whereas many Southern Ontario provincial parks appeal to giant crowds (like Pinery), MacGregor Level tends to remain a lot quieter, making it an ideal possibility for many who want to chill out and revel in an escape to nature.
The park options 5 climbing trails, three of which additionally permit bicycles, and a devoted biking path, the Deer Run Bike Path (3.7 km). The paths vary in size from 0.8 km to 4 km. Most trails are rated as “simple” in problem, with the one exception being the Lake Ridge Path (4 km, reasonable). A few of our favorite experiences on the path embody the view from the statement path on the Tower Path and the logging historical past of the realm shared on storyboards alongside the Lake Ridge Path.
Not like many parks in Southern Ontario, MacGregor Level is open year-round. This implies you possibly can go to at any time, even for winter tenting. In the course of the winter months, the paths are reworked into cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice-skating trails. For these thinking about snowmobiling, it’s an possibility, however solely on park roads.
The campsites are personal and shaded, and the park has at all times felt calm and peaceable throughout our visits. Additionally they have a number of rustic cabins and yurts for many who choose a glamping getaway (an ideal possibility on these colder winter journeys).
For these travelling with pets, the park is a superb alternative. There’s a designated dog-friendly portion on the sandy seaside within the day-use space of the park, and a second dog-friendly seaside will be discovered close to the Huron Campground.
In the event you’re in search of much less crowded Ontario Parks with nice trails and personal campsites, MacGregor Level is a strong alternative.
Chutes Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 6 Hours
That is the longest drive time of all of the choices included on this listing, however it’s nicely definitely worth the drive for a weekend away. Chutes Provincial Park is a type of locations that really feels tucked away from the hustle and bustle of every day life whereas nonetheless providing the comfort of a close-by city (Massey) for all of your wants.
The park is known as after the small waterfall (or chute) on the Aux Sables River that when powered an area logging mill. At this time, you possibly can view the waterfall from the gorgeous lookouts on the Twin Bridges Path (6 km), or swim proper under it at a sandy seaside on the river. The path is one among our favorite peaceable trails to discover with our canines as a result of it’s quiet, shaded, and stuffed with little surprises to make you smile alongside the best way, like rock ledges, mild rapids, and calm swimming pools.
Whereas canines aren’t allowed on the seaside on the base of the falls, there’s a canine seaside just a bit additional down the river. There’s additionally a fenced train space the place they’ll run and play off-leash.
The campsites are giant and well-shaded. Whereas they’re usually rather less personal than another parks we’ve beneficial, the truth that Chutes doesn’t draw huge crowds means you possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from a slower, quieter nature expertise. We love reserving websites within the Large Chute Crescent campground, as you possibly can hear the sound of the waterfall all night time, a pure white noise machine.
In the event you’re in search of the charming expertise of the Northern Ontario provincial parks, Chutes is nicely definitely worth the journey!
Begin Planning Your Subsequent Ontario Tenting Getaway At this time!
You don’t must struggle for a spot at the preferred park within the province to get pleasure from an unforgettable Ontario tenting journey. The parks on this listing are a few of the most peaceable and scenic locations I’ve visited, they usually’re all inside driving distance of Toronto. Whether or not you’re in search of quiet paddling routes, pet-friendly seashores, or only a break from the busy metropolis, these hidden gem Ontario Parks are the best way to go.
Many of those websites additionally e-book up extra slowly than the better-known locations. Nonetheless, I nonetheless suggest making your reservations early, particularly for summer season weekend holidays or throughout peak fall colors.
So, load up the automobile, seize your gear, pack the snacks (don’t neglect treats for the pets), and begin planning your subsequent Ontario street journey!
FAQ
When Do Ontario Parks Open for the Yr?
Most Ontario Parks open for tenting and day use in mid-Might, with many contemplating the Might lengthy weekend the grand opening. They often keep open till Thanksgiving weekend. Nonetheless, a handful of parks, like MacGregor Level and Silent Lake, supply year-round entry for winter tenting, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and different winter actions. At all times verify the person park web page on the Ontario Parks web site for particular opening and shutting dates.
Which Ontario Parks are Finest for a Peaceable Weekend Journey?
In the event you’re seeking to keep away from the crowds, parks like Silent Lake, Sharbot Lake, and Chutes are glorious decisions. These parks are typically quieter than fashionable parks like Algonquin, Sandbanks, or Pinery, however nonetheless supply lovely surroundings, well-maintained trails, and glorious tenting alternatives.
How Do You Make Reservations at Ontario Provincial Parks?
You possibly can e-book campsites on-line by means of the Ontario Parks Reservation System or by telephone. Ontario Provincial Parks open for reservations 5 months upfront of your arrival date. Widespread dates/parks refill rapidly, particularly for summer season weekends. In the event you’re planning a last-minute journey or in search of quieter choices, think about reserving at lesser-known parks, akin to those featured on this submit. It’s also possible to verify recurrently for cancellations in your most popular park or go to the Ontario Parks Cancellations Fb group.
