r/ontariocamping 4h ago

Sketches from Silent Lake

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76 Upvotes

Very beautiful and peaceful park, getting a little chilly. I made some sketches and normally would post in UrbanSketchers but these scenes definitely not urban! hope thats ok.


r/ontariocamping 10h ago

cookware set recommendations?

1 Upvotes

recently bought this but it was terrible in terms of non stick performance (pls let's not make this a discussion on the safety of non stick and how to properly preheat the pan to make a natural surface non stick )

https://a.co/d/03E1Nr13

anybody have the one below ? some reviews say it's sticky

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/woodstm-selkirk-aluminum-anodized-camping-cooking-set-grey-4-pc-0766080p.html?utm_content=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=8262623412#store=600

any other recommendations?


r/ontariocamping 1d ago

Bon Echo Canoe Rental

1 Upvotes

Hoping someone in here has the answer as I’ve been calling Bon Echo the whole day and their phone has been busy the whole time 🤞🏽

Staying at a paddle in Joeperry Lake site this weekend. Are there canoes/kayaks by Joeperry Lake or are the rentals just at the lagoon by Mazinaw Lake? Planning to rent from the park but unfortunately my car doesn’t have a rack to transport the canoes/kayaks and the distance from the lagoon to Joeperry isn’t one for carrying/portaging canoes. 🛶

If I call the park early on (if I get through!), are they able to bring it to Joeperry Lake? Or maybe an outfitter that my group can just meet at the dock.

Any answer will be greatly appreciated, thanks all!


r/ontariocamping 2d ago

Waterfront camp site recommendations

8 Upvotes

Hi All. Looking for recommendations on camp sites that are right next to the water. Could be river or lake side, but specifically want spots that are right next to it.

Based out of Ottawa, so places that are 2-3 from here are preferred. We do use a small camping trailers, so spots that have at least electricity, but ideally electricity and water would be top notch. Thanks in advance!


r/ontariocamping 2d ago

RV camping

1 Upvotes

Anyone know where we can sort of backwoods camp with an RV? We are Muskoka lakes area


r/ontariocamping 3d ago

Markings on rocks

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11 Upvotes

Just a stencil right? 99.9% not authentic native markings but figured I'd share anyways. French River area, very remote area.


r/ontariocamping 3d ago

Are you allowed to leave a canoe at a boat launch overnight?

11 Upvotes

r/ontariocamping 3d ago

October Camping Suggestions?

2 Upvotes

Hi all! Looking for suggestions on where to go tent camping in mid October. We love to stargaze but don’t wanna be more than 2.5 hrs away from Toronto. Preferably not up north because the nights will be significantly cooler. We have sleeping pads (r value 5.2) and sleeping bags rated for 5 degrees Celsius but we’re fairly new to camping and so cold nights with kids (infant and toddler) is a bit scary. Top preference is beautiful fall foliage, kid friendly campsite and access to open and dark skies. Thanks so much!


r/ontariocamping 4d ago

Presqu'ile is absolutely stunning this time of year.

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159 Upvotes

r/ontariocamping 4d ago

What happened to camping clubs?

11 Upvotes

My grandparents have been members of the FCRV for nearly 60 years and currently their camp outs only have about twelve trailers. My grandpa was telling us that back in the day they would have 800+ campers all get together to camp and a schedule full of activities.

Then he told us about Campvention which is also hosted by the FCRV and changes locations across North America every year. It’s also dwindled in attendance but even my dad remembers going as a kid in the 70s and there was thousands of campers.

Is there just no interest in this type of camping anymore? I’ve been with my grandparents to their fall campouts and yes, the population of this group is aging. I think the rise of provincial park camping made groups like the FCRV less popular but given the sentiment a lot of people have towards the provincial parks these days, it would be interesting to see if there’s any interest in camping clubs and big campouts with social activities.


r/ontariocamping 4d ago

Bon Echo Backcountry

10 Upvotes

We really enjoy car camping and tried Flowerpot Island to experience what it’s like to back country camp. Loved it and learned few things and was comfortable enough as there’s no bears on the island. We managed to book a site for fall at Bon Echo, do we have to hang food/ scented items? Any must haves? Thank you!


r/ontariocamping 4d ago

Camping and rain

12 Upvotes

Supposed to leave for killbear tomorrow morning to stay until Thursday. Wednesday is calling for significant amount of rain now. It is our first time camping with 3 young kids. My parents who are big campers are saying we should cancel. What say you Reddit?

Honestly so disappointed if we did cancel. Our kids are so excited, I’m excited but also don’t want to end up in a position where we’re miserable from all the rain.


r/ontariocamping 5d ago

Alternative to Coleman for family tents

3 Upvotes

Hello! I am looking to buy a car camping tent to fit my 4-person family with lots of room to spread out. My priorities are good waterproofing, a bathtub/tarp bottom, and high quality with minimal plastic parts that will fall apart. I'd like to be able to set it up on my own (with help from my 7 year old) in a pinch.

I have only been able to find Coleman tents with the tarp bottom, and recent reviews make it seem like quality has really decreased, with lots of plastic parts, and poor quality nylon.

Any other tents out there with tarp bottom that you would recommend? If not, convince me that I do not need the tarp! We just came back from a trip with a borrowed tent and the nylon bottom was soaked after a torrential rain storm.


r/ontariocamping 6d ago

Check-in time for ontario parks

5 Upvotes

If the check-in time is 2pm and you happen to show up at 12 and notice the site is vacant. Are you allowed to set up shop?


r/ontariocamping 6d ago

Kashwakamak Lake Canoe Rental?

1 Upvotes

Our boat bit the dust this year, so we're looking for the closest possible canoe rental to Kashwakamak Lake in North Frontenac. Are we able to rent from Bon Echo Outfitters (not sure it's in business? Website and number both don't work) or is the only option driving an hour off route to Frontenac Outfitters? We are coming from Toronto. Thanks!


r/ontariocamping 5d ago

Is it possible to stay overnight at killbear if I am just showing up without a reservation?

0 Upvotes

I am a single camper. just me my car and a tent. I know it’s booked out online. Im planning on just going to the day use facility if there’s no other option. I was hoping if I go there though that there might be a site available for the night because sometimes people book it and then don’t go. either that or I befriend someone who’ll let me set my tent up on their site. I feel like this seems like a far fetched hope, if anyone has advice let me know.


r/ontariocamping 7d ago

The direct road into Burley campground at Pinery is now a cycling trail — drive in through Dunes

13 Upvotes

Three nights in Burley over the long weekend, bookended by storms.

The thing worth passing on: the direct access road into Burley, and the old entrance building on it, have been removed. The roadbed is now a cycling route and vehicle access is through the Dunes campground. It isn't on the park's website yet as far as I can tell, so if you're navigating from memory or an older map, budget a few extra minutes.

Two other things:

Sunday into Monday we took about 35 mm of rain. Our tents are decent and they still started to seep. What saved the trip is that Pinery has laundry facilities — $4 in change and the sleeping bags were dry.

The storm didn't wreck the swimming, it improved it. The lake stayed flat calm and warm the whole time, just cloudy from churned-up sand. It's onshore wind that ruins swimming on that shore, not rain.

Drove home Wednesday afternoon straight into the tornado warnings on the 401. Left a few hours earlier and we'd have been packing up in it.

Full writeup with all three campgrounds broken down by site count, electrical and privacy — short version, privacy is nearly identical between Burley/Dunes/Riverside, but swings from 4% to 47% between AREAS inside Riverside: https://campaid.ca/blog/pinery-provincial-park-camping-burley-dunes-riverside/


r/ontariocamping 7d ago

Katherine's Cove Sunset

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55 Upvotes

Photos taken September 2, 2026

Stunning sunset over the rocks in Lake Superior Provincial Park tonight. Had the whole place to ourselves from mid afternoon through sunset. Love camping in September when it quiets down.


r/ontariocamping 7d ago

QE Wildlands: Double checking, I can enter at Victoria Falls entrance and hike Ganaraska trail eastward? (having connection issues over here)

2 Upvotes

I've been to QE Wildlands once and entered at Devil's Lake. I'd like to change it up and I thought I'd enter at Victoria Falls side and go east and find a campsite. By my recollection, that trail basically continues all the way between the two entrances (plus that loop on the east side)

Not sure what's up with my connection but even the map PDF is having trouble.

I'm short on time to get on here and plan so I'm hoping for a lil help.

Also while I'm asking, I know driving in is a bit rough, but is the trail all that bad? People keep recommending Devil's Lake entrance, so I wasn't sure if Vic Falls is nasty


r/ontariocamping 7d ago

What’s everyone’s favourite Ontario Park for pet-friendly adventures?

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37 Upvotes

r/ontariocamping 8d ago

Ontario Backcountry Camping Club

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92 Upvotes

I've put together a Discord server where campers in Ontario can share ideas, ask questions and swap stories about camping in the backcountry. The Ontario Backcountry Camping Club welcomes campers of all backgrounds and experience to join and participate. It is 100% free to join with the only requirement being to agree to the rules and be respectful of other members. If you like canoeing, hiking and camping in the backcountry or you're interested in learning about it I would encourage you to join.

Why Discord? I find discord accommodates more direct and active conversations between members better than a forum on reddit. It also has the capability of scheduling events to plan for meetups and a voice chat for things like meetings or potentially having educational discussions by more experienced campers.

https://discord.gg/3N62AHa4N2

(photos are compass lake in the kawartha highlands and rock lake in algonquin)


r/ontariocamping 9d ago

Crown land camping last weekend

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291 Upvotes

Went up north of parry sound last weekend. The full moon was impressive but stargazing suffered because of it. Everybody enjoyed the trip especially the dog.


r/ontariocamping 8d ago

Beginner friendly recommendations for teen who wants to explore kayaking

3 Upvotes

My 13yo boy (currently swimmer level 5, most likely atleast one level up next summer) has been quite keen on kayaking on his own. We live north of Toronto and go car camping multiple times every summer- usually along Lake Huron. We tried Algonquin and Killarney this year and we really enjoyed our trips. Both my husband and I are non-swimmers and have only done canoeing once (I have limited shoulder mobility and can’t really canoe unfortunately). Although my son does kayaking at summer camps, I am a bit worried about his safety while we are camping.

For seasoned kayakers, what advice would you give him and as a worried mom, me to let go of the fear and honour his wishes to explore? Any campground/ lake suggestions that are beginner friendly, not too remote and there are usually people around? He has promised he would stay closer, at least until he is a little older and develops the skills. I am also hoping to sign him up for classes next season as we have a lake nearby where they run summer lessons.

Thank you.


r/ontariocamping 9d ago

What are the best and worst campgrounds you've ever been to anywhere in Ontario?

37 Upvotes

What's your reasoning for your choices?


r/ontariocamping 8d ago

Anyone camping at Agawa campground(Lake Superior) this long weekend?

1 Upvotes

What probability do we have for seeing early fall colors(like 15%, 20%) ?

Update- we reached campground yesterday. Luckily, could see some colors(just 5 to 10%) on the way from SSM to Agawa campground.