In case you have ever tried to e book a campsite at Algonquin, Sandbanks, Bon Echo, Killbear, or Pinery, you already know the battle! 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 unimaginable.
However I’ve excellent news! The province is filled with lovely, hidden gem Ontario Parks areas that provide beautiful surroundings, peaceable travels, and unimaginable tenting alternatives (with out the crowds). Over the previous few years, my husband and I’ve road-tripped to a protracted listing of provincial parks with our pack of adventure-loving pets, and we are able to confidently say there are a lot of AMAZING choices exterior of that high 5 listing!
Whether or not you’re planning a weekend tenting getaway or simply want an escape from town, listed below are 10 lesser-known Ontario Parks which can be 100% well 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 you must try among the lesser-known Ontario Parks in your space. This park could also be small, however what it lacks in dimension, it makes up for in its peaceable attraction. In case you’re searching for quieter, much less well-liked options to Algonquin, this could undoubtedly 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 unimaginable 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 have been surprisingly quiet even on the most well liked days. Whereas there isn’t any devoted canine seashore, our pups have been in a position to take a dip on the boat launch space to chill off.
There are two trails situated throughout the park boundaries, the Lookout Path (2.5 km) and the Cabin Path (4 km). These are thought of 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 selection.
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 3 Hours
Because the title suggests, Silent Lake Provincial Park is a superb possibility for individuals who desire peaceable Ontario Parks for tenting and mountain climbing. Simply south of Bancroft, this park is a superb selection for individuals who are all for calm paddling, together with first-time paddlers. Why? No motorboats are allowed on the lake, retaining it calm and simple 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 have been the views unimaginable, however they have been made much more magical by the autumn colors. In case you’re searching for a memorable fall hike, I can’t suggest it sufficient!
For many who desire 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 unimaginable views of the park and the lake it’s named after.
In case you’re searching for a winter getaway, Silent Lake can be a terrific 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 good vacation spot for anybody looking for 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 seashore), and repeatedly scheduled youngsters’s applications to study in regards to the park and its native wildlife.
We visited this park throughout a heatwave and have been extraordinarily grateful for the pet seashore! Positioned between 1st Seashore and a pair ofnd Seashore, the Pet Seashore is a good place to take a dip and funky off whereas having fun with the views of Georgian Bay. No pet? No downside! With 4 camper seashores to select from, there may be loads of beachfront house. It’s a gorgeous various to the extra well-liked areas with their crowded seashores!
For many who get pleasure from mountain climbing, there are seven trails starting from 1 km to 13 km in size, together with a barrier-free path. We took our canine 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 looking for a brand new park to discover, Awenda is nicely well 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 a great getaway for individuals who get pleasure from water-related actions, equivalent to seashore days, fishing, and paddling.
The park options two sandy seashores, situated on Black Lake, and a delegated canine seashore on Sharbot Lake. Whereas we did make a journey to the canine seashore with our pups at one level (simply to test it out), we have been in a position to swim proper off our campsite after following a path right down to the water.
Throughout our time on the park, we rented a canoe and explored Black Lake with each canine 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 affords two trails for individuals who get pleasure from mountain 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 into fairly slippery after a rain (ask us how we all know), so applicable mountain climbing footwear is required. In case you desire a shorter hike, the 0.5 km Ridgeview Path can be out there.
That is the proper possibility for individuals who love quiet Ontario Parks with lovely views.
Restoule Provincial Park
Drive Time from Toronto: Roughly 4 Hours
Whether or not you’re searching for a country backcountry getaway or a comfy automobile tenting weekend, Restoule Provincial Park may be your excellent vacation spot. It is a little farther from Toronto, nevertheless it’s nicely well worth the drive for its unimaginable views, quiet lakes, glorious paddling, and exquisite mountain 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 canine, I used to be struck by simply how peaceable it was, even throughout peak season. The automobile tenting campsites are shaded with quite a lot 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 desire discovering that excellent go-to spot to name your individual.
In case you desire a extra personal or adventurous expertise, there are secluded walk-in campsites out there. Their easy-access paddle-in websites are the proper alternative for these all for attempting backcountry tenting for the primary time. On the identical time, longer paddle routes lengthen out into the French River for extra skilled backcountry lovers.
For mountain 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 encircling forest. You might simply plan a complete 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 individuals who need to take a dip. For pet-friendly vacationers, a pet-friendly seashore is obtainable close to the boat launch. Nonetheless, the true gem was the fenced leash-free pet space which featured its personal devoted seashore. Our pups beloved operating 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 individuals who desire to stay to the Southern Ontario provincial parks. This park is one in all our go-to spots for a relaxed tenting expertise.
Right here, you’ll be able to select from a mixture of shady and open websites throughout two campgrounds, one in all 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 associates, with the power to accommodate from 9 to 45 folks.
The park options three trails, together with two simpler choices for an informal stroll together with your pets: the Outdated Farms Path (4 km) and the Under the Bluff Path (0.5 km). The Outdated Farms Path was a favorite of my senior canine, 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 more difficult.
In case you’re searching for a chance to chill off on a scorching day, Level Farms has a gorgeous lengthy seashore space. This features a human-only seashore close to the Colborne campground and a big canine seashore 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 unimaginable seashore vacation spot.
With over 1.5km of lengthy, sandy seashore, together with two designated canine seashore areas, there may be 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 folks 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 Outdated 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 seashore. We stayed in Cottonwood throughout our go to. The campsites have been all sand, which was a really completely different tenting expertise than what we normally discover when visiting different Ontario Provincial Parks.
There are not any mountain climbing trails at this park. Nonetheless, there are a lot of locations to discover close by for those who’re seeking to hit the paths, together with the Huge Creek Nationwide Wildlife Space, which is a brief 10-minute drive away. Right here, you’ll have the ability to see quite a lot of native wildlife within the space’s marshes and wetlands, together with frogs, turtles, and over 200 species of birds.
In case you’re searching for a beachy various to well-liked parks like Sandbanks, take into account 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 really one of the unimaginable hidden gem Ontario Parks within the Canadian Protect. Discovered simply south of Sudbury, this park combines pink granite rocks, pine timber, and deep blue lakes in a surprising, rugged, and peaceable vacation spot for nature lovers.
That is one in all my favorite parks to discover by canoe or kayak. There are a number of lakes, all linked, 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 a terrific possibility for a scorching 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 12 months to go to Grundy Lake is through the fall. The gorgeous surroundings all through this park is made much more magical with the transition into the daring fall colors.
The park options 4 mountain climbing trails, ranging in problem from simple to troublesome, that 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 “average 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 mentioned, the beautiful lookouts make it nicely well worth the effort.
In case you’re looking for a peaceable and nature-focused park the place you’ll be able to actually disconnect from the world and benefit from the unimaginable magnificence held by the Northern Ontario provincial parks, Grundy Lake is a good selection.
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 well one in all my favorite go-to parks. The truth is, we make a degree of visiting this level no less than 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 a terrific possibility for individuals who wish to calm down and revel in an escape to nature.
The park options 5 mountain 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, average). A few of our favorite experiences on the path embrace the view from the commentary path on the Tower Path and the logging historical past of the world shared on storyboards alongside the Lake Ridge Path.
Not like many parks in Southern Ontario, MacGregor Level is open year-round. This implies you’ll be able to go to at any time, even for winter tenting. Throughout the winter months, the paths are reworked into cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice-skating trails. For these all for snowmobiling, it’s an possibility, however solely on park roads.
The campsites are personal and shaded, and the park has all the time felt calm and peaceable throughout our visits. Additionally they have a number of rustic cabins and yurts for individuals who desire a glamping getaway (a terrific possibility on these colder winter journeys).
For these travelling with pets, the park is a good selection. There’s a designated dog-friendly portion on the sandy seashore within the day-use space of the park, and a second dog-friendly seashore may be discovered close to the Huron Campground.
In case you’re searching for much less crowded Ontario Parks with nice trails and personal campsites, MacGregor Level is a strong selection.
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 well 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 after powered an area logging mill. Right now, you’ll be able to view the waterfall from the gorgeous lookouts on the Twin Bridges Path (6 km), or swim proper under it at a sandy seashore on the river. The path is one in all our favorite peaceable trails to discover with our canine as a result of it’s quiet, shaded, and stuffed with little surprises to make you smile alongside the way in which, like rock ledges, mild rapids, and calm swimming pools.
Whereas canine aren’t allowed on the seashore on the base of the falls, there’s a canine seashore 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 advisable, the truth that Chutes doesn’t draw massive crowds means you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from a slower, quieter nature expertise. We love reserving websites within the Huge Chute Crescent campground, as you’ll be able to hear the sound of the waterfall all night time, a pure white noise machine.
In case you’re searching for the charming expertise of the Northern Ontario provincial parks, Chutes is nicely well worth the journey!
Begin Planning Your Subsequent Ontario Tenting Getaway Right now!
You don’t must struggle for a spot at the most well-liked park within the province to get pleasure from an unforgettable Ontario tenting journey. The parks on this listing are among the most peaceable and scenic locations I’ve visited, and so they’re all inside driving distance of Toronto. Whether or not you’re searching for quiet paddling routes, pet-friendly seashores, or only a break from the busy metropolis, these hidden gem Ontario Parks are the way in which 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 case you’re seeking to keep away from the crowds, parks like Silent Lake, Sharbot Lake, and Chutes are glorious decisions. These parks are usually quieter than well-liked 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 may e book campsites on-line by the Ontario Parks Reservation System or by cellphone. Ontario Provincial Parks open for reservations 5 months upfront of your arrival date. Common dates/parks replenish rapidly, particularly for summer season weekends. In case you’re planning a last-minute journey or searching for quieter choices, take into account reserving at lesser-known parks, equivalent to those featured on this submit. You too can verify repeatedly for cancellations in your most well-liked park or go to the Ontario Parks Cancellations Fb group.
