Tips For Planning a Camping Adventure in Ontario

Experiencing Ontario doesn't end with Toronto; in fact it's just the beginning. Even as Canada's most populated province, Ontario has enviable elbowroom, and once you detach yourself from the hyper-urbanism of Southern Ontario, it won't be long before you're awash in the wilderness for which Canada is famous.

How you decide to plan your Ontario camping trip depends as much on your adventurousness as your wallet. From luxury lakeside cabins to crashing under the stars in a sleeping bag, the options are nearly endless, but here are a few things to keep in mind.
 

Season

Canada's nickname, "the Great White North," is not a case of mistaken identity. Forget this and you're up a frozen creek without an ice auger.

Simply put, winters in Ontario are brutal, and unless you're willing to part with a frostbitten toe or two, indoor camping is the most sensible option for all but the most adventurous from November until at least April.

When the pleasantly warm summers roll in, however, Ontarians flock to their favorite camping quarters to while away their vacation days in the great outdoors.

Summer is the perfect time for camping in Ontario's provincial and national parks. Consider grabbing a tent or camper and heading out to one of these favorite Ontario summer hotspots: Killarney Provincial Park, Algonquin Provincial Park, or Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Location

Not all camping experiences are created equal, and whether you'll battle for shade with hordes of vacationers or bask in complete solitude depends mostly on how far you're willing to stray.

In popular campgrounds and parks close to major centres, expect a little company. For those willing to go the extra mile for serenity, head into Ontario's north where the crowds shrink and the bush becomes ever more rugged.

If outdoor camping doesn't suit your travel style, renting a cabin can be your ticket to experiencing Ontario's backwoods without sacrificing the comforts of home. For a truly luxurious camping vacation, follow the trail of vacationing celebrities to Muskoka, a popular region of lakes, craggy hills and dense forest mere hours from Toronto.

Citizenship

Craving a more offbeat adventure? Wild camping can connect you to the outdoors in a way that staying in serviced campgrounds and provincial parks cannot. (And lest we forget, it might even be free.)

Wild camping on crown land is possible in Ontario with one small caveat: non-Canadians may need special permits north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.

Even if you're not a Canuck, don't fret—getting permission is not difficult. Renting a camping unit—whether an RV, tent, trailer, or even a houseboat—from a licensed outfitter is enough to fend off the requirement. If you'd rather use your own tent, however, a permit, available at fish and wildlife licensers throughout Northern Ontario, will set you back little more than $10 a day.

Have you ever been on camping vacation in Ontario (or Canada)? What are some of your favorite camping spots? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.