Ontario Parks
With more than 272 unspoiled natural provincial parks dotting the province, Ontario is indeed a camping paradise. You can relax with family and friends in your camper, hooked up in a fully serviced campground, or you can have a backcountry experience in the serenity of the wilderness with nothing but the great outdoors. In Ontario's provincial parks, enjoy an abundance of year-round activities, ranging from picnicking, nature study, winter camping, hiking, cycling, fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird-watching, rock climbing, waterskiing, boating, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing and other activities that are unique to individual parks. Ontario's provincial parks are owned, maintained and protected by the province. Today, 106 of the parks created over the years are classed as operating parks and are detailed in the Ontario Parks Guide, available at Ontario Travel Information Centres and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Information Centre.- Some provincial parks accommodate motor homes and provide electricity. All provincial parks provide a trailer sanitary service.
- Pets are allowed in provincial parks, provided they are on a leash no longer than 2 m (6 ft.). Pets are not permitted in swimming areas or on beaches.
- Motorcycles and trail bikes are allowed in Ontario's provincial parks but can be used only on the main roads as a means of transportation, not as recreational vehicles.
- To avoid overcrowding on canoe routes and hiking/backpacking trails in major canoeing parks such as Algonquin, Quetico, Killarney and Frontenac, daily quotas on the number of people entering the interior of these parks have been established. In these provincial parks, it's now possible to reserve an interior permit ahead of time by calling 1-888-668-7275.
Operating Season
In Southern Ontario, most provincial parks are in full operation from mid-May until the first weekend of September, and in Northern Ontario from early June to the first weekend of September, sometimes earlier. A few parks stay open after Labour Day, and some of these are open year-round. When a park is in full operation, complete utilities and services are provided. Winter camping is allowed in some provincial parks, but most are unsupervised, and facilities are limited. Winter camping and backpacking are becoming more popular and some parks, such as Algonquin, offer winter campsites with electrical hook-ups. Some offer skating, dogsledding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing or tobogganing. Request your copy of the Ontario Parks Guide online, or call 1-888-ONT-PARK to make a reservation. National Parks
National parks in Ontario offer recreational activities such as scuba diving, cross-country skiing and bird-watching. All have campsites except Point Pelee, which is day-use only. Some parks are open year-round, while others close in the fall. National parks in Ontario include: Bruce Peninsula National Park,Fathom Five National Marine Park , located at the northern end of the Niagara Escarpment; an underwater park in Georgian Bay; Georgian Bay National Park located in the Lake Huron landscape; Point Pelee National Park, at the southernmost tip of Canada; Pukaskwa National Park, on Lake Superior's North Shore; St. Lawrence Islands National Park , located in the heart of the Thousand Islands area. Conservation Areas
Located throughout the province, Ontario's 160-plus conservation areas provide over 44,000 hectares (108,680 acres) of natural, protected land for outdoor enthusiasts. Depending on location, group and family site campgrounds may require reservations. Owned and maintained by conservation authorities, many conservation areas are located on or near water, and most are within easy travelling distance for day-use visitors. Private Campgrounds
The Ontario Private Campground Association's more than 400 privately-owned campgrounds, representing 70,000 campsites, can accommodate any camping experience, whether it's remote tent camping or full-size recreational vehicle camping. Request your copy of the OPCA's Camping in Ontario Guide online or at any Ontario Travel Information Centre. Camping Rules
Here are a few things to keep in mind when camping in Ontario: Crown Land Camping
Non-residents of Canada, 18 years and older must have a permit to camp on Crown lands in Northern Ontario (the area north of the French and Mattawa rivers, from the northwestern to the northeastern borders of the province). You can get a permit from most angling licence issuers and from Ministry of Natural Resources district offices. Every Camper Must Prevent Fires
You must set your campfire on bare rock or mineral soil. You must also be sure that 1 m (3 ft.) of bare rock or mineral soil surrounds the outside of the fire. Fires must be kept under control, looked after by a responsible person and be completely extinguished before you leave the site. Restricted Fire Zones
These are in effect in areas at times or areas of serious fire danger. You may not start a fire outdoors to cook or get warm; you must use a portable stove or charcoal installation. Restricted Travel Zones
Some zones of Ontario may be restricted in times of serious fire danger. Unless you have a Forest Travel Permit, you cannot enter these zones. Check with the local Ministry of Natural Resources office for any restrictions in the area you wish to visit. Smoking
During the fire season, no one is allowed to smoke while walking or working in forest woodland. It's an offence to drop or throw smoking material that is not extinguished in or within 300 m (1,000 ft.) of a forest or woodland. Please remember - responsible smokers sit down to smoke. Trailer Size Limits for Ontario Highways
- Maximum length 14.65 m (48 ft.)
- Maximum height 4.15 m (13.6 ft.)
- Maximum width 2.6 m (102 in.)
- Car and trailer 23 m (75.5 ft.)
- Semi-trailer 14.65 m (48 ft.)
- Trailer 12.5 m (39 ft.)
If a vehicle is non-commercial such as a motor home, its width (including side mirrors) must be less than 2.6 m (102 in.). It's against the law to transport anyone in a house or boat trailer when it is in motion. |
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