10 Unique Ways to Camp in Canada: From Classic Tents to Cozy Glamping Adventures
From camping as a teenager under the stars with only a sleeping bag and a flimsy, leaking tent, to portaging through the wilderness over rocky trails, to teaching my son how to pitch his own tent—I’ve done it all and ultimately realized that even sipping rosé in a luxurious cabin counts as camping, too.
Whether it’s sleeping in traditional yurts in Ontario or tent camping in Prince Edward Island, I’ve rounded up 10 ways to spend the night in the Great Outdoors and get back to nature in Canada this summer.
Which will you choose?
1. oTENTik Camping
I chose oTENTik camping when I wanted something with more structure than a tent, but added amenities of a cabin. Built on raised floors, they offer a sturdy, weather-resistant space with real beds, basic furnishings, lighting and heating—making it easy to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort. Parks Canada rents over 400 oTENTik units at 30 locations across Canada including Kluane National Park and Reservein southwest Yukon, surrounded by mountains, glaciers, boreal forests, sparkling lakes and wildlife. Other oTENTik locations are Gros Mourne National Park in Newfoundland & Labrador and Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan.
2. Canoe Camping
Get your paddles ready for an energizing wilderness adventure, where you journey by canoe to remote, water-access-only campsites. After a handful of portages, I can tell you, lifting a few weights beforehand helps get your arms ready! Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario is known as a paddler’s paradise with almost 2,000 kilometres of canoe routes along stunning rivers and lakes, a destination famous for remote backcountry camping. Bowron Lake Park in British Columbia has a 116 kilometres canoe circuit connecting waterways and land that’s a six-to-10-day camping adventure.
3. Backcountry Tent Camping
For an off-grid experience, Canada’s diverse wilderness offers backcountry camping in remote, undeveloped areas, usually more than a kilometre from the road and without formal campgrounds. Ensure you have the correct gear, know what to do if you get lost, be prepared for possible dangers like campfires and read these 10 essential tips. BC Parks has many remote backcountry areas like Bugaboo Park and Cathedral Park in the magnificent Okanagan. Or head to Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park, or experience Ontario’s backcountry at Killarney Provincial Park or Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, an hour drive from Thunder Bay.
4. Yurt Camping
Yurts, circular traditional dwellings of Central Asian nomads, are cozy eight-sided constructions affixed on a wooden deck. A cross between a tent and rustic cabin, ours had awesome bunk beds. Yurts are typically equipped with an electrical outlet, table and chairs, mattresses, propane heat and a fire pit. Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario has six yurts at Mew Lake Campground and one at Achray Campground. Algonquin is huge, diverse and home to over 140 bird species, 55 mammal species and 32 kinds of reptiles. Or head to Quebec’s Eastern Townships and sleep under the twinkling stars in a yurt at Hébergement aux Cinq in a Dark Sky Reserve.
5. Cabin
If pitching a tent isn’t on your bingo card, check into a rustic cabin. Your cozy home in the woods typically comes with restrooms (or at least a private outhouse!) mattresses, a wood stove, a fire pit, hot plates and storage space. Parks Canada rents cabins of all sizes sleeping two to 12 people in La Mauricie National Park, Quebec; Glacier National Park, British Columbia; and Georgian Bay Islands National Park in Ontario. My son and I loved our adorable cabin at Fundy National Park in New Brunswick with perfect views of the Bay of Fundy and biking trails.
6. RV Camping
My RV journeys are always packed with adventure, even when getting a little lost along the way. RV camping means hitting the road in a motorhome, travel trailer or camper van (rentals available), where your transportation and accommodation are one and the same. Choose a site fitting the size of your RV that offers needed hookups like electrical service and dumping stations for grey and wastewater. Ontario Parks has many options and I love Turkey Point Provincial Park—it’s beautiful, with 26 pull-through campsites. It’s family-friendly with a sandy beach, hiking trails and a furry pooch area. Manitoba has several RV parks including Arrowhead RV Park near Winnipeg.
7. Car Accessible Tent Camping
A rite of passage for many Canadians, myself included, car camping lets you pack extra gear, drive to your site and pitch your tent nearby. Also called front-country camping, Parks Canada has campgrounds nationwide ranging from basic sites to ones with showers, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Prince Edward Island National Park has beautiful beaches, swimming areas, stunning sunsets and trails. We loved Cavendish Campground for its proximity to restaurants, shops and Green Gables Heritage Place—don’t miss the Haunted Wood Trail. Other maritime provinces with tent camping are Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park and New Brunswick’s Kouchibouguac National Park.
8. Bikepack Camping
Bikepacking combines cycling and camping, letting you explore scenic routes with your gear strapped to your bike and camp along the way. Quebec has bike routes for all skill levels, and the Outaouais region is especially stunning. Canadian Shield 400 is a famous bikepacking route taking you past top sites including one of my favourites, Gatineau Park, near downtown Ottawa. This diverse conservation park has tent camping, facilities, a kitchen shelter and a refreshing lake. Or bike through Jasper National Park in Alberta’s stunning Rocky Mountains.
9. Crown Land Camping
Instead of paying for designated campgrounds, Canadians can camp for free on Crown Land that’s managed by the government. Ontario permits citizens to stay up to 21 days either in a tent, trailer or recreational vehicle—here are 50 places to get you started! Camping on Crown Land in British Columbia is generally free and permitted for up to 14 days, also called wild camping, so pitch a tent while touring the Trans Canada Trail. For a super remote wilderness experience, Nunavut allows travellers to camp almost anywhere on the extremely remote open tundra. This land is part of the traditional territory of local Inuit families, so always treat it with respect.
10. Treehouse Camping
Live like a bird in a treehouse! These unique accommodations provide an elevated natural experience in a structure built into or around trees. This type of forest dwelling camping has become popular and ranges from total comfort to raw nature. Enjoy a luxurious treehouse at The Baltic in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands complete with rain shower and wood-fired cedar hot tub. Or head to British Columbia’s Wildwood Cabin + Treehouse with spectacular spiral staircases and loft bedroom with balcony and hammock. Or get back to nature in Quebec in a rustic treehouse eight metres above ground—just don’t attempt to fly!
