Best Tips on Reserving Amazing Campsites in Ontario
How do you know when you’re in a serious relationship? For me, that moment came when my now-spouse trusted me with the critical task of helping our group get camping reservations on Canada Day weekend at Sandbanks Provincial Park. We were on a mission and, moments before reservations opened at 7 a.m., the pressure was on! Thankfully, our reservations (and relationship) were secured, and we’ve been camping ever since.
If you’re dreaming of a summer filled with roasted marshmallows and sunny days, follow these tips to reserve Ontario Parks camping sites with (relative) ease.
Ways to Reserve
You can reserve online here or by phone at 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275). In my experience, most people reserve online, which brings me to the next step.
Making a Profile
Setting up a profile on the Ontario Parks page isn’t just a necessity for making reservations. It’s also a savvy way to stay in the loop about cancellations. You can create an alert by searching for your favourite park and selecting the “Notify Me” option on the results page.
Planning Your Dates
Reservations for car camping (as well as camping in yurts and other arrangements) are accepted up to five months in advance of your arrival date. That means if you’re keen to go camping on August 15, you can book your site as of 7 a.m. on March 15.
There is an exception to this five-month rule. Reservations with an arrival date of July 29, 30 and 31 can be reserved as of March 1, 2025, at 7 a.m. EST.
Most parks permit summertime visits of 14 to 23 days, but some notable exceptions exist. Algonquin, Bon Echo, Pinery, Sandbanks and Killbear limit visits to seven days.
Getting Out to the Backcountry
Backcountry camping reservations are strongly recommended as they can fill up just like any other camping site. Backcountry sites are subject to their own rules, notably when it comes to how long you can stay. For nearly all parks, the maximum stay on any one backcountry site is sixteen consecutive nights (Killarney Provincial Park has some sites with four-night and one-night limits.) If you’re moving between sites, the maximum stay for your entire itinerary is 23 nights.
The Group Site Exceptions
There are exceptions to every rule, and when it comes to camping at Ontario parks, that exception is the group sites. Their reservation timeline differs widely from those of the classic campsites. It’s worth doing some advanced research to determine the key dates for your preferred park.
Crafty Cancellation Tips
Is your dream campground booked solid for the summer? Don’t give up hope! You may still snag a spot, provided you understand the cancellation rules.
Reservations cannot be changed or cancelled more than four months in advance. If it’s five months out and all the spots are gone for your ideal weekend, make a note on your calendar and check again at the four-month mark.
If you don’t mind a last-minute approach, you might snag a same-day deal by checking just after 8 a.m. and just before 12 p.m. Bookings are held until 8 a.m. the day after the reservation date. If someone bails on their trip at the last minute, you could snag their spot once it is officially released at 8 a.m. You might also benefit from early departures. Campers receive a full refund for unused days provided they cancel before 12 p.m. on the day of their departure. With a little luck, you might just be able to pick up their spot.
How to Choose an Amazing Campsite
I used to beg my camping partners to book a site close to the comfort stations. When I finally got what I wanted, I was disappointed. I wasn’t counting on all the foot traffic our toilet-adjacent site would contend with! That’s when I learned that one person’s prime spot can well be someone else’s worst nightmare.
Thankfully, all Ontario parks have their campground maps online, making it easy to check out what sites are close to the water taps, the dog beach or the playground—or maybe all three!
The reservations page also offers interactive maps, complete with photos and additional information about each camping site.
Underrated Parks You Should Have on Your List
If Ontario’s parks are gems, legendary names like Algonquin, Sandbanks and Killbear are among the crown jewels. I’ve camped at all three and can attest that their beauty has not been overrated. But every now and then, we all want a quiet spot that flies under the radar. Here are three well worth checking out.
Located just a few miles from the northern boundary of Algonquin Provincial Park, tiny Driftwood Provincial Park offers low-key campground vibes, gorgeous waterfront views and great hikes.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park’s famous neighbour is Sandbanks. It shares the same amazing Lake Ontario views, and birders will love it. It’s a migration hotspot, with 338 species recorded.
If you love the unspoiled beauty of northern parks like Killbear, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is a phenomenal alternative. The hiking trails are fantastic, and there’s a great chance you’ll spot a bald eagle.
