Ontario Provincial Park Campsite Reservations Now Open
If you plan to camp in Ontario this summer, Ontario Parks suggests that you take advantage of its five-month booking window and book your campsite now.
Below is a sampling of what’s new at the parks in 2017 and these reservation tips will help you book.
Family car camping is a summer tradition. Check which Ontario Parks offer the activities and amenities that your family or group are looking for with the Park Locator. Most provincial parks are open from late spring (May or June) to autumn (Labour Day or Canadian Thanksgiving weekend). Popular ones like Pinery, Sandbanks, Killbear and Algonquin book quickly. The Parks Blog has some good ideas on where to camp if your favourite park is already full. If you prefer to rent a cottage, cabin or yurt, you’ll find descriptions and photos of roofed accommodation types at: https://www.ontarioparks.com/roofedaccommodation.
New for 2017 at Ontario Parks
More roofed accommodation is being added in 2017. Lake Huron’s Inverhuron Provincial Park has four new cabins ready to rent this summer. Grundy Lake, Neys, Kettle Lakes, Silent Lake and Windy Lake Provincial Parks are also building new cabins this year, and Bon Echo Provincial Park has added new prospector tents to its cabin and yurt rentals.
If you’re a seasoned paddler looking for a trip of a lifetime, try the Northwest Quest at Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Provincial Parks. Local outfitters provide any services needed for guided or unguided trips.
Oastler, Chutes and Charleston Lake Provincial Parks have added new electrical sites for the 2017 season, and at Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park, a bridge has been rebuilt to the park’s favourite picnic island.
Are you new to camping this year? Ontario Parks invites you to join a guided one-night camping experience at one of eight provincial parks offering Learn to Camp on July and August dates. Equipment is included. Registration begins May 8, 2017. Six out of the eight parks will have Learn to Fish too. Fishing rods, tackle and fishing licences are provided. Parkbus has public transportation to many of the parks again this year. See www.parkbus.ca for details.