How to enjoy Ontario’s national and provincial parks

About the parks

In 1893, Algonquin was the first provincial park established in Ontario. Today, there are over 330 Provincial Parks and six National Parks in the province, protecting an area greater than Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island combined. 

This diverse parkland system protects forests, mountains, lakes and rivers to maintain the ecological integrity of the landscape. But this does not mean they are off-limits.

Parks Canada and Ontario Parks manage these areas so visitors can experience them without compromising their natural state.

Ontario Provincial Parks

Ontario Parks are classified into six categories: recreational, cultural heritage, natural environment, nature reserve, waterway and wilderness class.

The recreation class parks are typically most suitable for beginner campers as they provide the most facilities and services, including beaches, campgrounds, playgrounds, programs and easy access to trails and recreation.

Over 100 parks permit camping, with close to 20,000 car-accessible campsites and over 8,000 backcountry or wilderness campsites.

Opened in the summer of 2024, Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is Ontario Parks' newest park and first urban provincial park.

Parks Canada

Ontario is home to six of Canada’s national parks, including one urban national park and two stunning national marine conservation areas. 

Bruce Peninsula National Park is known for its dramatic cliffs, clear turquoise waters and ancient cedar trees. Home to crystal-clear waters, shipwrecks and unique rock formations. Fathom Five National Marine Park offers exceptional diving and boating experiences.

Comprising 63 small islands, Georgian Bay Islands National Park features rugged landscapes, dense forests and picturesque shorelines.

As the southernmost point of mainland Canada, Point Pelee National Park is a crucial stopover for migrating birds and monarch butterflies.

Located along the rugged shores of Lake Superior, Pukaskwa National Park is designated as a biodiverse wilderness park and offers unparalleled backcountry experiences.

Spanning the Thousand Islands region, St. Lawrence Islands National Park is ideal for boating and kayaking.

As Canada's first national urban park, Rouge National Urban Park features a rich blend of natural, cultural and agricultural landscapes within the Greater Toronto Area.

Parks Canada operates these protected natural zones that are treasured for their land, marine, and heritage significance.

Things to do in Ontario’s parks

Outdoor activities and adventure is boundless in Ontario’s parks, from bird watching, photography and wildlife viewing to paddling, hiking and snowshoeing. 

Camping is an activity in itself. Provincial and national parks offer a variety of campgrounds and RV sites to accommodate visitors overnight. Sleeping under the stars and enjoying beaches and playgrounds is the cornerstone of campground activities for families and friends.

Ontario park campgrounds

Most drive-in campgrounds comprise various campsites adjacent to a network of roads running through a designated section of the park. Each basic campsite will include a fire pit, a picnic table and a flat area to set up a tent and park a vehicle.

Campground visitors have access to basic facilities such as vault toilets, comfort stations with running water, showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities, all within a short walk of the campsites. Water taps are provided throughout each campground.

Most recreational parks will provide a garbage disposal station and offer firewood and ice available for sale. A few parks have full park stores offering groceries, snacks and other camping supplies. If not, these items will often be available in a community close to the park.

Tent camping

Sometimes called car camping, tent camping are simple sites to which visitors bring everything they need including tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cooking supplies and food.

RV camping

There are also sites designed for travellers using recreational vehicles (RVs).

Drive-through RV campsites will generally have electrical service with a 15/30 amp electrical pedestal located near the site. Campers should bring a long extension cord to reach the pedestal.

There are water filling stations and trailer dumping stations for vehicles with onboard water and washroom facilities. Sewage and grey water can be disposed of at these stations.

Reserve in advance, especially if an electrical site is required. Not all parks can accommodate trailers of more than 32 feet and with larger RVs it’s a good idea to check with the park regarding access to sites because many of the campgrounds have narrow and winding roadways unsuitable to larger vehicles.

Cabins and luxury tents

Some parks offer large, seasonal tents or fixed-roof cabin accommodations where campers bring their sleeping bags, food and personal items.

Most sites will have picnic tables and fire pits, along with additional comforts such as covered decks with barbecues.Fixed roof accommodations are often equipped with heaters so they can be enjoyed during the colder months of early spring, late fall and even into winter.

Luxury tents

In national parks the oTENTik has a rigid roof and fabric walls and is described as a blend between a rustic cabin and a tent on a campsite that is set up and ready to go.

Sloping walkways lead up to Oasis Pods, teardrop shaped structures elevated well above ground. Enjoy a commanding view of surroundings in this unique building, equipped with a convertible bed/table on the main level and a hammock loft up above.

Yurt camping is in circular tents with wooden frames based on the traditional dwelling of Central Asian nomads. Prospector tents are traditional square-walled canvas tents on platforms with metal or wooden frames.

Cabins

Fixed roof accommodations are extremely popular, so make reservations well in advance to secure one of these accommodations.

Cabins at parks in Ontario are generally a one-room wooden structures with a bed and table. There are a limited number of furnished cottages suitable for groups, rustic cabins that often hold a deep connection to the park and even a lodge that sleeps up to 40 people in 20 rooms.

Hiking and backpacking

Explore true wilderness along the hundreds of kilometres of interior park hiking trails.

Designated backcountry campsites along the way will generally include a flat area for a tent, a rudimentary outhouse, and a fire pit. Spending several days hiking the backcountry requires a good fitness level and well-developed camping skills. Research the demands of your route carefully; advanced campsite reservations may be necessary.

Paddling and portaging

Ontario is rich with interconnected waterways; exploring the parks by water is an experience of a lifetime.

Many parks in Ontario have a network of canoe routes linking lakes and rivers with designated campsites and portage trails around rapids.

Moving through the wilderness by path and paddle requires careful planning, as well as paddling and outdoor skills. The same is true for sea kayaking along coastal routes in Lake Superior.

Check out the beginner's guide to canoeing and kayaking for beginners to start your paddling journey in Ontario.

Fishing

With launch ramps, docking facilities and fish-cleaning huts, many parks in the province have become established angling destinations.

From smallmouth bass to brook trout to muskie, virtually every popular game fish in Ontario can be found within the provincial and national parks system in Ontario.

A valid fishing licence is required to fish in Ontario and each fish species has a permitted season. Learn more about getting a fishing licence and fishing regulations.

Visitor Centres

Many parks will feature a visitor centre at the front gates. Visitors can get information about the facilities, services and activities and learn about unique aspects of the park, such as plants, animals, history and designation.

Park events and learning programs

In Ontario, there are helpful programs designed for first-time campers who require some instruction before visiting.

Ontario Parks’ Ambassador Program invites campers to attend a webinar,  book a 30-minute workshop on-site workshop, or attend a drop-in workshop with an ambassador to review outdoor skills, such as building a campfire, setting up a campsite, and outdoor cooking.

Parks Canada’s camping basics page provides information and videos on things like setting up tents, a checklist of what to pack and easy camping recipes.

Learn more about camping workshops and guided trips for beginners.

Rentals

Rental programs at Ontario’s parks allow visitors to use outdoor gear and equipment without bringing it with them. Each park is different, but common rental items include canoes, kayaks, bicycles, standup paddle boards and even small powerboats.

In addition, there may outfitters and equipment rental companies nearby.

Fees and reservations

From a single-day visit to a multi-day adventure, find out what permits, reservations and fees are required to enter parks in Ontario. Many parks have a limited number of guests that an be accommodated each day.

Day visits

In Ontario’s provincial parks, the day-use fee structure varies from park to park and season to season. Overall most operating parks require a vehicle permit to visit for the day.

The vehicle permit will include entry for one car and its passengers for the daily hours of operation. For some of the busier parks, daily vehicle permits can be purchased up to five days in advance. For all other parks, daily vehicle permits will need to be purchase at the gate and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

When applicable, the daily entry fee into each of the national parks in Ontario is per person.

Overnight visits

Staying at campgrounds in Ontario parks is very popular.

Many of Ontario’s park campgrounds will be completely filled thoughout the summer and over weekends. Therefore, you will want to make a reservation well in advance to ensure your tent site, RV site or fixed-roof accommodation.

For Ontario Provincial Parks, use the online Ontario Parks Reservation System to book your campsite.

Use the Parks Canada Reservation System to reserve a site in a national park in Ontario.

Reservations can also be made by phone.

Ontario Parks 1-888-668-7275 or 1-519-826-5290 outside North America.

Parks Canada 1-877-737-3783 or 1-519-826-5391 outside North America.

Enjoy parks responsibly

In addition to providing visitors with incredible outdoor recreation and education, the myriad of parks in Ontario are dedicated to protecting precious natural ecosystems, biodiverse landscapes and culturally significant places.

Visitors also have an important role to play in the sustainability of Ontario’s natural environment and wild spaces. Park etiquette, tips and rules to remember include:

Pick up your trash

Follow the leave no trace principle and do not leave anything behind including garbage. If there is no disposal receptacle available, bring your trash home with you.

Stay on marked trails 

Always stay on marked trails, roads and campsites to maintain the natural environment. This will ensure your safety and the health of the environment. Avoid the use of shortcuts or “social trails”.

Campfires and fire safety

Before building a fire, always ensure there are no fire bans in the area. Get Ontario emergency information and safety tips and learn about forest fire activity and fire bans.

Firewood and kindling can be purchased locally or in parks with a camp store. Never gather wood from the forest, even if it has fallen. Don’t bring firewood from home for risk of introducing invasive species. Fires are only permitted in designated fire pits and cooking areas. 

Wildlife tips

Ontario’s parks and wilderness are home to a wide variety of animals. From deer, moose, bear and fox to a myriad of bird and fish species, wildlife viewing is a popular activity. To stay safe and keep the animals safe, enjoy wildlife from a distance, never feed or lure animals and keep dogs leashed. Follow these and more wildlife tips in Ontario Parks.

Book ahead

Be mindful of visitor limits. For day use, it is recommended that you arrive either before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. when parks are less busy. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends.

You can purchase the daily vehicle permit for participating parks up to five days in advance, and campsites can be booked up to 180 days before your arrival.

Consider visiting parks that are a little less well-known and further away. You won’t be disappointed. Northern Ontario’s parks are stunning and usually less crowded.

Alternative provincial parks to the five busiest in Ontario are:

• Mikisew Provincial Park, Lake St. Peter Provincial Park or Bonnechere Provincial Park instead of Algonquin Provincial Park 

• Restoule Provincial Park or Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park when Killbear Provincial Park is full

• Point Farms Provincial Park instead of Pinery Provincial Park 

• Darlington Provincial Park or Ferris Provincial Park when Sandbanks or Pres’quile Provincial Park have reached maximum capacity

• Charleston Lake Provincial Park in place of Bon Echo Provincial Park