If you were charged with planning your crew’s annual camping and have left things to the last minute, there’s no need to worry. Even though the province’s popular parks may be all booked up for summer weekends, these favourite tips and tricks will help you score a sensational site with ease.
Look Beyond The Provincial Parks
Ontario’s excellent Provincial Park campgrounds, such as Bronte Creek Provincial Park, are often the first to book up, but some local conservation areas boast camping sites that are equally as impressive. Be sure to check campsite availability at Hamilton Halton Brant’s many conservation areas, including:
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area
Discover Ontario’s Off-The-Radar Camping Gems
Smaller, privately run campgrounds offer outstanding camping experiences too. Excellent options in Southern Ontario include:
Milton Heights Campground
Milton Heights Campground offers camping with the comforts of home with an outdoor heated pool, beautiful trees, clean washrooms with showers and on-site laundry.
Birley Gates Park, Paris
Situated on the banks of the Grand River, the campsites at Birley Gates Park are a perfect option for those who want to paddle, splash, or swim in the river. The park also has playground equipment and a games area with fun activities like table tennis, foosball, horseshoes and badminton. For those who want a more relaxed camping experience, the park offers an option to have a rental trailer all set up and ready for you when you arrive.
Toronto West Campground, Campbellville
With a pool, playgrounds, themed events, crafts and activities, Toronto West Campground has plenty of options to keep younger campers who may be joining you busy. The campground also offers camping cabins if you don’t have your own camping equipment.
Pine Valley Park Campground Resort, Flamborough
You’ll feel like you’ve been to summer camp after a stay at Pine Valley Park. With over 100 special events and activities offered throughout the summer, a huge pool, basketball court, baseball diamond, and a candy and ice cream store, there’s always something happening at this campground! Their rustic log cabins are an excellent option for those who prefer not to sleep in a tent.
Olympia Village RV Park & Campground, Waterdown
While Olympia Village has raving fans who return season after season for the facilities and the friendships, the campground also offers overnight sites for nightly, weekend and weekly camping.
Chiefswood Park Cabins, Ohsweken
Step into an experience that will leave you with a greater understanding of Haudenosaunee culture at this campground that’s right next door to Chiefswood National Historic Site. Set along the banks of the Grand River, Chiefswood Park Cabins offers campsites, as well as a range of comfy camping cabins.
Paris Springs Park, Paris
Paris Springs Park is a new addition to our region’s camping options. In addition to seasonal lots, it offers weekend camping as well.
Brantwood Farms Camping Pods, Brantford
Relax in your own private camping pod at Brantwood Farms, a family-run fruit and vegetable farm near Brantford. Enjoy walking trails, a private pond, a bonfire under the stars and a cozy camping experience with the comfort of a bed!
Heart’s Content Organic Farmstead Camping, Brantford
Heart’s Content Organic Farmstead offers a cycle-friendly camping spot nestled right beside The Great Trail, which runs from Brantford to the Dundas Rail Trail. There’s safe bike storage and even a bike repair station. While camping, you can gather fresh eggs for breakfast and pick herbs to add to your omelet!
Gather Your Gang At A Group Site
Group camping sites at Conservation Halton’s Rattlesnake Point and Kelso Conservation Area, both in Milton, make it easy to accommodate a large crew. There are ten sites that can accommodate groups of up to 12 and three that can accommodate up to 18.
Put The Pros To Work
Grand Experiences in Paris offers a one-day, one-night, fully outfitted guided canoe camping trip exploring the Grand River’s Cayuga Run. After the paddling portion of the Grand Overnight Camping Adventure, you’ll wrap up your day at a riverside campsite in Brant Conservation Area. Your campsite comes fully equipped with all the gear you need for a relaxing camping experience. The only thing you’ll have to pack is your sleeping bag!
Consider A Camping Cabin
Emerald Lake Trailer Resort and Waterpark in Puslinch has several cabin rental options. There’s also an on-site waterpark, which features a waterslide, splash pad, water toys, picnic areas and high and low diving boards.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville has three yurts available for rent. The yurts are equipped with two sets of bunk beds, a table and chairs and sleep up to six people. The yurts also have a propane barbecue, picnic table and fire pit. Each yurt has electric heating, lights and electricity.
Green Acres Cabin is an off-grid cabin in the woods, complete with horses grazing in the neighbouring pasture. With a bedroom, full bathroom and kitchen, you’ll have everything you need, but if cooking doesn’t appeal, Uber delivers right to the cabin’s front steps! There’s also a spacious outdoor hot tub and optional ATV rentals to tour the forest trails.
Hidden Valley Hideaway’s forest views, sauna, and easy access to Bruce Trail hiking will make you feel like you’re a million miles away at this hidden escape that’s just minutes outside Burlington
Pair Camping Fun With A Hotel Stay
Still no luck finding a campsite? Consider combining common camping activities like paddling, hiking and fishing with an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. This approach is a great way to have a woodsy getaway with much less packing and fewer mosquitos! Here are just a few local suggestions.
Grand Experiences’ Weekend in Paris Adventure includes your choice of a guided paddling, hiking or cycling excursion and an overnight stay at the historic Arlington Hotel.
Pair up a chartered fishing trip, like Osprey Charter Fishing’s Fishing With Captain Doug or Fly Water Guiding’s Guided Walk and Wade, with a stay at a nearby hotel.
Zipline through the treetops at Treetop Trekking in Hamilton and afterward cool off at a nearby hotel with a pool like BW Premier C Hotel, Staybridge Suites, Courtyard by Marriott or Four Points by Sheraton.
Take a stand-up paddleboard lesson with Ontario Staycation Adventures and spend the night at Burlington’s Waterfront Hotel.
