Camping in S.Ontario

[mickeywho?]

We're getting ready to book some camping trips this summer. It's been a few years since we've gone camping so any advice is appreciated!
We're looking at Sandbanks, Presquile and the Pinery. Anyone been? Which ones do you like? Good for little ones (nephews may join us)?
Suggestions welcome!!

 

[great white north]

We have been to the Pinery and Sandbanks. Both very nice. Provincial parks are very bike friendly with lots of nice trails. If the kids are of age and you are able to take bikes that is a big recommendation. Both parks being on Huron and Ontario great lakes are very beach oriented. Water is alot colder in Huron. Book early and choose a large size site. Location where not too much traffic will pass to get to other sites. Usually one big washroom facility with nice showers in each loop. Look for a site with privacy because some are pretty close to each other. The site descriptions on the Ontario Parks website are pretty accurate. Happy Camping

 

[talicskai]

Been to the Pinery ~ several times and LOVE it! The beach is great for kids and the swimming is good ~ but the water is cold

You have to book it early though ~ it fills up fast!

Teresa

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Hey neighbour. We have been to both Pinery and Sandbanks. We love both. Pinery has great beaches great kids programs and lots of things to do. Sandbanks also has great beaches with ok kid programs not as good as pinery but still good. Lots to do there also. Sandbanks has one thing over Pinery the electrical sections have paved roads. great for roller blading skateboarding and chalk drawing. Make sure you bring bikes to both. If you want more info send me a message and ask away i will answer all your questions. I cant recomend sites for you because i'm not sure what you camping equipment is. Both parks are worth the trip. IMO

OH BTW if you plan on vuisiting eother of these parks book 5 months in advance.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Depending on when you want to go it might be to late to get into Sandbanks. Pinery will be tough as well. They are both among the most popular ones in the province.

In the Owen Sound area there is Sauble Beach. We have been going there for 18 years. The beach is nice but it can be windy. The water is shallow and clear. Also, in Owen Sound there is a place called Harrisons Park. It's kind of neat. They have canoe and peddle boat rentals and mini golf.

Another place that a friend of mine has recommended is McGregor Point. Right now I can't remember where it is though.

On lake Erie there is Long Point and Turkey Point. They are both really nice with the beach right near by. Long Point has sites directly on the beach. You can get incredible fresh fish dinners just down the road in Port Dover.

If you go on the provincial parks website you can look at the availability and ammenities of all the parks.

 

[roscoepc1]

McGregor Point is a hair south of Port Elgin.

I highly recommend Inverhuron...it was just re-opened for camping last year, but the beach is INCREDIBLE! It's an inlet, completely sand, and shallow out about 1/2 mile. It's also usually 5 degrees or more warmer than the rest of the lake, since the hot water (meaning temp, not radiation, lol) from the BNPD is released into the inlet....

 

[maggieb9975]

McGregor Point is a hair south of Port Elgin.

I highly recommend Inverhuron...it was just re-opened for camping last year, but the beach is INCREDIBLE! It's an inlet, completely sand, and shallow out about 1/2 mile. It's also usually 5 degrees or more warmer than the rest of the lake, since the hot water (meaning temp, not radiation, lol) from the BNPD is released into the inlet....

Nother vote for Inverhuron!!!

 

[Cdn Gal]

The beaches at the Sandbanks are sometimes closed in the summer due to high levels of e-coli in the St. Lawrence/L. Ontario basin. Just something to keep in mind- it's usually high in July, but in Aug. you are usually OK.

 

[SherryG]

We are going to try Bon Echo Provincial Park. Any feedback from anyone on this park? Thanks!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We are going to try Bon Echo Provincial Park. Any feedback from anyone on this park? Thanks!

Have never been there but it is on my do visit list. I was told bring a canoe or kayak. Stunning scenery. Enjoy

 

[mickeywho?]

Thanks for all the replies!
We're car-camping and are booking a few weekends beginning July 25th. You can't book until 5 months before so our booking window hasn't quite opened yet. But looking at all the reservation maps - wow - of course reservations are being booked up until July 20th at this point and some places are sold out on weekends especially.
I'll definitely check out Inverhuron - looks like a smaller place but as long as there is a great beach and trails to hike we'll be happy campers!

 

[SoNewToDisney!]

hopping onto this thread!

we are RVers though and are looking to go the opposite direction, Central to eastern Ontario, including Niagara. Any btdt for good 3-4 day getaways?

 

[rjan67]

We have been to Bon Echo several times and have enjoyed it. We have also liked Macgregor point. Our all time favourite is Algonquin followed close by Arrowhead. I have also heard great things about Inverhuron. The electrical sites are way too cramped for me at the Pinery. The nonelectrical are nice.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Barrie KOA - two pools, kamping kabins or tent sites.

 

[boundfordisney]

we love valens conservation not far from cambridge on. I would highly recomend it!

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

We are going to try Bon Echo Provincial Park. Any feedback from anyone on this park? Thanks!

Yes Bon Echo is perhaps the most beautiful park in Ontario! We were there last year and had a great time and had a great camp site with a waterview of the bluffs. The friends of Bon Echo put on some great tours including a boat tour to get up and close to the rock formations. Book early though, its a very popular park!

 

[Cdn Gal]

Bon Echo is simply beautiful!