Camping in Southern Ontario?

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

We're looking at taking DS3 on his very first tent camping trip. We don't want to venture too far from home incase it doesn't go very well (2 hours max.) We're looking at a three day trip and want somewhere that offers swimming and hiking trails. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[adamsloco]

We're looking at taking DS3 on his very first tent camping trip. We don't want to venture too far from home incase it doesn't go very well (2 hours max.) We're looking at a three day trip and want somewhere that offers swimming and hiking trails. Anyone have any suggestions?

Ummm, 2 hours max. from where? Southern Ontario is still a rather large area. So, the best I can do for you is direct you to the Provincial Parks site for Ontario at http://www.ontarioparks.com/

Enjoy your trip~

 

[SandraC]

Ontario Parks is a great place to start. If you are in the area, try Grand River Conservation areas. They offer lovely camping. Brant has a great pool ~ zero depth entry. Elora has awesome scenery. Paris has trees and quiet. If you are in the GTA, Bronte is a great place. Close [Oakville] and pretty. You can use the zero depth pool too!

Hamilton Conservation area has nice parks too. We really enjoy Valens.

You can check out private camprounds by googling Ontario Private Campgrounds. They have a good search feature to narrow your park down.

We are in a permanent campground in Acton. It's very pretty and has a pool....a COLD pool, but it's a pool.

Niagara Falls offers nice parks, but they can be a little "trailer parky". KOA and Yogi Bears are good. King Waldorf is great if you are planning Marineland.

We've been to LOADS of parks in Ontario. We are the Tree-Hugging-Nature-Loving-Hippy-Dippy Family in Mississauga!

Blessings, Sandra

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Sorry forgot to mention we're in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. Great suggestions so far!!!!

 

[SandraC]

Then I'd suggest the Grand River Conservation Parks!

Elora doesn't have a swimming pool, but it does have a beach. Sometimes it's a little suspect with all the bird feces. The "Hole in the Rock" is a great little trail! Elora itself is lovely. Have lunch at the Dragonfly Cafe in the rear of the Elora General Store. Order a pot of tea for two! Fergus is down the road ~ in August you can visit the Fergus Highland Games! Nothing says TOUGH like big men in skirts tossing cabers.......expect girls tossing cabers!

S

 

[dangler]

If you can get into Our Ponderosa (near Forrest), it is fantastic! There is so much to do there, but it books up really fast. Fishermans Cove is in Kincardine, it is supposed to be really good as well.
I would check out websites and see what each campground offers and see what they have for planned activities as well.
Good Luck!

 

[dsneygirl]

We have gone on to camping trips this summer and I would highly recommend both areas.

The first was Bissell's hideway near Welland. It's not a provincial park but they have a huge pool and kiddie splash area which would be great for your toddler. The sites were great, lots of shade and you're not on top of your neighbours.

This past weekend we went to Port Burwell which is south of Aylmer on Lake Erie. Great sites! Lots of trees, huge sites well back from your neighbours. There is a nice beach and a huge playground for the kids. Lots of racoons though

 

[polyhm83]

It is on lake huron, and the beach is very shallow and kid friendly. Lots of trails and they rent canoes for the river.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

PINERY Provincial Park hands down. They have at least 10 trails some of which you can ride bikes on. Huge beach. Lots of kids programs and a great visitor center. It is just outside of Grandbend. We just spent a week there and have been there many times. We love the park. Oh yeah they have a great staff too.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Thanks everyone. I tried to reserve a site on-line at the Pinery, MacGregor Point, Awenda and Port Burwell but theres nothing left. What do you think my chances are of getting a "first come, first serve" site? We'd likely be there mid to late afternoon on Friday.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

For Pinery. Shuffle your dates around in your search a bit you might be suprised what you will find. There were several sites available during the week with the weekends booked solid.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

A suggestion for something closer to home...... we just camped this weekend at Laurel creek for the first time - I would only do the radio free sites as they were very private and wooded - site 402 is the perfect site - private, big and not too far from the flush toilet in the pavillion. They have a beach area that looked nice and the radio free sites were fairly close to the boat launch. My 2 boys had a great time with containers trying to catch the fish and frogs that were in abundance at the boat launch area. Was a nice little lake for canoeing too.
Laurel creek is about 1 exit before you get to St Jacobs.
you'll find it and the reservation page at www.grandriver.ca

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Thanks for posting that link. It looks like a nice place. I have bookmarked it.

 

[striker3636]

Another vote for Port Burwell. We go twice every summer. We love it as the beach is fabulous - lots of sand, and it is huge. The water is shallow and the kids can putter around and you don't have to worry if you would prefer to hang out in a lawn chair. If you have a dog, it is hands down the best dog beach in a provincial park we have been to yet. Often the dog beach is the worst part, no sand and all that. Not at Burwell, it is just one section of the great beach. The play area in the centre of the campground is great for the kids (it was replaced a few years ago). Try to check your booking dates for during the week if you aren't booking far in advance.

 

[SaraMc]

MacGregor Point is really nice. I used to go up there in with people for University. Each site is very well protected and very private feeling and the lake was nice too. A little rocky but with some swim shoes little toes would be fine.
Its really pretty.

 

[maryliz]

Another vote for Port Burwell. They do have a number of sites that cannot be reserved. They do a "roll call" at 1PM - you can put your name on the list earlier in the day, then meet in the one parking area and a park ranger comes out with a list of available sites. They go down the list in order of who put their name on first. If you're not there, you lose. They will then show you the available sites and you go from there. Great system.