Camping in Ontario is something everyone should experience once in their lifetime. Whether it's car camping, or back-country, Northern Ontario will provide an unforgettable backdrop.
For avid Ontario campers, it is important to book early to ensure your first choice of time, campground and site, especially during long weekends. I believe Ontario Parks let you book 5 months in advance, and this is mandatory for back country camping to ensure spots along the way. Be aware that many Provincial Parks do not allow alcohol on long weekends.
https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Home.aspx
This site allows you to look at a picture of the site that you reserve, and tells you what is close by, or of any restrictions. Very handy.
In early July, we traveled to Killbear Provincial park, for a Friday to Monday vacation. We stayed in Granite Saddle campground, site 1048. This is a radio-free campground, so it's not for the "club-campers" who like to party. It's quiet here and is mostly couples, and small groups. We were two couples.
The site was great, good privacy, extra parking was directly across from us, and there were outhouses and a water pump in sight. There are no flush toilets, showers or electricity in this campground. Some noisy trailer campers moved in across the road from us, and were somewhat annoying. Thought radio free meant it was alright to bring your guitar and sing poorly at the top of your lungs. They weren't feeling it either, because I am pretty sure they packed up and left after one night.
This kind of camping, is what we call "luxurious camping" as you have easy access to a car, and very little limits on what you can bring for comfort. We cooked feasts over our stove and the fire, and slept on an air mattress -not exactly roughing it. Bringing a trailer would take it one step further, but we still enjoy sleeping outdoors. The use of coolers and a car for storage meant more perishable food options. It is still mandatory to lock all food in the car at night. Per the name of the Park, bears are prominent here and they will come onto your site and look for food if they can smell it. They can rip open a cooler, and the Park staff have one on display to show you just how resourceful they can be. I was pretty disappointed that we did not come across any bears. We usually see deer at least, and I think the most we got were loons.
The great thing about Granite Saddle, is that you get Georgian Bay and all it's beauty on both sides of you. There is access to two beaches and they were basically empty, and the water was gorgeous. Most people venture over to Harold's Point, where there is a large jumping rock. We made our way over there one day, and Shay gave us a good show. This is not encouraged by park staff, and is strictly "jump at your own risk." This is a rowdier beach because of the rock.
We spent most of our time on the beach at our own site, but it was nice to explore the others. Georgian Bay can get shallow here, so there is a lot of space for younger children to explore safely. You can't beat the sandy bottom beach!
The next day we followed the Lookout Point Trail, which is an easy 3.5 km loop through the forest that peaks at a vista of Georgian Bay. This is an easy trail and takes no more than an hour and a half. The look out is nice, your not very high up, so it's typical tree islands surrounded by water. There are rocks to sit on, and possibly even a picnic table. Watch out for the Massasauga Rattle Snake. We didn't see any, but they are prevalent in these parts, and are endangered.
The sunsets were beautiful here, and after a day of hiking and swimming it's nice to post up on the beach and watch the sun go down.
For avid Ontario campers, it is important to book early to ensure your first choice of time, campground and site, especially during long weekends. I believe Ontario Parks let you book 5 months in advance, and this is mandatory for back country camping to ensure spots along the way. Be aware that many Provincial Parks do not allow alcohol on long weekends.
https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Home.aspx
This site allows you to look at a picture of the site that you reserve, and tells you what is close by, or of any restrictions. Very handy.
In early July, we traveled to Killbear Provincial park, for a Friday to Monday vacation. We stayed in Granite Saddle campground, site 1048. This is a radio-free campground, so it's not for the "club-campers" who like to party. It's quiet here and is mostly couples, and small groups. We were two couples.
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| Our very large site, without neighbours on either side! |
The site was great, good privacy, extra parking was directly across from us, and there were outhouses and a water pump in sight. There are no flush toilets, showers or electricity in this campground. Some noisy trailer campers moved in across the road from us, and were somewhat annoying. Thought radio free meant it was alright to bring your guitar and sing poorly at the top of your lungs. They weren't feeling it either, because I am pretty sure they packed up and left after one night.
This kind of camping, is what we call "luxurious camping" as you have easy access to a car, and very little limits on what you can bring for comfort. We cooked feasts over our stove and the fire, and slept on an air mattress -not exactly roughing it. Bringing a trailer would take it one step further, but we still enjoy sleeping outdoors. The use of coolers and a car for storage meant more perishable food options. It is still mandatory to lock all food in the car at night. Per the name of the Park, bears are prominent here and they will come onto your site and look for food if they can smell it. They can rip open a cooler, and the Park staff have one on display to show you just how resourceful they can be. I was pretty disappointed that we did not come across any bears. We usually see deer at least, and I think the most we got were loons.
The great thing about Granite Saddle, is that you get Georgian Bay and all it's beauty on both sides of you. There is access to two beaches and they were basically empty, and the water was gorgeous. Most people venture over to Harold's Point, where there is a large jumping rock. We made our way over there one day, and Shay gave us a good show. This is not encouraged by park staff, and is strictly "jump at your own risk." This is a rowdier beach because of the rock.
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| A brave soul somersaulting off of the lower rocks |
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| Shay leaping from higher up |
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| "Look out below!" |
We spent most of our time on the beach at our own site, but it was nice to explore the others. Georgian Bay can get shallow here, so there is a lot of space for younger children to explore safely. You can't beat the sandy bottom beach!
 |
| The "view" of Georgian Bay from the Lookout. Not quite as breath-taking as Killarney or Arrowhead lookouts. |
The sunsets were beautiful here, and after a day of hiking and swimming it's nice to post up on the beach and watch the sun go down.
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