Looking to camp in Southern Ontario?
We surveyed local RVers and visited several top-rated campsites in order to share the top 10 campgrounds within a few hour’s drive from Ontario’s biggest cities, perfect for both tent camping and RV campers. Whether you prefer traditional camping or RV camping, these destinations offer activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, making them ideal for a rustic experience.
In this guide, you’ll discover breathtaking destinations and find out why these campgrounds are some of the best in the province.
Whether you want to tent camp or RV, this article has everything you need to plan the perfect road trip or weekend getaway in Ontario.
Let’s get started!
Do you need an RV rental for your road trip? With RVezy, you can drive, tow, or get your RV rental delivered directly to your favorite campsite.
Table of contents
Honorable mentions
490 Empire Road
Sherkston, ON L0S 1R0
Distance from Toronto: 152 kilometers (94 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 556 kilometers (345 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Families love staying at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores because of the miles of private beaches, waterpark, and many outdoor activities. The campground is located along Lake Erie, and it's the perfect place to spend your days in the water and your nights underneath the stars.
Campground information
1479 Baseline Road
Hamilton, ON L8E 3L8
Distance from Toronto: 78 kilometers (48 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 484 kilometers (300 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Fifty Point Conservation Area, located on Lake Ontario, is less than an hour from Niagara Falls and close to several regional wineries. The conservation area is internationally recognized as one of the best spots to watch for migrating birds, but it's also a popular location for camping, boating, fishing, and swimming.
Campground information
Fifty Point Conservation Area is open year-round for outdoor recreation and seasonally for camping.
328 Presqu'Ile Parkway
Brighton, ON K0K 1H0
Distance from Toronto: 154 kilometers (96 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 308 kilometers (191 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Presqu'ile Provincial Park sits on a long spit of sand surrounded by Lake Ontario. The park's location puts it in the path of migratory butterflies and birds and attracts nature lovers year-round. During the warmer months of the year, Presqu'ile attracts campers and people who love to spend time outside. Visitors can step into nature and immerse themselves in hiking, paddling, and fishing or visit the Lighthouse Interpretive Center to learn about the park's cultural and natural history.
Campground information
The Presqu'ile greater campground area operates seasonally and has eight loops that accommodate RVs and tents.
3004 County Rd 12
Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Distance from Toronto: 218 kilometers (135 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 288 kilometers (179 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Sandbanks Provincial Park is located along Lake Ontario and two smaller lakes and is known for its sandy beaches and the world's largest barrier dunes. The family-friendly beaches are some of the best in the region because of the shallow waters and gentle drop-offs. The park also has walking trails and wetland habitats to explore, and it's close to some of Southern Ontario's best vineyards and wineries.
Campground information
Sandbanks Provincial Park has over 500 seasonally operating RV, tent, and group campsites and cottages. The RV and tent campsites have various amenities and features throughout the park's different outlets. No matter which campground you choose, you'll have access to the park's services.
514 Thousand Islands Parkway
Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0
Distance from Toronto: 299 kilometers (186 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 154 kilometers (96 miles).
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Why you should camp here
This campground is a prime location if you want to explore 1000 Islands. KOA Ivy Lea is within walking distance of cruises, boat rentals, and other attractions, making it easy to get from the campground to your adventure within minutes. This KOA has everything you need for campers who want to relax, from full campground amenities to heated pools and bike rentals.
Campground information
16151 Highway 41
Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0
Distance from Toronto: 272 kilometers (169 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 194 kilometers (121 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Bon Echo Provincial Park is the place to camp if you want to avoid crowds. At Bon Echo, you can enjoy a serene getaway filled with fishing, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. The park, known for its pictographs, has family-friendly events, wildlife and bird watching, and designated canoe trails.
Campground information
Bon Echo operates from May through October and has RV, tent, canoe-in campsites, backcountry camping, and yurt and cabin rentals. Each camping loop has different amenities, but all campers may use the park's services during their stay.
Mazinaw Lake Campground
Hardwood Hill Campground
Ontario Highway 60
Ontario K0J 2M0
Distance from Toronto: 276 kilometers (171 miles)
Distance from Ottawa: 243 kilometers (151 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Algonquin Provincial Park is known for its vast wilderness and numerous lakes and has outdoor recreation such as canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, hunting, wildlife watching, and tons of winter activities. The park is often called the boundary between Northern and Southern Ontario, and because of its size, the facilities, campgrounds, and activity areas can be hours apart.
Pro tip: Stay near the Highway 60 Corridor to stay closest to the park's more developed and populated areas.
Campground information
Algonquin Provincial Park has ten car campgrounds for RVs and tents, as well as tent-only campgrounds, backcountry, group camping, and backcountry cabins. Each campground has different amenities and features, so you can pick from a more secluded dry site in the radio-free zone or opt for electricity. Before booking your campsite, find the campground closest to the amenities you need because the park's expanse makes it challenging to get from one spot to another quickly.
100 Lagoon Trailer Park Drive
Huntsville, ON P1H 2J4
Distance from Toronto: 225 kilometers (140 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 346 kilometers (215 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Huntsville Lagoons is located in the Muskokas, one of Canada's top vacation destinations, and has a type of camping for everyone, including RV, tent, trailer, glamping, cottage, and cabins. Here, you can camp along the water, spend your days paddling, or walk along the beach, all along a beautiful, tree-lined backdrop.
Campground information
469 Cyprus Lake Road
Tobermory, ON N0H 2R0
Distance from Toronto: 273 kilometers (170 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 651 kilometers (405 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Cypress Lake Campground is just a short walk away from the area's most popular natural attraction, the Grotto, an ancient limestone cave surrounded by clear, turquoise water. If you like outdoor recreation, you won't run out of things to do, like bouldering, hiking, swimming, paddling, and viewing wildlife.
Cypress Lake Campground is the only RV campground as much of Bruce Peninsula National Park is reserved for yurt, group, backcountry, or tent camping. The campground is best for travel trailers, truck campers, and motorhomes less than 27 feet (8 meters) long.
9526 Lakeshore Road RR2
Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0
Distance from Toronto: 234 kilometers (145 miles).
Distance from Ottawa: 611 kilometers (380 miles).
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Why you should camp here
Pinery Provincial Park is located on the shores of Lake Huron in southern Ontario, making it the ideal park for beach camping. Pinery has coastal dunes, hiking trails, tons of outdoor recreation like paddling and fishing, and winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.
Campground information
The Pinery has several RV and tent camping campgrounds as well as cabins and yurts for rent. All three campgrounds have access to the park's dump station and amenities. In addition, some campgrounds have a radio or pet-free loop.
Riverside
Burley
Dunes
Southern Ontario isn't the only part of the province known for its incredible camping. Two of our favorite campgrounds lie outside of Southern Ontario, but we like them so much we had to recognize them as honorable mentions.
South of Sudbury on Georgian Bay.
East of Thunder Bay on Lake Superior.
You'll never run out of places to camp when you traverse Ontario in an RV. Whether you try and visit each of the province's five national parks or camp near a lake or river, each destination will be memorable.
Check out some of the best RV rentals in Ontario to see how you can explore the province in a motorhome or have an RV delivered and set up at your favorite campground.