Top 5 Camping Sites Near Toronto
Getting a dose of nature away from Toronto, Ontario does not require hours on the road. At most two to three hours are needed to get to great camping sites near Toronto. So when I was thinking about the top campgrounds near Toronto I came up with those that are a short road trip away.
We’ve either camped or hiked in many provincial parks or conservation areas in Southern Ontario with campgrounds over the years and love that they aren’t too far from home.
This list includes campgrounds based on distance, traffic, serenity, and the landscape. Some of these spots you probably don’t know even existed (e.g., Bronte Creek’s campgrounds). Others may seem a bit far away at first.
However, finding peace in nature is something that anybody should strive for. We get grounded, refreshed and feel so much better when we’re surrounded by greenery, rocks and wooded trails. So a three-hour drive to a perfect campground near Toronto is all worth the effort.
The Top Camping Sites Near Toronto
I’ve written on the top five beaches in Ontario… the interest in this list has been phenomenal. However, there are also been searches for the best campgrounds and best campsites in Ontario.
To make it easier to decide where you want to camp this year, we’ve pulled together a list of what we consider the best campgrounds near Toronto.
These Ontario campsites are less than 3 hours away from Toronto. I’ve included distances so you can plan according to your preferences.
My number one tip for destinations further away from Toronto: prepare everything the night before. Pack the car up with whatever can be stored in it safely. Set the alarm for 5 a.m. and get on the road before the traffic hits! It will make a huge world of difference!
| Related: Tips For Safe Driving At Night To The Cottage Or Campsite
1. Bronte Creek Provincial Park
40 minutes from downtown Toronto
Ideal For: families with little kids
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is one of our favourite camping sites near Toronto. The key reason is that it’s practically in our backyard (we live just southwest of it).
Nestled in between Oakville and Burlington, Ontario, Bronte Creek Provincial Park is a short trip westwards on the Gardiner Expressway and QEW. It offers many hiking trails, a small animal farm, a children’s barn with play activities, and … campsites! Yes, campsites are so close to Toronto!
Camping here is almost like glamping. If you need to get to a grocery store, you’ve got one just south on Burloak Drive (Longos). While you may get a few raccoons and coyotes sniffing around for food, the good news is you most likely won’t encounter a bear. This is one of the few campgrounds in Ontario that is so close to major urban centres.
TIP: This is a great place to camp for the first time with little kids who may be unaccustomed to being outdoors overnight. It’s close enough that you can pack up and head home if the need arises. As well, it’s close to major hospitals and walk-in centres in case of a health emergency.
2. Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
One hour from downtown Toronto
Ideal For: those trying camping for the first time in a group
Viewing the city of Toronto from the cliffs of the escarpment can be spectacular! Camping at Rattlesnake brings you into nature, yet, still close to civilization. Located on the Niagara Escarpment, Rattlesnake Point offers hours of hiking trails, five scenic lookouts and limestone cliffs for rock climbing.
The trails at Rattlesnake Point are fantastic and the views are gorgeous. The Bruce Trail cuts through this area.
Group camping is available – check out the Halton Conservation website for details. It’s best to call in advance to confirm your site and your camping needs. You can only do tent camping at Rattlesnake Point.
Your camping reservation will also get you into several other Conservation Halton areas in and around this region.
3. Elora Gorge Conservation Area
One hour, 30 minutes from downtown Toronto
Ideal For: Families and adventure seekers
This is one of the most gorgeous campgrounds near Toronto! With a mix of serviced and un-serviced sites (with water), you can both rough it and “semi-glamp” at Elora Gorge Conservation Area. Part of the Grand River valley, the Elora Gorge offers beautiful views from trails along the 22 metre high cliffs.
You can kayak or tube down the river. The nearby town of Elora is picture-perfect, particularly during the early morning hours.
Nearby is the small, pretty town of Elora, Ontario which on a weekend morning is a quiet spot to take beautiful photos of the colourful storefronts without people blocking the view, as well as a still Grand River with amazing reflections.
4. Awenda Provincial Park
2-1/2 hours from downtown Toronto
Ideal For: Nature lovers
This park is one of our favourite camping sites near Toronto because it’s away from the big city, but still near enough to get to quickly. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, near Penetanguishene, Ontario, Awenda Provincial Park is a cool place for a number of reasons. It’s one of the more interesting campgrounds near Toronto, as the area is so rich in history.
Nearby Midland is the site of one of the first Catholic missions in the “New World” with Sainte-Marie Among The Hurons, a reconstructed 16th-century Huron village) and Martyrs’ Shrine, which honours the eight Jesuit saints who served the community and died here for their faith more than 380 years ago.
Martyrs’ Shrine is a church set on top of a hill surrounded by peaceful woods – a great spot to pause, meditate and perhaps say a prayer if you are so inclined.
Roughing it at a campsite at Awenda, surrounded by woods and the amazing views from the waterfronts, you can imagine yourself back in the 16th century. Minus the modern tent of course!
Penetanguishene has its own equally historic Discovery Harbour – a reconstructed early 19th-century community for British naval and military forces. Awenda Provincial Park itself has numerous trails, sites for swimming and exploring.
Book your campsite easily online through the Ontario Parks reservation page.
5. Killbear Provincial Park
3 hours from downtown Toronto
Ideal For: Nature lovers and hikers
You might think that a place 3 hours away from Toronto is far, but in fact, it’s really not a long drive if you’re all set for a road trip.
We LOVE this provincial park, and especially the gorgeous Lighthouse Point campsite. Located at Parry Sound bay, the views at Killbear Provincial Park are stunning, especially in the morning. It’s one of the more popular campgrounds near Toronto, that’s still far away enough to make it feel like a different world.
The campsites are spacious and if you’re lucky you can get a nice one located by the pebbled shoreline. Read more about our experience camping at this beautiful park, with many nature trails showcasing the natural rocks and historic lighthouse.
TIP: For this location, wake up early and get on the road before traffic jams up the streets and highways around Toronto. The sooner you can get on the open highway, the better.
Ontario Camping Tips
When you’re heading to campgrounds near Toronto, you need to know that you’re heading into the woods.
In most cases, with the exception of Bronte Creek Provincial Park, you’ll be away from large city centres.
Grant it, many of the smaller parks are close to grocery stores, pharmacies and other amenities, who wants to leave a park to spend time in a town?
Here are some other tips to consider before you begin planning your camping experience.
TIP #1: Planning for a long weekend camping experience usually happens as soon as spring hits. This is the time to get the best campsites in Ontario booked before they’re snapped up. The closer you get to your planned camping dates, the less likely you will get good sites that aren’t close to the toilets. This is especially true for any campgrounds near Toronto. They tend to get booked up with reservations much quicker than those farther away.
Tip #2: Not all campgrounds near Toronto are the same. Some require registering in advance and are for group camping only. Check their websites in advance in order to not be disappointed when you arrive at the Park gate.
Tip #3: The further you have to go, the earlier you should wake up if you’re leaving from Toronto. Traffic on the highways is heavy on weekdays and weekends (especially during the summer period) after 8 a.m. in the morning.
Additional Campground Resources
For places further away read our posts on places with camping:
- Bruce Peninsula National Park in Tobermory
- The Grotto And Cyprus Lake Campground at Bruce Peninsula National Park
- Killarney Provincial Park
Love beaches? Check out Port Burwell Provincial Park and the beach there.
QUESTION: What are your favourite campsites near Toronto?
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This post first appeared in 2013. It’s been updated with the most recent information as of 2019.
I am so happy to have found this. We want to go camping this summer but haven’t booked anywhere and honestly anything closer to the city is ideal! Thanks for the ideas – I’ll be checking out all of these spots now :)
Start looking sooner than later! They fill up fast! ENJOY!