Camping and being outdoors is something a lot of people enjoy. The wildlife, scenery, hikes, and lakes or beaches to swim in are some of the most talked about parts of campgrounds, whether it be in everyday conversation or in reviews of the sites. As someone who has camped many times in the past, here are some recommendations from me and my friends.
Bruce Peninsula National Park (Tobermory)
This park, located near the well known town of Tobermory, is home to beautiful, clear lakes and the freezing waters of the Georgian Bay. There are many interesting things to see and do, like take a boat to hike FlowerPot Island, or get on the glass-bottom boat to see all the shipwrecks. There are tons of little shops throughout the town, including Readers Haven BookStore and The Hummingbird House. The campground itself is full of beautiful trails, including one to the grotto, which is a cave inside the rock formations along the rocky beaches of the Georgian Bay. I have taken a few trips here in the past, and while the Georgian Bay is quite beautiful, it really is freezing.
Algonquin (include the city/area for each place in case readers don’t know)
During the fall, when all the leaves are changing colours, Algonquin park has some absolutely beautiful views of the forest canopy. It’s also full of wildlife that you can see while hiking or canoeing on the lakes. Algonquin is a vast park, with many trails to walk, bike, or paddle through to explore. It also is home to a beautiful lookout hike, called the “Hardwood Lookout” trail.
Awenda
Awenda is the home to some very large and beautiful lakes. It’s full of many shorter trails, like the Beach Trail (1km) and the Robitaille Homestead trail (3km). Though it does have some longer trails, including an 11km one. I have personally been here and I enjoyed the trip greatly. The trails were wide, and perfect for finding good hiking sticks and spotting wildlife.
Arrowhead
Arrowhead park has some very rocky, steep, and occasionally muddy trails that are best with walking sticks. Like most forests and campgrounds, the autumn colours are breathtaking, and the rushing waters are quite a sight. Big Bend Lookout and Stubb’s Falls are two of the sights people tend to go see. The lakes have clear water, and the sites tend to be quite private and secluded, which is always a plus! It has many beaches, and some smaller dog friendly ones as well.
The Pinery (Grand Bend)
The Pinery is a great spot that is not too far from Windsor. I did my first camping trip with just my cousins here and it was beautiful and close to home. The park has many trails, beaches, and fun things to do around it. The beaches are great for laying around and reading, and the lake is beautiful. On the Grand Bend strip, there are tons of shops and restaurants for a day out of the campground. As well, Rock Glen Falls is only a short drive away, and is great for fossil hunting and amazing waterfall views.
I used to camp a lot more than I do now, but I am slowly getting back into it after my first trip in years over summer 2021. This summer, I hope to do more camping-based travel, with another trip to the Pinery planned already. I know many people who also love to camp, and have been to some, if not all, of these campgrounds. Camping is a great way to get outdoors and have a little fun in nature!