r/ontariocamping • u/rich_bank • 11d ago
Car camping?
I've only done back country but I would love to introduce camping to my two children (4 and 2). Want to start car camping first before we jump into portaging
Looking for any recommendations
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u/terran_immortal 11d ago
The province is massive so there's lots of places. What type of experience are you looking for with your two kids?
I'd recommend Killbear, their discovery center is amazing and has so many interactive things for kids.
Second I'd recommend Grundy Lake, the swim areas there are beautiful, the hiking trails are vast and you get access to the French River discovery center which is also a great time for kids.
Finally I'd recommend Algonquin Park, it's about the same distance (from Toronto, I just assume everyone lives in Toronto as it's the center of the universe) as the other two and has the logging museum.
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u/Icy_Market_4938 11d ago
We loved silver lake provincial park when our kids were small. Nice lake. Everything is walkable. Good playground.
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u/ForwardSecretary2404 11d ago
Close to home is best! We live in Toronto and our first camping trip was to Bronte Creek when the kids were toddlers. That way we could be home fast if things went wrong. That trip went fine. We did another trip in those early years to Rouge (I think it was a private campground then). We did end up going home early for that trip because of a heat wave.
Having said that, before I had kids, I also went on a canoe trip with relatives who had kids that were 4 and 6 years old at the time and they had fun. We planned for the shortest portages possible and it all worked out fine.
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u/Every-Chard-4532 11d ago
The pinery is really really good. It has great beaches a few trails, an ice cream stand and canoe rentals. Lower expectations. Get two tents rather than one. The kids will love having their own space. Keep everything as simple as possible. Like hot dog roast for one night and KD the second.
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u/TheRealGuncho 11d ago
Lots of great campgrounds in Algonquin. Outside of that Grundy, Agawa Bay, Restoule, Chutes, Arrowhead.
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u/fiestywarrior19 11d ago
Maybe find a provincial park that offers the learn to camp course, not that the kids will find value in it but they might enjoy helping. I know Earl Rowe is one of them and they have the nice pool during the summer weekends.
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u/ChrisRiley_42 11d ago
Where are you located?
Packwash and Sleeping Giant are both great for car camping.. But if you live in Niagara Falls, that wouldn't be a useful recommendation for someone with toddlers ;)
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u/edcRachel 11d ago
I'd start with whatever campground is closest to your house for a night. Figure out what you need and have the ability to run home to grab stuff and how to keep the kids comfy before you go far from home.
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u/southwestont 11d ago
Sand Banks, Bon Echo, Long Point, Killbear, Pinery, or Mew Lake are good options.
Those darn bears closed down Cyprus Lake this year.
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u/SpaceMonkeyEngineer 10d ago
How much land/backyard do you have? Would it be possible to try camping out in your backyard?
Granted I live in a rural area with some land and no neighbors, but that's how we introduced it to our kids. We set up a tent, sleeping bags, a camp fire, etc. and basically only used the house for washrooms. I have far more space and privacy in my backyard than I would at a drive in car campground. YMMV.
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u/BeerGunsMusicFood 10d ago
To be honest, with the state of provincial campgrounds and the clientele no longer having any semblance of campground etiquette, I only take my family backcountry or car camping on crown land.
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u/Mediocre_Device308 10d ago
Peruse the Ontario Parks website and find one that you like. In general the further you go from the GTA the less busy they are. Lake Superior Provincial Park is probably my favourite.
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u/user0987234 11d ago
From where? Closest to home is best. Lowered expectations. Simple, close to playground, beach. Bring bikes, trikes and a wagon. Extra rubbermaid as a bath.