Best Free Camping in Ontario

Free Camping in Ontario

By Nathan Swartz

With over 400,000 square miles of land, much of its wilderness that's easily accessible from more major, urban areas, Ontario is not only one of Canada's largest provinces, but it's one of the most desirable areas to explore all summer long. Free camping can be found in various forms, from small city parks to crown land alike.

See a map of free camping in Ontario.

Free Camping on Crown Land in Ontario

If you're unfamiliar with the term, "crown land" in Canada is similar to the Bureau of Land Management or National Forest acreage in the US. For campers, this primarily equates to free camping.

While you shouldn't expect laundry facilities or hookups, or even a designated site, places like Wanapitei River offer free, dispersed camping in a natural setting, perfect for car camping and RVers alike. Closer to Ottawa, Brougham Lake is a small bend in the road suitable for a camper van or those seeking a tent camping spot.

Free Camping in City Parks around Ontario

Along the shores of Lake Superior, towns like Marathon offer city parks with camping spots. While that spot offers simple camping options and beautiful photo ops as you're positioned right up against Lake Superior, for an even more majestic experience, head to Scenic High Falls City Park in Wawa, Ontario. An impressive waterfall never hurts on any camping trip, and that's precisely what you'll find here. These free campsites also include picnic tables, grassy areas for tents, additional parking for large RVs, and even a boat launch.

More Free Camping in Ontario

The Harbour Centre in Gore Bay is a great way to explore the town and offers free overnight parking within walking distance to all of the eateries, a brewery, and other amenities this small town has to offer.

These are just some of the places you'll find free RV parking, and no doubt only jumping-off points for a plethora of memory-making experiences on your trip through the Canadian province of Ontario. While they may at times take more searching and even a little more effort, there's something about free camping areas like these that make every sunrise just a little bit better.