Over the years, our family has pitched our tent (and sometimes a cabin!) in some of the most beautiful spots in Ontario — and a few adventures further afield but more on that later. With three kids growing from toddlers to young teens, we’ve learned a lot about what makes a campsite work for families: safe swimming spots, easy-to-access washrooms, space to bike or an easy hike, and nearby attractions along the way. These trips have been more than just a chance to sleep outdoors but it was a welcome opportunity to unplug, explore, and create the kind of memories you only get when you’re sharing marshmallows by the campfire and under the stars.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next camping trip with kids, I’m sharing some of our favorite camping spots from over the years, along with a few notes about what makes each one special.
Family Camping Adventures by Year
2011 – Rock Point Provincial Park
Port Rowan, Ontario
Rock Point offers sandy beaches, a beautiful stretch of Lake Erie shoreline, and plenty of open space for kids to run around. Perfect for beachcombing, kite flying, and sunset watching.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2012 – Port Burwell Provincial Park
Port Burwell, Ontario
A gem on Lake Erie with one of the province’s best sandy beaches for kids. Shallow waters, a playground, and nearby ice cream make it a hit for families.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2013 – Pinery Provincial Park
Grand Bend, Ontario
A family favourite we returned to more than once! Pinery is very hard to book as it is loved my families with your children as it has a lovely sandy beach, a calm river for paddling, and bike trails that wind through shady forests.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2014 – Awenda Provincial Park
Tiny Township, Georgian Bay, Ontario
Awenda’s rocky shoreline, clear waters, and forested trails make it a nature lover’s dream. Bonus: it’s a little quieter than some bigger parks.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2015 – MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Port Elgin, Ontario
Boardwalks through wetlands, a great beach, and kid-friendly hiking trails make MacGregor a repeat destination for us.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2016 – Pinery Provincial Park
Grand Bend, Ontario
Yes, we went back again! That says a lot about how much our family loves this spot. See 2013 entry for why.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2017 – East Coast Road Trip
Multiple stops in Eastern Canada
This year was all about adventure and to celebrate a belated 10 year wedding anniversary — we took a 2 week road trip with our little family from Ontario to Quebec, then onwards to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I. What an adventure that was. You can read all about it in our Eastern Canada Road Trip blog post along with the itinerary of our stops.
2018 – Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau, Ontario
Known for birdwatching and its long sandy beach, Rondeau has a laid-back feel and plenty of space for family bike rides.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2019 – Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Near Athens, Ontario
Clear lakes, rocky shorelines, and great swimming make Charleston Lake a winner for active families.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2020 – Long Point Provincial Park
Norfolk County, Ontario
A wide sandy beach, warm shallow water, and an easy drive from the GTA — perfect for young kids and beginner swimmers.
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
2021 – MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Port Elgin, Ontario
Back again — MacGregor is a beautiful place and worth a second visit
Learn more and book – Ontario Parks
By this stage, our two older kids were outgrowing sandcastles and beach hole-digging so we started looking for campgrounds with quieter lakes—perfect for trying out new adventures like paddleboarding and kayaking. The kids were getting pretty confident and adventurous on their bikes so we started looking for campsites with easy bike trails. This is where we also decided to rent a small trailer for all the water gear and bikes for our trips!
These new destinations opened up a whole different kind of family camping experience—one I’ll be sharing more about in a follow-up post on the best camping spots for tweens and teens.
But, I hope this list inspires your next outdoor adventure. Whether you’re planning your first family camping trip or you’re seasoned tent pros, these parks have given us years of memories — from sandy beach picnics to late-night stargazing. Enjoy!
P.S. I hope you will come back to this post and tell me how you enjoyed some of these spots!
