Front-country Winter Camping
Front-country winter camping is drive-in and beginner-friendly, with some campgrounds offering firewood, comfort stations, and access to winter trails. Campers can rent winter gear, and in milder conditions, a three-season tent with layered sleeping bags may be sufficient.
Backcountry Winter Camping
Backcountry winter camping offers a quieter, more remote experience but is suited only for experienced campers. It requires specialized cold-weather gear, advanced skills, satellite communication due to limited cell service, and adherence to specific winter camping rules and designated sites.
Regardless of what type of winter camping you want to do, it is important to know that you should avoid winter camping on designated summer sites, as they are often unsafe in winter and ecologically sensitive.
Here are some of the top Ontario Parks that do Winter Camping!
Algonquin Park
Front-country winter camping at Algonquin is available year-round at Mew Lake Campground, offering electrical and non-electrical sites, heated yurts, and a comfort station with hot showers. Reservations are required. Campers can enjoy nearby trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking, plus an outdoor skating rink at the campground.
Backcountry winter camping in Algonquin offers remote adventures along routes like the Western Upland and Highland trails, with access from Highway 60 locations. Campers must follow low-impact guidelines, obtain a backcountry permit, and make reservations in advance, either online or at park entry gates.
Locations:
- East Gate, Highway 60, Frank MacDougall Parkway, Algonquin Provincial Park, Whitney
- West Gate, Highway 60, Frank MacDougall Parkway, Whitney
Quetico Provincial Park
Winter camping at Quetico includes both front-country and backcountry options.
Front-country camping at Dawson Trail Campground offers five winter sites (three with electricity) and rustic cabins with woodstoves. Comfort stations are closed, so campers must bring water. Nearby trails provide cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with rentals available in Thunder Bay.
Backcountry winter camping is accessible from Dawson Trail and Nym Lake parking areas via Highway 11, with self-serve permit stations. These trips are best suited for experienced campers, using traditional snowshoes and toboggans to travel Quetico’s remote interior.
Location: Atikokan, Ontario (Highway 11).
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Winter camping at Bruce Peninsula National Park offers striking winter scenery and both front-country and backcountry options.
Front-country camping is available in the Tamarack section of Cyprus Lake Campground, with non-electrical sites and heated yurts. Winter services are limited, so campers must bring water and carry or toboggan gear. Winter hiking and snowshoeing trails provide access to Cyprus Lake and the Lake Huron shoreline.
Backcountry winter camping involves hiking to remote sites such as Stormhaven or High Dump and is best suited for experienced campers with proper winter gear. Reservations are required.
Location: Tobermory
Killarney Provincial Park
Winter camping at Killarney Provincial Park is ideal for both front-country and backcountry enthusiasts.
Front-country camping at George Lake Campground offers 140+ campsites, six heated yurts, and two cabins. Campers use outhouses, can buy firewood, and rent snowshoes, while running water and indoor toilets are available at the park office. Gear must be carried or tobogganed a short distance to sites.
Backcountry camping provides access to Killarney’s vast 49,000-hectare wilderness with trails like The Crack, Cranberry Bog, and Chikanishing. Permits can be purchased online or at the park office and backcountry access points.
Location: Killarney, Ontario (ON-637).
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Winter camping at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park offers remote backcountry experiences near Thunder Bay.
Backcountry camping is suited for experienced winter backpackers, with access via the South Kabeyun Trail along Lake Superior. Notable sites include Tee Harbour and Lehtinen’s Bay, featuring dramatic scenery like the Sea Lion rock formation. Snow conditions vary, requiring large metal snowshoes with crampons and expedition backpacks. Permits must be obtained in advance.
- Year-round cabins are also available for rental.
Location: Pass Lake, Ontario (R R 1).
If you want a full list of locations, including guided camping trips & rentals, and what type of winter camping equipment, please visit Destination Ontario's page.
Regardless of which type of winter camping you want to do, make sure you know the full scope, safety and regulations at the destination you want to go! Stay safe and warm out in the 2026 winter season!
Sources:
https://www.destinationontario.com/en-ca/articles/winter-camping-destinations-ontario