Ontario Parks Winter Fact Sheet
Demand for winter campsites in Ontario's provincial parks has more than doubled in the past five years. Winter camping in provincial parks can vary from basic backcountry in a tent to the cozy comfort of a heated yurt. A yurt is a heated eight-sided tent-like structure on a wooden platform, furnished with bunk beds and a table and chairs. The provincial park yurts are serviced with electricity for heat and light, with the exception of those in Silent Lake which are equipped only with wood stoves. Some parks have lodges to rent in the winter that are suitable for larger organized groups.
Information about winter camping in Ontario's provincial parks is available on the Ontario Parks Web site at www.OntarioParks.com. Reservations can be made through the Web site or by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275). Telephone the parks directly to find out about seasonal hours of operation, winter programs or special events, current snow and weather conditions, park entry fees, trail maps, and ski rental and accommodation options.
The following provincial parks provide winter getaway options that include a variety of accommodations:
MacGregor Point, near Port Elgin on Lake Huron, has winter camping options ranging from tents to yurts. Each yurt contains futon couches with bunks (able to sleep a family or group of six), a table and chairs, electric heat, fluorescent lighting, and a shelving unit. The yurt campsite is also supplied with a propane barbecue, fire pit and parking for two vehicles. A heated comfort station with showers and flush toilets is available. Reservations are required for yurts, and recommended, but not required, for tent and trailer campsites.
PINERY
Winter camping with tents, RVs or yurts is available at Pinery, near Grand Bend. There are both electrical and non-electrical sites, and heated comfort stations with showers. The yurts have wheelchair-accessible platforms and include futon bunk beds for sleeping six people, a table and chairs, electric lighting and a heater. A gas barbecue is provided. Pinery's Meeting Centre is also available for group use as a lodge during the winter months. The lodge sleeps up to 22 people. Reservations are required for the Meeting Centre and can only be made by calling (519) 243-8563. Reservations are recommended for the yurts, and for tent and trailer campsites.
BRONTE CREEK
At Bronte Creek, near Oakville, the campground offers electrically serviced sites for trailers and RVs. Showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are also available. Reservations are required.
SANDBANKS
Sandbanks, on Lake Ontario near Picton, offers two deluxe accommodations - Jacques Cottage or the Maple Rest Heritage House - for winter overnight stays. Reservations are required.
Jacques Cottage sleeps up to six comfortably. It may be rented for $600 a week or $110 a night, with a minimum of two nights stay required for off-season bookings. Amenities include a master bedroom with double bed, a living area with double-sized sofa bed, an upstairs landing with two twin beds, a fully equipped kitchen with dishes and utensils for six, a four-piece bathroom, television, a fireplace, gas barbecue, picnic table, and lakeside campfire pit. All linens are supplied.
The Maple Rest Heritage House, with its antique and reproduction furnishings circa 1800, sleeps eight people. It is available for a two-night minimum stay for off-season bookings, at $1,400 a week or $260 a night. Amenities include a master bedroom equipped with a whirlpool bath and queen-sized bed. There are four bedrooms and four, four-piece bathrooms. All linens are supplied. The kitchen is fully equipped and includes cutlery, cookware and dishes for eight, a coffee maker, microwave, full-sized stove, fridge and dishwasher. There is also a large screened-in porch and upper deck with patio furniture, a gas fireplace, telephone, television with satellite dish, VCR and stereo. To see photos of this grand house, visit www.ontarioparks.com/english/maplerest.html
SILENT LAKE
Silent Lake, south of Bancroft, has three yurts located just off the cross-country ski trails. Each yurt sleeps six on futon bunk beds, and is heated with a wood-burning stove. Cooking is done outdoors on propane barbeques. Kitchen utensils are provided. Reservations are required.
Algonquin, a 30-minute drive east of Huntsville, has seven vehicle-accessible, electrically heated yurts available for rent in winter. The yurts are in Mew Lake Campground along the park's Highway 60 corridor. Each yurt is equipped with basic furniture and sleeps up to six people. Algonquin's yurts are popular, so make your reservations early.
Algonquin also offers trailer and RV camping in Mew Lake Campground with electrical hook-ups on a first-come, first-served basis from mid-October until early May. Firewood is available for purchase. A heated, winterized comfort station provides drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities.
KILLBEAR
The staff house at Killbear, outside of Parry Sound, features 16 bedrooms with two single beds each and accommodates groups from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 32 people. Reservations for the lodge can only be made by calling the park directly.
The staff house has a fully equipped kitchen, with refrigerator, commercial dishwasher, propane stove, dishes and utensils, pots and pans, coffee maker and microwave. Linens and toiletries are not supplied. The staff house also includes separate men and women's washrooms, with three, private shower stalls each and a private, three-piece, barrier-free washroom. The large common room has a television with satellite dish, VCR and fireplace. There is a gas barbeque on the deck, and a fire pit.
QUETICO
Quetico, near Atikokan, has two yurts that sleep six each. Each yurt is electrically heated and equipped with two sets of futon bunk beds, a table and six chairs, and a shelving unit. The outdoor cooking facilities include propane barbeque, picnic table, and fire pit.
The staff house at Quetico is ideal for larger organized groups. Sleeping up to 12 people comfortably, the staff house features a fully equipped kitchen. Bring your own food or arrange for catering by nearby restaurants. After a day of cross-country skiing, relax in the snug living room with its television, VCR and leather couches. Call (807) 597-2735 to reserve the Quetico staff house.
Contact:
Barbara Mabee
Ministry of Natural Resources
Ontario Parks
(705) 755-1734
