Best Camping and Provincial Parks Near Ottawa

Ottawa is within easy reach of dozens of campgrounds in both Ontario and Quebec. From car-camping at provincial parks with sandy beaches to backcountry paddle-in sites on remote lakes, there's something for every experience level. Here are the best options within about three hours of downtown.

Close to Ottawa (Under 1 Hour)

Gatineau Park (NCC)

~30 minutes to Philippe Lake entrance · Quebec

The closest real camping to downtown Ottawa. The NCC operates 275 campsites across three lakes: Philippe Lake, Taylor Lake, and Renaud Lake. Philippe Lake has three sandy beaches with lifeguards, canoe rentals, and a convenience store. La Pêche Lake offers canoe-camping only — a wilderness experience just 45 minutes from Parliament Hill.

Accommodation options include tent sites, yurts, cabins, four-season tents, and mini chalets. Winter camping is also available (ski-in or snowshoe-in only, December–March).

• Tent sites: ~$36/night
• Ready-to-camp (tents, yurts, cabins): ~$115–460/night
• Reservation fee: $11.50
• Book at: reservations.ncc-ccn.gc.ca

Reservations for summer 2026 opened February 28 at 9 AM. These fill fast — book the day they open.

Fitzroy Provincial Park

~40 minutes · Ontario

A family-friendly park on the Ottawa River with 235 campsites (107 with electrical service) across two campgrounds: Pine Grove and Two Rivers. The Carp River cuts through the park, and there are two beaches, a boat launch, fishing, and hiking through century-old White Pine forests.

• Non-electrical: ~$44/night · Electrical: ~$59/night
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Rideau River Provincial Park

~40 minutes · Ontario

Approximately 200 campsites in a mature forest setting on the historic Rideau Waterway. About a quarter of sites have electrical service. Also offers a camp cabin (rustic, sleeps 5), canvas prospector tents, and group camping (6 sites, up to 125 people). Swimming beach, canoeing, kayaking, and nature trails.

Ontario Parks recommends this park specifically for fall camping — the foliage along the Rideau is excellent.

• Non-electrical: ~$44/night · Electrical: ~$59/night
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Under 1.5 Hours

Réserve faunique Papineau-Labelle (Sepaq)

~1 hour north · Quebec

A 1,628 km² wildlife reserve with 763 lakes and 42 streams — Quebec's most southerly and closest to Ottawa. The signature experience is lake-to-lake canoe circuits with portages and rustic backcountry camping along the way. Lac Echo campground offers about 45 spacious lakeside sites, plus ready-to-camp Étoile units and fully equipped cottages. No daily access fee (unlike national parks).

• Camping season: Late May to mid-September
• Book at: sepaq.com

Parc national de Plaisance (Sepaq)

~45–60 minutes · Quebec

A birdwatcher's paradise on the Ottawa River with a landscape of bays, ponds, and marshes. In spring, thousands of Canada Geese stop here during migration. 175 campsites including semi-serviced and serviced options, plus ready-to-camp tents, yurts, and a house rental (Maison Blais, sleeps 8). Swimming pool, playground, and boat launch on-site.

• Book at: sepaq.com (Sepaq entry fee ~$9.25/adult/day additional)

Voyageur Provincial Park

~1 hour 15 minutes east · Ontario

One of the larger parks near Ottawa with 416 campsites across three campgrounds. Four beaches on the Ottawa River make this a great swimming destination. Radio-free and dog-free sites available. Five group camping sites (up to 100 people). Winter day use for skiing and snowshoeing.

• Non-electrical: ~$44/night · Electrical: ~$59/night
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Murphys Point Provincial Park

~1.5 hours southwest · Ontario

On Big Rideau Lake, part of the historic Rideau Waterway. 160 campsites across two campgrounds, plus a glamping tent, deluxe yurt, and camp cottage (with kitchen, sleeps 5). The highlight is the Silver Queen Mine — guided tours of an early 1900s mica mine. Hiking, paddling, and fishing.

• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Silver Lake Provincial Park

~1.5 hours · Ontario

A long sandy beach on Silver Lake with 146 treed campsites. Canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals available. A boardwalk crosses a scenic marsh. Good for a family beach weekend. Note: some sites are close to Highway 7, so traffic noise can be an issue — request a site away from the road.

• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Sharbot Lake Provincial Park

~100 minutes southwest · Ontario

A two-lake park known for excellent fishing — walleye, bass, northern pike, and trout across Sharbot Lake and Black Lake. 176 campsites across four campgrounds with a sandy beach, canoe and kayak rentals, and laundry facilities. Pet-friendly throughout. Only 15 minutes from Silver Lake Provincial Park.

• Non-electrical: ~$39/night · Electrical: ~$44/night
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Charleston Lake Provincial Park

~1.5 hours south · Ontario

236 car camping sites across three campgrounds, plus 10 backcountry sites, 4 yurts, and a water-access cabin. Excellent swimming and fishing on Charleston Lake. Seven hiking trails including the Blue Mountain Trail to the highest point in Leeds County. Canoe and kayak rentals on-site.

• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Under 3 Hours

Bonnechere Provincial Park

~2 hours west · Ontario

Set among spectacular White Pine trees in the Ottawa Valley. 129 campsites across three campgrounds, including Sandy Flats (radio-free, generator-free for quiet camping). Four rustic cabins. Swimming beach, comfort stations with showers. A good base camp for exploring the Valley.

• 2026 season: May 8 – October 18
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Frontenac Provincial Park

~2–2.5 hours southwest · Ontario

Backcountry only — no car camping. 54 campsites across 19 locations, accessible by hiking (20 minutes to 3+ hours from parking) or paddling. Each site has a tent pad, fire pit, picnic table, privy, and food locker. Over 120 km of trails and 22 lakes for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

An excellent introduction to backcountry camping — well-maintained sites with enough infrastructure to be manageable for beginners, but remote enough to feel wild.

• Backcountry rates: ~$11/adult/night, $5/youth/night
• Open year-round (four-season park)
• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Bon Echo Provincial Park

~2 hours 45 minutes · Ontario

One of Ontario's most popular parks. 530+ campsites plus 21 backcountry canoe-in sites on Joeperry and Pearson Lakes. The centrepiece is Mazinaw Rock — a 100-metre cliff face with Indigenous pictographs visible from the water. Stunning fall foliage. Canoe and kayak rentals available.

This is one of Ontario's top 5 busiest parks — book the instant the reservation window opens.

• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Sandbanks Provincial Park

~3 hours · Ontario

Home to the world's largest baymouth barrier sand dune and some of the finest sandy beaches in Ontario. Over 500 campsites across five campgrounds. Three distinct beach areas.

Sandbanks is among the fastest-booking parks in Ontario — availability disappears within minutes of the reservation window opening. Book exactly five months in advance at 7 AM.

• Book at: ontarioparks.ca

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant (Sepaq)

~2 hours north · Quebec

Quebec's largest national park at 1,510 km². Over 887 campsites across multiple sectors (La Pimbina, Lac-des-Sables, La Diable, L'Assomption). Car camping, backcountry camping (hike-in/paddle-in, permit required), and ready-to-camp options. Hiking, paddling, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing. Open year-round.

• Book at: sepaq.com

Glamping & Unique Stays

Parc Omega

~1 hour · Montebello, QC

A drive-through wildlife park (bears, wolves, bison, elk) that also offers overnight accommodations: tipis, log cabins, pods (with electricity and bathroom), wolf cabins (sleep among wolves), and panoramic chalets with hot tubs. A unique experience, especially for families.

Borefuge

~45 minutes · L'Ange-Gardien, QC

Secluded four-season yurts, prospector tents, A-frame tents, and hanging tents on a private 490 Chemin De La Mine property. Hiking trails, private access to the Hare River in summer. Winter activities include snowshoeing and dogsledding.

Hammond Hill

~40 minutes east · Hammond, ON

62 acres of mature woodlands with yurts, pioneer cabins, mini-cabins, and campsites. Solar-powered and eco-sustainable. Beer garden, beach volleyball, yoga in the forest, and gourmet pizzas with craft brews. Open year-round.

Reservation Tips

Ontario Parks

• Booking window: 5 months before your arrival date, opens at 7:00 AM ET
• Create your account and pick your preferred sites before booking day
• Over 50% of early reservations target the five busiest parks (Algonquin, Bon Echo, Sandbanks, Killbear, Pinery) — competition is fierce
• Use the Flexible Dates feature to search availability over a full month
• Sign up for Availability Notifications for sold-out parks
• Weekdays in spring and fall have much better availability, even at popular parks

Sepaq (Quebec)

• Summer bookings open in November of the prior year (e.g., summer 2026 bookings opened November 2025)
• One-night stays can be booked 72 hours before arrival (otherwise 2-night minimum)
• Interest-free payment plan available for bookings over $500 made 90+ days in advance

Gatineau Park (NCC)

• Summer reservations open in late February — book immediately when they go live

Tips

Start booking early. The most popular parks (Sandbanks, Bon Echo, Gatineau Park) sell out within hours or minutes of their reservation windows opening. Mark the dates on your calendar.

Consider weekdays and shoulder season. Even busy parks often have midweek availability in June or September. The weather is still excellent, crowds are smaller, and bugs are fewer in September.

For backcountry beginners, Frontenac Provincial Park is the best starting point near Ottawa — well-maintained trails and sites, manageable distances, and beautiful lakes.

Pack for bugs. June and July are peak blackfly and mosquito season in the Ottawa Valley. Bring bug spray and a head net for backcountry trips.

See also: Best hiking trails → · Best beaches and water activities → · Day trips from Ottawa →