Ontario Parks has extended the camping season at 10 provincial parks this year, giving visitors more time to enjoy the outdoors well into the fall.
At Ojibway Provincial Park, the season ran until Sept. 14. Campers can hike six trails, many with interpretive signs that highlight local species, or fish in lakes that are home to northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and lake trout.
A fish-cleaning station with running water and filleting tables is also available near the north boat launch.
Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park will also remain open until Sept. 21. The park is known for its contrasting campsite settings, from waterfront spots with panoramic views to more secluded forest locations. Boating and fishing are popular activities, with anglers seeking walleye, northern pike and yellow perch.
Aaron Provincial Park, also open through Sept. 21, is located directly on the Trans-Canada Highway near Dryden. The park’s eastern white cedars attract diverse bird species, while visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, short hiking trails and boating on Thunder Lake, where fishing opportunities include pike, walleye and lake trout.
Rushing River Provincial Park has extended operations until Oct. 14 at its Northwest and Northeast Campgrounds. Known for its rugged terrain of glacial boulders and bedrock outcrops, the park offers hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing on Dogtooth Lake.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, near Thunder Bay, will remain open until Oct. 21. The park offers more than 100 kilometers of trails and 27 backcountry sites. Visitors can also rent cabins by Marie Louise Lake, providing options for both adventurous hikers and those seeking a slower pace.
Sharbot Lake Provincial Park will be open through Oct. 20. It sits on two clear lakes that provide opportunities for canoeing, boating and fishing. The Discovery Trail leads visitors through forests of maple, oak and birch, showcasing the region’s shifting topography.
Port Burwell Provincial Park has extended its season until Oct. 26. The park is home to one of Lake Erie’s largest beaches and is recognized as a migration hotspot for birdwatchers in the fall. Hawks, eagles and turkey vultures are among the species spotted during the migration season.
Rock Point Provincial Park, also open through Oct. 26, offers late-season camping with its natural sand and pebble beach and hiking trails. The Woodlot Trail highlights diverse ecosystems, including Carolinian forest, oak savanna and wetlands.
Sibbald Point Provincial Park will operate until Oct. 27. The Eildon Hall Museum remains open on weekends through Thanksgiving.
According to an article published by Innisfil Today on September 12, Rondeau Provincial Park will host campers until Nov. 9, the latest closing date among the extended parks.
