Waking to the smell of pines, the soft trill of songbirds, and a light mist over a cool lake. Camping is a quintessentially Canadian experience that everyone should engage in at least once a year. If not for the pure enjoyment of escaping the omnipresent buzz of technology, do it for your health!
For some, pitching a tent is akin to assembling IKEA furniture. The idea of heading out to a solitary campsite far into the back and beyond is a little too daunting. But fear not – Northeastern Ontario offers plenty of camping-lite experiences that would appeal to even the most novice of outdoors folks.
WildExodus – Glamping
Get a slice of northern Ontario culture by day and by night tuck yourself into a prospector tent with all the comforts of home. WildExodus, an experienced outfitting company, offers glamping (‘glamorous camping’) at its Timmins location found in an ancient boreal forest. There are a variety of glamping (as well as yurt or day-long) packages based on duration, theme, and daily activities.
Currently, they have a fantastic deal for two people for four nights that includes hiking with a trapper, floating down ancient canoe routes, cruising Kenogamissi, and catered meals for only $249 per night.
Fairbank Provincial Park – Group Camping
Located on spring-fed Fairbank Lake, this family-oriented park has been a popular destination since 1958. Just a short walk to the sandy beach, the park’s beautiful and isolated group camping area can accommodate from four to six small trailers and five to ten tents. Features include a horseshoe pit, fire pit, water tap, and bathrooms. Fairbank Provincial Park is known for its crystal clear waters, and its interesting geology, which is the result of a meteorite strike over a billion years ago.
Killarney Provincial Park – Yurts
Don’t let snow or a fear of pitching a tent stop you from camping in Killarney Provincial Park, one of Ontario’s most stunning parks. Each of the park’s six yurts is equipped with two bunk beds (with a double mattress on the bottom), table and chairs, a barbecue, electric heat and lights, and a fire pit. The yurts are open year round to allow guests to enjoy all the park has to offer, from cross-country skiing to canoeing.
Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge – Glamping
Mattawa is known for its burst of autumn colours and rushing river that can be experienced without leaving the comforts of modern life. Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge offers a fully furnished tent that accommodates up to six people. Complete with couches, beds, and tables, the tent sits on a raised platform in a secluded area surrounded by evergreens. Eco showers and composting toilets are conveniently located nearby. Relax in a Muskoka chair on your personal screened-in porch as you read a book or listen to the sounds of nature. Of course you’ll want to make use of the variety of outdoor activities at your doorstep, including snowshoeing, cycling, and hiking.
And if you’d like to try yurts, traditional camping, or a chalet retreat…well, the resort has those too.
