This step by step guide has been designed to help you find the perfect Crown land camping spots in Ontario.
2021 Camping in Ontario
Camping season is right around the corner. The snow has melted and the geese have made the long journey back from the south. At the end of any winter, the first signs of spring are a welcome change. The early warm sunshine makes you dream of summer time. Your mind wanders to sitting lakeside during the day and spending nights by the campfire.
Like any responsible adult, you want to plan and prepare your summer schedule early on. So you log onto the Ontario Parks website. You choose your favorite Provincial Park, pick a few dates that work for you and hit submit. Low and behold, all of your selected dates are UNAVAILABLE.
You’re left both surprised and disappointed. You thought you were early. I mean, it’s only MARCH at this point for heaven’s sake. How did everyone beat you to booking already?
Almost 60,000 Reservations by February
Well the truth is Provincial campsites were booked as fast as they were available for the 2021 camping season. Within minutes all of the best dates and sites were snatched up. Unless you were waiting with your laptop in hand for that first second the site opened and you had the time and patience to hit REFRESH, REFRESH, REFRESH, you were likely out of luck.
That Provincial Parks would book up so fast shouldn’t be too shocking though. It looks like another summer of social distancing is in store and people are growing ever more tired of being masked up in their tiny apartments.
Aside from that, camping’s popularity is exploding. In recent years there has been a major influx of millennials looking to get outside and enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer. OH CANADA!! Many people will be taking their young families along for a new experience. What better activity could there be for spending time with family and friends?
But all of that gained popularity has got you stuck thinking, “What am I gonna do all summer?”
Well, all hope is not lost yet….
What is Crown Land Camping?
Did you know that Crown Land makes up a whopping 87% of the landmass in Ontario? With Ontario being made up of a total area of 266 Million acres, that’s more land than you could ever dream of exploring. And the use of Crown Land is completely free!
That includes camping on Crown Land in Ontario….no fees, no site charge….nothing. So long as you’re a Canadian citizen or have been living in Canada for the preceding 7 months, you can pick any Crown land campsite you’d like 100% free of charge. I know you must be shocked right now. Nothing in Ontario comes free, right?! I suppose we should send the Queen our best regards for that one.
But it is true. You can spend up to 21 days on any one campsite located on Crown Land.
And if you haven’t yet sworn allegiance to the game of hockey, maple syrup and the almighty beaver in becoming a Canadian citizen, we’ll still get you in. You know we’re too nice to leave you out in the cold.
We want everyone to enjoy Ontario’s backcountry, but of course at a small price for non-Canadians. We’ve gotta pay for that free healthcare somehow!
These aren’t your typical campgrounds
Granted, Ontario’s Crown Land Camping sites don’t have all the amenities that Provincial Parks and private campgrounds offer. But many ideal camping sites are just a short walk off the main road and plenty of the campsites can be driven right up to. You’ve just got to know where to look.
Just look at the campsite below……..this is Crown land camping in Ontario and it looks just as inviting as any Provincial Park site you’ll find. Plus, you could kick a soccer ball to the road. One big difference; you’ll have less neighbours. Maybe none. Sounds perfect so far, doesn’t it?
Finding sites like these isn’t too difficult either, if you’ve got the right resources to help out. We’ve put together some of the most important resources and considerations before heading out on that Ontario Crown land camping expedition.
Crown Land Camping Ontario Map
Almost always, the first question after finding out that you can indeed camp on Crown land is “where can I find a Crown land camping map?” And the truth is it’s pretty easy to find. But like all government created websites, it’ll take some getting used to when you’re trying to navigate and find the information you’re looking for.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has developed this interactive map showing all of the Crown Land in Ontario that is north of approximately the Kawartha Lakes.
Why north of the Kawarthas? Well, that’s because there hasn’t been much Crown land left in southern Ontario. Ontario’s population has risen to almost 15 million people, but over 12 million of those people live in an area that is smaller than the size of Florida.
If you want Crown land camping in Ontario, you’ll have to head north where there are still plenty of natural forests, rivers and lakes left to explore for backpackers and day hikers alike.
If you prefer to stick around southern Ontario, I wish you nothing but the best of luck and fast fingers on that refresh button.
Using the Ontario Crown Land Map
Now, the Ontario Crown land map is a great tool because it displays all of the land plus it breaks it down categorically into what is allowable with regards to commercial uses, recreational uses and restricted uses. Having said that, it can also be confusing, especially if you’re new to the site.
Once you’ve opened the Ontario Crown land map you can navigate to anywhere in the Province to check out what the permitted uses of the land are.
In order to get started, click on the “Map Layers” tab near the top of the page and check the legend on the left side. The colour displayed for “General Use Area” essentially means that recreation activities including camping are allowable in this area. Why doesn’t it just say that outright? The Ontario government loves to leave a little mystery. Contact your local MPP for clarification.
Next you can zoom into an area of interest to you. Click on the “Find Information” tab near the top once again and select the circle under the “Get Land Use Information” heading. Now you can select any area on the map and some basic information will display on the left hand side.
Under the heading “Report” you can select either an English or French language report, which will open up a detailed description of the land and its allowable uses.
Within the report under the heading “Recreation Activities and Facilities” if the activity is Crown land recreation and the answer under “Permitted” is YES, then Crown land camping is allowed within this area.
In addition, other uses that would be allowable are things like hiking, biking, bird watching and boating among others. Check the whole list here.
In addition to the Crown lands identified as General Use, some other types of land may also permit camping. Again, look at the reports generated for each area and check to see if it mentions camping specifically. When in doubt, contact the local office of the MNRF for clarification. It’s always easier to check beforehand than to end up with an unwanted fine which will surely put a damper on your trip.
Finding a general area of Crown Land in Ontario that allows camping is only the first step in the process though. Now it’s time to dig deeper to find that perfect location.
Finding the Perfect Crown Land Camping Spot
So you’ve done some homework and you found a general area that looks like a good location to set up camp for a perfect summer weekend. Now you need to know if there are any sites already available in this area and how hard it is to get to them.
To start, look up the area on Google Maps and Streetview. You might be able to see the campsite from the road. If so, you’ll know it’s super easy to get to, but probably a busy location as well.
If you’re hoping to get away from the highway, see how far Streetview will get you. Become as comfortable with the location as possible before heading out. Check the aerial view to see if there are any obvious trails and openings where campsites might be located.
Next, and especially if you’re willing to portage any distance to find a secluded, quiet area of the forest, look at some additional resources: maps, books and speaking to someone you know in the area to name a few.
A couple of good books that can be a big help include the Ontario Backroads Mapbook and My Lost Canoe.
If you know someone that lives in the area, reach out to them. I’m sure they’d be happy to let you in on their 10th favorite camping spot. If they’re only telling you about their favorite spot near the swamp, contact the local Municipality or County Tourism Department. If you’re still not satisfied, call or email the local MNRF. Out of all of those messages, someone is sure to provide a couple of great locations.
Be Prepared
Ontario Crown Land Camping doesn’t provide the same experience as staying at a Provincial Park campground. While many sites can be found a short distance from a local road, these sites are often highly sought after and hard to get on a first come first serve basis. And people will look at you funny if you hang around waiting for their 21 days to end.
Most campsites will be at least some distance off of Highways and well maintained County roads. The path to your site might include some dirt roads that turn into dirt trails that turn into cow paths or worse. It will be important to know what lies ahead in your journey so that you can be aware of how far you will need to drive, walk, canoe or anything else to get to your site.
You’ll also need to use this information to decide how much camping gear is reasonable to bring. If you’re canoeing across to that perfect site on the flat rock where the fish bite all day but you brought along enough beer and gear to last a month, your arms are going to hate you after the fifth round trip.
The Rules for Camping on Crown Land
The rules for Crown land camping in Ontario are pretty simple. If you’re a Canadian Citizen or have been living in Canada for the preceding 7 months you get 21 days per year at any one site, free of charge.
Once your 21 days are up, it’s time to move along. But you don’t have to go too far. 100 metres is all that’s required. It may seem silly to have to move such a short distance, but it does keep the best sites rolling and keeps anyone from claiming complete squatters rights on a site.
Many of the best sites are obvious. People tend to stick to areas on the shores of lakes. There should be a clearing where people have tented before. There will almost certainly be a firepit. And if you look closely, you’ll definitely notice the remnants of a burned out Molson Canadian can.
If you finally reach your destination and someone has already snagged it, that doesn’t mean you’ve gotta pack your bags and leave. You can camp anywhere on Crown Land. Of course the actual sites are the nicest. They’ve probably got a little firewood left over and some hooks to tie your tarps to.
Making a new site can be a little more work, but a lot of fun too. And I don’t mean chopping down all of the trees in the forest and trucking in loads of sand for a soft and level campsite. In fact, don’t do any of that….it’s illegal. What you might need to do is brush away some pine needles, make a small fire pit and find some deadfall for firewood. With a little TLC, you’ll have that special space you want.
Be Environmentally Responsible
Just as we have been allowed to enjoy the use of the land for so many years, we want future generations to have those same experiences and opportunities.
For this reason there are a few must follow rules that any good intentioned camper must follow:
- Pick up and pack out litter
- Avoid environmentally sensitive areas
- Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it’s been completely extinguished before leaving
- Respect others use of Crown land in Ontario
- Stay on existing trails
- Don’t harm Provincially protected wildlife, plants or habitat
- Avoid the spread of invasive species by washing ATV’s and other off-road vehicles and gear
Non-Canadian Citizens
As I mentioned before, if you are not a Canadian Citizen, we still want you to enjoy all of the beauty that Ontario has to offer.
You’ll just need a permit to do so if you’re camping on Crown Land north of the French and Mattawa Rivers. Permits are only required for people 18 years of age and over and can be purchased on the Ontario Government website.
If you’ll be camping south of the French and Mattawa Rivers, there is no requirement for a permit. You’re free to find a Crown land camping spot just as if you were one of us. The Canadian way!
Enjoy Your Time While Camping on Crown Land
Camping on Crown land in Ontario allows you to get the full camping experience. Solitude, peace and budget friendly. With a little research you can find the perfect site for any level of camping experience. Whether you’re looking for something close to civilization or miles into the backcountry, Ontario’s Crown Land has it all.
