Hemmed into the fabric of the quintessential Canadian life, camping, a cherished cultural tradition in Canada, just became more attractive with expansion work at the three Ontario Parks, adding nearly 5,000 new camping nights. Last year, Ontario Parks welcomed a staggering 14 million visitors, speaking volumes about its recreational importance in the region and beyond.
For many families, camping is an annual tradition intrinsically tied to summer, allowing them to immerse themselves in Canada’s vast natural beauty and relive their “outdoorsy” identity. And Ontario Parks is part of that nostalgic memory preserved over generations.
The massive campground expansion finds no parallel in almost five decades in terms of its scale, coming with an investment of $60 million over the coming years. Just in time for the summer, the 67 campsites are part of the ambitious first-phase expansion, coming to three of the province’s in-demand provincial parks.
Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks captured the sentiment in these words “Camping is at the heart of summer for so many families across this province, and an Ontario Parks getaway is second to none,” He further adds “By opening 67 new sites – with hundreds more to come – we are creating more opportunities for families to enjoy Ontario’s incredible outdoors, supporting local businesses and helping people create lifelong memories to share with loved ones.”
Luke Charbonneau, the Mayor of the Town of Saugeen Shores, optimistically says, “The addition of 17 new campsites at MacGregor Point Provincial Park provides more opportunities for people to experience the natural beauty of this incredible park. At the Town of Saugeen Shores, we feel fortunate to have this provincial asset within our community and recognise the important role it plays in protecting natural ecosystems, supporting environmental education, and offering a wide range of outdoor experiences. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to explore both the park and the surrounding area.”
As part of this rollout, the reservation window for these specific new sites opens on June 15, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time, for arrival dates beginning June 26, 2026. You can book these through the official Ontario Parks Reservation Service
More about developments in Ontario Parks.
The current $60 million modernisation effort by Ontario Parks is boosting local tourism and accessibility by adding new campsites and upgrading 800 existing ones with electrical service. With 285 electrical upgrades already completed at parks like Sandbanks and Arrowhead, the system is actively expanding its capacity to better serve both domestic and international visitors.
Looking ahead, Ontario Parks’ ongoing investments ensure that the province’s world-class natural spaces remain high-quality, modernised destinations for families to enjoy for generations to come.
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