Discover the best lakeside campgrounds near Markham, Ontario with campfires

Canada
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Ontario
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Markham

98% (31 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Markham

Dog-friendly getaways

5 top lakeside campgrounds near Markham with campfires

96%

(14)

Uxbridge Igloo

1 site · Lodging20 acres · Mount Albert, ON

Your own private getaway with a private lake, sauna, forest, trails, wildlife and plenty of places to explore. When hungry, take in the local eateries, wineries, cideries and the trail capital of canada for mountain biking, hiking or walking. In the winter, skate on our private lake or hit the slopes at lake ridge ski or dagmar.

Anthropocene Cottage

3 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Campbellville, ON

Anthropocene Cottage, located on the Bruce trail and accross from Crawford Lake Conservation, offers both Short Term Rental stays for up to 9 in the main hoise as well as Camper Parking with water and 30 amp electrical hook up accommodating up to 33 feet. Additionally there is an unserviced camp site and Firepit in the mature Escarpment Natural woods behind the house with direct access to the Bruce Trail. hot tub, Gazebo, BBQ and electric available on request.

T's Pond

2 sites · Lodging29 acres · Port Colborne, ON

Like most folks who’ve been bitten by the water ski bug, I dreamed of having my own lake and when I met my life partner Harald, an elite slalom skier, my search began in earnest. By a combination of good timing and good luck, I was able to make that dream come true and in the spring of 2014 I acquired this land with the hopes of building my dream water ski lake on it. 7 years later, we have a thriving water ski club and are constantly making improvements to the site. We now have decided to add some sites for rent to share this incredible property with others outside the water ski community. Site #1 is a small cabin that sleeps 3 and site #2 is a small houseboat that has been converted to a bunkie. Onsite activities include use of a canoe and paddleboard. Use of a kid's swingset and olympic trampoline. Swimming and fishing. Pets are welcome, campfires are permitted.

Ranchers2

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Amaranth, ON

Learn more about this land:A beautiful property with sites overlooking a 2 acre pond which can be used for fishing paddleboards or canoeing. Enviromentally protected wetlands allow for unusual species of wildlife to be seen. Farm animals on site please do not feed them. Smoking is only permitted on your site.

Lake Cottage Getaway

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Scugog, ON

This cozy, tranquil cottage is surrounded by gorgeous lake views. Sitting on the edge of Lake Scugog, there are many activities to enjoy nearby including fishing, boating, swimming, paddling, and more!There are also plenty of adventurous trails just minutes away from the cabin where you can hike or bike. The activities nearby are endless.The cottage is located in the middle of Port Perry (a 20-minute drive) and Lindsay (a 25-minute drive). The cottage is equipped with a couch, bed, tv, mini-fridge, coffee maker, electric cooktop, sink, and cooking utensils. Other amenities include potable water, a toilet, shower, picnic table, and wifi. Campfires are permitted and pets are welcome.I look forward to hosting you and sharing my little slice of paradise with you!

Lakeside camping near Markham with campfires guide

Overview

Markham was once a quaint town and bedroom community but has recently developed into a business and industrial centre in its own right. You’ll need to head out of town to find campgrounds, but there are plenty of natural areas to explore nearby, including hiking trails, lakes, and parts of Ontario’s protected Greenbelt.

Where to go

Rouge Valley

The Rouge River winds through the suburban landscape just east of Markham and makes its way down to Lake Ontario. A large area has been designated as Rouge National Urban Park, which is free to enter (unlike other national parks) and has lots of hiking trails and forest to explore. The park contains Toronto’s only public campground, the Glen Rouge Campground near Highway 401. The park also borders the Toronto Zoo, which makes the campground a great place for a family stay.

Musselman Lake

There are several camping options north of Markham if you drive up Highway 48. Here you’ll find lakefront parks with RV and tent camping, plus some with family amenities like kayak rentals, pools, and tennis courts.

East Gwillimbury

Further up Highway 48 you’ll find more campgrounds and glamping sites offering tent camping, cabins, and more.

When to go

Most of the campgrounds near Markham are seasonal and operate between May and September. Some may stay open until early October (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend). Going in May or early June will help you steer clear of the summer crowds. Plus, there are no black flies to contend with this far south.

Know before you go

Markham is home to a lot of large workplaces, so rush hour traffic can be awful. Avoid arriving or leaving between 8am and 10am or between 4pm and 6pm.

Many conservation areas near Markham have walking trails, and some feature beaches. None of the nearby conservation areas allow camping, but they are still worth a visit.
The Markham Fair—an annual event that is held the weekend before Thanksgiving (early October)—is one of the biggest agricultural fairs in Canada. Timing your trip to experience the fair is well worth it.
The Oak Ridges Trail is a multi-purpose trail over 160 kilometres long, which passes through Richmond Hill, north of Markham. The main trail and side trails offer lots of hiking and cycling options as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing when conditions are right.