The best waterside campgrounds near Pembroke, Ontario

Right at the border with Quebec, the small city of Pembroke sits perched on the junction of the Ottawa River and the Muskrat River in southeastern Ontario. This means camping near Pembroke brings opportunities to see both provinces. Lakeside campsites with fishing are a hot commodity as the Ottawa Valley area features 900 nearby lakes and four river systems—perfect for booking a whitewater rafting tour and spotting local wildlife. There are also tons of lakeside camping options with hot tubs or RV camping sites with full hookups for a more relaxed experience. If desired, stay on-grid at campsites with wifi that make real-time social sharing possible.

99% (275)

Top-rated campgrounds near Pembroke

Right at the border with Quebec, the small city of Pembroke sits perched on the junction of the Ottawa River and the Muskrat River in southeastern Ontario. This means camping near Pembroke brings opportunities to see both provinces. Lakeside campsites with fishing are a hot commodity as the Ottawa Valley area features 900 nearby lakes and four river systems—perfect for booking a whitewater rafting tour and spotting local wildlife. There are also tons of lakeside camping options with hot tubs or RV camping sites with full hookups for a more relaxed experience. If desired, stay on-grid at campsites with wifi that make real-time social sharing possible.

99% (275)

Top-rated campgrounds near Pembroke

1. Covered Bridge Park

92%

(13)

37km from Pembroke · 7 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Covered Bridge Park is a magnificent 150 acres waterfront campground on Bonnechere River with cottages, cabins, tent and trailer sites. We are located east of Algonquin Provincial Park and located in Tramore on the north side of Bonnechere River between Round Lake and Golden Lake. Enjoy beautiful Ontario summers with great fishing, swimming, canoeing and wildlife viewing. Discover Natures Playground on this old farm that has been preserved in its natural state with 100 acres of mature forest, meadows and trails; only a small portion of the property has been developed into a Campground. Most of what we offer here is pure Mother Nature.

2. The Knotty Pines by Round Lake

98%

(32)

41km from Pembroke · 1 site · Tent, RV

(formerly Hop, Skip, Lake) THE AREA: If you’ve ever been to the Ottawa Valley, you know we’ve got it all. Boating, fishing, hiking, biking, rivers, waterfalls, caves, ATV’ing, horseback riding, and loads of things to do for any outdoor enthusiast at any pace. Come for relaxation, or come for exhilaration, we will welcome you with open arms and point you to all the places you may like to explore. THE CAMPSITE: At The Knotty Pines you shall enjoy 1 entire acre all to yourselves, while the beautiful, sandy-bottom Round Lake is a hop, skip, and a jump just across the street (3-5 minute walk). The site features a lovely natural forest canopy perfect for pitching tents, a campfire area, a toilet with a view, a picnic table, a field for stargazing, shaded+sunny areas, and plenty of hammock holders in the pine tree patches that border your site. If it happens to rain on your parade, we've got an upgraded pop-up trailer that sleeps 6 ready to rent for a few extra bucks. Come on over, we’re so happy to host you!

3. Ferguson Lake Cabins

100%

(1)

64km from Pembroke · 2 sites · Lodging

We offer 2 log cabins on a century old farm nestled on Ferguson Lake where you can relax and enjoy swimming, boating and fishing. Each cabin sleeps 6-8 individuals and features a large windowed porch, refrigerator, gas range, microwave, BBQ and is fully equipped to handle your house keeping needs. There are 3 double bunk beds in each cabin and a queen sized bed on the porch. There is running potable cold and hot water in cabin. Although there are NO in-cabin washrooms, we do provide a cabin-dedicated portion of a separate shower and washroom building in very close proximity. The sandy beach is ideal for children and adults alike to swim and there is a dock for sunning, diving or fishing. We have a raft out in the lake for more experienced swimmers. Along the water’s edge we have plenty of loungers and seating as well as campfire pits with free firewood. You can soak up the sun by the beach, picnic in the shade of our willow trees or try your hand at a game of horse shoes or for the avid fishermen Ferguson Lake has pike, largemouth bass and walleye. We are a 25-45 minute drive away from Logo’s Land, Calabogie Motorsports Park, 5 golf courses (Dragonfly, Renfrew, Calabogie Highlands, Oaks of Cobden and Whitetail), hiking destinations, ATV trails and numerous other lakes and rivers.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Amy

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Covered Bridge Park

My husband and I absolutely loved our time here. Especially right beside the river. Wish we would have brought our chest waders to walk right into the river. Beautiful sunsets. The quietest campsite we have ever visited. We will definitely be back! Thank you so much!

H

Hayley

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Covered Bridge Park

Camp spot was super nice. Right on the water. Very quiet and lots of room. Washrooms are a bit far but very nice and clean. Very nice and helpful people around the area. Would stay again. Thank you!

B

Briana

July 2025

With kids

4 nights at Covered Bridge Park

Everything was great! Big site right next to the beach with electricity, water and flush toilets very close (always clean). Hosts were very friendly and accommodating and so were the other people at the campground. Wood was delivered to our site and it was a good price for a lot of wood. Amazing fireworks display for Canada Day! Water was beautiful! Absolutely nothing to complain about. Very happy to have found this place and looking forward to going back😊

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping near Pembroke guide

Where to go

Algonquin Provincial Park

Bears, moose, loons—spot native wildlife when traversing the extensive trail system through Algonquin Provincial Park. Covering 7,000 square kilometres of dense forest with over 1,000 lakes, Algonquin Park is packed with epic views and plenty of tent camping or canoe portage routes. Check out the picturesque waterfall at High Falls Park, and stop by the picnic tables for a midday snack before jumping in for a swim.

Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park

Although Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park is smaller and lesser-known than the iconic Algonquin Provincial Park, it features the same lush deciduous forests and refreshing lakes. There’s no visitor center here, and the area is not as well-serviced (offering tent camping only and no RV parks or car campsites), but that’s a plus for those looking to avoid crowds.

Bonnechere Provincial Park

Settle into the sandy beach of Round Lake to enjoy the best of what Bonnechere Provincial Park has to offer. Set in Renfrew County, Ontario, this recreational gem offers over 100 campsites along with a shower station and playground. Both kayak and paddleboard rentals are available for exploring the expansive waters (just remember a lifejacket).

Petawawa

History lovers and military buffs will especially appreciate a pit stop in Petawawa. This small township hosts a Canadian Army base for combat troops, and strolls through Heritage Village provide a first-hand experience of life as an early settler. Other recreational activities include a sprawling 18-hole golf course, waterfront beaches, and a full-service marina.

When to go

Head to Pembroke in the fall for stunning colors and a cycling tour—the best way to maximize your views of the changing leaves. Winter descends from early November through March, so bring lots of layers and waterproof clothing. Heavy-duty winter boots are vital for outdoor activities throughout December, January, and February. The off-season in springtime (April and May) is less busy, then summer season ramps up in June, July, and August.