- Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site/
- Camping
National Park
The best camping in Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, ON
88% (4)
Discover the echoes of history at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site.
The best camping in Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, ON
Backwater Paradise
1. Backwater Paradise
98%
(95)
78km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to Backwater Paradise in Northern Ontario. We are 15 minutes north off Trans Canada Highway, Blind River. 5-6 hours northwest of Toronto and 9 hours east of Thunder Bay, between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury. Looking for a wilderness get away or just driving through? We can accommodate. Backwater Paradise has possibilities for several camping styles. whether you bring your own RV, easy tenting or choose to go deep and experience raw wilderness/survival in our Left Field. There is a water tower providing utility water for washing or extinguishing camp fires. We have a quiet atmosphere for new and savvy nature lovers. s. There are no lights on this lake which makes it perfect for star gazing. The main entrance is very well marked and leads to the lake. This is where we host RV sites and tent sites. All nature watchers and sky gazers will enjoy the spaces we have here. Moose, bald eagles. wolves, otters, beavers, bears, owls and several migratory birds are common visitors. You will get to hear whippoorwills, several species of frogs, crickets, and sometimes wolves/coyotes at night. It is very important that pets be kept on a leash. In the lake there is plenty of bass and pike to keep a fisher and kid fishers busy. Common gear will work here and strongly recommend using wire swivel leaders. We promote 'lake 2 plate' principles and if you need anything let us know!! All campers have use of the water front no matter where your site is. On the shore of the lake front is a very large common area and firepit and picnic tables for everyone to access and enjoy the water and the shoreline. We host fires Friday and Saturday nights weather permitting at this location. There are several firepit rings to allow campers to have their own camp fire and we sell hardwood. We also have a paddle boat rental. There is 30 acres of mixed forest, lake and marsh, and now we are able to be open year round. You will notice that some of the photos have brown for grass. Those are earlier pictures of when we first opened. All of our expanded areas are like that at first, and things have changed a lot over the last 4 years and, will continue to have "unkempt" areas as we continue to expand. Our newest listings this year are called Almost Paradise (shower unit) and more recently Rootbound Ranch (camping for those travelling with livestock or horses.) This also available for those that like to stay at a farm. If Backwater Paradise is full, you can enjoy the same attributes just across the road at Almost Paradise. Another site we have is Left Field. Its raw bush and field space in the center. This is where the marsh is. We are also working on a new trail between Backwater Paradise and Left Field and encourage our campers to enjoy the views of both of these spaces.
Backwater Paradise can be discovered at 220 Lake Hope Road, Blind River, Ontario
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$25
/ night
Almost Paradise
2. Almost Paradise
98%
(22)
78km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to Almost Paradise in Northern Ontario. We are 15 minutes off the Trans Canada highway, north of Blind River. 5-6 hours northwest of Toronto and 9 hours east of Thunder Bay, between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury. Looking for a wilderness get away or just driving through? We can accommodate. Need internet? We have Starlink!. We also have star gazing and sunsets! As a new camp spot, upgrades at Almost Paradise are ongoing, including renovations to make a house into a cottage. Our 4 season camper, equipped with a woodstove is also now back at Almost Paradise and is available again for those that need accommodations and want a rustic and cozy option. Backwater Paradise was flooded out from a very wet spring and Almost Paradise was created as a backup. We have a new seasonal shower unit at this location, available to all our campers. Check out our extras!! We have 1 tent site, 1 RV site and a 4 season camp with an extra 4 person dome tent to accommodate extra people. This past winter was very forgiving and gave us the opportunity to work on a new bush trail at Backwater Paradise, for visiting nature lovers and plan on keeping it useable in winter. The trail is available to all our campers. . Some is lakefront and some is marsh. There is seasonal berries everywhere here. Please bring binoculars!! Almost Paradise has all of the same benefits as Backwater Paradise campers and just across the road. Including use of the lake, and the nature trail to Left Field and all of the extras. (eggs, firewood sales, shower and paddle boat) In Lake Hope there is plenty of bass and pike to keep a fisher and kid fishers busy. Common gear will work here and strongly recommend using wire swivel leaders. We promote 'lake 2 plate' principles and if you need anything let us know!! All campers have use of the water front no matter where your site is. On the shore of the lake front is a very large common area with firepit and a picnic table to enjoy the water and the shoreline. Lately a family of geese have been frequent visitors over there. We host fires Friday and Saturday nights weather permitting at this location. Almost Paradise has a gravel driveway and slopes towards the lake so you still get a good view of the lake. The driveway is the best spot for an RV. Our Muscovy ducks are at Almost Paradise, beside the camping. They are quiet but funny looking 😊 The next property over is our farm, where we free range our chickens and ducks with 2 livestock guardian dogs. Fresh eggs are available.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$40
/ night
Summerhill Farm
3. Summerhill Farm
100%
(5)
25km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 1 site
The cabin on 60 acres, shared with our main house nearby. There are apple trees and a trail into the woods. We are also near a boat launch onto Gawas Bay. We are close to cycling routes and about 5 minutes from the village of Hilton Beach and 10 minutes from Richards Landing. We are located about 7 minutes from the bridge onto St Joseph Island.
Please google St Joseph Island tourism for what the island has to offer.
Toilets
Showers
Campfires
from
CA$125
/ night
Lake Huron Private Beach/Sauna Site
4. Lake Huron Private Beach/Sauna Site
100%
(2)
28km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 1 site · Tent, RV
Located just outside of Bruce Mines and 40 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie, this waterfront property is only 2 minutes off Hwy 17 and leads down to the crystal blue and aquamarine hues of Lake Huron. South-facing and with almost 2 acres of land and 300 feet of shoreline, a wood-fired sauna sits at the water’s edge.
The beach is mostly sand, although some rocks do wash up, but just a few feet out, the bottom is all pristine white sand. Along the side is a creek, which is home to dragonflies, ducks, sandhill cranes, and sometimes deer.
Internet, electrical, and septic hookups are available. An outdoor dining table and chairs are provided, and kayaks and fishing gear are available upon request. The area is known for excellent backroad cycling and hiking.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
CA$119
/ night
Grandma's Cabin - Lake and Fishing
5. Grandma's Cabin - Lake and Fishing
100%
(3)
37km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 1 site
Learn more about this land:Enjoy hiking, swimming, canoeing, and fishing! There are many places to hike and plenty of beautiful lakes in the area to explore. Or, you can just relax on the provided deck or around the campfire with s'mores!This spot is great for the whole family. The cabin features one double bed and plenty of room to bring an air mattress. We have a canoe and paddleboard available for use. Firewood provided.Campfires are permitted and pets are welcome.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$100
/ night
Leeburn farm land
6. Leeburn farm land
100%
(5)
46km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 99 sites
Open farm land field with Creek on east side for fishing, access from Ontario highway 638 just south of downtown Leeburn.
Surrounded by bluffs with forest and rock hills
from
CA$200
/ night
Beemer Farms
7. Beemer Farms
62km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 1 site
The Great North Sanctuary: 500-Acre Forest & Dark Sky Retreat
Escape to a private wilderness empire under some of the darkest skies in North America. Nestled on over 500 acres of pristine Northern Ontario "bush," this is a premier destination for nature lovers, dreamers, and stargazers. Located just 15 minutes from Blind River, our Lotus Belle tent offers a boutique sanctuary within a vast, untouched landscape.
✨ Celestial Gold: A Stargazer’s Paradise:
Our farm is situated in a Bortle Class 2/3 zone, meaning we have virtually zero light pollution.
Astronomy & Astrophotography:
Whether you are a professional photographer or just love to look up, you will experience a sky most people never see. The Milky Way is visible in breathtaking detail from horizon to horizon.
The View:
Enjoy an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the cosmos from your private firepit or while swaying in a hammock.
The Space: Boutique Comfort in the Wild:
The Lotus Belle tent offers a spacious, airy atmosphere with high ceilings and a Queen-sized bed on a real frame with fresh linens provided.
Stay Warm:
A wood stove inside the tent keeps you cozy during crisp Northern nights.
Lighting:
We provide solar-powered lights and lanterns. (We highly recommend bringing high-powered flashlights for navigating the trails after dark!)
500+ Acres of Adventure:
You have exclusive access to a massive family-owned farm with miles of private winding trails.
Lakes & Beaches:
You are only minutes away from local swimming spots, rivers, and the North Channel of Lake Huron.
The Campsite: Your site includes a private firepit, BBQ, picnic bench, and two hammocks.
Facilities: A private outhouse is nearby. We provide a wash station with water for dishes; guests must bring their own potable drinking water.
Getting Here & Accessibility
We are 15 minutes from Blind River and 1.25 hours from Sault Ste. Marie.
Parking:
If you have a rugged/4WD vehicle, you can park just a short walk from the tent. For standard vehicles, we have a designated parking area and can often assist with transporting your gear to the site.
Pet-Friendly:
Your dogs will love exploring our 500-acre backyard as much as you do.
Pets
Toilets
from
CA$143
/ night
The Nest Forest Retreat
8. The Nest Forest Retreat
65km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 1 site
Tucked into a quiet, forested corner of Northern Skies Resort, The Nest is a canvas bell tent hidden away in a secluded wooded glen within a short walk to a beautiful, quiet spring fed and crystal clear large lake.
Immerse yourself in nature while indulging in special touches that make you feel comfortable and well cared for. The Nest includes a queen bed with luxury linens, towels and robes; outdoor shower with hot water; outdoor kitchen with electricity, propane cooktop, fridge and sink with hot and cold running water; bbq and private campfire pit; and vertical log outhouse.
Resort amenities available to all guests include a wood fired sauna, sand beach, canoes, kayaks, hiking, and fishing.
At night, star gazing is unparalleled and the northern lights can sometimes be seen.
You are welcome to stop by our Mini Makers Market onsite to purchase locally made art, food items and other goods.
The Nest is located in Algoma Country's famous Mississaugi Valley, named after the wild and winding river that provides a stunning scenic drive at any time of year that starts just "up the road" - we highly recommend packing a picnic and taking a day to explore this hidden gem!
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
CA$158
/ night
Northern Heritage Village Camping
9. Northern Heritage Village Camping
100%
(1)
75km from Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
We've dedicated up to a couple of acres on our large 150-acre piece of land that is also home to our Northern Heritage Village intentional community as well. We welcome responsible, friendly travellers from all over who want to enjoy one of the most beautiful, wild spots in all of Ontario! We are a family friendly environment and ask that our visitors remember that. We are also very pet friendly so long as pets are kept on leash or within the tents/setups of their owners. Unleashed pets are not permitted.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
CA$43
/ night
88% (4)
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Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
P
Paulette
5 days ago
28 ft travel trailer
It’s so private. We were the only ones on this property
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Patricia
1 week ago
32 ft fifth wheel
I enjoyed the privacy and the place to ourselves. We bathed in the sauna and lounged by the water. So relaxing
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J
Jessica
November 2025
10 ft campervan
Magnificent place, enchanting view, peaceful in the heart of nature and very easy access from the transcontinental highway 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 The hosts are friendly and welcoming 🤩
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K
Kylie
October 2025
29 ft Class A
Beautiful spot with a stunning sunset over the lake- definitely the highlight of our stay! Jackie was very welcoming, and the shower and toilet were clean and modern, which was a great bonus. Highly recommend!
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M
Manthan
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Very nice host and very supportive.
We were first timer so they even helped us to build our tent.
Highly recommend to add on their fresh eggs
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R
Roderick
October 2025
Tent
Have a good sleep on site and took advantage of the shower. Modern full shower facility. Wifi accessible from camp site. Will be happy to stay here again next time I am in the area.
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M
Mark
September 2025
5 nights at Summerhill Farm
I had a wonderful week enjoying the Hilltop Cabin on St Joseph Island. The cabin is a quiet and cozy place to relax, and the porch is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
See moreP
Pierre
September 2025
Tent
Gorgeous spot 👍 amenities ok, easy communication and good welcome by the host.
See moreS
Sara
August 2025
Tent
We had a SUPER brief stay as we breezed through the area but I would absolutely stay again! The property is just lovely. We wish we had more time
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L
Lauryn
August 2025
10 ft pop-up camper
I really enjoyed my stay. The host is very considerate, the wood pile purchased was huge! The place is very private, would recommend bringing fishing equipment. I was surprised how close the campsites are but no one else was there during my stay and it was awesome.
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C
Cammy
August 2025
24 ft travel trailer
It was a gorgeous ride on country roads to get to Backwater Paradise, but once you turned onto the site you are greeted by a peaceful lake surrounded by trees. They offered free use of a rowboat or paddle boat, and my husband and I took the paddleboat for a spin around the lake. You get a light workout in the process. It is a nice place to meet people with only a handful of sites. We shared a nice campfire with young couple from Canada who were moving to Calgary. Jackie helped them get the fire started. When it got dark, the stars were amazing, lighting up the entire sky. Our only regret is we didnʻt book it for a second night.
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C
Cameron
August 2025
Tent
This was truly an Ontarian paradise. Jackie was so kind and helped us build an impressive bonfire despite the wood being wet from earlier rain. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this slice of heaven.
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Jazz
August 2025
Tent
Had an amazing couple nights, my favorite spot for the last 4 years. Feel like family now. The host is amazing, and super accommodating. Can't wait to go back.
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M
Mike
August 2025
26 ft travel trailer
With pets
Intimate campground. Just a few campsites. Never crowded or rowdy. Rustic. Good fishing. Friendly host.
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James
August 2025
With pets
We had a great time at the cabin. Gord and Penny we're very welcoming and helpful. The dogs loved dock diving and swimming in the lake. Unfortunately, we were hit with rain at nights along with a fire ban for the duration of our stay but we still loved our time here. It was great to unwind and disconnect.
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Shawn
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful spot! Will definitely stay here again! We had the entire area to ourselves it was very private clean washroom/out house very very accommodating and our dog loved it as well!
See moreM
Melanie
August 2025
Tent
Was very peaceful and the view was great, definitely recommend if you need a getaway!🤍
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M
Marne
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Jackie was super helpful in giving us the best directions to get there. We were coming in at night.So it was extremely helpful. The space is magical. Waking up on that lake well, it was all misty and beautiful... lucky us. There's tons of wild flowers and native plants, growing all over the place.
And there were lots of birds to appreciate.
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J
Jenny
August 2025
With kids
Penny is probably the best host I’ve ever encountered.
She was beyond welcoming. She invited my daughters and I to a tour of her private flower & vegetable gardens at her private residence just 5 minutes away from the camp.
She was more than accommodating and even was going to have her husband help us down to the camp with our stuff as the driveway at the top of the camp is too steep for my front wheel drive to get back up so we parked just off to the side where there was a clearing. We assured her we could handle our stuff down to the camp though.
All the firewood was supplied.
There is a nice pit with a swivel grill to cook right over the fire as there’s no hydro to the camp (that’s what makes it so special). We brought a bag of charcoal to make cooking in the pit easier as we’re veteran campers now lol.
I do suggest you bring your own life jackets if you plan to use the canoe that is also supplied.
If you’re bringing children & they aren’t picky about Rocky, mucky, full of beautiful lily pads (where you’ll get the joy of hearing all the frogs at night), with lots of little minnows/perch then they will likely be the only ones swimming right at the camp, otherwise there is a beautiful rock you can canoe over to around the corner to the right that you can jump off and it’s nice and clear water for the adults and teens!
Bring your flashlights, spare batteries & back up batteries as that’s all you’re living off.
Sit back & enjoy!
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A
Annie
July 2025
Tent
Friendly welcome to a nice quiet spot on a lake. We were the only campers. Nice new outhouse Mosquitoes were tough but that’s life!
See moreThe best camping in Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, ON guide
Overview
About
Explore the ruins of Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site and feel the rich War of 1812 history that lingers – a history that saw a powerful alliance struck between the British and the First Nations People of the western Great Lakes region. Hike to Lake Huron’s edge, experience history through heritage demonstrations, watch for more than 100 species of birds, and view authentic artefacts from the old fort.
When to go
The ideal time to visit Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is between June 1 and September 30, when the site is open to the public. The summer months offer the best weather for exploring the ruins and enjoying the heritage demonstrations. Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays, as the site is closed, and plan your visit for the rest of the week when the rich history of the War of 1812 can be fully appreciated.
Know before you go
- Check the operation schedule: Fort St. Joseph is open from June 1 to September 30, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Prepare for the outdoors: Dress appropriately for hiking and bird watching, and bring water and snacks.
- Respect the wildlife: Look out for monarch butterflies and various bird species, but maintain a safe distance.
- Embrace the history: Participate in heritage demonstrations to gain a deeper understanding of the site's significance.
- Contact for information: Reach out to the site at 705-246-2664 or via email for any inquiries before your visit.
88%
4 ratings · 0 reviews