The best camping near Georgian Bay Islands National Park

If you don’t think of Ontario as an island destination, think again. More than 30,000 islands dot the waters of Georgian Bay, rocky outcroppings along the Canadian Shield. Northwest of Toronto, Georgian Bay Islands National Park protects 63 of these islands. Most of the park’s visitor facilities are located on Beausoleil Island, including the main camping area, Cedar Spring Campground, which has showers as well as cabin rentals. The island also has eight primitive campgrounds, plus a cluster of rustic cabins at Christian Beach. You can reach Beausoleil Island only by boat.

• Best for families: Cedar Spring Campground
• Best for sunset views: Honeymoon Bay
• Best for swimmers and hikers: Chimney Bay and Oaks

1. The 45 sites in the Cedar Spring Campground are reservable, as are the 11 sites at Honeymoon Bay and four in the Tonch North primitive camping areas. Book your site in mid-January when Parks Canada’s online reservations for Georgian Bay Islands National Park open for the season.
2. You need a reservation to stay in the island’s cabins or oTENTik platform tents.
3. Beausoleil Island’s other primitive campgrounds, including Chimney Bay and Oaks (13 sites), Tonch East (7 sites), Tonch South (7 sites), and Thumb Point (8 sites), are first-come, first-served. Get to the island early in the day to snag one of these sites.

Georgian Bay Islands opens in late May and closes after Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October. Fall, particularly September through mid-October, is the best time to explore the Georgian Bay region. The weather is generally cool and mild, and the worst of the bugs are gone. In spring and early summer, the mosquitoes and black flies (which bite!) can be fierce. A good repellent is essential, and long sleeves, long pants, or even a bug jacket can be helpful.

• Beausoleil Island has no stores, cafes, or restaurants, so bring what you need. You can buy essentials in Honey Harbour. Midland is the closest town with a good selection of services.
• While Parks Canada runs a boat, called the Day Tripper, from Honey Harbour to Beausoleil Island, tent campers need to book a private water taxi to transport themselves and their gear. The park website lists water taxi operators. If you’re staying in a park cabin or oTENTik, your reservation will include your Day Tripper passage.
• To reach any of the park islands beyond Beausoleil, hire a water taxi or go in your own boat.