The best camping in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, ON

Kawartha Highlands is the second-largest provincial park in Ontario, filled with lakes both large and small. There is no car camping at the park, only paddle-in backcountry campsites. The park offers amazing opportunities for fishing, birding, and hunting in addition to swimming and, of course, paddling. Set about 2.5 hours’ drive from Toronto and one hour from Peterborough, Kawartha isn’t as famous as Algonquin Provincial ParkPark, but it is closer to the city and just as great an escape from civilization.

• Best for families: The Bottle Lake access point provides you with several campsites within a day’s paddle to create a base camp for family trips.
• Best for adrenaline lovers: The Mississauga River offers manageable whitewater paddling (although most rapids can be avoided using portages) and rugged scenery.
• Best for classic park views: The Serpentine Loop is a favourite among paddlers for its remote wilderness, island campsites, and stunning waterfall. However, doing the full loop involves a 1,500-metre portage.

1. Campsites can be booked online or by phone through Ontario Parks.
2. The park has nine access points for starting your journey. Choosing a point that’s a bit farther to drive to will likely mean fewer campsites are booked up.
3. If you’re new to canoe tripping, choose campsites that aren’t too far apart. A change in wind direction can slow you down and make your destination hard to reach before dark.
4. If your preferred route is booked up, try a different access point and route. It’s a big park with plenty of alternatives.

Although it’s open all year, things get icy over winter, when paddling isn’t possible on most of the smaller lakes. However, for experienced paddlers and backcountry campers, visiting in November or even early December will provide incredible solitude. Visiting during October is popular (but not as crowded as summer) because of the fall colours, bug-free environment, and generally cool but tolerable temperatures.

• Many of the accessible lakes are lined with privately owned cottages. Paddlers should respect private property and expect to share the water with cottagers’ power boats.
• The park has very limited facilities, but campsites generally have a picnic table, fire ring, and box privy. Most campsites have at least three tent pads.
• You’ll need to print out an interior camping permit at home within 14 days of your booking and bring it along, or pick one up in person at the park office in Bancroft, Ontario.
• Several local outfitters offer equipment rentals and canoe route maps. You can also purchase maps online to help with planning and booking your route.