The best camping in Selkirk Provincial Park, ON

If you want a quiet, relaxed campground that’s family-friendly and easy to navigate, Selkirk Provincial Park is an excellent choice. It’s much smaller than many nearby parks and offers a more modest list of amenities (for instance, there is just one designated hiking trail). However, its small size doesn’t mean that anyone is missing out. There is a well-stocked park store, a summertime discovery program for children, and excellent nature activities. Guests rave about the large grassy sites and mature trees.

• Best for families: Area 2 is home to the comfort station, which means no long walks in the middle of the night. There are also laundry facilities, which busy parents always appreciate.
• Best for early risers: Area 3 is a radio-free zone.
• Best for RV enthusiasts: Area 2 and Area 4 offer pull-through sites with electrical hookups.

1. Reservations are accepted up to five months before your arrival date. Book well in advance for weekend reservations during July and August, when the park is busiest. The reservation must be made in the name of the person who will pick up the camping permit at the front gate.
2. Should you arrive late, your reservation is guaranteed until 8am on the day following your planned arrival. If you want to snag a last minute camping site, try calling just after 8am in case there were some no-show campers whose reservations just opened up.
3. There is just one comfort station (with showers and flush toilets) at Selkirk Provincial Park. It’s located in Area 2 of the campground. If you’d rather avoid the vault toilets (outhouses), study the park map before you go to ensure you’re in the optimal spot. Regardless of your chosen site, you’re never more than a five-minute walk to the comfort station.

Selkirk Provincial Park is open from mid-May to mid-October. You can expect some chilly nights (and cold swimming!) if you visit in the shoulder season, while July and August are the warmest times. Bring your bug spray if you stay in May, as the newly hatched mosquitoes may appear. Expect things to be busy around Canada Day and the August long weekend.

• Selkirk is a good park for swimming, as there is a small beach in the day-use area with a gradual drop-off. However, the shoreline is pebbly so you might want to bring your water shoes.
• Bird watchers will appreciate the Wheeler’s Walk Trail, which has boardwalk access across a marshy wetland.
• The town of Port Dover is only 15 minutes away and offers everything from outdoor gear to craft beer.
• This small, quiet, low-key park is an excellent choice for those wishing to avoid rowdy campers.