The best camping near Blue Lake Provincial Park

Camping at Blue Lake Provincial Park means a beach vacation, with warm summer lake waters that are perfect for swimming, boating, canoeing, and fishing. It’s even becoming a popular scuba spot thanks to its clear water. You can rent a kayak or canoe at the park office (which is rather charmingly housed in a historic log cabin) and follow historic canoe routes to explore the park from the water. Four hiking trails—ranging from 30-minute, interpretive trails to day-long hikes—take you through the boreal forest, with plenty of birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Climbers especially love the 25-metre-high Blue Lake Crag rock face. The park’s sole campground offers car camping and RV pull-through sites (about half of the sites have electrical hookups), two group camping areas, and several equipped trailers for rental.

1. Blue Lake Provincial Park is considered one of Northern Ontario’s most beautiful parks, so it isn’t a surprise that campsites book up fast in July and August (especially around major Canadian holidays such as Canada Day).
2. All sites are reservable so even if you don’t book far in advance, you’ll need to book a spot before arrival. You may still score a site by just turning up, especially early or late in the season or during the week, or if there’s a cancellation.

Blue Lake Provincial Park is only open from mid-May through to mid-September, and if you’re planning to enjoy all that the lake has to offer, the water will be warm by July and glorious through August. Earlier in the summer is when Northern Ontario tends to be at its buggiest, with that tapering off as you get closer to fall. September can still be warm, and the park will be much quieter then.

• The 1-kilometre Spruce Fen Boardwalk Trail follows a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. 
• Cell service can be patchy or non-existent in the park, but you can usually pick up wifi around the park office. 
• The mosquitoes here can be relentless, so be sure to pack bug spray. 
• There are laundry facilities at both the park’s comfort stations. 
• You can pick up ice, firewood, basic needs, and ice cream at the park store. The nearest town for supplies and restaurants is Vermillion Bay, nine kilometres away—be sure to stop at the bakery when you’re there.