Where to Beach Camp in Canada

With summer vacation just around the corner, it might be time to plan your next beach camping trip. This is your sign to take the time off to unwind and focus on keeping yourself happy. Getting on the road and going on a camping trip is the perfect way to get some well-needed sunlight and an extra kick of dopamine. 

#1: Cyprus Lake Campground

When in Ontario, Tobermory is the place to be for any and all camping endeavours. Cyprus Lake is located at the Bruce Peninsula National Park. There are 232 drive-in campsites that are situated in front of Cyprus Lake. Cyprus Lake is flooded with campers during the summer and on holidays. While the campground itself has picnic tables, fire pits, water taps, and washroom facilities, it would be best to bring your own gear with you.

#2: Fathom Five National Marine Park

Flowerpot Island, also in Ontario, is well-renowned for its rare plants, caves, light stations and of course, the flowerpot-looking rock pillars. Visitors who spend the day hiking the island can opt to make camp on the island. If you do decide to stay, make sure to bring your best sunscreen! Staying by the beach is literally and figuratively a hot experience. Visitors should also be informed that there is no sand beach on the island. Nonetheless, Fathom Five National Marine Park has its own unique attractions to put on the table.

Most campers begin their adventure by staying at the Beachy Cove and then proceed to the flowerpots. Eventually, they will reach the light station and trail back to the same dock. Extra caution is advised for campers who swim on the island. The shoreline is excessively rocky and there are deep drop-offs that can be dangerous. Keeping safe and injury-free should definitely be a priority. 

If you feel like escaping from the scorching heat, they also offer Glass Bottom Tours of shipwrecks, lighthouses, and other islands. Tourists are usually encouraged to view the Big Tub Lighthouse and the nineteenth-century shipwrecks. It isn’t every day that opportunities to see shipwrecks arise.

#3: Lands End Park 

This Ontario beach boasts a swimming area as well as a shallow wreck for curious divers. Lands Ends Park is renowned for its fishing and snorkelling activities. The park has a serene family campground with 90 acres of natural forest. It is maintained by a family whose principle is to retain all of the park’s natural scenic beauty. To experience nature at its finest, photographers usually nestle themselves among the trees and park in front of the cliffs. The serenity of the environment is said to foster a feeling of peace and calm for visitors.

#4: Summer House Park 

The sandy beach in Ontario’s  Miller Lake is the perfect hotspot for suntanning and paddleboarding. Summer House Park is committed to creating enjoyable holiday experiences through its prestigious amenities and endless activities. The pristine shores of Miller Lake are further accentuated by beautifully landscaped grounds, nature trails, and an 85-acre hardwood forest. Summer House Park will provide visitors with a space to relax, rewind, and reconnect with friends, family, and mother nature. Having a camping hammock or an inflatable couch lounger can help let you enjoy this time to the fullest.

#5: Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park

As one of the Alberta Parks, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park comprises a handful of islands that are surrounded by Lac La Biche. These waters are home to what locals call, The Big Island. The largest island sits like a sanctuary with sandy beaches and a 300-year old forest. This provincial park is an ideal place for swimming, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and beach bumming. The campsites are also surrounded by lush green foliage - perfect for family getaways. 

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park offers a wide range of water-based outdoor activities and bird watching opportunities. There are 72 units in the campground, complete with:

• Showers 

• Boat Launchers 

• Fire Pits

• Flush Toilets 

• Disposal Stations 

• Picnic Shelters 

• Amphitheatre

Keep in mind that this park is bear country. It would be wise to take all precautions in proper waste disposal. Refraining from having any scent tempt our furry friends would be the wisest thing to do.

#6: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

Lesser Slave Lake has plenty of camping and soft sandy beaches. The south shores of Lesser Slave Lake are similar to the white sand beaches of Central Alberta. For beach activity enthusiasts, lake activities are very popular during the summer. Some of these include swimming, picnicking, and fishing.

For non-beach activity enthusiasts, on the other hand, there are also bird watching activities at the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. This is a delight for all tourists who enjoy lessons on winged locals.

#7: Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park

Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park is a family park in Central Alberta that has a large sandy beach, swimming area, walking trails, and bird watching stations. The area is teeming with various fisheries including the northern pike, lake whitefish, and yellow perch.

The park is open all year-round - even during the winter! Winter camping and ice fishing are also well sought after by many locals. Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park has many trails, including some which lead to the Boreal Forest. While visitors are encouraged to explore by hiking or biking along the trails, extra precaution is advised. The vicinity is also home to many bears.

Camping grounds and beach parks provide a unique kind of tranquillity and exhilaration. Whether you are vying to bathe under the sun or take a dip in the waters, the Great White North has everything covered. There are so many campsites to choose from. Wherever you decide to go, make the most of every second. Experience the world around you. Take a whiff of the salty air and sleep underneath a canopy of stars. Bask in the beauty of the Earth and appreciate the presence of the people around you.

There is power in being present. Find your own buried treasure or build your own (sand) castle. There is no limit to the experience you can have and the memories that you make.