Camping in Canada is a favourite pastime for families, adventurers, and nature lovers. Whether backcountry camping, tenting, or RV camping in Canada, get away in nature at one of these parks or campgrounds.

11 best destinations for camping in Canada

Get back to nature and see Canada's best with these must-visit camping spots.

Spending time in the mountains and woods, beside beautiful lakes and oceans, and sleeping under the stars is one of the best ways to slow down and relax. These top camping spots in Canada offer just that.

Kids love outdoor camping, and most of them thrive in the open air. Fun-filled days of fresh air and camping activities are some of the best refreshers a family can get. And Nova Scotia’s Thomas Raddall Provincial Park is a great place for it. Situated 180km southwest of Halifax along Nova Scotia’s scenic South Shore, this provincial park has more than 6.5 square km of wilderness playground for adventurous campers of all ages.

Open between May and October, here at the park, you’ll find days worth of camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and more, including some secluded beaches to enjoy views of the stunning coastline.

Perched at the tip of a jagged coastline and only a 10-minute walk from the town of St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Kiwanis Oceanfront Camping offers incredible views of Passamaquoddy Bay. Visitors can choose from wooded or ocean-view campsites, full-service or unserviced, and make the most of their time outdoors while just steps from the water.

Along with a kitchen shelter and hot water showers, you can enjoy the recreational facilities on the property, including a playground and bike trails. If you’re feeling energetic, there is lots to do in the area: sightseeing, whale watching, fishing, kayaking, golfing, and more. Full hookup sites by the ocean are available for your RV. Kiwanis is also wheelchair accessible.

For more information about campground reservations, check their website.

For some of the best camping in Quebec, head to the Gaspé Peninsula and set up camp at Forillon National Park. Located where the St. Lawrence River meets the Atlantic, Forillon is the first national park and one of the best campgrounds in Quebec. Spend days exploring the many hiking trails, go on a bike trip, book a whale watching cruise, and take in the beauty of this unique landscape. Tall cliffs hug the coastline, offering amazing views, especially at sunset.

Visitors can choose from tent and RV camping within or outside of the tree cover. Other services and amenities include playgrounds, swimming pools, coin laundry, dumping stations, and powered sites. Two trails at the park are also available for backcountry camping for those who want to get away from it all. 

Plan ahead and check with Forillon’s Parks Canada page for all the information you need before you go.

Note: All open-air wood fires are prohibited in the backcountry.

With easy access from major cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Sudbury, Algonquin Provincial Park offers the quintessential Canadian camping experience. With developed campgrounds, RV camping, lodges, and backcountry camping, there’s plenty to do at Algonquin Park. For a glamping Ontario experience, check out the yurts at Mew Lake Campground and Achray Campground.

Adventurers should look into the park’s paddle-in campsites, perfect for a family getaway or group portage. Enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, and biking, hiking, and paddling in summer.

While many people may look for camping near Banff, go further south and check out Waterton Lakes National Park, one of the five official national parks in Alberta. You’ll still get stunning vistas, gorgeous waterways, mountains, trails, and lung-cleansing fresh air in abundance—a hiker and camper’s paradise.

The park has three front-country campgrounds and nine backcountry campgrounds accessible via hiking trails. It's also a great spot in Alberta for winter camping. Check the park's website for updates, season opening dates, and camping reservations.

If you love the idea of camping but aren’t really in the mood for roughing it, book a stay in a yurt at Wya Point Resort. Located on Ucluelet First Nation’s traditional territory, Wya Point Resort is an Indigenous-owned campground and an award-winning glamping spot near the Pacific Rim National Park. Ucluelet is just a quick drive over from Tofino, and much more locals-oriented than its more touristy neighbour. You can hike on the Wild Pacific Trail, break a sweat along the bike trails, and surf the ocean waves, then check out the town's local art galleries and dining spots.

Wya Point Resort, British ColumbiaAt Wya Point Resort, pick from one or two-bedroom wooden lodges overlooking the water, three different styles of yurts, RV tenting, and tent camping. Private yurts come with a double bed, a tea and coffee maker, and a gas fireplace. The resort is also a pet-friendly camping spot, allowing guests to bring up to two dogs or cats per unit.

Fjords can be found outside of Norway, New Zealand, and even in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park. The park offers 1,850 square km of rocky cliffs, summits, rugged tablelands, and coastal trails. During the warmer months, set up camp steps away from Gros Morne's natural wonders. Choose from five Parks Canada campgrounds with 236 campsites in total, including two unserviced campgrounds (Trout River and Lomond). To get even more off the grid, book a primitive campsite.

When backcountry camping, follow the pack-in, pack-out rule—carry in everything you need for the trip, and pack out all your garbage when you leave. To do your part in respecting these areas and limiting the impacts of camping, take only photos and leave only footprints on your adventures.

The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail is a cousin to the West Coast Trail, and the two trails connect in Port Renfrew. This 47km hiking trail weaves in and out of (and up and down in) the lush forest and along beaches

It’s not for the faint-hearted and has a sneaky amount of vertical for a coastal trail, but if you're fit and active, it's one of the most rewarding ways to get to some of the best of British Columbia's campgrounds. You'll trek over logs, up and down man-made stairs, across rope-assisted rocks, and through muddy trenches (bring your mud gaiters).

Backcountry camping along the trail is first-come, first-served, with the exception of the campsites at China Beach, the trail's southern terminal. You can camp right on the beach at Chin Beach, Bear Beach, and Sombrio Beach, though make sure to check the tidal charts so the waves don't intrude on your tent in the middle of the night.

Juan de Fuca sometimes experiences storm damage and temporary trail closures. For more information, check the BC Parks website. Go over your bear safety before taking on the multi-day hike.

The Land of the Living Skies has many natural wonders and surprising camping experiences for backcountry campers. In Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park, camp and enjoy views of the prairies, rolling badlands, kayaking on the river, and other camping activities. In the remote backcountry of the Grasslands, it’s highly possible to set up camp in a spot with no other humans nearby. Many people also visit for wildlife spotting, especially for the roaming bison. 

Grasslands is one of the two national parks in Saskatchewan. Visit Parks Canada for more information on camping reservations and backcountry camping.

Camp in Canada for close-up experiences in nature

Stepping into the wilds of Canada may just be the vacation you never knew you were missing. Use this list of the best camping in Canada to get inspired for your next camping trip.