Domes near Kitchener

Kitchener is best known for its massive Oktoberfest celebrations with its twin city Waterloo, but there’s a lot more to this little city. Just a few minutes away, you can enjoy the Stratford Festival, with a variety of theatrical offerings including some of Shakespeare’s best. Just north of town is the Mennonite settlement of St. Jacobs, where city dwellers go to buy amazing quilts and other artisanal items. The surrounding countryside and nature reserves make for a laidback escape.

Close to Town

If staying near Kitchener is your priority, a number of private campgrounds are available just outside of the city. Laurel Creek Conservation Area is the one public campground in Waterloo.

Conservation Areas

A few of the conservation areas managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority have seasonal campgrounds. Elora Gorge is particularly popular with families for the experience of tubing down the gorge, while Guelph Lake, Conestogo, and Pinehurst also offer camping.

Near Stratford

If you’re planning to visit the Stratford Festival, there are a couple of campgrounds between Kitchener and Stratford, some with tent and RV sites as well as cabins. You may be able to find some beachfront campsites.

Most of the camping options near Kitchener are seasonal, operating between May and October. Campgrounds often have lower rates in May and from after Labour Day until they close for the season. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest runs for nine days in late September and early October, when there may still be some campgrounds open.

• With St. Jacobs being home to a Mennonite community, you may find yourself sharing the road with horse-drawn buggies in the surrounding areas. Give them plenty of space.
• Kitchener-Waterloo has two universities, so even when it’s not time for Oktoberfest, there can be rowdy students around town.
• GO Transit commuter trains connect Kitchener and Toronto with hourly (and often more frequent) service. Even if you don’t have a vehicle, reaching Kitchener is easy.
• When the large student population leaves for the summer (from May through August) the city becomes much more relaxed and quiet, but popular summer spots like the Elora Gorge get crowded on weekends.

For an enriching nature retreat, camping near Rockwood Conservation Area is ideal. The Rockwood camping experience combines tranquil forest trails, mesmerizing limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, promising a truly invigorating outdoor adventure.