Lake Camping in Manitoulin Island, Ontario: Best Lake Campsites 2025

Canada
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Ontario
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Manitoulin Island

91% (80 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Manitoulin Island

7 top lakeside campgrounds in Manitoulin Island

Dog-friendly getaways

78%

(9)

Tent Camping by the Lake.

1 site · Tent300 acres · Little Current, ON

Learn more about this land: Come camp on the rocky shores of Long Lake. It is a private location surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Ontario. You will be surrounded by the water and forest. It is a perfect spot to pitch a tent and get back to nature! You can pitch your tent very close to the water or choose to camp in the beautiful open field! Please be advised that the road in requires your vehicle to have some room for clearance. You will be immersed in nature but still less than 10 minutes from a small town with amenities such as a gas station, grocery store, and restaurants. The area is known for its hunting and fishing, agriculture, and friendly residents. Looking forward to hosting you! Please note, we require 24 hours notice for all bookings. Thanks.

Almost Paradise

3 sites · Lodging1 acre · Blind River, ON

Welcome to Almost Paradise in Northern Ontario. We are 15 minutes off the Trans Canada highway, north of Blind River. 5-6 hours northwest of Toronto and 9 hours east of Thunder Bay, between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury. Looking for a wilderness get away or just driving through? We can accommodate. Need internet? We have Starlink!. We also have star gazing and sunsets! As a new camp spot, upgrades at Almost Paradise are ongoing, including renovations to make a house into a cottage. Our 4 season camper, equipped with a woodstove is also now back at Almost Paradise and is available again for those that need accommodations and want a rustic and cozy option. Backwater Paradise was flooded out from a very wet spring and Almost Paradise was created as a backup. We have a new seasonal shower unit at this location, available to all our campers. Check out our extras!! We have 1 tent site, 1 RV site and a 4 season camp with an extra 4 person dome tent to accommodate extra people. This past winter was very forgiving and gave us the opportunity to work on a new bush trail at Backwater Paradise, for visiting nature lovers and plan on keeping it useable in winter. The trail is available to all our campers. . Some is lakefront and some is marsh. There is seasonal berries everywhere here. Please bring binoculars!! Almost Paradise has all of the same benefits as Backwater Paradise campers and just across the road. Including use of the lake, and the nature trail to Left Field and all of the extras. (eggs, firewood sales, shower and paddle boat) In Lake Hope there is plenty of bass and pike to keep a fisher and kid fishers busy. Common gear will work here and strongly recommend using wire swivel leaders. We promote 'lake 2 plate' principles and if you need anything let us know!! All campers have use of the water front no matter where your site is. On the shore of the lake front is a very large common area with firepit and a picnic table to enjoy the water and the shoreline. Lately a family of geese have been frequent visitors over there. We host fires Friday and Saturday nights weather permitting at this location. Almost Paradise has a gravel driveway and slopes towards the lake so you still get a good view of the lake. The driveway is the best spot for an RV. Our Muscovy ducks are at Almost Paradise, beside the camping. They are quiet but funny looking 😊 The next property over is our farm, where we free range our chickens and ducks with 2 livestock guardian dogs. Fresh eggs are available.

Sweet Oasis

1 site · RV2 acres · South Baymouth, ON

Sweet Oasis is a private camping getaway. Tranquil & serene campsite provides you with a beautiful waterfront view. RV-only campsite (dry camping). Forest, mature trees, birds & wildlife. Enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, biking, campfires & little adventures. Sweet memories await you.🙂

Backwater Paradise

13 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Blind River, ON

Welcome to Backwater Paradise in Northern Ontario. We are 15 minutes north off Trans Canada Highway, Blind River. 5-6 hours northwest of Toronto and 9 hours east of Thunder Bay, between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury. Looking for a wilderness get away or just driving through? We can accommodate. Backwater Paradise has possibilities for several camping styles. whether you bring your own RV, easy tenting or choose to go deep and experience raw wilderness/survival in our Left Field. There is a water tower providing utility water for washing or extinguishing camp fires. We have a quiet atmosphere for new and savvy nature lovers. s. There are no lights on this lake which makes it perfect for star gazing. The main entrance is very well marked and leads to the lake. This is where we host RV sites and tent sites. All nature watchers and sky gazers will enjoy the spaces we have here. Moose, bald eagles. wolves, otters, beavers, bears, owls and several migratory birds are common visitors. You will get to hear whippoorwills, several species of frogs, crickets, and sometimes wolves/coyotes at night. It is very important that pets be kept on a leash. In the lake there is plenty of bass and pike to keep a fisher and kid fishers busy. Common gear will work here and strongly recommend using wire swivel leaders. We promote 'lake 2 plate' principles and if you need anything let us know!! All campers have use of the water front no matter where your site is. On the shore of the lake front is a very large common area and firepit and picnic tables for everyone to access and enjoy the water and the shoreline. We host fires Friday and Saturday nights weather permitting at this location. There are several firepit rings to allow campers to have their own camp fire and we sell hardwood. We also have a paddle boat rental. There is 30 acres of mixed forest, lake and marsh, and now we are able to be open year round. You will notice that some of the photos have brown for grass. Those are earlier pictures of when we first opened. All of our expanded areas are like that at first, and things have changed a lot over the last 4 years and, will continue to have "unkempt" areas as we continue to expand. Our newest listings this year are called Almost Paradise (shower unit) and more recently Rootbound Ranch (camping for those travelling with livestock or horses.) This also available for those that like to stay at a farm. If Backwater Paradise is full, you can enjoy the same attributes just across the road at Almost Paradise. Another site we have is Left Field. Its raw bush and field space in the center. This is where the marsh is. We are also working on a new trail between Backwater Paradise and Left Field and encourage our campers to enjoy the views of both of these spaces. Backwater Paradise can be discovered at 220 Lake Hope Road, Blind River, Ontario

Cedar Shores

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Kagawong, ON

Welcome to our secluded waterfront oasis, a hidden gem nestled on 3 acres of pristine land along the North Channel of Manitoulin Island. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature at our off-the-grid retreat. Our central lodging offers everything you need for a comfortable stay, featuring a spacious cooking area, cozy sleeping quarters, and a relaxing lounging area. On cooler evenings, cozy up by the wood-burning stove, creating a warm and inviting ambiance that beckons you to unwind and relax. With 290 feet of waterfront at your doorstep, fishing enthusiasts of all levels will delight in the abundance of Salmon, Bass, Pike, and Lake Trout awaiting their catch. The crystal-clear waters of the North Channel provide the perfect backdrop for a variety of water sports, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, ensuring endless hours of outdoor adventure and exploration. As night falls, gather around the outdoor fire pit and let the mesmerizing flames dance under the starry sky. Indulge in the simple pleasures of roasting marshmallows, making s'mores, and sharing stories with loved ones, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat or an active outdoor getaway, our waterfront oasis offers the perfect setting for relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. Come and discover the beauty and serenity of Manitoulin Island's North Channel, where every moment is a testament to the wonders of nature. Many great off-site activities are available as well. Picturesque Bridal Vale Falls is only an 8-minute drive away located in Kagawong. In Kagawong you'll find a weekly market, a gallery, a chocolate factory, a nostalgic candy store, and much more. If hiking and breathtaking views are your thing then the 20-minute drive to the Cup and Saucer trail is completely worth the drive. You do not want to miss this opportunity to connect with nature and take a trip back to a simpler time and place on beautiful Manitoulin Island.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping in Manitoulin Island guide

Overview

In the waters of Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the world’s largest freshwater island. Pending the season, campers can hike scenic summer trails around the island’s 100 lakes, snowmobile on winter snow, or fawn over fall foliage and native springtime wildflowers. Visit Misery Bay Provincial Park for birdwatching on a boardwalk, or Meldrum Bay to launch a boat by the historic lighthouse. Then, stop by Manitoulin Eco Park for a spectacle of stars and astronomic beauty. Or travel to Cup and Saucer Nature Reserve, which features 400-million-year-old Silurian deposits and epic cliffs. Campgrounds, cabin rentals, RV parks, and backcountry camping are spread throughout the island, offering amenities like picnic tables, free wifi, dumping stations, fire pits, and 30-amp hookups. With respect to the First Nation lands of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Canada, Manitoulin Island welcomes campers to its sacred beauty, eco-exploration, and nonstop adventure.

Where to go

Misery Bay Provincial Park

Misery Bay is the only active provincial park on Manitoulin Island. Take a day trip to this day-use park to explore its 1.5-km hiking trails, watch native birds, take a stroll on the boardwalk, or eat lunch at picnic tables throughout the area. Or walk the longer 8-km Coastal Alvar Trail Loop, which runs along the shoreline of old glacial beaches. Previously a flat rock sea bottom, Misery Bay now has a unique alvar shoreline with limestone jagged rocks.

Meldrum Bay

On the island’s west end, Meldrum Bay highlights the history of logging and milling on the island. A small local campground with full hookups and a boat launch brings campers to the bay, popular for paddling and sailing along its shores. Meldrum Bay campers can explore the iconic 130-year-old Mississagi Lighthouse, which guards the Mississagi Strait. However, the lighthouse is only accessible in the summer from Victoria Day weekend through the third Saturday of September.

Manitoulin Eco Park

Settle in for stargazing at Manitoulin Eco Park (previously Gordon’s Park), a dark sky preserve on the east end of the island. The forested eco-park provides tent campsites, RV hookups, tipis, bunkies, and “dark sky” camping options with access to eco-friendly showers and washrooms, flush toilets, and a playground. After setting up at a dark sky campsite, lie under the night sky and enjoy the strict no-lights rule, which provides stellar views of the Milky Way or aurora borealis.

Cup and Saucer Nature Reserve

Camp in an Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy site while visiting Cup and Saucer Nature Reserve. Noted as the organization's first reserve, Cup and Saucer spans 354 acres and features cliffs, plateaus, and plenty of plant life along every trail. The Cup and Saucer Trail, located west of Little Current, highlights the area's natural beauty—and the EBC offers a certificate of completion to all who complete it.