Discover the best campgrounds in Manitoulin Island with swimming

Canada
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Ontario
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Manitoulin Island

92% (40 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Manitoulin Island

Dog-friendly getaways

7 top campgrounds in Manitoulin Island with swimming

95%

(19)

100 Acres Wood

6 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Elliot Lake, ON

We moved here 5 yrs ago and love it! Been working on upgrading and fixing just about everything. We live off-grid, but have solar power and a generator. We have a big garden and orchard. 2 of our tent sites are close to the house and outhouse, 150ft or so. I process firewood and do handyman work, while the mrs. works from home on the computer, so there is always someone here if we're needed. If need be you can charge you cell phones from our house. We will try to accomodate guests needs whatever they may be. Learn more about this land: Welcome to Red Pine Forest, located on Manitoulin Island! We have 4 campsites available for tents or 2 for RVs. We have 100 acres of mixed conifers, including red and white pine. The property boasts a vast variety of flora and fauna, including deer, grouse, porcupine, reptiles like salamanders, hummingbirds and songbirds along with the usual woodland critters, so bring your camera! It is also possible to spot black bears, coyotes, lynx and bobcats. There is a large common fire pit on the property. There is a newer cedar outhouse located near 2 of the tenting sites. You are welcome to walk our trails which can be quite rugged at times, with many alvars and unique flora. There are many beautiful lakes nearby to explore, kayak and fish. You can pitch a hammock under massive pines if you like. Misery Bay Provincial Park is 10 minutes away. There are 2 native reserves nearby that offer the world's largest drum and dream catcher. Locals are friendly and our resident woodworker has some beautiful carvings to see. It is fairly quiet and peaceful, as we are not on the highway. If you time it right you may find mushrooms, or wild strawberries and raspberries. There is a local diner 5 mins away. There is a local market on Saturdays to explore. We are 420 friendly. Please have a look at our extras below! If interested, add them on to your reservation at the time of booking. We look forward to hosting you!

Cathedral Forests

1 site · Tent112 acres · Tehkummah, ON

The Stone Hedge camping spot is located on a beautiful 112 acre property, a 7 minute drive from Tehkummah town centre, and 15 minutes from the ferry. The ecosystem includes mature sugar maple forest, evergreen forest, Niagara escarpment and the river Manitou running through it. There are also numerous maintained well-marked trails to explore. You can find a map of the property with trails among the photos of this listing.

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.

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.🙂

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.

100%

(5)

Anokawen on the Alvar

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Gordon/Barrie Island, ON

Anokawen on the Alvar is a beautiful, secluded and private property located about 10 minutes south of Gore Bay. A woodland alvar set amongst the trees in a mixed forest of evergreens Cedar, Pine, Fir and Spruce interspersed with Maple, Oak and Birch. The Black Birch Yurt is an inviting space to unwind, unplug and wake up to the sounds of the birds after enjoying the stars on a clear night.

Sweet Oasis

1 site · RV2 acres · South Baymouth, ON

Living close to Georgian Bay, I’ve always wanted a waterfront property and I always believed in my heart that I will be blessed with one someday. After our family’s first camping trip to Manitoulin Island, my husband and I fell in love with “Spirit Island” and decided to find our own special place. Around Thanksgiving weekend of 2019, after several trips back and viewing a dozen properties, our search for a land was finally over and our wish came true. God was and is indeed faithful and in His own sweet time, has blessed us with a beautiful land. It has been quite a journey and with God’s grace, our place has been such a Sweet Oasis! It is our hope and prayer that we can share our blessings of this land to everyone who loves nature and respect God’s awesome creations! 🙂💕

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Manitoulin Island with swimming 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.