The best camping near Aaron Provincial Park

Set on the shores of Thunder Lake, Aaron Provincial Park is a pretty place to pitch a tent or park up your RV for a few nights and offers a range of amenities. The lake is fairly shallow with swimming beaches, and perfect for swimming or paddling (you can rent canoes and kayaks at the park office). The park has one campground with nearly 100 generously sized campsites (a third with electrical hookup) and has one group campsite that accommodates up to 50 people. Fishing the lake is popular, and there are two short hikes at the park.

1. Because it’s located just off the highway on the major route linking Ontario and Manitoba, this park can be quite popular in the summer months. Book in advance using the Ontario Parks online booking system or by calling the park.
2. Campsites that back directly onto the lake often book out fast. All sites are reservable in advance, but you may still be able to nab a site just by showing up.

Aaron Provincial Park is only open from mid-May to mid-September. Earlier in the season, the lake can still be chilly, so it’s best to go toward the end of July onwards for swimming. Summers in this area are typically warm and sunny, though it can start to cool off fast by the time the park closes. Many of the small towns and cities in this area have a fun schedule of summer festivals.

• If you’re a light sleeper, the hum of the nearby highway or train going by in the early hours may be too much. Pack a set of earplugs. 
• The park has a store where you can pick up firewood, camp supplies, ice, souvenirs, and Ontario Parks clothing. 
• Staying here puts you close to Dryden, a small city with restaurants, stores, and the almost six-metre-high Max the Moose sculpture. It’s an essential photo stop. 
• Black flies and mosquitoes in northern Ontario can be brutal, so be sure to pack plenty of bug spray when staying at any park in this area.