The best camping near Rock Point Provincial Park

Over 350 million years ago, Rock Point Provincial Park was a giant coral reef. Today, fossils are embedded into a limestone shelf on the beach, where visitors can spend hours combing the area for shells and fossils. Only a two-hour drive from Toronto, the park is a unique combination of wetland, Carolinian forest, and sand dunes—and it’s also a beacon for monarch butterflies on their way down to Mexico during their migration. With 177 campsites, a playground, and tall grass that acts as a natural noise buffer between sites, the park is a solid camping option and especially popular among families.

• Best for larger trailers: The Kinsey and Niece campgrounds have electrical outlets and are suitable for large trailers in addition to tents.
• Best for scenic views: Sites 1 to 7 are a short walk to the Woodlot Hiking Trail and the lookout point platform to view coral reef fossils.

1. Ontario Parks takes online booking reservations up to five months in advance of each arrival date.
2. As this park is near Toronto and Niagara Falls, holiday weekends fill quickly with families.
3. If you have trouble scoring a campsite, consider going farther west to Port Bruce Provincial Park or north to Mono Cliffs Provincial Park.

This summer-only park is typically open from May 14 until October 12. Mosquitoes, black flies, and deer flies love campers in early spring, so be prepared. To celebrate the annual migration of the some 3,000 monarch butterflies that stop here in fall, Rock Point hosts special migration festivals. Fall is also a quiet time in the park to take in the colourful autumn foliage. 

• The day-use area is set up with picnic tables and barbecues for rent.
• Bikes are available for rent in the park.
• The park store sells souvenirs and basic sundries, but it’s best to buy groceries before arriving.
• The beach’s west end is dog-friendly.
• Bring water shoes for kids, as the pebble beach can be pretty slippery.