At least 76 of Ontario’s 110 provincial parks offer at least one accessible campsite—and many have two or more, alongside other features to make an outdoor experience barrier-free. While accessible camping may look different for everyone, Ontario Parks considers a barrier-free campsite to have level ground (to and from the site), a nearby water source and/or comfort station, a 25-cm high campfire pit, a level parking spot, and an accessible picnic table.
If you don’t have a tent or can’t use one, there are a number of accessible roofed accommodations at various parks with level ground or ramps around them. Many parks are looking to be more inclusive—such as main offices, entrance booths, and activity centres—by changing or removing existing barriers. Though there are many parks for accessible camping, these specific places have features to keep on your radar:
Finlayson Point Provincial Park near Temagami
Accessible campsite and cabin
We highlighted Finlayson in a recent piece about hidden gem parks throughout the province. In addition to being a beautiful, quieter option in Northern Ontario (it’s about two hours from Sudbury), Finlayson offers an accessible campsite and roofed accommodation with the rustic Temagami Fire Cabin.
Windy Lake Provincial Park near Sudbury
Two accessible campsites, accessible yurt
Yurts are a unique way to have an accessible camping experience while still being sheltered from the elements, and Windy Lake offers an option in addition to its two campsites. If you’re visiting for the day, one of the accessible day-use areas also has a private rental section so that you can secure your spot.
Pinery Provincial Park near Grand Bend
Four accessible campsites, two accessible yurts
Pinery is an excellent all-around choice for an accessible outdoor trip, with four barrier-free campsites and two barrier-free yurts. The park’s visitor centre, outdoor theatre, equipment rental building, and canoe dock are also accessible, in addition to a few beautiful trails.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park near Port Elgin
Two accessible campsites, accessible yurt
This underrated park near the lovely community of Port Elgin has an accessible yurt and two sites in its Algonquin Campground. The comfort stations, visitor’s centre, and the popular Huron Fringe Trail are also barrier-free.
Bonnechere Provincial Park near Killaloe
Accessible campsite
A gem in the Ottawa Valley, Bonnechere may only have one accessible campsite but almost every structure and feature—from the park office to each picnic table—is accessible and wheelchair friendly.
Awenda Provincial Park near Midland
Six accessible campsites
Each one of the campgrounds at Awenda has a barrier-free site, leaving six great options for accessible camping. All comfort stations and stand-alone washrooms are accessible, as is the park’s amphitheatre (where they run great summer interpretive programs).
Bronte Creek Provincial Park near Oakville
Two accessible campsites
An easy-to-get-to option in the GTA, Bronte Creek has two barrier-free sites available, and all of their washroom facilities are accessible, as is the popular Maiden’s Blush trail, which is incredibly gorgeous when the fall colours hit.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Five accessible campsites
As one of the province’s biggest and most popular parks, it’s always a good idea to check out Algonquin as an option for any outdoor adventure. Five of its campgrounds have accessible sites and adjacent washroom facilities. The Logging Museum and East Beach Pavillion also have accessible washrooms.
Looking for more information on barrier-free access to the outdoors? Check out these accessible hiking trails.
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