Winter in Ontario turns the outdoors into something out of a postcard — pine trees wrapped in snow, frozen lakes you can walk across, and the kind of silence you never find in city life. If you've ever thought that camping is only for summer, winter has a way of proving you wrong.
There are two very different — but equally magical — ways to experience winter camping in Ontario:
1) Tent winter camping
2) Roofed winter accommodation (yurts, cabins, cottages)
This guide covers both. We’ll compare them, share which Ontario Parks are open in winter, explain how bookings work, and pass along tips that make winter trips safe, comfortable, and memorable.
Tent Winter Camping
The classic — though more advanced — winter camping experience
Tent winter camping attracts people who want the full outdoor experience. You sleep outside, cook outside, wake up to frosted trees, and feel like you’ve stepped into a different world.
It’s also quieter than summer camping — and the parks are blissfully peaceful.
That said, staying warm and comfortable requires proper equipment. Nights often drop well below freezing, so a good sleep system is essential.
Which Ontario Parks allow winter tent camping?
Several parks keep their campgrounds open all winter. Some of the most beginner-friendly options are:
-
Algonquin – Mew Lake
-
Arrowhead
-
MacGregor Point
-
Pinery
-
Killarney
-
Silent Lake
You can book winter tent sites just like summer ones — through the Ontario Parks reservation website.
Our Winter Camping Package for Tent Camping
To make tent winter camping accessible without buying specialized gear, we offer a complete Winter Camping Package for One or Winter Camping Package for Two. It includes a four-season insulated tent, sleeping bags rated to –18°C, sleeping pads and cots, lighting, cooking gear, a stove with fuel, and all the cookware you’ll need. It’s everything required to stay warm and safe, tested in real Ontario conditions.
Check our winter collection of rental camping gear
Tips for a great tent winter trip
- Arrive before dark so you have time to set up.
- Pre-heat your sleeping bag by putting a hot water bottle inside 10 minutes before bed.
- Keep your water bottle upside down so the cap doesn’t freeze first.
- Crack a vent in the tent overnight to prevent condensation — it sounds counterintuitive, but it works.
- And if you’re walking to a site from the parking area, bring a sled. It makes hauling gear a breeze.
- For extra comfort, hand and body warmers (available on our website) provide quick, lasting heat — perfect for gloves, pockets, or boots.
Stay safe
We do not rent or recommend propane or electrical heaters for tents or enclosed shelters.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless, silent, and deadly — even small heaters can pose a serious risk.
Instead, we recommend focusing on insulation, layering, and high-quality sleeping systems to keep you warm safely.
Roofed Winter Accommodations
For people who want to enjoy winter days outside and return to warmth and comfort at night.
Yurts, cabins, and cottages offer a very different style of winter camping — equally outdoorsy, but much cozier. You explore the snow all day and then come back to a heated space with real beds and lights. Many families with young kids start here, and so do a lot of beginners.
What types of roofed stays are available?
Across Ontario Parks, you’ll find three main options:
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Yurts — heated circular shelters with bunk beds and wood or electric heat
-
Rustic cabins — insulated indoor spaces with electric heat and simple furnishings
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Cottages — similar to cabins but with indoor washrooms and kitchens
Which parks have roofed accommodations in winter?
Some of the most popular winter parks with heated units include:
-
Arrowhead
-
Algonquin – Mew Lake
-
MacGregor Point
-
Killarney
-
Silent Lake
-
Pinery
-
Sandbanks
-
Sleeping Giant
-
Quetico
Most of these book quickly for weekends and holidays — and many have a minimum two-night stay, so it’s worth planning ahead.
Quick tip: You can always find the pictures of roofed accommodations on Ontario Parks reservation website once you enter your dates and select the park.
Our Winter Cabin Escape Packages
Because roofed stays already provide beds and roof over your head, we designed a package specifically for cabins, yurts, and cottages. It includes warm sleeping bags, pillows, lighting, chairs, a stove with fuel, a coffee press, a cooler, and a full cooking setup. Everything you need to walk into a warm cabin and enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort.
You can find all of our Winter Cabin Escape Packages here.
Tips for your roofed winter trip
Pack indoor clothing like cozy sweaters and slippers — nothing feels better after a snowy hike. Bring games or books for long winter evenings, and don’t skip the firepit just because it’s winter. Winter campfires are unforgettable — the sparks look like fireflies against the snow.
So, which one is “better”?
There’s no wrong answer — only personal preference.
If you’re dreaming of waking up in a snow-covered forest and boiling water on a camp stove at sunrise, tent winter camping will make you feel alive.
If you want crisp winter days and cozy evenings with hot chocolate and board games, a heated cabin or yurt is pure happiness.
The main thing is simply getting out there. Winter camping opens up a completely different side of Ontario — quieter, calmer, and more magical than most people ever experience.
Best Ontario Parks for Beginners
If you’re new to winter camping, start where facilities and comfort are close by:
- Arrowhead: groomed ski trails, heated cabins, and famous skating loop.
- MacGregor Point: beginner-friendly yurts and a magical forest skating trail.
- Silent Lake: peaceful cabins, perfect for your first snowshoe trip.
All three are within 3 hours of Toronto and offer easy access for new adventurers.
What to Do: Winter Activities Across Ontario Parks
Winter camping isn’t just about sleeping in the forrest — it’s about playing in the snow. From skating trails to snowshoeing and tobogganing, here’s what each open park offers this season:
|
Park |
Cross-Country Skiing |
Snowshoeing |
Skating Trail |
Tobogganing / Snow Tubing |
Winter Hiking |
Downhill / Family Activities |
|
Algonquin – Mew Lake |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
Wildlife watching, stargazing |
|
Arrowhead |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
Kids’ tubing hill |
|
Killarney |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
Guided snowshoe hikes |
|
MacGregor Point |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
Bird watching, photography |
|
Pinery |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
Sand dune trails |
|
Silent Lake |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
Great for quiet family walks |
|
Sandbanks |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
Winter beach hikes |
|
Sleeping Giant |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
Panoramic lookouts |
|
Quetico |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
True wilderness experience |
|
Bruce Peninsula (National) |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
Ice-capped shoreline views |
|
Point Pelee (National) |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
Birding and frozen marsh walks |
We also rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, heavy-duty snow tubes, and snow sleds with brakes (launching on the website soon) — perfect for exploring or safe family fun in Ontario’s winter parks.
We’re here for whatever winter adventure you choose
Whether your ideal winter trip involves a 4-season tent under the stars or a warm cabin surrounded by snow-covered pines, our winter bundles are designed to make the experience easy, safe, and memorable.
If you ever need help choosing a park, figuring out what to pack, or deciding which package is right for your group, just reach out. We love helping people discover how special winter camping can be.