Are you looking for places to go camping in Canada with your kids?
One of the best things you can do with your kids is to take them camping. It is usually a pretty cost-effective vacation idea, and kids love spending time outside. The family memories made camping in Canada with your kids will last a lifetime.
Kids usually love camping, they love being in nature and running around in the wild. So here are some of the best recommendations for great campgrounds in Canada for families.
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Best Places to Go Camping in Canada with Kids
We’ve listed good camping spots in Canada, from RV campgrounds to tent campgrounds. Most of our recommendations are located in only places from national parks to provincial parks.
✍️ Thank you Candice from CS Ginger for this amazing list of camping spots across Canada.
✈️ Plan Your Camping Trip to Canada: Tips & Tricks ✈️
Get Your Entry Pass
Parks Canada for national parks and most provincial parks across Canada require entrance fees for day use and camping. Those passes can be purchase in advance or at destination.
Book in Advance
If you’re planning to camp in the summertime in a Parks Canada campground, it’s important to book early in the year, as soon as the reservation are opening. Campsites in national parks fill up pretty quickly.
Download a Few Apps to Help You Plan
Harvest Hosts is a great membership app for finding unique camping stays in farms, wineries and more. The GoWhee app is the perfect app for finding fun kid-friendly activities along the way.
Need Help Planning Your Camping Trip
Let me help you plan your custom itinerary.
1. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Gros Morne National Park is located in western Newfoundland and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Gros Morne National Park, which is considered one of the world’s greatest national treasures.
The park is split into two sections. It has a Northern section and a Southern section. The Northern section is the most frequented and has visitor centers but don’t let that stop you from visiting the Southern portion of the park.
Both parts of the park are great and can be something for every age. Hiking along the earth’s mantle is something very unique to the Gros Morne National Park.
Gros Morne National Park offers 236 campsites at five different campgrounds, all operated by Parks Canada. There are options for tents, trailer and recreation vehicles, but two of the campgrounds are un-serviced (no electrical hook-ups).
2. Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
The Fundy National Park is a wonder to behold, with staggeringly beautiful ocean cliffs in an area that can have tides of up to 53 feet. This is a must-see family destination in Eastern Canada where you can explore trails and sea caves, swim, or kayak.
Your kids will love walking around the sea rocks, also known as flowerpot rocks for the amazing green trees that cover the top. There are many trails to explore and experience.
If you are looking for something really adventurous, you can check out Cape Enrage and rappel down the cliffs almost 150 feet below or zipline on the 600-foot zip line by the Cape Hours Restaurant. Your kids are in for a fun time at the Fundy National Park.
Fundy National Park has five front country campgrounds (including some with full hook ups – electrical, sewer and water) in addition to oTENTIK and Oasis glamping options.
3. Kettle River Recreation Area, British Columbia
Kettle River Recreational Area is a great location for those who are interested in history. It’s located in Southern BC, 30 minutes away east of Osoyoos and 90 minites southeast of Kelowna. The campground in Kettle Valley has an old section of the Canadian Pacific Railway through it where you can bike or walk the scenic route.
The Kettle River is a great place for those who enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Make sure you don’t forget your hammock with a stand or your camp chairs for kids. Your kids will love to sit in front of a nice warm fire relaxing from an eventful day.
The Kettle River Recreation Area has 114 campsites available.
4. Mount Carleton Provincial Park, New Brunswick
Mount Carleton is a pristine area for every age explorer. It is 42,000 acres provincial parks and has multiple campsites in 4 different campgrounds. They offer RV and tent campgrounds as well as 2 heritage cabin sites. Kids will love seeing over 100 different bird species and an abundance of other animals.
There are trails for all at Mount Carleton. You will find everything from difficult hikes to trails that are accessible from a wheelchair. You can check trails reports and details on the AllTrails app.
After a day of hiking with the kids, make sure you look into the sky to gaze at the abundance of stars, as the park has minimal light pollution keeping the sky dark at night for those who love to search for the stars and planets
5. Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
Riding Mountain National Park is a destination for every season. If you love exploring the mountains in the sun or enjoy the crisp winter months where you can ice fish and enjoy the snow-covered area, your kids will enjoy Riding Mountain.
This is a destination where you can stay for hours, days, or even a week. This national parks has great amenities for your stay. You will be able to find a relaxing and established area for camping that is not too far away from a great scoop of ice cream or a fun festival.
Riding Mountain National Park has 5 campgrounds from un-serviced tent only to full hook ups for a total of more than 450 campsites. There also have a few oTENTiks glamping options.
6. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Waterton Lakes National Park is a must-see for those who love beauty and wonder. You will be able to explore the mountains, trails, and cool lakes that this national park has to offer.
Your kids will enjoy hiking along the trails or riding bikes in the beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park.
Some of the most popular areas to see are the Red Rock Canyon or the Belly River Valley, where you can explore unique wildlife and soak in amazingly beautiful views.
The Parks Canada operated campground is located in the heart of the Waterton Townsite. The campground offers 237 sites, some of which are fully serviced. It’s the perfect place for RVs or for families wanting to explore as much as the area by foot.
The campground is rally well located and is walking distance to Upper Waterton Lake, Cameron Falls and the townsite amenities.
7. Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia
If you are looking for a mix of exciting adventure with amazing scenery, then Pacific Rim National Park is the place to go. With multiple different activities available in this national park, your family will never get bored exploring all that it has to offer.
The Pacific Rim National Park is located on Vancouver Island, just outside the town of Tofino. It’s a 4 to 5 hour drive from Victoria.
You can spend days hiking along beautiful beaches searching for sea life or take an amazing surf class with your kids.
There are also lots of opportunities to learn more about the local wildlife and history, as there are plenty of educational events and guided tours available throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a relaxing retreat or an active adventure, Pacific Rim National Park has something for everyone.
Green Point Campground in the Long Beach area has drive-in and walk-in sites as well as new accommodation options (oTENTiks). It’s a unique spot for camping in BC, Canada
8. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta
If you are looking for a great destination that offers a blend of adventure, relaxation, and beautiful scenery, then Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is the perfect place to go. Note that a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to enter the area.
This provincial park is located in the Kananaskis Country at the foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There are multiple options for front country and backcountry camping in Alberta, Canada, and Peter Lougheed is one of the best campgrounds near Banff if you’re looking for less crowds.
There are multiple different activities available in this park, from hiking and biking to canoeing or kayaking on the lakes. Your kids will love exploring all that it has to offer. Our favorite family hikes in the area are:
- Arethusa Cirque Route
- Pocaterra Cirque
- Blackshale Suspension Bridge
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a really popular destination in the fall for the larch season.
Whether you are looking for an exciting day trip or a fun family camping getaway, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park has something for everyone.
9. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Highlands National Park has endless opportunities to explore nature, hike along scenic trails, or take in breathtaking views from one of the lookouts. And camping is one of the best ways to truly experience and appreciate the park.
There are seven front country campgrounds with more than 450 camping sites.
Some of the best places to explore in Cape Brenton Highlands National Park include the following:
1. The Skyline Trail offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
2. The Cabot Trail winds its way through the park and provides ample opportunity to view wildlife and take in the natural beauty of the area. The drive is about 5 hours if you don’t make many stops, but you should make stops and check out the sweet towns you will pass.
3. Search for the abundance of wildlife in the area because it is one of the best areas to find moose, lynx, owls, and mink whales.
4. Lone Shieling Loop is a great easy trail for those who don’t want to go too far, and it is an easy hike.
Whether you are looking for a thrilling day of adventure or a relaxing weekend in nature, Cape Breton Highlands National Park is the perfect destination.
10. Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon
Kluane National Park and Reserve is a must-visit destination for those who love nature and the outdoors. This stunning park has miles of beautiful hiking trails, incredible lookouts, and abundant wildlife, making it the perfect place to spend hours exploring the beauty of nature.
The Kluane National Park is home to many of Canada’s tallest mountains. This park also includes Mount Logan, which is the tallest peak in Canada. There are lots of animals like Dall sheep, wolves, caribou, mountain goats, and bears.
Often you can watch the animals from the visitor center or near the side of the roads. If you go during the right season, you can see the Dall sheep grazing. If you are a family looking for intense hikes to a glacier or a family wanting beautiful views, then Kluane National Park and Reserve is the perfect destination for you.
Kathleen Lake Campground has 38 sites with tap water. It’s the only front country campground easily accessible by car. In the summertime, you can experience the midnight sun from your tent.
11. Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Saskatchewan
Moose Mountain Provincial Park is located in the province of Saskatchewan you will take Highway 11 from Saskatoon. The park is about an hour and a half drive from the city, and the closest airport is also in Saskatoon.
This park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels, with plenty of hiking trails and scenic lookouts to explore. Whether you are looking for an easy stroll through the woods or an intense climb up the mountains, Moose Mountain Provincial Park has something for everyone.
In addition to its beautiful natural scenery, Moose Mountain Provincial Park is also home to many different species of wildlife. You may see moose grazing in the meadows or watch eagles soaring high above you.
The area is great for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and exploring the history and beautiful flower gardens around the lake. In general, Camping is available from May to the end of September, so make sure your camping plans are in that time frame. If you want to visit outside of those days, you can try out the resort.
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, then make sure to add Moose Mountain Provincial Park to your travel list. It is a great place to experience the beauty
12. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Grasslands National Park is a sprawling wilderness area located in the province of Saskatchewan. This stunning park offers visitors the opportunity to explore miles of hiking trails, admire sweeping vistas from scenic lookouts, and experience the beauty of nature up close.
The Grasslands National Park is one of the dark sky preserves. This means Canada does its best to keep light pollution in the area to a minimum and dark sky preserves are great for those who love astronomy.
The Grasslands National Park is known as the darkest of the dark sky preserves in Canada. Here, you can marvel at the stars and planets in the night sky like never before. Whether you are an amateur astronomer or simply a nature lover looking for a unique outdoor experience, Grasslands National Park is one destination you won’t want to miss.
13. Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the premier outdoor destinations in Ontario and a must-visit for those who love nature. It’s a perfect stop on a Northern Ontario road trip. This vast park offers miles of stunning hiking trails, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, and abundant wildlife, making it the perfect place to spend hours exploring and connecting with nature.
If you want to hike for hours through the backcountry or simply set up camp and soak in the beauty of your surroundings, Algonquin Provincial Park is sure to impress.
There are thousands of lakes that you can explore by paddling or by hiking. There are 14 interpretive trials and 8 different campgrounds, with the area offering different park events throughout the year and a fabulous location to see the fall leaves changing colors.
FAQ: Places to Go Camping in Canada with Kids
Where can I camp with kids in Ontario?
Canada is full of places to camp with kids. We have written about 13 fantastic locations to camp with your kids, and there are hundreds of more great locations to camp with your kids. Don’t be afraid to get outdoors with your kids and go camping.
Be sure to pack some road trip toys to keep everyone happy and entertained along the way. It will get your camping trip with kids in Ontario off on the right start.
What are the most important things to bring when camping with kids?
There are a few items that you will need to bring with you when camping with kids, no matter the time of year you are going. These items include a tent, sleeping bags, and of course, food and water. Your kids will also appreciate having a good camping chair.
A few other items that are important are a cook stove to cook food and proper clothing. Make sure your kids have appropriate shoes for the weather also. As you get out more with your family, you will find things that make each experience better.
If you are looking for a gift for your friends who love camping, check out this RV gift guide.
The most important thing when camping is being prepared for the weather and keeping snacks and food around.
Can you camp with a 3-year-old?
Yes, you can camp with a 3-year-old. The earlier you start adventuring together as a family, the more fun you will have. Often people go out one time and have a poor experience and quit.
Don’t quit adventuring from one bad experience. Learn from each adventure and spend time with your family outdoors at all ages.
Conclusion: Places to Go Camping in Canada With Kids
Spending time outdoors with your family and connecting with nature is a great way to spend a summer, spring, or fall. There are plenty of wonderful locations in Canada that are perfect for camping with kids. So be sure to do your research, pack the right gear, and get out there and explore!
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.