Mixed bag for parks as limited camping opportunities return

Jun 03, 2020

For the staff, backcountry camping enthusiasts and the Friends of Frontenac Park, it is like Christmas has come at last. As of June 1st, canoe and hike in camping at the 48 sites in the Park is a go. Many of the sites had already been booked for weekends in June, and throughout the week, as well in July and August, but sites are still available for booking now, and booking is open both online at the Ontario Parks site, or by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK.

Trails and other amenities in the park, which were open and free to use during the recent provincial lockdown, are still open but park fees for day use now apply,

North Frontenac Parklands, which is run by North Frontenac Township on crown land that they manage under a land use permit with the Province of Ontario, is also open for campers as of this week. There are 184 sites in the parklands, and most are accessible only by boat, on some of the iconic North Frontenac Lakes.

Trails in Frontenac Parklands are also open. For information and booking, go to northfrontenacparklands.ca.

The news is not as good for the staff, regular campers and the Friends of Bon Echo Park, which straddles the Frontenac and Lennox and Addington border on Hwy. 41, north of Cloyne.

Although Park officials are happy that the 25 canoe sites on Joeperry and Pearson Lakes, and 5 hike-in sites on the Abes and Essens hiking trail are open and available to book, over 500 car camping sites and the cabins and yurt in the park are not available as of yet.

Like everything else in the Province, Bon Echo Park fans, and dozens of businesses on the hwy 41 corridor and along Road 506, are hopeful that the green light for car camping comes sooner than later.

Sharbot Lake and Silver Lake Provincial Parks, with over 150 and over 100 car camping sites respectively, remain closed at this point.

Campsites run by Conservation Authorities, and private campgrounds for tents and trailers, remain closed.