Popular Ontario Parks campgrounds such as Algonquin, Killbear and Sandbanks can fill for summer weekends within minutes of opening. The secret is not luck but knowing exactly when your dates become available. Reservations open up to five months before your arrival date, at 7 a.m. Eastern time, through the Ontario Parks reservation system. This guide explains the rules, fees and practical steps, based on Ontario Parks’ published 2026 policies.
At a glance
- Booking window: up to 5 months before your arrival date
- Opening time: 7 a.m. ET
- Book: online at reservations.ontarioparks.ca or by phone at 1-888-668-7275 (1-888-668-PARK)
- 2026 reservation fee: $11.00 online, $13.00 by phone or at a park (HST included)
- Permit holder: 16+ for car camping and backcountry, 21+ for roofed accommodation
- Max per car campsite: 6 people, unless a single family of parents and children
How the five-month booking window works
Ontario Parks lets you reserve up to five months ahead of your arrival date. Its own example: on January 15 you can book a stay that starts June 15. Each morning at 7 a.m. ET, a new arrival date opens. Car campsites can still be booked as late as 9 p.m. on the day of arrival if anything is left.
There is one exception to note. Because some months are shorter than others, arrivals on July 29, 30 and 31 all open together on March 1 at 7 a.m. ET (in a leap year, July 29 opens on February 29).
Count back from your arrival date
- Pick your arrival date (for example, Friday, July 16).
- Subtract five months (February 16).
- Be logged in before 7 a.m. ET that morning.
Because you book by arrival date, a long stay that starts on an earlier date can block weekend sites before weekend-only campers get their chance. That is why some sites appear “taken” on the morning your date opens.
2026 reservation, change and cancellation fees
The fees below apply from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 and include HST, according to Ontario Parks. Camping fees themselves are charged separately and vary by park and site type.
| Fee |
Online |
Call centre or park |
| Reservation fee |
$11.00 |
$13.00 |
| Change fee (minimum) |
$8.50 |
$10.50 |
| Cancellation fee (minimum) |
$8.50 |
$10.50 |
The reservation fee is non-refundable. Additional penalties can apply depending on how close to arrival you change or cancel; see the Ontario Parks penalties page.
Step-by-step: booking a campsite
- Create your account early. Set up your profile, payment card and vehicle details days before your target date.
- Shortlist parks and sites. Use the map to note several acceptable site numbers in two or three campgrounds, including whether you need electrical service or a site close to comfort stations.
- Know your equipment. Site size and type (tent, trailer, RV length) must match your gear.
- Log in before 7 a.m. ET. Have your dates, party size and site list ready.
- Book quickly and check out. Sites are not held until payment is complete.
- Save your confirmation. Bring the permit details and keep an eye on park alerts before you go.
Maximum stays and occupancy
Length of stay
- Car camping: at select busy parks, stays are capped at 7 or 14 nights between July 1 and the Saturday of Labour Day weekend. Otherwise, the limit is 23 consecutive nights.
- Backcountry: 16 consecutive nights per site (shorter at some Killarney sites), with a total itinerary cap of 23 nights.
- Rustic cabins and cottages: 14 consecutive nights.
People per site
- Car campsites: up to 6 people, unless the group is a single family of parents and their children.
- Backcountry: up to 9 people at most sites, but 6 at Bon Echo, Charleston Lake, Frontenac and the Killarney hiking trail.
Car camping, backcountry or day use?
- Car camping: you drive to a campground site with road access, often near washrooms and water. This is the most popular and fastest-selling option.
- Backcountry: you paddle or hike to an interior site. Group limits and stay rules differ, and you book an itinerary rather than a single site.
- Day use: some busy parks also require advance day-use reservations in peak season. Check the park’s page before heading out for a day at the beach.
Roofed accommodation: yurts, cabins and cottages
Some parks rent roofed accommodation. Full payment is due when you book, a security deposit may be charged on arrival, and the permit holder must be at least 21. Smoking and vaping are prohibited, and cooking is not allowed inside yurts.
Changes and cancellations
According to Ontario Parks, reservations cannot be changed or cancelled more than four months before arrival. Inside that period, you can make changes by logging in to your account or by calling 1-888-668-7275. Change or cancellation fees apply, and penalties may increase as your arrival date approaches. If your plans are uncertain, consider booking a shorter stay you are confident about.
Tips for getting a summer site near Toronto
- Be flexible on dates. Sunday-to-Thursday stays are far easier to get than Friday arrivals.
- Look beyond the famous parks. Smaller parks within a few hours of the GTA often have availability when Algonquin and Sandbanks are full.
- Check back for cancellations. Sites reappear as people change plans, especially within the last month.
- Try shoulder seasons. Late May, early June and September are quieter, cheaper on gas and kinder on bugs (in September, at least).
- Plan the drive. Our day trips from Toronto and winter getaways guides include travel times to popular park regions, and our cost of living guide can help you budget for gas and food.
If you are travelling out of province, review your coverage; our article on travel insurance fine print explains what to check.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance can you book Ontario Parks?
Up to five months before your arrival date, starting at 7 a.m. ET.
How much is the Ontario Parks reservation fee in 2026?
$11.00 online or $13.00 through the call centre or at a park, HST included. Camping fees are extra.
How old do you need to be to book a campsite?
The permit holder must be 16 or older for car camping and backcountry, and 21 or older for roofed accommodation.
Can I cancel my Ontario Parks reservation?
Yes, within four months of arrival, subject to a cancellation fee (minimum $8.50 online) and possible penalties. The reservation fee is not refunded.
Fees and rules are set by Ontario Parks and can change. Confirm current details before booking.
Last updated: November 2026
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