@@OJPulp22 We have always loved Pinery and can see why people would included it in their top 10. However, over the past few years the Poison Ivey and ticks seem to be getting out of hand. Only for those reasons it didn't make it in our top10.
I've camped in all of the parks you've covered and loved each and every one. I first visited Algonquin in 1955. That said, you missed my two favorites, #1 Killarney and #2 Awenda. Awenda is better suited to families with children. Killarney is fabulous for the canoe, with portages and rugged terrain. My last camping trip was to Grundy Lake in 2017 (age76). Too old camp now so thank you for showing the places dear to my heart. Fabulous video.
Well sir, you've been camping in some great spots over the years! We also love Awenda. We didn't include Killarney because we never camped there in the campground, we've only ever done back country camping there. We have individual videos dedicated to every one of these parks mentioned in this video, if you want a more detailed look at them. The links are all in the description below this video or on our website campingwiththecoles.ca. You're never to old to camp. You just need to take someone along to do all the hard and messy stuff. 😊
It's nice to see Lake Superior and Sleeping Giant on the list.. I'm from Northwestern Ontario originally and anytime I came back to Peterborough or even going to the Soo we have to go through Lake Superior.. Only ones I've been to are Neys, Rainbow Falls, and Rushing River.. Also did some walking around in Pukakswa..
Great video. We all appreciate all the effort and hard work you both put into your videos. For us it's like movie night when we see you have a video out. Charleston lake is another great park for kayaking. Last year we got lucky where all the parks we went to except arrowhead were waterfront. And I thank you guys for that cause we used Campnab which we never heard of till we watched your video. Will be using it again this year. Looking forward to all your adventures this summer.
I think we had Charleston in our top 5 provincial parks a couple of years ago. We love Charleston and with all the back country sites it has some nice canoe/kayak routes. Great job on getting the waterfront sites, they're the best. We found Campnab invaluable to us when we were trying to book our 7 park three week trip to Lake Superior. Glad it's working out for you too.
GREAT to see this list! I know you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in rating and reviewing all of these camp grounds. It would be great to see a more formalized rating system. Although very subjective, having key points to rate makes it a bit more standard.
This is the first time I've watched a full video because everything is so relevant that I immediately signed up. I regret not having come across your videos before, I would have saved so much time. I love camping in Ontario, the sites are clean and the people are so nice. My all time favorite so far is Bruce Peninsula. I don't know if it's in your plans, but if you're thinking about going to New Hampshire, this would be a perfect addition. I hope you continue to do more, thanks for sharing.
Your videos are SO GREAT!!! Really educational for us newer campers. Love that you sometimes show the campsite back-in too. Detailed footage about the parks is really helpful too. Nice happy vibe to these videos and smooth editing. 10/10 Thank you :)
Wow, thanks! The campsite back in is usually quite edited for time, so it's sped up and doesn't show all the back and forth that often happens. I'm actually not as good at backing up as I make it seem in the video. 😁 Thanks for watching and happy camping!
We really appreciate the work you put in to the videos. And the website looks awesome! We always refer to your videos when booking our own camping. Thank you so much
Im really young but i still use these videos to pick on places to go. Already booked Charleston Lake with some friends and planning to book Arrowhead with family. Never been to either place but you helped me make a decision lol. Cant wait to see what 2023 brings
Finally took the time to watch the 10 best provincial park video. Fantastic you guys do these videos better than anyone. Thanks for it. Looking forward to checking out your website today or tomorrow.❤❤
Hi there, I'm located in the Sudbury area but have family in Southern Ontario so we are usually looking at parks in between. That being said, Grundy is probably the top one for a few of us. Would have to include Driftwood (great sites on the water!), Killarney, McGregor, and Halfway Lake, a beautiful park. Thanks for your videos. I've shared with my sister, as we camp together. Next month we do Inverhuron, first time for me so that means I add a new park sticker to the back of my Rav4 and one in my park book. Happy camping!!
Of the parks you mentioned, Halfway Lake is one we haven't been to late. We need to try the parks north of North Bay or Sudbury, but it's a long drive for us so we want to do 4 or 5 parks in a row. We'll get there eventually. Have a great time at Inverhuron. It has a nice beach and good, private, level sites.
I agree with Algonquin being 1st by far, Killarney is also very beautiful. we're going to Grundy in the upcoming week and very excited to experience it. I've been to quite a few, Sauble Falls is beautiful, easy, and extremely friendly staff and wardens, Emily Provincial park is also another great one, Sturgeon Bay was really nice but I wasn't a fan of the strict quiet rules as well as the Wardens being so nosy like they were desperately looking to issue tickets. Balsam provincial park is another awesome one for fishing, had a great time on a waterfront lot there.
Another great video. Been tent camping at a lot of these parks...while dreaming of an RV...this is the year! Literally, bought my truck TODAY. I simply can't believe it :-) Already have Pinery booked for May. As soon as I have the RV will be checking the weather :-) Shake down trip, probably at Valen's, another at Pinehurst (I am in Cambridge) then onward. I cannot wait!
Wow! What an exciting time! Sounds like you're doing it right. Get the truck then get the RV to match the truck. Then do a shakedown trip, close to home, to work out the bugs and see what you need to bring or what you don't need to bring. Valens is nice. We haven't been to Pinehurst yet. Good luck with your camping reservations. Happy camping!
Great video and a great season of videos. You really have come a long way with these and I can't think of anyone who does as good a job producing camping videos. One regret about your top 10 is you have made it more difficult to get into some of the gems that were less known such as Superior Provincial park Looking forward to next year's videos already. I don't know what your plans are, but another little-known gem is Windy Lake near Sudbury. Hard to get into that one
ive camped at 5 out of the 10 you listed ive been to grundy every year of my life, my very first time there i was about a week old i love it and also for the last 2 years ive been at the group sites at restoule
Great video! It is quite helpful as we start planing our 2023 camping season. We are big fans of the various parks on Lake Superior and are glad to see that two of them made your top ten list.
Grundy is my hange out area I know a few people who live up there along 522, love the area French River visitors centre and trail system there to Recollect Fall's ( I fish there). Yes the store is very cool, The suspension bridge is what we go over on our snowmobiles . superior PP is nice but i agree Algonquin for sure. Thank's folks this was extreamly helpful.
So glad I stumbled across your Channel. Wow you have amazing content that is local for us being in SW Ontario! Subscribed and fav'd your website which is very professional as well. Congratulations and thank you for providing a valuable resource. Cheers!
This list was great ! I live in Quebec but I’ve camped in many of the provincial parks you have named, and that from a very, very early age with my family. I would love to go to at least one of those parks in the summer of 2023 ! Now, to gather my friends for new adventures! Thank you and much happy camping 🏕!
Get your friends together and get on over to Ontario! You should be able to make it to at least a couple of great Ontario parks this summer. Happy camping!
Great video! You guys do the type of camping my husband and I enjoy. Your videos have been very helpful in helping us plan our camping this coming season. Love the new website too👍
We are blessed to live in Huntsville and therefore have easy access to Arrowhead, Algonquin. Mikisew is an hour away, and Killbear less than 90 minutes. We have a season pass, so we make good use of that. In the last 2 weeks we've done hikes at Track & Trail (Algonquin) and Stub Falls (Arrowhead). Even checked out the Skating Trail at Arrowhead and the Rink at Mew Lake which is now both open. There is winter camping at Mew Lake (Agloquin), Arrowhead and for the first time this year Killbear. We will have to drive over and check that out. We have camped at most of the campground in your list. Planning to go to Grundy and Killbear this summer. Fall Camping is great in this area. Hope you have a great summer camping.
You're living in God's country there. You're surrounded by some great parks. We only spent 2 nights a Mikisew and we've been meaning to go back. We haven't been up your way in the winter time yet. We have a couple friends in a cabin at Arrowhead right now. They were happy to hear the ice rink opened up just a couple of days before their arrival. Happy camping!
Thank you guys absolutely enjoyed this video, Ontario has such beautiful parks! I’m gonna give you my personal top three Bon echo, Pinery and killbear provincial park
BIG!!!! Fan of Camping with the Coles. THX for all your hard work and all the effort you put into your videos. Soooooo helpful and I agree with Algonquin just so much to do and see. CHEERS!!!!
We've booked Sleeping Giant for May long weekend and you've inspired me to hike the Chest again. I haven't done it since my 20s but I'm training to get ready. Thanks for the inspiration!
First of all, you guys rock. I really enjoy your videos and they are a huge help when we are planning our camping trips. How MNR hasn’t hired you as full time ambassadors/consultants is beyond me. Being a Northern Boy, I’d flip your top two. One thing about Superior is to go in mid-August…the water does warm up a bit as the summer wears on. But I love Algonquin too…totally respect you making it number one (it’s our first planned trip this year). Hopefully you have a chance to check out Quetico and Rushing River in 2023, although I know it’s a crazy long drive! Love the website & looking forward to next season no matter where you go!
Thanks so much for your support. We're glad our videos help you when figuring out where you want to go. We agonized over our top 2. I totally respect anyone putting Lake Superior PP as #1. Quetico and Rushing River are a heck of a drive. Maybe if we go out west in Canada on a trip we'll check out those parks. Thanks for the suggestions.
Just discovered the channel did all my camping in the 60s nice to see how things have changed couldn’t find a video on Ackray worked there in 70s nice to see all the flush toilets 😊 keep videos coming
We alway did Killbear growing up and then switched to Sandbanks. 2021 we decided to explore more! We did Turkey Point (disappointing) Selkirk ( the husbands took all the boys and the girls just went one day). 2022 we did Sandbanks, Killbear (my husband and kids had never gone) McGregor Point and we had Pinerys booked but had to cancel bc someone got sick a couple days before 🦠 This year we have Rondeau and Grundy booked and might also try to book Pinery!
I have only made it to 3 of your top 10. Trying to get to some of these parks for our 2023 camping season. And we're starting earlier in May to get even more time camping.
We're starting the first weekend of May this year, like last year. We're looking forward to seeing more of your videos and perhaps running into you out there somewhere.
Great list! We're new to camping and have only been in 2 parks last year. Will definitely book Murphy's Point and Bon Echo this year since it's close to home. Thank you for all your park reviews!
You live in a great part of the province for parks if Murphy's Point and Bon Echo are close to home. Lots of great parks in that area. Bon Echo is a very popular park. Hope you can get it. Murphy's Point is less well known and might be easier to get a reservation.
Great reviews. We're planning on doing the Lake Superior run this summer. I'd recommend that you definitely try Marten River - it would be in our top ten.
Watched on our TV this morning. Great list for people like us who have not been to many provincial parks in Ontario! Great job on website! I will visit it soon. From your list we have only visited Arrowhead, Grundy Lake, and Killbear. We liked them immensely, especially Grundy Lake. However, scenery and activities wise, Killarney seemed to be the best. At about 640 sq km, it is 2nd biggest after Algonquin from the point of view of accessibility. The gigantic Lake George offers canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding with scenic views all along the shoreline. We did 3 of its trails and they were all very picturesque. If you visit it sometimes in the near future, it will find its place in your top 5, I am sure about that. Thank you again for sharing your passion with the rest of us.
Thanks for your input. We know that we'll love Killarney, we just need to fit it in our schedule. Also, we've been told the sites are pretty small for our set up and a draw back for us are no electric sites so we've been slow to get on it.
@@CampingwiththeColes Oh yes, never thought about that. That is a big disadvantage and calls for special reinforcements LOL! We were there in early June and at night, we had to be tucked under heavy layers and blankets.
I loved your review, so authentic based on your experiences. It was great to see Sleeping Giant make the list, I spent many summers there and Silver Islet looks the same as it did 40 years ago. If you ever make it further west I recommend Quetico as well. Safe travels!
Glad you enjoyed it! If you haven't seen our full review of Sleeping Giant you should check it out. It may bring back a lot of memories for you. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tbYqXW67iWA.html . Thanks for the Quetico tip. Happy camping!
The one park for our go-to is Awenda simply because it is close by. We hate driving so that is a big plus for us. There is quite an interesting history of the land here too, you will find that information during two, separate trails inside this park.And it has 4 beaches!
Great choice. We've been there a couple of times and really loved it. We made the mistake of riding our bikes to the beach. That was a heck of a hill getting back to the campsites!
Sandbank Provincial Park and the Prince Edward County, Picton, On. area lots to see and do , becoming an entertainment area too at Base 31 ( Tour the wineries ) , Cycling the county, etc., etc. Hotels, and short term house rentals., check it all out!!!!
We talked about both Awenda and Pinery when making this list but unfortunately for us they just didn't make the cut this time. We love both of those parks! The problem is that there are just too many great parks in Ontario. Not a bad problem to have.
We did backcountry camping there in the 80s. It was May and the ice just disappeared about a week or tow earlier. We got eaten alive by blackflies. We may have to check it out now doing front country camping,. We'll go later in the season to avoid the bugs. Thanks for the suggestion.
We’ve been camping in Algonquin Park almost every year since 1989. It’s the only park we will camp in, although I would like to check out the one with the mine . 👍🏻🇨🇦👍🏻
Algonquin is the best! It's nice to get out and try some others though. There is a lot of variety out there and you may find something else you like. Happy camping!
Great idea's I've been to some of your top picks my favorite is Algonquin park but one that would be on my list and is only an hour from home is presqu'ile provincial park
Excellent video.! I have now made my camping Bucket List based on your video. The ones that we've been going to all these years did not make your list.😄 I am also excited about your new web site.Will definitely check it out. I am.particularly excited about checking your list on camping gears. More power to your channel.❤️🏕⛺️
Great reviews! Bon Echo is our favourite by far, we've been going for almost 60 years, even before it was officially indoctrinated as a donation from Merrill Denison. Your only error is that there is only ONE 'Z' in Mazinaw......
Thanks again for great review and really appreciate your awesome helpful web site! So far we are booked in June at Arowhead then Restoule and then hope to get a site at Algonquin at end of June!
First camping trip was in Restoule and it was a nice place. Fun hikes. Definitely going to check out Arrowhead and Killbear. Did some hiking Lake Superior park and man what a wonderful place. Didnt camp there but went a few days to do hikes while we stayed in Sault St Marie.
From Sault St. Marie you can easily check out Pancake Bay and Lake Superior PP. Nice place to head out from if you're staying there. You'll love Arrowhead and Killbear too!
Definitely missed Sandbanks. The trailer park on West Beach has the best trailer fill up and dump station of any provincial park (we've seen). Amazing beaches, close to great towns (Picton, Wellington, Bloomfield) lots of wineries, best beaches in north America that aren't the ocean, we would put it up there with Bon Echo, maybe ahead of Killbear.
I've camped in over 70 Provincial Parks since 1984. Hard to pick a top 10. Only camped in 2 parks that I would not recommend. Rest have been awesome. Love your list.
Wow, 70 parks! That's a big number. It was very difficult for us to pick our top 10. Originally we were going to do a top 5 but that proved to be impossible.
She's wearing a sling pack from MEC. Here is the link www.mec.ca/en/product/6016-226/gradient-sling-pack?colour=Deep+Navy. It looks like this one is an updated version of hers.
Killbear is a fantastic provincial park...went up there a few times with family during the 80's and 90's...The best time to go is right after the Labour day weekend...less crowded and the weather is still fantastic...If you plan on going during the summer, best bet is too make reservations in advance, I think January or February...You'd be lucky if you got a spot...lol😂
Great top 10, a little surprised that Pinery didn’t get an honourable mention (even with all the Poison Ivey) ☠️ By the way nice website, really good resource. Thanks
We went back and forth with Pinery but in the end we dropped it from the list. The Poison Ivey and the abundance of ticks over the past few years didn't help with the rating. We still really love that park though.
I was just going to comment on Pinery, but you are right. I've only been once after watching your video, and it was me that got a tick and not my dog lol. Great list. I'm going to book a few sites this summer based on your list
A while back I contacted you for the name of that marvellous dining tent. I should have written it down - I can’t remember what it was called and now I’m ready to buy one!
I just came across your channel. It's nice to see someone local on youtube. Not sure but you have you been to The Massassauga? What about the Kawartha Highlands? Do you only go to car / trailer camping parks? These two parks are my current favorites. I'm planning to do Killarny this summer and possibly The French River as well. I'd love to brainstorm with you over a beer sometime.
We're glad you found us on RU-vid. We used to be back country campers but from 2010 on we've been all front country camping and mostly in Ontario Provincial Parks with a couple of trips to some US state parks, COE parks etc. We've done a few back country trips in Killarney and we've hiked The Crack and Silver Peak back in the day. If you're ever front country camping and you spot us don't hesitate to say hi and maybe we'll have that beer.
We loved Mikisew but unfortunately were only able to stay two nights there. It's a park we definitely want to go back to. Over the years our park reviews became more detailed. We listened to what our viewers told us they want to know. Fishing is one of those things. Starting in season 3 we tried to include a little information about fishing in each park review. We don't fish when we camp but we research the fishing before we go and speak to people when there to at least give a little basic information about what people are fishing for there.
You are absolutely right! I just looked it up and Sleeping Giant would be the 6th highest point at 1847 feet while Ishpatina is the highest at a whopping 2274 feet. Thanks for the correction.
