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The Coolest Places To Go Camping In Canada

A cross-country guide to Canada’s best camping grounds offering cabins and tents and yurts (oh my!). Because the great outdoors is even greater when you don’t have to worry about packing up all that gear.
The Coolest Places To Go Camping In Canada

If camping just isn't for you, it’s getting easier and easier to escape to the back country with the promise of a king-size bed at the other end. We've rounded up the most hassle-free camping options in Canada.

The yurt, Quebec

Originally used by nomadic people throughout Central Asia, yurts are now popular in parks across North America and Europe. This one has a wood burning stove, two trundle beds, a full-size fridge, propane stove and even a French press to make coffee. Not just to enjoy during the summers, this charming lodge is available year round. Visit: Sépaq.

Other yurts to rent in Canada:

British Columbia  New Brunswick Ontario Manitoba

Two people sit at a table inside a yurt, a domed rounded room with wood floors and canvas covering.Bic National Park yurt. Photo, Mathieu Dupuis | © Sépaq

The resort, British Columbia

Elegantly furnished tents complete with Persian rugs, antiques and the finest linens await your arrival at Clayoqout Wilderness Retreat. First-class dining made with fresh local ingredients like Tofino scallops and wild Clayoqout salmon combined with greens and produce from the organic garden round out the experience. Visit: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.

A comfy couch and chairs are set up outside of large square white canvas tents.Photo, Clayoqout Wilderness Retreat.

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Moonlight Glamping tents, Ontario

Book any campsite in the beautiful Elora, Ont. area, and these guys will bring the tent to you (plus beds, sheets and duvets). Even better, they’ll set it up while you go tubing at the nearby Elora Gorge or just chill in a flamingo floatie at the quarry. Visit Moonlight Glamping.

Four or five peaked white canvas tents sit in a green field under a blue sky(Photo, Moonlight Glamping / Facebook)

Seaside glamping, Newfoundland

Come from away to enjoy the amazing natural landscapes (icebergs, whale-watching) from the comfort of a cozy canvas tent. Each accommodation includes beds, a coffee machine and electricity. There’s Wi-Fi in the main cottage but not in the individual lodgings, where the whole point is to unplug. Located near Burlington, Nfld., this is the ultimate seaside escape. Visit OmeSweetOme.com.

A square canvas tent sits on a deck next to the Atlantic ocean, with comfy chairs and a bed inside.(Photo, 'Ome Sweet 'Ome / Facebook)

The Ôasis, Fundy National Park

Easily among Parks Canada’s most unusual-looking accommodations, this tear-shaped hatch (located at Point Wolfe campground) looks futuristic. It provides sleeping for two (three, if you’re willing to squish) and that’s about it—there’s no heat or lighting, and it’s BYO sleeping bag. Find it near Alma, New Brunswick, and visit Fundy National Park for more details.

A blue tear-drop shaped cabin just big enough for two people sits on a wooden deck platform in the woods.Photo, Fundy National Park.

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FloraBora Yurt, Saskatchewan

These traditional Mongolian tents are round and roomy (they sleep six) and ready to go with bathrooms, indoor kitchenettes and an outdoor firepit. Thirty acres of forest is home to plenty of hiking trails, plus there’s a beach at nearby Emma Lake—because every hike deserves a swim. Located near Emma Lake, Sask. Visit FloraBora.ca.

Inside of a rounded wood and canvas yurt shows a small kitchen, sofa, and comfy bed.(Photo, courtesy Flora Bora)

Comfort Camping tents, Alberta

One of the world’s most impressive collections of dino bones is a fun forest alternative that features guided fossil explorations for the littles. Wood plank-floored tents sleep four, with electricity, private barbecues and nearby communal washrooms. Located in Dinosaur Provincial Park, near Brooks, Alta. Visit: Alberta Parks.

Inside a small cabin with a double bed, table and chairs and pull-out couch.(Photo, Tourism Southern Alberta)

The OTENTik in Kootenay National Park, B.C.

Cook dinner over an open fire and then fall onto a comfy foam mattress in a six-person cabin-tent hybrid set on a wooden platform at Kootenay Lake, B.C. The site is a short walk from a natural hot spring. So it’s basically a low-key spa weekend. BYO terry cloth. Visit: Kootenay National Park.

There are more than 400 OTENTiks across Canada, located in various national parks. Visit Parks Canada to find a location near you. 

A wooden cabin with a large A-line slanted roof sits up on a rocky and grassy hill(Photo, Kootenay National Park / Twitter)

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Micro cube, Manitoba and Quebec

The MicrOcube is Parks Canada’s newer prime attraction—a 10-square-metre tent alternative that looks like a wooden shipping container with one side that’s a floor-to-ceiling window. It’s super cozy—it sleeps just two—with a queen bed and bathroom, and nearby fire pit. Be sure to bring all your own food, cooking supplies and sleeping bags!

There is one located in Riding Mountain National Park, in the Wasagaming Campground, in Manitoba. There is another at Forillion National Park in Gaspé, Quebec

A group of people sit at a picnic table outside a small wooden cube-shaped cabin with a red door.Wasagaming Campground, Riding Mountain National Park. (Photo, © Parks Canada / Scott Munn)

Wilderness Suites, Ontario

Long Point Eco-Adventures in Long Point Bay promises a uniquely Canadian glamping experience. Their wilderness suites are equipped with private flush toilets and a private outdoor shower, hot and cold running water, a private deck and free outdoor parking. Pick from a long list of adventures to keep you occupied during your stay including zip-lining, axe throwing and even a wine, beer and cider tour. No blow-up mattresses here—rest your head on a king or queen bed at the end of the day. Visit: Long Point Eco-Adventures.

From from inside an A-shaped wooden cabin, looking outdoors. The room holds a couch, small table, and has wood floors, walls and sloped ceiling.Photo, Long Point Eco-Adventures.

The hobbit house, Quebec

With its circular door, cosy wood interior and green roof, this ecolodge at Entre Cimes et Racines looks right out of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Located in the woods near Eastman, Québec (an hour outside of Montreal), a small dining area, kitchenette, indoor dry toilet and bedroom with double bunk beds make this a step above your typical tent experience. Visit: Entre Cimes et Racines.

A round wooden door enters into a stone home built into the side of a hill.Photo, Entre Cîmes et Racines.

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Cabot Shores, Nova Scotia

From fully furnished chalets to geodesic domes and yurts, there is an accommodation for every type of camper here. But one of the coolest on offer? The Treetop Village, which is composed of geodesic domes on high stilts so you can sleep among the trees. Each dome offers something different—breathtaking views of the Atlantic, famous views of the full moon and stars. Don’t forget to visit the private beach while you’re there, too. Visit: Cabot Shores.

A white and plastic domed tent sits up on a platform above the tree line.Photo, Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort and Retreat.

The treehouse, Quebec

Outfitted with a kitchen and bathroom, this treehouse is nestled 15 feet and surrounded by trees. Located two and a half hours from Montreal, the grounds also contain a hobbit-inspired house and Mongolian-style yurt. Visit: Les Toits du Monde.

A wooden log house sits up high among the trees, accessed by a rope and wooden walkway.Photo, Les Toits du Monde.

The treehouse, British Columbia

Imagine falling asleep amongst the tall trees of the west coast rainforest in a floating sphere. Located near Qualicum Bay on Vancouver Island, Free Spirit Spheres offers three handcrafted orbs for overnight rental. The spheres each have their own personality and names. For example, Eryn is made from spruce, is 10.5 feet in diameter and can accommodate up to three people; Melody is made from fiberglass and has a black walnut interior with five windows, a skylight, a small sink and is wired for sound. Visit: Free Spirit Spheres.

Other treehouses to rent in Canada:

British Columbia  Ontario

A spherical yellow tent hangs from a tree in a green forest.Photo, Free Spirit Spheres.

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The canvas tent, Ontario

A few hour’s north of Toronto in Prince Edward County at Fronterra, you can fall asleep in a king-sized bed with hardwood floors beneath your feet and a private outdoor hot shower steps away. An on-site permaculture vegetable garden, chicken coop and outpost store mean all the meals you cook up in the outdoor kitchen will be nothing short of amazing. Visit: Fronterra.

A large rectangular white canvas tent is held up by stripped cedar logs, it sits next to a lean-to with a dining table.Photo, Fronterra.

The ranch, British Columbia

Named by National Geographic magazine as one of the top Unique Lodges in the World, Siwash Lake Ranch is located approximately 5 ½ hours northeast from Vancouver in central British Columbia. The 1,000 square foot safari-style canvas tents can accommodate up to five people and boast separate living rooms with fireplaces, in-floor radiant heating and expansive exterior decks. Expect to pay resort-style prices for this ultimate glamping experience. Visit: Siwash Lake.

A bright bedroom features a bed with a quilt and lots of pillows in a white canvas tent with dark wooden flooring.Luxury Glamping tent at Star Camp™. (Photo, Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort)

The dream dome, New Brunswick

If the sound of a Japanese wood-fired hot tub, king-sized bed, glass door shower and wood stove all inside a stargazing geodesic-style dome gets you excited than you’ll want to head to Ridgeback Lodge in New Brunswick. Available year-round, the hardy can give it a try under a blanket of snow. Visit: Ridgeback Lodge.

A white and plastic domed tent sits in a forest, outside of which a couple sits in a small wooden hot tub enjoying nature.Photo, Ridgeback Lodge Inc.

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Ivvavik fly-in base camp, Yukon

For the ultimate Arctic adventure, climb aboard a Twin Otter bush plane and fly to Ivvavik National Park in the Yukon. Arranged by Parks Canada, this Northern experience includes your charter flights, use of the Imniarvik base camp facilities including washrooms and bear-safe storage, all meals and snacks and guided hikes. Visit: Parks Canada.

A series of brightly-coloured tents sit next to each other in a low area near mountains.Photo, © Parks Canada / Fritz Mueller.

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