Ontario’s Best Glamping Destinations

By Sakthi

If you want to escape into the wilds without entirely forgoing modern luxuries like flushing toilets, private showers, comfy home furnishings, and Wi-Fi, then glamping might just be for you! For the uninitiated, glamping – a portmanteau of glamour and camping – offers travellers the best of both worlds, a secluded getaway into nature’s goodness without all the busywork of pitching tents, collecting firewood, and lugging gear. Perfect for those new to camping, one of the best thing about glamping is you can just show up and start enjoying yourself, no major setup or breakdown required! Glamping sites abound in Ontario – from spacious tents and yurts to towering treehouses and teepees – with amenities that range from the most basic necessities to resort-style indulgences.

Here is a list of 10 best glamping destinations hand-picked by Parks Blogger team after thorough search

1) Wild Exodus Prospector Tents, Timmins

WildExodus is a provider of specialty alternative accommodations in Timmins. Nested in 22 acres fronting on Kenogamissi lake, guests will find unparalleled opportunities to interact with nature in this unique . They offer complete vacations with packages that include meals, quality accommodations and unique activities to outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The highlight of WildExodus is their glamping tents, a custom build prospector tent erected within the sixty million year old Canadian Boreal Forest.

Price: Starting from $150/night
Address: 7000 Dalton Rd, Wawaitin Falls, Timmins
Website: Wild Exodus Prospector Tents

2) ‘Tent & Breakfast’ at Barlett Lodge, Algonquin

Great food, serene location and traditional muskoka getaway experience. You can get it all at this ‘one of its kind’ lodge enclosed in Algonquin wilderness. Its guaranteed that your stay here will be a unique experience compared to other glamping options in Ontario, as Barlett Lodge also doubles as a luxury resort offering great service and five course dinners. Each of their luxury platform tents is fully furnished with a king size bed and an inside seating area, as well as a deck.

Price: Starting from $105 per person/night (based on double occupancy)
Address: Algonquin Park, P.O. Box #10004, Huntsville
Website: Barlett Lodge, Algonquin

 

3) Mongolian Yurt at Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge, Mattawa

Set on a sprawling 485 acres with breathtaking views of the Laurentian Mountains, Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge has many options for the discerning glamper. With a bent toward living off-grid in a wholly sustainable way, Nature’s Harmony has traditional campsites as well as more refined accommodations. Running the gamut when it comes to creature comforts, guests can glamp in the fully furnished canvas tent (replete with screened gazebo), or lodge in the cosy and authentic Mongolian Yurt, or kick it up a few notches at the fully solar powered Ma’ayan chalet.

Price: $85 per night (based on double occupancy)
Address: 574 Snake Creek Rd, Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0
Website: Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge

 

4) Wilderness Suites at Long Point Eco-Adventures, St Williams

You’ll feel right at home at one of the Wilderness Suites at Long Point Eco-Adventures, located on the outskirts of Turkey Point Provincial Park. Each suite offers a roomy canvas tent set atop hardwood floors and comes fully furnished with your choice of king or queen sized bed, mini-fridge, indoor plumbing, and adjoining outdoor shower. Sliding glass doors lead to your own private deck, where you can sit and drink in the serene surroundings. Relax by the beach, take a hike, star-gaze at the Long Point Observatory, kayak along Big Creek, or get your heart pumping with daytime and nighttime zip line and canopy tours.

Price: Starting at $229 per night
Address: 1730 Front Road, St. Williams, ON  N0E 1P0
Website: Wilderness suites at Long Point Eco-Adventures

5) Canvas Prospector Style Tents at Oakwood Escapes, Dunnville

The large canvas prospector style tents built on raised wooden decks that you’ll call home on this escape into nature are stunning. The tents feature a queen-size bed, rugs, side tables, a small dresser and some kitchen equipment. If you step outside, there’s a nice deck with comfy Adirondack chairs, a barbeque, a fire pit, a picnic table and picture perfect views. There is no electricity in your tent and the bathroom facilities are shared. What really sets Oakwood Escape apart is that the campsites are a part of a working farm, so you can partake in one of numerous experiential farm activities.

Price: $150 per night
Address: 7445 Highway 3 West, RR1, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W1
Website: Oakwood Escapes

6) Outpost Co, Obabika Lake

At $2500 per person for 4 days and 3 nights, glamping with Outpost is a true ‘luxury’ in wilderness. The campsite rests on a hidden lake about 90 minutes flight from Billy Bishop Toronto Islands airport. You will be flown by a charter floatplane arranged by the company direct to the beach where your camp is located. With a maximum of 8 people hosted at any single point of time, splendid isolation for you and your family is guaranteed!

Price: $2500 for 4 days and 3 nights inclusive of private chef and drink
Location: Eastern shore of the north part of Obabika lake, Temagami region
Website: Outpost Co Luxury Camping

 

7) Four season tents at Gatineau Park

Just a short drive from Ottawa, Gatineau Park is a natural wonder that offers incredible views and plenty of family friendly fun. Nestled in the prestine Lake Philippe, the four season tents offers a great balance of comfort and adventure. The tents each can sleep four with a double bed / single-bed / single bed bunk system that rises into the peak of the tent. Getting to the tents is a simple 4k hike in the summer on a very flat path, or in the winter a 3.5k cross country ski or a 4k snowshoe.

Price: $87 – $125 per night
Location: Lake Philippe, Gatineau Park, Quebec (a close drive from Ottawa)
Website: Four season tents at Gatineau Park

 

8) oTENTiks at Thousand Islands National Park

A total of 1,864 islands dot the shores of the St. Lawrence River, the remnants of an ancient mountain range. Of these, more than 20 are part and parcel of Thousand Islands National Park of Canada, a region treasured for its unique geography and biodiversity. In order to attract more visitors to the archipelago, Parks Canada established 10 glamp-friendly sites on McDonald Island, Gordon Island, and Mallorytown Landing in 2013. Called oTENTiks, these cabin-like abodes sleep up to six and include niceties like solar powered lights, Muskoka chairs on the front deck, and a charcoal barbeque.

Price: $121.60 per night (includes $21.60 per night docking fee)
Location: McDonald Island, St Lawrence River near Gananoque
Website: Parks Canada oTENTiks Webpage

Also, check out our recent article on oTENTik camping in Thousand Islands National Park

9) Deluxe Tents at Ontario Parks

Taking inspiration from the glamping trend, Ontario Parks introduced new type of roofed accommodation called Deluxe Tents last year. Equipped with 2 queen beds, comfort mattresses, rustic log furniture, mini fridge, coffee maker and muskoka chairs, these new arrivals offer ‘near to luxury’ experience at some of your favorite provincial parks. As of now, two of such Deluxe Tents/Yurts are offered in the following locations

• Arrowhead Provincial Park (Site# 222 & 247)
• Murphys Point Provincial Park (Site# 48 & 49)
• Pinery Provincial Park (Site# 487 & 491)

Price: ~$140 per night
For more information: Soft sided shelters at Ontario Parks

 

10) Yurt Camping in Bruce Peninsula National Park

Yurts at Bruce Peninsula National Park are a very popular choice among the glampers in Ontario who travels to the park and the Tobermory area. Situated right on the shores of Cyprus Lake, these round tent-like structures are built on elevated wooden platforms and can easily sleep a family of five. Each of these yurts (there are totally 10) are well-appointed with furnishings including a woodstove, beds, large deck and propane BBQ. They also share a common toilet and shower facility.

Price: $120.00 per yurt per night (includes parking for 1 vehicle)
Location: Cyprus Lake, Bruce Peninsula National Park
Website: Parks Canada Yurt Camping Webpage

Also, check out our following articles to know more about exploring Tobermory and Bruce Peninsula National Park

• Serenity at its best – A weekend trip to Bruce Peninsula National Park
• Trekking to Tobermory