Killbear Provincial Park Camping

Killbear Provincial Park is made for families! Stretched along a penninsula near Parry Sound (Georgian Bay), you'll find stunning views and sunsets, lots of beaches to play in, and trails that beckon you to explore.

It is about 3.5 hrs from Toronto, five hrs from Ottawa. Parry Sound nearby has all manner of amenities, big box stores and grocery.

Some highlights of Killbear:

• Killbear is BUSY! This is one of the most popular parks in Ontario. Campnab is almost a necessity to get the campground and site you want. If you prefer solitude when camping, you may not enjoy the number of campers that frequent this park.

• Killbear is BIG! You have seven campgrounds (all with beaches!) that can accomodate all manner of camping setups from big rigs to tents. If you are unsure about where would be best for your setup, call into the park. The Ontario Parks reservation site is also really great with pictures of each site and customizable searches based on your setup. No site is too far from a toilet or comfort station, and when were were there last, many of the comfort stations were being upgraded.

NOTE: many of the sites for RVs are not entirely level. I fully reccomend ensuring you have plenty of levelling blocks and a proper understanding on how to level your RV. I also reccomend extra electric cables, as the posts are sometimes not close to the actual parking spot on the sites.

• Killbear has BEARS! If you are tent camping, be bear aware! If you aren't familiar with how to securely store food and scented products, ask a Ranger about food lockers, bear barrels, or how to properly store food in cars or strung in a nearby tree. They'll happily show you examples of coolers mauled by Yogi and his brethren to convince you it is important!

• Killbear is stunningly beautiful! You will want to follow the crowds out onto the rocks at either Georgian or Harold Point campgrounds, claim a spot and watch the sun set. Take a hike out to Lighthouse Point and admire the unique rock formations and coastline. Explore all the rocky shoreline, clambering over smooth rocks, jagged outcroppings. If you are brave, there are jumping cliffs into the water!

• Killbear has a great bike trail! It runs all the way from the park entrance to Lighthouse Point, separate from the main road through the park. This is great for safety while biking, as the main road can be narrow when RVs are driving in!

• Killbear is ecologically diverse! Brake for snakes and turtles! Fox and raccoon may come visit you during your campfire (just make a big noise and they'll run off). Killbear staff are adamant that you do not feed the wildlife. Many ignore this advice, risking a hefty fine. Wildlife that become accustomed to being fed by humans do not cope well in the winters fending for themselves. Ask about the study cribs that keep all the deer out to study how forests grow without interference from wildlife!

• Killbear has a great Visitor's Centre! Lots for the kids to see and do, and a fantastic store! IN addition, if you travel just a bit out of the park there is a general store with basic staples, souvenirs, and THE BEST FUDGE!

In summary, Killbear is a quintessential Ontario Parks experience, if you are looking for a place that isn't so remote, or are new to camping, or want a car camping experience that isn't too rugged. We've been several times, and always find new things to do and see when there. This is a park for families and groups to camp together, explore and relax, swim and paddle!