Ontario is home to a vast network of provincial parks offering true solitude and a deep connection to nature. There are some really popular parks, excellent family-friendly parks, parks that appeal to the backcountry experience, and parks renowned for paddling adventures. If you’re willing to venture off the beaten path, there are more remote wilderness parks that provide a quieter, more personal experience.
This guide highlights a few of the most stunning and secluded provincial parks in the province, perfect for a trip where the goal is to get away from it all.
Learn more about the regions where these provincial parks are located:
This destination provincial park is located near the Manitoba border in what we call quintessential Canadian Shield wilderness. The landscape the park encompasses is red and white pine, clear lakes and ancient rock formations. It is also the habitat of the Woodland Caribou, a threatened species. This is also a “roadless” park, meaning most visitors arrive by Bushplane or paddle from the few remote access points. The park has an impressive 2,000 km of canoe routes and is perfect for multi-day or fly-in outpost trips. Visitors will enjoy the private campsites with a fire ring, making it feel like the place is all your own.
A smaller provincial park east of Dryden, Aaron Provincial Park is located on the shores of Thunder Lake. It’s a peaceful retreat and a great place for those campers looking to avoid crowds. Perfect for swimming, there are 2 sandy beaches in clear, shallow water. Visitors can spend the day exploring the lake by canoe with a rental, or fishing for northern pike, walleye and lake trout. This park is a good place to introduce yourself to the Boreal Forest while you hike the tall stands of Jack Pine, Balsam Fir and Spruce trees.
A small, serene park with a beautiful sandy beach and incredible fishing for northern pike, walleye and lake trout. Near Ear Falls, the location of Pakwash offers quiet nature, with a feeling of a remote retreat. The campground has modern amenities like the park store, comfort station and laundromat, and is a key gateway for canoe routes, because it allows paddlers to transition from a comfy base camp to the vast Boreal Forest.
This provincial park is situated on large, secluded Kenogamisis Lake in the Boreal Forest. This park was named after an abandoned gold mine in the area, and in 1939, the original forest was destroyed by wildfire. The MacLeod Trail is a great way to learn about forest succession and see Trembling Aspen that turn a stunning golden yellow in the fall. MacLeod Provincial Park offers excellent fishing, wildlife viewing opportunities and canoeing. This park definitely offers quiet camping away from crowds, making it feel much more remote than a typical drive-in park usually does.
A must-see! Ouimet Canyon is a stunning gorge located northeast of Thunder Bay. The short, boardwalk trail leading to the lookouts is barrier-free; all visitors can enjoy the view of the 100-metre-deep and 150-metre-wide canyon. Take in the breathtaking view of sheer cliffs and the canyon floor. It’s important to know that this provincial park is day-use only with no camping facilities, but there is plenty of parking, a picnic area with vault toilets and a vehicle permit is required. A hidden gem along the north shore of Lake Superior when doing the Circle Tour by car or motorcycle.
Visitors who want a taste of the Northern Ontario wilderness without the full-scale backcountry experience will enjoy Fushimi Lake Provincial Park. It’s the perfect balance of secluded, water-access-only backcountry sites and a drive-to campground with amenities. The lake is known for its excellent walleye, northern pike, whitefish and yellow perch fishing (fish cleaning hut is on-site). For the adventurous, the Fire Tower Trail is a challenging hike to the Bannerman Fire Tower, built in the 1930s. If you're looking for something easier, take the Achilles Lake Trail, a popular spot to watch the sunset.
Just north of Elliot Lake, this provincial park has a rugged, beautiful landscape offering incredibly scenic views. Its forest is a mix of Boreal and deciduous, with lush greens in summer and vibrant shades in the fall. Mississagi Provincial Park is a delight for hikers with a variety of trails. The Helenbar Trail becomes a favourite for its stunning lookout overlooking Helenbar Lake, far below and the Boland River Valley in the distance. For those looking for a secluded beach, canoe Semiwite Lake from the campground and you'll find a few!
This is an accessible getaway but secluded. Located near Kirkland Lake, Esker Lakes features 22 kettle lakes, which were formed by melting glaciers 10,000 years ago. If you're interested in birding, in the summer, the forest is home to hundreds of birds like warblers, hawks, and owls. There are no motorboats, just canoes, so you'll enjoy a peaceful 15 km of canoe routes. If you like canoe fishing, there is excellent cold-water fishing for lake trout, rainbow trout and brookies! This park offers a good balance of car camping and interior sites, so it's a quiet retreat from crowds.
This provincial park is a crown jewel of the Temagami region! This park has an important role in protecting the remaining old-growth white and red pine forests. Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater is best suited for experienced adventurers because there are few access points. This means that extra planning and self-reliance are key to experiencing this park. Some of this park’s key features are the clear lakes, roaring waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls, and Ishpatina Ridge, Ontario’s highest point. If you love canoeing, there’s an extensive network of waterways like the Makobe River and Lady Evelyn River.
These secluded parks are just an example that Ontario’s wilderness extends way beyond its most famous, popular destinations. If you’re someone who values solitude and tranquillity, these hidden gems won’t disappoint!
