A Camper's Guide to Ontario's Best Parks

Virginia Gillham is university librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University.

For regular campers or those just beginning and in need of guidance and
information, this book is an invaluable resource. Organized according to
the geographical sections of the vast province of Ontario, it lists,
reviews, and describes 45 national and provincial parks and conservation
areas, rating them in three categories on a three-point scale.
Day-trip-only locations are not included (these are handled in four
other publications by the same author). This list includes only parks
that offer overnight camping.

Detailed annotations, most at least two pages in length, describe the
general environment and scenery and the available amenities and
activities both within the park and nearby. Most parks have campsites
with electrical hookups; many offer flush toilets, showers, and laundry
facilities; and some provide “roofed” accommodation, including tents
on platforms, cabins, bunkhouses, and lodges. Sand beaches, boat launch
facilities, and paddle-in campsites are noted when they exist. A
sophisticated booking system is described that allows reservation right
down to the level of specific campsite, as much as 11 months in advance.

Other publications dealing with canoeing and hiking are noted in
passing, but not addressed in detail. The thrust of this compendium is
facilities accessible by car. The three criteria rated are natural
environment (scenery), activities, and campgrounds (facilities). Each is
rated on a scale of 1 to 3, and the ratings summary is noted at the
beginning of each review. This book is the equivalent of a Michelin or
CAA guide for campgrounds, and it will be equally useful.