Yurt camping in Ontario parks
Bon Echo Provincial Park | Ontario Parks
Ontario’s provincial and national parks provide campers with unique options for backcountry cabins, rustic cabins, cottages, trailer-equipped campsites, yurts and soft-sided shelters. A growing number of roofed accommodations are available for year-round booking, making winter camping in Ontario parks easier.
Ontario Parks yurts
A yurt is a portable structure that’s basically a cross between a tent and a cabin.
Originally developed as the traditional dwelling of nomadic people in Mongolia and other areas of North Asia, yurts feature a hard floor and are circular in shape. Most have a wooden frame covered in tent or hardy fabric material.
Ontario Parks yurts are typically quite basic: they offer access to outdoor activities such as trails, beaches, wildlife viewing and the all-important comfort stations. Biome yurts are generally a little more spacious, sometimes with a heat source and electricity. They are often available year-round for comfortable shoulder-season and winter camping. Many of them have a minimum stay.
Check what amenities are available in the yurt so you know what supplies to bring. Make your yurt reservation up to five months in advance, as most parks have only a few available, and they book up quickly. Midweek reservations are the best way to beat the rush at the most popular destinations, such as Algonquin and Killarney. There are several dog-friendly yurts in Ontario Parks; note these come with a $40 fee per reservation.
Currently, nine provincial parks offer yurt rentals, including:
Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario’s oldest and most iconic park operates year-round. Six yurts are available year-round at the Mew Lake Campground (yurt number 39 is dog-friendly), and one lakeside yurt at the Achray Campground. Bear in mind Algonquin is busy year-round. Make your reservations as early as possible or consider an alternate destination, such as booking a rustic cabin at Grundy Lake Provincial Park.
Locations:
- Mew Lake Campground: Ontario Highway 60
- Achray Campground: Achray Road
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Located in Southeastern Ontario, Bon Echo operates seasonally. Three of the seven yurts are near the comfort station in the Sawmill Bay area of Mazinaw Lake Campground. The remaining four yurts are located near South Beach. Yurt 157 is dog-friendly.
Location: 16151 Highway 41, Cloyne
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Creek offers three yurts for seasonal rent in the Savannah Loop, which is designated as radio-free. The yurts all feature electricity and heat.
Location: 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
Just outside Kingston, Charleston Lake operates seasonally and has four yurts for rent in Shady Ridge Campground, each with electricity and heat. Yurt 315C is dog-friendly.
Location: 148 Woodvale Road, Lansdowne
Killarney Provincial Park
In another year-round park, Killarney’s six yurts are located in a private section of George Lake Campground. Dogs are allowed in Yurt 6. Be aware that Killarney yurts are extremely popular year-round. Consider a midweek stay (be sure to make your reservation up to five months in advance) or look to a less popular—though equally scenic—destination such as Windy Lake Provincial Park near Sudbury.
Location: 960 ON-637, Killarney
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
MacGregor Point features seven comfortable yurts in the Birch Boulevard section of the campground available year-round for reservations.
Location: 1593 Bruce Road 33, Port Elgin
Pinery Provincial Park
This gorgeous park on Lake Huron offers six heated and furnished yurts year-round. Yurt RA15 is dog-friendly.
Location: 9526 Lakeshore Road, Grand Bend
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Eight yurts are available at Silent Lake from May through to March, so you can experience winter comfortably. The park’s ski trails make it a popular destination for winter camping. Be sure to reserve your yurt well in advance. Yurts number 7 and 103 are designated dog-friendly.
Location: 1589 Silent Lake Park Road, Bancroft
Windy Lake Provincial Park
Located near Sudbury, Windy Lake features four seasonal yurts tucked away on existing campsites. This quiet park is a great alternative to more popular near-north provincial parks, such as Killarney.
Location: Highway 144 Old Cartier Road, Levack
Soft-sided shelters in Ontario Parks
Along with yurts, some Ontario Parks offer spacious and comfortable canvas tents (also known as prospector-, deluxe- or exploration tents) for upscale camping experiences. All come with a minimum two-night booking policy (three nights on long weekends).
Bass Lake Provincial Park
Leave your tent at home and reserve one of six canvas prospector tents at Bass Lake Provincial Park, near Orillia. Each tent features two sets of bunk beds with double mattresses on the bottom and single mattresses on the top. Pets are not allowed.
Location: 2540 Bass Lake Sideroad East, Orillia
Bon Echo Provincial Park
Along with yurts, Bon Echo offers two exploration tents in the Sawmill Campground, each accommodating up to five people.
Location: 16151 Highway 41, Cloyne
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Murphys Point in Eastern Ontario offers a deluxe tent—a soft-sided shelter featuring two queen-sized beds, rustic log furniture and a kitchenette—for comfort-seeking campers.
Location: 2243 Elm Grove Road, Perth
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
There are eight canvas prospector tents available at Presqu’ile Provincial Park on Lake Ontario. Each sleeps five or six people and includes a propane barbecue.
Location: 328 Presqu’ile Parkway, Brighton
Rideau River Provincial Park
This easy-to-access park on the historic Rideau River offers four one-room prospector tents, each with enough space to sleep six campers.
Location: 2680 Donnelly Drive, Kemptville
Wakami Lake Provincial Park
Escape to Northern Ontario for a camping vacation in Wakami Lake Provincial Park’s prospector tent. This remote park offers plenty of space and solitude, as well as great paddling, fishing and hiking.
Location: Ontario Highway 667, Sudbury
Parks Canada yurts in Ontario
National Parks in Ontario have two different types of yurt accommodations: traditional-style, round yurts at Bruce Peninsula and A-frame oTENTiks at several other destinations.
oTENTiks are A-frame structures that offer a modern take on canvas prospector tents, with sleeping space for five to six people. Furnishings include an indoor table and chairs and indoor lighting. Numbers are limited, so book early as they don’t last long.
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Bruce Peninsula features 10 yurts with a twist. These structures are furnished with Murphy beds, a huge deck, a propane barbecue and other perks.
Location: 469 Cyprus Lake Road, Tobermory
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park is located in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago and operates seasonally. Five oTENTiks are available to rent in Cedar Spring Campground on Beausoleil Island.
Location: 2611 Honey Harbour Road, Honey Harbour
Point Pelee National Park
Perched on the southernmost point of Canada’s mainland, 24 oTENTiks offers cozy accommodations at Camp Henry in Point Pelee.
Location: 1118 Point Pelee Drive, Leamington
Pukaskwa National Park
Wild, remote and wonderful, Pukaskwa sits on the shores of Lake Superior in Northern Ontario. Stay in one of five oTENTik campsites.
Location: ON-627, Heron Bay
Thousand Islands National Park
Explore the historic waters of the St. Lawrence River in Thousands Islands National Park and choose from three locations for comfortable oTENTik accommodations, three tents on McDonald Island, two on Gordon Island and five at Mallorytown Landing on the mainland.
Location: 1121 Thousand Islands Parkway, Mallorytown Landing
Rideau Canal National Historic Site
oTENTiks are available at three different sites along the historic Rideau Canal: two at Upper Nicholsons, four at Upper Beveridges and two at Upper Brewers.
Locations:
- Upper Nicholsons, 121 Andrewsville Road, Merrickville
- Upper Beveridges, 171 Beveridges Lock Road, Drummond/North Elmsley
- Upper Brewers, 4498 Canal Rd #4176, Kingston
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Two lock sites along the Trent-Severn Waterway offer oTENTik rentals. There are two at Lock 35 - Rosedale and four at Lock 24 - Douro.
Locations:
- Rosedale, 161 Trent Canal Road, Rosedale
- Douro, 4052 County Road 32, Douro-Dummer Township
Whether you’re looking for an easy introduction to camping, a comfortable family getaway or simply a cushier way to spend time in some of Canada’s finest outdoor destinations, yurts at Ontario’s provincial and national parks offer truly unique experiences.
Last updated: August 25, 2026