Categories > Guides and Tips
The 10 Best Camping Sites in Thunder Bay for a Nature-Filled Happy Place!
It’s no secret that Thunder Bay is a popular destination for camping, given the many campgrounds in and around the area. To be honest, it’s the ultimate summer activity if you want to take a break from your daily life.
But how can you find the right campground that will fit your needs? Don’t sweat, because we’ve got you covered!
We’re sharing our favourite camping spots in Thunder Bay, from wilderness to modern places. Whether you’re going alone, with your significant other, or bringing the kids, we’ve got the right place that will stamp your year with happy memories!
Kakabeka Falls Riverside Campground
– Media credit: princessaxt
Address: 100-200 Hydro Dam Rd, Kakabeka Falls
Contact: 807-473-9231
Operating Season:
- Camping: May – October
- Day Use: Year-round
Amenities: Washrooms and picnic areas; electrical outlets are in the other campground
Best For: Families, couples, and groups who enjoy a riverside escape
When in Thunder Bay, a stop at Kakabeka Falls is a must, and when you’re camping, it’s only a half-hour drive. There are three campgrounds, and the riverside one is our most recommended because it’s close to the Kaministiquia River.
It also brings you closer to Kakabeka Falls, as there are trails that will lead you straight to see the cascading water. It’s a quiet place since there aren’t loads of people, although you should expect to hear noises coming from vehicles on the highway.
The amenities are your usual ones, like picnic areas and washrooms. It’s mostly ideal for traditional camping without missing out on some modern amenities. There are electrical outlets in the area, though, but you’ll need to walk quite a bit to access those.
Pro Tip:
Bring mosquito repellent to avoid being bitten by these bloodsucking bugs!
Chippewa Park Campground
– Media credit: chippewapark
Address: 2465 City Road
Contact: 807-623-3912
Operating Season: May – September
Amenities: Electrical sites, laundry facilities, washrooms, showers, community kitchen, firewood and ice, picnic areas, beach access, and more
Best For: Campers who enjoy beachside access with modern amenities
Tucked on the shores of Lake Superior, Chippewa Park Campground makes camping a breeze for everyone. How? The many amenities for a modern camping experience are perfect for first-time campers or those seeking a relaxing time away from home.
You can bring your tent or RV, as there are serviced and unserviced sites. There are also plenty of spots to choose from, whether you prefer a wooded area or the grassy sections with more open spaces.
Everything’s in order here, so you won’t fall short on amenities—washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, playing fields, and a community kitchen. Plus, the beach access makes this attractive for families who need to cool down from the summer heat.
Pro Tip:
If you’re bringing your RV or trailer, stick to the highway and don’t drive through the James Street Bridge because it’s a bit of a tight fit.
Trowbridge Falls Campground
– Media credit: david.andrew.walker
Address: 16 Copenhagen Road
Contact: 807-683-6661
Operating Season: May – September
Amenities: Electrical sites, laundry facility, washrooms, showers, dump station, and more
Best For: Nature lovers who enjoy peaceful spots; bikers who want to be close to cycling trails
Let’s be honest, Trowbridge Falls Campground is utterly beautiful. The flowing water of the river, the cascading streams, and the wooded trails make this a nature lover’s paradise.
It features decent amenities, but we do admit these could do with a bit of maintenance. If you don’t mind dirt here and there, then you won’t have a problem with camping in this gorgeous Thunder Bay destination, especially if you enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
There are electrical sites and some have water available for filling up RV tanks, as well as washrooms, showers, and a laundry facility. You essentially get what you need for a couple of days of camping.
Pro Tip:
Be aware of your surroundings when exploring the paths because mountain bikers use the trails.
Scott and Rohnda’s Resort and Campgrounds
Address: Top of Eight Mile Hill, Armstrong Hwy 527
Contact: 807-628-9766
Operating Season: Summer and winter
Amenities: Children’s play area, log cabins, beach access, open-air pavilion, washrooms, and more
Best For: Families with kids who enjoy cabin camping, lakeside activities, and community gatherings
Located on the shoreline of Waller Lake, Scott and Rohnda’s Resort and Campgrounds is a family-friendly cabin camping destination that has a close-knit community. Most campers come here yearly, so you’ll likely see some familiar faces every now and then.
And when we say family-friendly, we mean the kids can play in the big play structure in the children’s area and have access to a dock for swimming. Fishing is also a popular activity for everyone here, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding.
If you love community gatherings, this camping site, located just outside Thunder Bay, hosts potluck dinners during long weekends in select months. Kids can even join in on scavenger hunts, a perfect summer activity to keep them occupied!
Pro Tip:
Bring your own pillows, bedding, blankets, and towels for camping because these aren’t available at the campground.
Fort William Historical Park Campground
– Media credit: fortwilliamhp
Address: 1350 King Road
Contact: 807-473-2344, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Season: May – October (Victoria Day weekend – Thanksgiving weekend)
Amenities: Serviced and non-serviced sites, hot showers, flush toilets, picnic areas, free WiFi, paved wheelchair access, and more
Best For: Families and couples who enjoy camping near the city
Camping at Thunder Bay’s Fort William Historical Park is like hitting two birds with one stone. Aside from taking a break surrounded by nature, you can swing by a living history museum, just a hop, skip, and a stone’s throw away.
The camp site is on a spacious site along the riverbank, providing a scenic destination that isn’t far from the city. There are serviced and non-serviced sites for RVs, trailers, and camping tents, where pets are welcome.
It’s for those who don’t like roughing it, as it’s decked with modern amenities, such as hot showers, flush toilets, and WiFi. Plus, the campsite is near shopping and dining areas, so you can explore Thunder Bay during the day and sleep near the Kaministiquia River at night.
Pro Tip:
Check out the activities at the park to experience what 19th-century living was like.
Marie Louise Lake Campground
– Media credit: sleepinggiantprovincialpark
Address: Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Contact: 1-888-668-7275
Operating Season: May – October
Amenities: Flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities, boat launches, rentals, playground, and more
Best For: Campers who like the feel of seclusion but with modern amenities
Marie Louise Lake Campground is hidden in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, located just an hour from Thunder Bay. The secluded place with lake access, surrounded by nature and wildlife, is an attractive camping site for nature lovers.
Even though you’re in the middle of the forest, you can still enjoy some modern facilities. It’s not booming with amenities, since camping here is more about enjoying the scenery and the tranquillity of the park, but you get showers and flush toilets.
The boat launch allows you to enjoy the lake, and canoes and SUPs are also available to rent at the Visitor Centre. There’s a bit of a backcountry camping feel, even with the amenities, quite possibly because you’re in bear country.
Pro Tip:
Stick to camping sites 1 to 168 if you prefer quicker access to the toilets and boat launch.
Thunder Bay KOA Holiday
– Media credit: kampgroundsofamerica
Address: 162 Spruce River Rd, Shuniah
Contact: 1-800-562-4162
Operating Season: May – October
Amenities: Serviced sites, propane, kitchen, WiFi, snack bar, cable TV, splash pad, recreational activities, free book library, and more
Best For: Families with children who enjoy summer recreational activities
When the summer season starts, camping at Thunder Bay KOA Holiday is a good idea for families, especially those with young children.
This campground is the absolute place for kid-friendly activities! Even without beach access, since there’s a pool and a splash pad. This is also the campsite if you’re searching for recreational activities for the entire family.
You can go fishing, play horseshoe, swing hard at mini golf, kick the ball at soccer, or dominate the basketball court.
There’s a bunch of amenities, which make this a go-to for campers who prefer all the modern conveniences, such as WiFi, cable TV, and a kitchen. Aside from tents and RVs, there are log cabins for a bit of fancy camping.
Pro Tip:
If you’re bringing your furry companion, take them to the Kamp K9 off-leash dog park to exercise in a secure spot. Outside of that, make sure they’re on a leash.
North Lake Resort
– Media credit: northlakeresort
Address: Lake Road, on the shores of North Lake
Contact: 807-620-6606, [email protected]
Operating Season: May – September
Amenities: Serviced sites, showers, washrooms, sauna, gym, game room, WiFi, and more
Best For: Family campers who enjoy fishing and access to fitness and game facilities
North Lake Resort is a family-friendly destination on the shores of the picturesque North Lake. You can bask in nature while enjoying a couple of facilities that you don’t normally see in campgrounds, like a gym and sauna—camping mixed with a holistic approach!
This Thunder Bay campground is also for fishing enthusiasts, because once you reel in your catch, there’s a cleaning shack you can go straight to. When it’s time to stay indoors, the game room has a bowling lane, foosball, and air hockey.
One of the best parts about camping here is the camper appreciation nights, where complimentary food is served and shared with the small community.
Pro Tip:
Book a reservation in August for the Halloween in August event to enjoy treats and prizes.
Mirror Lake Resort and Campground
– Media credit: aprilj.tighe
Address: 3495 Ontario Hwy, 17 Mirror Lk Rd #11, Shuniah
Contact: 807-977-2840
Operating Season: May – October
Amenities: Serviced sites, showers, toilets, laundry facilities, play area, beach access, and more
Best For: Overnight campers who need a quick break; Groups and families who prefer a quiet spot in the wilderness with modern facilities
When you’re on a road trip across Ontario, Mirror Lake Resort and Campground is a good stop to take a short break. It’s located on the Trans-Canada Highway and offers lakeside access.
It’s quite massive, with a total of 96 campsites for RVs and tents. You get the usual amenities, such as showers, toilets, and laundry facilities, and still get to enjoy wilderness camping in Thunder Bay.
If you love hiking, this is the place for you, as it’s near various trails. And if you prefer serene campgrounds, you can take advantage of the peacefulness of the place, even if it’s a little close to the highway.
Pro Tip:
Pick a lakeside camping site so you’re close to the beach and farther from the highway.
Happy Land Campground
– Media credit: legrangeleon
Address: 4650 ON-11 #17, Kakabeka Falls
Contact: 807-473-9003
Operating Season: May – October
Amenities: Serviced sites, washrooms, showers, playground, pool and hot tub, horseshoe pits, WiFi, fire pits, store, and more
Best For: Families with kids looking for a quick vacation spot
Drive west of Thunder Bay to find the spacious Happy Land Campground, where family camping is the highlight. The place is kid-friendly, well-maintained, and open for RVs, trailers, and tents.
There’s no shortage of amenities that will make your daily camping life easy. The campground is equipped with washrooms, toilets, a pool and a hot tub, fire pits, a playground, and horseshoe pits.
The best part? It’s near Kakabeka Falls Village, where you can swing by to try out local restaurants and purchase souvenirs.
Pro Tip:
Reserving a camping site isn’t allowed, but if you want to move, you can do so if the staff finds an available spot.
