Backcountry camping in Frontenac County offers visitors the opportunity to experience the region’s landscapes in their most unfiltered form. From paddle-in campsites and hike-access locations to remote lakefront clearings, overnight stays place you deep within forests, along quiet shorelines, and under some of Eastern Ontario’s darkest night skies. Whether you are planning a multi-day paddling route or a secluded weekend escape, Frontenac’s backcountry sites offer a true immersion in nature.
Rising dramatically from the shoreline of Mazinaw Lake, Bon Echo Provincial Park is one of Eastern Ontario’s most visually striking camping destinations. While the park offers a range of drive-in campground sites suitable for car campers and families, its backcountry experience is defined by canoe-access interior campsites set among quiet lakes and portage routes. Paddlers can camp beneath towering granite cliffs, explore interconnected waterways, and experience the rugged Canadian Shield landscape that makes Bon Echo a signature wilderness destination.
Access: Drive-in camping + Paddle-in backcountry sites
Plan Your Trip: Booking, permits, and campsite reservations are managed through Ontario Parks.
Website: Bon Echo Provincial Park
Depot Lakes Campground offers a more accessible camping experience within the North Frontenac region. The site features drive-in campsites with proximity to the lake, making it well suited for families, basecamp trips, and first-time backcountry explorers. From this staging point, visitors can launch paddling excursions, hike nearby trails, or fish the surrounding lakes while returning to a serviced campsite environment.
Access: Drive-in camping with paddle and hiking access nearby
Plan Your Trip: Campsite reservations and seasonal information are managed by Quinte Conservation
Website: Camping | Quinte Conservation
Located north of Kingston, Frontenac Provincial Park is a backcountry-only park designed for immersive wilderness travel. There are no drive-in campsites within the park. All overnight stays require access by hiking trail or paddle route, with more than 100 interior campsites distributed across a network of lakes and forest corridors. Visitors can plan looped or point-to-point trips that combine portaging and backcountry hiking while camping at secluded shoreline sites.
Access: Hike-in + Paddle-in only (No drive-in camping)
Plan Your Trip: Reservations, permits, and route planning are managed through Ontario Parks.
Website: Frontenac Provincial Park
The North Frontenac Park Lands encompass thousands of hectares of remote wilderness, crown land lakes, and managed backcountry camping areas. Many sites are a short paddle from drive-to access points located on remote lakes, allowing visitors to camp in a rugged backcountry setting. Additional drive-in opportunities exist for those seeking more accessible wilderness travel, making the Park Lands adaptable to both entry-level and experienced backcountry users.
Access: Drive-in + Paddle-in + Hike-in options
Plan Your Trip: Camping permits and site information are administered by the Township of North Frontenac.
Website: North Frontenac Parklands – Eastern Ontario’s Backcountry Experience
Car Camping
Not every camping experience requires a paddle or portage. Across Frontenac County, drive-in campgrounds offer the chance to stay close to nature with the added convenience of vehicle access. These sites serve as ideal basecamps for day trips, family outings, and multi-activity stays throughout the region.
Some local drive-in camping experiences include:
- Bon Echo Provincial Park
- Desert Lake Family Resort
- Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
- Skycroft Campground Resort
- Tiny Village Woodland Park
Many other camping, glamping and outdoor overnight experiences can be found using the Frontenac County Business Directory.
