#2) For easy camping close to local culture: Awenda Provincial Park, Penetanguishene

Awenda Provincial Park, just outside Penetanguishene, is an excellent option for novices or intermediate campers. On the shores of Georgian Bay, the 2,900-hectare park offers fairly easy hiking, canoeing on an interior lake (little chance of rough waters), various interpretive programs in the summer by park staff, a choice of sandy beaches, family-friendly programming (such as guided nature hikes and evening-star-gazing), fishing, canoeing and boating.  There’s plenty of car-camping available, plus RV facilities, comfort stations (with showers) and a park store.

For campers who are keen for a taste of the local culture available near the Franco-Ontarian community of Penetanguishene, there’s Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, the Huron/Ouendat Village in nearby Midland, and plenty of restaurants and summer theatre in Penetanguishene.

For details on Awenda Provincial Park, visit: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/awenda

Post-camping pig-out: A mess of fish-and-chips at Captain Ken’s Pub on Main Street, Penetanguishene.