Killbear Provincial Park — Attraction in Carling Township

I was so happy to have returned to Killbear after many years! I used to go every summer with my parents and friends when I was growing up and am very pleased to report that it has remained as beautiful as it was 10 and even 15 years ago. We would normally book a site at Beaver Dams, but due to popularity and high demand, we were able to secure a site a Georgian this year instead. Our site was still lovely (had 2 picnic tables, fire pit, water source and bathrooms nearby). Just a couple of differences with Georgian you may need to be aware of: it is a quite zone (no generators or speakers allowed) and no electric hookup (just in case you need it for an RV). Georgian was also just a short 5 minute walk away from the main beach near the rocks with the famous tree. I have been to other provincial parks as well, but Killbear still remains my favourite. If you're a first-time camper, it's perfect to try your hand at camping due to the amenities and how well-maintained they are. There are washrooms with flushing toilets, toilet paper, a sink and hand soap. Each campsite zone also appears to have its own "Comfort Station" equipped with hot-water showers and additional washrooms (just bring your own shampoo, soap, etc). However, the sites have still a nice amount of greenery/rock are between them, so it still feels like you're peacefully nestled into nature. Yes, some sites are "nicer" than others (in terms of privacy, slope, etc.), so I would recommend asking a friend who has been there before for any specific site number recommendations. This visit, we stayed at 431 in Georgian and were very happy with ours and the surrounding sites. While you're there, take a walk around and check out the sites in other zones as well so you know what to look for on future bookings. One thing you should know: this is bear country. I have seen bears here, more than once. And one night years ago, a bear came onto our site because our neighbours left out a watermelon and trash overnight (But this is not the park's fault, it's the visitors' fault). So, always put all food, coolers and garbage in your car every night and don't leave them out overnight or you can get a big, furry visitor. There are dumpsters at the entrances a short drive away where you can dump your trash.

Just some info you might want to know about the sites themselves: You are allowed up to 6 people per site, I believe 3 pieces of tent-like shelter and up to 2 vehicles. The first vehicle is included with the nightly fee. The second vehicle will need paid parking at $14/night. If you need to park a third vehicle (because you're coming a group), the parking fee is still the same ($14/night) and you are allowed to park your car at a nearby Comfort Station, washroom or beach parking space.

The only main difference that I noticed from a few years ago is that the main beach has gotten a little busier with boats. However, there are still buoyed and roped off areas that perfectly safe for kids and where boats are not allowed to enter. The park also appears to be allowing visitors to stake up and leave a couple beach tents/shelters overnight, but they weren't overcrowded so we didn't mind. I was just surprised to see them left there (and I hit the beach and rocks to watch the sunrise, so I know they were left there overnight). Unfortunately the "Famous Tree" was also propped up by stilts and not very tall and full anymore. Might have just been from recent storms this past May/June so I'm hoping it wasn't from careless tree climbers.

My favourite nearby place for restocking supplies (ice, firewood) is the Detour Store right on ON-559, about 7 minutes drive before you enter Killbear, because they have better prices than the General Store which is closer by just a...

🌲🏖️ We recently had the pleasure of visiting Killbear Provincial Park's Sand Beach in Ontario, Canada.

📍 Killbear Provincial Park is a natural wonder located on the shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario, 🇨🇦, celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes 🏞️, rocky shorelines 🌊, and exciting outdoor activities.

💧 This marked our third Ontario provincial park adventure. The entry fee was a reasonable $9 per person 💲, totaling c$18 for both of us. It's a day use pass, and there's a separate parking area for day visitors. Don't forget the open swimming pool area with safety ropes 🏊!

🏕️ For those interested in camping, there's an office on-site where you can register without the need for advanced bookings. Stay updated by checking their Facebook or Twitter pages or visit the Canada Parks website.

🏢 A visitor information center is available, and you can find everything about the park there. They'll even provide you with a park map, but keep in mind it's open only from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

🌐 I like to call this provincial park the "hi-tech camping grounds" because they provide electricity, water utilities, WiFi, and security. Parking enforcement is always around to assist, so make sure to place your ticket on the dashboard.

🏕️ It's worth mentioning that this promotional park is exceptionally clean, with excellent restroom and shower facilities. The staff is knowledgeable and cooperative, making it an ideal choice for first-time campers. With nearly 1500 campsites available, you're spoiled for choice! 🏕️

💧 The crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay offer safe swimming areas, including a roped-off section resembling an open swimming pool 🏊. It's perfect for swimmers of all levels since there's no depth in the roped area. Ideal for kayaking enthusiasts as well! 🛶

♿ Accessibility is a priority, with wheelchair access to the shoreline, a significant asset for those who need a wheelchair.

🏞️ Killbear features various campgrounds with different names. My all-time favorite is Beaver Dam Grounds, offering a fantastic sunset view by the water. And speaking of sunsets, the Lighthouse Area Campgrounds provide some of the best sunset views in Ontario, with breathtaking rock formations that leave you speechless 😍.

🍂 We're already planning our next camping trip here this fall. It's a place that calls you back time and again! 🏕️🍁

🚻 In summary, the park boasts very clean restrooms, excellent day use facilities, fantastic camping options, great bike trails 🚴‍♂️, kayaking adventures 🛶, is dog-friendly 🐶, peaceful, and secure. They even have EV CHARGING STATIONS, but do note that entry is not free; you should buy tickets. But it's 💯 worthy!

🌿🌎 Lastly, please remember to maintain cleanliness and preserve nature during your visit. Let's leave no trace and keep our environment clean...

This is a negative review but in all fairness I am compelled to say...We, Mary and I, were travelling without reservations for Killbear or any knowledge of this park. It was on our driving route and we hoped we could get a site with short notice. We did, Mary made a reservation for one night with her phone that morning and we arrived early evening with great expectations. Campsite 569. At the office we were informed it was a radio free area (quiet) and near the water. We thought this sounded good, we didn't ask about alternate sites nor did the office make any suggestions or recommendations. I have camped in every province and territory in Canada; national, provincial, private campgrounds, remote areas, roadside, you name it. Campsite 569 is the WORST place I have ever pitched a tent. The fact that it had been raining made the sites entire surface, tire treaded dark muck embedded with camper detritus, seem worse. It was getting late, it was for only one night, we pitched our tent anyway. We didn't realize there would be the reek of the nearby toilets, the swampy sudsy drainage ditch behind the trees or the beach access parking area just feet from our picnic table. Nor did we realize the traffic, cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, strollers, the incredible piles of garbage, the volume of people, the noise, yelling, radios.. it went on and on into the night. Our campsite should be a parking lot. With 1,500 sites at this park, one less would not make an impact. We were not aware of other vacant sites until we went for a late ride on our bikes. Maybe those sites were going to fill up after dark? We were very disappointed in what we had and where we were when we saw large unoccupied sites, quiet, private. Even so, we were set up, too lazy to complain. But what galls me the most is that the site we were at had the same fee as the other sites we saw. We paid $57.00 for our site and $7.00 for wood to burn. 64 bucks! In Espanola we paid 65 for a motel with all the amenities. Is this a fair comparison? Beds, TV, microwave, kitchenette, shower etc, that's not camping is it. But what the hell was it we had at Killbear? All said, there were lots of people that seemed to be having a good time. We...