Darlington Provincial Park — Attraction in Clarington

The campsites are a fair size and the people/atmosphere are nice however I've got to agree with another commenter on why this place has such a high rating. The ONLY reason I could see anyone wanting to stay here is because it's so close to the city or maybe for a traveler who would only be passing through. We stayed for 3 nights on the labor day long weekend. The beach was ok (definitely nothing to boast about like others on here have)...I personally would NEVER swim in Lake Ontario as well.

Noise: The train is honestly not a joke. We saw the comments and thought 'how bad can it be?' I actually like a bit of white noise but this train does not fail to pass by every single half hour and boy does he ever toot that horn. EVERY time. Textbook style. 3 toots with the last one always wailing away....every....half....hour. Yes, you can also hear the traffic on the highway as well. We must've heard some kind of motor bike race near 2/3am one night. It was kind of cool but others may not have been so fond. Not sure how anyone would be able to sleep through that train though unless you're piss drunk!

Toilets/showers: are what you'd expect. I was thankful I didn't need to go to an out house. The showers do have quite a bit of mold in them. BRING SANDALS! The showers are in separate rooms. You open the door where there's a seat and some hooks that lead to the shower however bring a plastic bag as there is no curtain and your things will get wet. There's a little sensor button that turns on water and it's timed for 1 minute. You don't control time/temp.

Staff: We kept to ourselves given some comments we read. You can tell many were not friendly and did exercise their authority (although a few we ran into were really nice!). We went to the park store once to get some fries and a couple of them barged in loudly, joking around, walking behind the counter, grabbing things for free....not sure why people wear sun glasses indoors. It's easy to spot those on a power trip. They're usually wearing stupid looking glasses like the ones with a red/yellow/blue lens.

Bugs: our site was INFESTED with some kind of a fly-bee? They didn't bother us or our things however there were HUNDREDS of them flying around our site and burrowing in the sand. So beware. It's hard to tell in the quality of the pictures but I was at least able to get some in a shot. If you do go, I think our site was 195....don't go to that one. They seemed to only be at our site.

Roads: if you need to leave to get something you make think things are near bc the hwy is right there. Wrong. The closest grocery store is 15 minute away. Closest Starbucks (yes I know...but we love good coffee) is 20 minutes away! It's easy enough to get out of the park however because of a really dumb 1 way street you have to go ALL THE WAY AROUND coming back to get in...about an extra 10 minute drive to get back in!!!! Ridiculous!!!!!!!! Some people will go on through because it's just a small section but still dangerous and we saw police waiting and catching purple who did. The design of the road is quite thoughtless and careless if I may say so myself. Check it out on Google to see what u mean.

Anyway. Hope my novels helps. Looking on the bright side the experience could've been worse I suppose. Our friends on the other hand ended up leaving after the second night as they couldn't take...

Darlington Provincial Park is a hidden gem located along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, just outside of Bowmanville, Ontario. I recently had the opportunity to visit the park, and I must say it exceeded my expectations in every way. Here is my review of Darlington Provincial Park.

First and foremost, the natural beauty of Darlington Provincial Park is simply breathtaking. The park offers stunning views of Lake Ontario, with its clear blue waters stretching as far as the eye can see. The sandy beaches are well-maintained and provide a perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing. The park is also home to a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and meadows, which make for excellent hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities.

The campground at Darlington Provincial Park is top-notch. The sites are spacious and well-maintained, and each one offers a level of privacy. The campground facilities are clean and well-equipped, with modern washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. The park also offers a variety of camping options, from tent sites to RV sites with electrical hookups, catering to different camping preferences.

One of the highlights of Darlington Provincial Park is its extensive trail network. The park features over 15 kilometers of trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. The trails wind through diverse landscapes, including forests, meadows, and along the lake shore, providing ample opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and spot local wildlife. I particularly enjoyed the McLaughlin Bay Trail, which offered panoramic views of the lake and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

For water enthusiasts, Darlington Provincial Park offers a range of activities to enjoy. The swimming area is well-maintained and supervised, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on the lake, and the park offers rentals for those who don't have their own equipment. Fishing is also permitted in designated areas, providing anglers with the opportunity to catch a variety of fish species.

The staff at Darlington Provincial Park were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They provided me with all the information I needed about the park and its amenities, and their passion for the environment and conservation was evident. It's clear that they take great pride in maintaining the park and ensuring a positive experience for all visitors.

In conclusion, Darlington Provincial Park is a true gem that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and camping facilities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway, an adventurous hike, or a fun-filled day at the beach, this park has it all. I highly recommend visiting Darlington Provincial Park and immersing yourself in its serene atmosphere and stunning...

Never again. Of you are looking to be one with nature there are so many other amazing provincial parks. Washrooms, outhouses were disgusting. Our campground had one unisex outhouse. Believe me I have used plenty of park outhouses but the outhouse in my park had a toilet covered in urine and I mean not just the seat. Entire toilet and tge floor as well. This happened just about ever time and tgr main toilets had huge lineup all the time. We did bring thisvto tge attention of the park but that was a waste of time. I didn't think digging my own privy so I used the hand sanitizer and toilet paper so I could use the toilet. Forget about washing your hands this is no sink. The main bathrooms and comfort station are completely inadequate and tgst is entirely the parks fault as half of them are out of order. I waited an hour to risk my life showering in a non acceptable shower because there aren't any. Mobility devises do not fit and there are no benches to shower and dress. Even though I survived nit falling on hard tile floor. My daughter's experience was absolutely dreadful. The young lady before Julia booked it out ofvthe comfort station and my daughter learned why after undressing. It appears she didn't want to wait on line for the bathroom and killed two birds with one stone. She then made a halfa$$ to clean it up. My daughter already undressed was presented with yet another disgusting bathroom dilemma. The park being so urban accessible. Means that if you are camping and want to use the picnic area prepared I To start your picnic with breakfast. The parking lots for the picnic areatake up mires space thn the campgroud. It was faster to walk then drive and park a mile away. There badically no limit to people entringva park way to small I ounded a number of dogs on the beach i sware darlimgtonis so disgusting we are luck to not get disentry. This park is over crowded and lacking in enouf CLEAN showers, outhouses and wasrooms. Dontvbe deceaved by the nature that surrounds you the park is right next to the highways and mai train line. The noise polution polution will remind you all night you are in the midlke of a fake wilderness. The park is over run with skunks who have zero fear. The reason for this absolutly because people dont secure there food. I've been to more more parks then i can count butvivwill never go back and i do not recommend. Its absolutely worth the drive toa park like silent lake. I also forgot about the red ant infestation ofvour campsire. Tgere bites sting like a bee. I dont know hpw i...