Wesley Clover Parks Campground — Attraction in Ottawa

This is a review for Magic of Lights, held at Wesley Clover Parks Campground. For those considering it, I'd say it will win over even the biggest grinch or jaded teenager. It's well worth the price of admission and even worth the wait in line.

The only downside here is the popularity; I attended with my family (including my boys, now 6 and 3) in both the first year it was open and again yesterday. We were lucky yesterday and met the other cars in our little convoy on Moodie at 4:30 and were in the park by 5:00. By the time that we did our tour through the lineup ran all the way through the empty portion of the campground, along Corkstown Road, and back to Moodie which I'd imagine would be a couple of hours in the lineup for the last cars. I'm told that earlier in the season (we were the 21st of December) and weekdays are less of a wait. Tickets purchased in advance were less expensive but we saw that they were also available at the door

The display winds its way through the campground and takes 20-30 minutes from entry to exit. Light displays have various themes (Santa's Village, Candy Canes, Around the World, Construction, 12 Days of Christmas, etc.) and are exceptionally well done. Many of the individual displays have brief animations in the blinking lights and it's clear that a ton of thought and money is reinvested each year in making it even better than the last. There's a radio frequency to tune in to during the drive with ad-free Christmas music on a loop which adds to the feeling.

As mentioned above, my boys are 6 and 3 currently and loved it! We were driving through with three other families as a socially-distanced get-together; we had a conference call going between the cars and singing along to the music, so everyone was in the holiday spirit. I think it will be a regular holiday...

The campground is still owned by the city but is now managed Wesley Clover Parks. They also now operate the former National Equestrian Centre next door that received a bad review on this site for the first concert event held in it's long and storied history. We're talking 2 separate locations here. I think that the private family charitable foundation working with the city could have done a better job of identifying/naming the sites better||The campground is an excellent location for a base camp while touring in the Ottawa area. It is one of those areas in a lot of big cities that once found will bring you back again.||This was our 4th visit and except for the sound of the highway at times, you'd think you were out in the forest a hundred miles from town. It is located in Ottawa's greenbelt area, but if you can't find anything you are looking for within 15 minutes from your campsite you are doing something wrong. Except for a few out of hundreds the campsites are all clean, well treed and separated, with new electrical services. There is no lack of upgraded washroom facilities. This also includes the unserviced campground.||Visit their website for lots of info but don't expect to see photos of each site or be able to book online like you can do for Ontario Provincial Parks. For some reason the new century hasn't reached their computers yet? All in all I could go on about how good this place is but better yet...go there and write a better review...You probably can and will.||PS- Ask for the...

We are full time RV'ers and have stayed in many, many campgrounds over the last 7 years. This is one of our favorites. The city of Ottawa no longer operates it; Wesley Clover has the contract to do that, but they seem to be exhibiting the same care and maintenance. Sites vary a lot in terms of size and amenities, so look at the website and select what you need and want. Sites are fairly level, gravel, and mostly shaded. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided. There are recycling bins as well. The trees and grass make this an attractive place to stay. It's quiet at night, too, except for a little road noise. The location and access to the bike paths is outstanding. Though we usually drive into Remic Rapids park and bike into Ottawa from there, we can and have biked into the city right from the campground. Bike the other direction and you come to the lovely Shirley Bay. There is new Internet installed in each bath house which made for great connections and high speed at our site. Our only complaint is that the sites don't have sewer, and 50 amps would be nice, but that's a small price to pay for such a lovely campground in a...