Looking for Sudbury Camping? Try The French River, a Short Drive Away…
The French River runs approximately between Parry Sound and Sudbury. Starting at Lake Nipissing, it runs west to Georgian Bay, offering diverse sights and paddling opportunities. The Hartley Bay Marina on The French River has camping sites and cottages that overlook the French River.
French River Provincial Park offers an unforgettable backcountry experience! Discover the grand and majestic Georgian Bay while paddling the historic river-style waters of the French River. There are no two campsites alike, and there's no need to book ahead, so enthusiasts can meander, roam, and explore the Delta how they please.
Our Hartley Bay canoe rentals are available in advance or you can launch your own to travel among the waterways of the French River Provincial Park.
Why Choose Greater Sudbury as a Camping Location?
The City of Greater Sudbury is at the intersection of three major highways in Northeastern Ontario. The city is on the Canadian Shield in the Great Lakes Basin, and it has a mix of urban, suburban, rural, and wilderness areas. Sudbury is the largest municipality in Ontario by geographical area, and the second biggest in Canada by population. Lake Wanapitei, the largest lake in the city, is the largest lake in Greater Sudbury.
Thousands of people kayak small sections of The French River every year. Few have paddled all the way along and explored all the historical sites.
With its maze of channels that lead back to the Georgian Bay Delta, the French River is one of the most popular paddling spots between Sudbury and Toronto. Summer camping is a great way to make new memories for northern Ontario residents and visitors alike. Hartley Bay Marina is a perfect spot to pitch a tent with any family coming from Sudbury.
Things to Do in Northern Ontario
We welcome cooler weather and warmer sweaters with the changing leaves. Fall in love with Northern Ontario's vibrant colours. Fall colours are best seen at these spots in Sudbury (apart from right along the French River at Hartley Bay Marina, of course):
- Lake Laurentian Conservation Area has 2,415 acres of green space just minutes from downtown. A multi-use trail network runs along Lake Laurentian, and there's also a scenic lookout.
- Rotary Park has the New Sudbury Lookout along Junction Creek. Take a stroll later in the evening to see the sunset over the North end.
- Ramsey Lake Boardwalk stretches 1km along the shoreline of Ramsey Lake, the world's second largest city-contained lake.
- In Kivi Park, you can walk and hike to see the fall colours on 450 acres of Cambrian Shield. Located in the park is Crowley Lake, a peaceful getaway from the city.
- High Falls at Onaping offers some of the best hiking trails. Get a bird's eye view at the A.Y. Jackson Lookout, the very spot that inspired A.Y. Jackson's painting "Spring on the Onaping River".
Did You Know Thomas Edison Visited Canada?
Thomas Edison visited Sudbury early in the 1900s. He was looking for nickel in big quantities. Visit Northern Ontario Travel and learn about Edison's little-known time looking to get rich in Ontario's largest northern city. Learn about what brought him to this area, and what remains from his visit. Next time you're in Sudbury, retrace his steps.
It’s not Sudbury Camping but it a short drive away at Hartley Bay Marina
The Hartley Bay Marina is a great place to camp south of Sudbury, since it's only 50 minutes away. Take Highway 69 south from the city. Just past the Alban turn off, you'll see Hartley Bay Road. Turn right and drive to the end; cross the tracks (be careful!!) and you're there.
Welcome to Hartley Bay Marina—your next best slightly southern destination of Sudbury to do camping of choice!
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Sudbury Camping image c/o Pixabay
