Camping and Cottaging | Haldimand County Tourism

The smell of a smouldering campfire, fresh country air and invigorating walks through wooded trails will ignite a passion for living outside and getting in touch with nature. Get the kids away from technology and reconnect as a family.

Young women sit around a campfire roasting marshmallows

A woman sits in a lawn chair reading a book in front of a blue tent

Camping

Whether it’s your first time camping in a pop-up tent or you're a seasoned camper with a large travel trailer with all the amenities, this is the place to set up your temporary residence. Haldimand is home to approximately 3,500 campsites on Lake Erie and along the Grand River including two provincial parks.

Byng Island Park

Grand River Conservation Authority’s Byng Island Park offers campers, boaters, anglers, and other visitors a chance to explore the Grand River and Lake Erie. The 190-hectare park encompasses Carolinian forests, the river, wetlands, and creeks. Byng Island has the largest outdoor swimming pool in Canada, which can hold up to 1,000 people and has a diving board.

Haldimand Conservation Area

Operated by Long Point Region Conservation Authority the Haldimand Conservation Area is minutes west of Selkirk and centrally located to nearby museums, community events, and boat launches.

Looking for on-road cycling routes? The winding roads along Lake Erie’s shoreline are some of the most scenic. The park is located along the Lake Erie Cycle Route and is a perfect home base for cycling tours and overnight stay

Rock Point Provincial Park

Rock Point Provincial Park is known for its mature wooded and secluded campsites. Take an afternoon stroll on their 2 km Woodlot Trail or get the perfect selfie on the viewing platform above the dunes overlooking the lake. Exposed fossils of a coral reef dating back to over 350 million years ago can be found embedded in the limestone shelf along the beach.

Note: This Provincial Park encourages booking your daily vehicle permit in advance to guarantee access, as the parks are becoming more popular, but only have room for a limited number of visitors each day. Visit the Ontario Parks reservation service to obtain your daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance of your trip.

Selkirk Provincial Park

Selkirk Provincial Park is a quiet campground with grassed campsites. The pristine 1.5 km Wheeler’s Walk Trail takes you across a marsh wetland, via a wooden boardwalk, the perfect spot to hear the frogs and spot rare birds. The Lake Erie waterfront tends to be pebbly but turns sandy shortly after entering the water.

Note: This Provincial Park encourages booking your daily vehicle permit in advance to guarantee access, as the parks are becoming more popular, but only have room for a limited number of visitors each day. Visit the Ontario Parks reservation service to obtain your daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance of your trip.

Private Trailer Parks and Campgrounds

There are also plenty of options for your next adventure in one of our privately owned parks and campgrounds.

Kid-friendly Knight’s Beach Resort offers organized events, a recreation hall, horseshoes, volleyball courts, a half-mile groomed beach, a playground, a games room, and a basketball court.

For quieter, kid-free living, Blue Heron Trailer Park, is an adults-only, upscale seasonal park that is a perfect retreat for the professional or active retired couple looking to have a summer getaway.

For something completely different, try camping next to the thunder of racing cars at Toronto Motorsports Park at one of their events.

See map below for more privately run campgrounds.

To find locations accepting RV waste, visit the Sanidumps website.

Cottage Living

If “roughing it” is not your style, rent a cottage and just kick back and relax on your deck overlooking the expansive Lake Erie shoreline. From your base camp explore the area on day trips. The quaint towns and hamlets are the perfect backdrop to some unique local shopping. Take part in fun experiences that can only be found in Haldimand, like taking a high-performance vehicle out on the track, skydiving, or learning to paint the beautiful landscapes you will find here.

Check out some of the unique cottage options in our area:

Lenny & Lou’s Lakehouse

Lenny & Lou's Lakehouse is a quaint waterfront cottage filled with natural light. Enjoy the beautiful Lake Erie views from the large covered deck.

My Lighthouse Cottages

My Lighthouse Cottages is situated in a perfect location for enjoying the best of both river and lake vacations. Right across from Port Maitland Esplanade and Pier, where the Grand River meets Lake Erie, the location is a fishing hotspot. 10 rental units from 1-3 bedrooms accommodate groups of all sizes and they are a one-minute walk to a beautiful sandy beach with a shallow entry for the kids.

Door 25 Stays

Door 25 Stays has a beautiful Lake Erie waterfront escape. Located on quiet Hoover Point in Selkirk, this two-bedroom plus loft features breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Erie. The large wrap-around deck with a private hot tub overlooking your own private beach has million-dollar sunsets all year round. Fully equipped and thoughtfully designed.

Junction House Getaway

Junction House Getaways' Boho Breeze is nestled near the serene shores of Lake Erie and offers all the amenities needed for a blissful summer escape including a hot tub, BBQ, fire pit, wifi, two-person arcade, and washer and dryer. The cozy two-bedroom cottage is just a one-minute walk to a sandy shallow beach which is great for kids.

Selkirk Oasis

The nautically-inspired Selkirk Oasis boasts an open-concept living space highlighted by oversized windows, a family room with a gas fireplace and patio door walk-out, a bright eat-in kitchen, and 3 bedrooms including a primary bedroom with a walk-out deck!