Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada

Camping

Bruce Peninsula National Park offers superb semi-wilderness camping, in ideal locations to base your park adventure. Three different camping experiences are available in the park:

1. Drive-in sites at the Cyprus Lake Campground.
2. Group Camping at Cyprus Lake.
3. Backcountry camping along the Bruce Trail at Stormhaven or High Dump.

Camping in the park is popular during summer, so reservations are strongly recommended. Spring and fall are superb times to visit, with fewer people, and natural attractions including wildflowers (spring), bird migration and fall colours.

Cyprus Lake

• 242 drive-in campsites in three campgrounds: Birches, Poplars and Tamarack. The campgrounds front onto Cyprus Lake.
• Each campsite has picnic tables and a fire pit with grill.
• Potable water taps, cold water sinks and basic washroom facilities are located throughout the campground.
• There are no serviced sites or shower facilities in the campground.
• Showers are available at private businesses near the park.
• Firewood must be purchased at the campground office or from local businesses. Only wood from the Bruce Peninsula can be brought into the campground.  This is to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) within Southern Ontario.
• From Cyprus Lake, it is a 15km drive to the town of Tobermory.
• The campground is popular and often fills during July and August or on holiday weekends. People who arrive without reservations during the busy summer season, may be disappointed to find the campground full.
• Reservations are strongly recommended .

Camping at Cyprus Lake campground © Parks Canada/ PB Collection

Cyprus Lake campground © Parks Canada/ PB Collection

Group Camping

Group campsite
© Parks Canada/ PB Collection

• 3 drive-in group campsites at Cyprus Lake are available for groups of 12 or more people, tenting only.
• Each site has potable water taps, a picnic shelter and basic washroom facilities.
• Walking distance to Cyprus Lake and the trail system.
• Priority bookings for school, church or educational groups are accepted year round. Family groups may book for each season beginning in May.
• Make group camping reservations directly with Cyprus Office (May to October) by calling (519) 596-2263. At other times of year call (519) 596-2233.

Backcountry Camping

• There are two backcountry campgrounds in the national park - “Stormhaven” and “High Dump”.
• They are located along the Bruce Trail, and getting to them requires backpacking on rugged trails.
• Each campground has 9 individual campsites with tent platforms and a shared primitive composting toilet.
• Open fires are not permitted. Bring your camp stove for cooking.
• Carry-in water with you, or boil water from Georgian Bay.
• Pack out your garbage.
• Pre-registration is required and reservations are suggested.
• Contact Cyprus Office (May to October) at (519) 596-2263. At all other times of year, self-register at the kiosk outside of Cyprus Office.
• For information about hiking the Bruce Trail, visit Bruce Trail Association website.

Top Campground Rules & Regulations

Trillium
© Parks Canada/ PB Collection

1. Most people visit the park for a quiet getaway. Excessive noise is prohibited at all times.
2. To protect the park ecosystem, it is illegal to remove, damage or disturb natural or cultural items from the park. Collecting wood from the forest for campfires is also illegal.
3. Keep pets on a short leash (3m or less) and scoop up after them.
4. Open fires are allowed only in designated fire pits.
5. The Ontario liquor laws apply in the parks. Liquor may only be consumed at your campsite. Liquor is banned from the park on Victoria Day weekend in May.
6. On each site at Cyprus Lake, you are permitted: a maximum of 3 shelters (ie. two tents plus a kitchen shelter), six people (except for a family unit with unmarried children) and one vehicle. Some sites can accommodate a second vehicle (additional charge). Overflow parking is limited.
7. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in the park.
8. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the hiking trails.
9. Campsite check-out time is at 11:00 am.
10. All vehicles parked in the Head-of-Trails, Day-use, and Overnight parking lots must have a valid vehicle permit. If you are camping at Cyprus, please leave your vehicle at your campsite. Parking at the other locations (ie. Head of Trails) requires a separate vehicle permit.
11. For the safety of our wildlife, campers must follow the "Bare" Campsite Program
12. Only firewood purchased locally on the Bruce Peninsula, or from the campground office is permitted in the Park.