Killarney Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Killarney Provincial Park offers exceptional RV camping at George Lake Campground with 142 sites year-round, featuring Ontario's most spectacular white quartzite ridges, pristine turquoise lakes, and world-class hiking on the legendary 78-kilometer La Cloche Silhouette Trail. While George Lake Campground provides no electrical or water hookups, strategic locations like Sudbury RV rentals and Toronto campervan rentals offer prime access to this 485-square-kilometer wilderness wonderland that welcomed over 100,000 visitors in 2024, making advance reservations essential for this iconic Canadian Shield destination.
What Makes Killarney the Ultimate RV Destination?
Sprawling across 485 square kilometers of rugged Canadian Shield landscape, Killarney Provincial Park captures the majesty and wonder of Ontario's northern wilderness. Famous for inspiring The Group of Seven artists—particularly Franklin Carmichael, whose painting "La Cloche Silhouette" gave the park's legendary trail its name—Killarney spans the dramatic La Cloche Mountain range with its distinctive white quartzite peaks that glow against impossibly blue lakes. The park straddles the northern shore of Georgian Bay, where pink granite meets ancient pine forests, and boggy lowlands surround over 50 pristine freshwater lakes.
You'll be in store for a world of limitless adventure during your RV trip to Killarney, from hiking the challenging La Cloche Silhouette Trail and paddling crystal-clear canoe routes to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. You can fish for lake trout and northern pike, or paddle across sapphire lakes that inspired Canadian art history. There's no shortage of great spots for photography and wildlife viewing, like Silver Peak summit or The Crack's panoramic vistas. You'll want to bring your binoculars because you'll be greeted by wildlife from black bears and moose to loons and ruffed grouse.
The summer is the peak season for RVers and other visitors since the temperature typically reaches a pleasant 18 to 25 degrees Celsius (65 to 77°F). The late spring and early fall—particularly September and October—offer the best time to visit, with spectacular fall colors, mild temperatures, fewer bugs, and less crowded trails. In the colder months, Killarney Provincial Park transforms into a winter wonderland. While the main gates close for vehicle access from late November to early May, the park remains open year-round for walk-in winter camping, with campers hauling gear on park-provided toboggans to heated yurts and campsites.
The park's history reflects a remarkable conservation story. Thanks to advocacy from Group of Seven artists like A.Y. Jackson, who successfully lobbied the Ontario government to halt logging operations in the 1950s, the area was preserved and designated as Killarney Provincial Park in 1964. The park's lakes faced serious environmental challenges from acid rain caused by nearby Sudbury nickel smelters, but improved emissions standards since the 1970s have allowed water quality to recover to near pre-pollution levels, with ongoing biological restoration still in progress.
RV Rentals in Killarney Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
You can access Killarney Provincial Park via Highway 637, which branches off from the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 69). From Sudbury, take Highway 69 south for approximately 60 kilometers, then turn west onto Highway 637 for the final 67-kilometer stretch to the park entrance. Highway 637 is a scenic but remote two-lane road with limited services—you'll find one gas station along the route. The park entrance is well-signed and features the iconic George Lake Campground.
Most roads inside Killarney are unpaved but well-maintained gravel suitable for RVs. The park can accommodate large motorhomes and big rigs, with George Lake Campground offering 11 large campsites for trailers 18 to 32 feet and 70 medium-sized sites for trailers up to 18 feet. The maximum combined RV length is 32 feet. Note that sites lack electrical and water hookups, though the campground provides vault toilets, comfort stations with flush toilets and showers during the summer months, and a sanitary dump station.
Where Are the Best Gateway Cities for RV Rentals?
Sudbury Base Camp: Sudbury serves as the primary gateway, located just 90 minutes from Killarney. Sudbury offers full grocery shopping, outdoor outfitters, and Northern Ontario's largest urban center for last-minute supplies and RV services.
Toronto Starting Point: Toronto caters to travelers combining Killarney with broader Ontario explorations, including Muskoka, Algonquin Park, and Georgian Bay coastal routes. The 4.5-hour drive from Toronto makes Killarney an ideal long-weekend or week-long destination.
Parking
You can park your RV at designated campsites throughout George Lake Campground. Some sites require a short walk from parking areas, particularly in sections with yurts and camping cabins. The park provides wagons to transport gear from parking lots to walk-in sites. Day-use parking is available near the park office, visitor center, and major trailheads, including The Crack and Cranberry Bog Trail. RV parking can be tight during peak summer weekends—arrive early or plan midweek visits for easier access.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is extremely limited in this remote area. The nearest bus service stops in Sudbury, approximately 90 kilometers away. Once inside the park, the best ways to explore include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling on designated trails. Killarney Outfitters, located near the park entrance, offers canoe and kayak rentals, guided tours, maps, and trip-planning services for visitors without their own equipment.
Campgrounds and parking in Killarney Provincial Park
Campsites in Killarney Provincial Park
Reservations camping
George Lake Campground
George Lake Campground is Killarney's only developed campground, open for camping year-round with approximately 142 campsites spread across four sections (A, B, C, and D). The campground sits along the shores of beautiful George Lake, with several beaches, high rock cliffs, and low-lying rocky points providing diverse lakefront access.
Section A features sites close to the main beach area and yurt accommodations, making it ideal for families seeking easy beach access and social atmosphere.
Section B/C offers a mix of campsites, including some with clifftop views and private wooded locations. This section also houses the park's two rustic camping cabins, which sleep five people and include a screened porch, wood interior, queen bed, and double/single bunk bed.
Section D (sites #82 to #113, including the East Beach) operates as the park's designated radio-free zone, perfect for visitors seeking tranquility and peaceful camping. Several waterfront sites in this section book up months in advance for their privacy and lake views.
Amenities include:
- Comfort stations with flush toilets and showers (summer season)
- Laundry facilities
- Sanitary dump station
- Two beaches with swimming areas
- Fire pits and picnic tables at each site
- Vault toilets (year-round)
- No electrical or water hookups at any site
Yurt Accommodations: Six heated yurts located in their own private area offer year-round camping comfort. Each yurt sleeps six people on two sets of bunk beds (double lower, twin upper mattress), includes electric lighting, heat, power outlet, propane barbecue, two picnic tables, fire pit, and bear-proof food storage locker. Yurts 3, 4, 5, and 6 feature covered outdoor dining areas. Parking is nearby but not at the yurt site—wagons provided for gear transport.
Camping Cabins: Two rustic cabins in Section B provide one-room accommodations with partial kitchenettes (propane fireplace, microwave, fridge, coffee maker, kettle), dining table, chairs, gas barbecue, and picnic table outside.
Rocher Rouge Campground
Rocher Rouge Campground: Located 10 kilometers from the park in the Village of Killarney, this private campground offers seasonal and overnight camping with access to Georgian Bay/Killarney Bay. Sites include both RV and tent options with views over the water, making it a convenient alternative when park sites are fully booked.
Alternate camping
Alternative Camping
Canoe-In Sites: Killarney offers 183 backcountry canoe-in campsites scattered across the park's pristine lake system. Paddlers reserve zones or specific lakes (not individual sites), with actual campsites assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within your reserved area. Popular canoe routes include access from George Lake, Bell Lake, and the park's western access points. Each backcountry site features a designated fire pit, bear-proof food storage, and a box privy.
Hike-In Sites: 33 backcountry hiking campsites line the legendary La Cloche Silhouette Trail, with specific site reservations available up to five months in advance. Popular sites include Topaz Lake (H7), Three Narrows Lake (H19), Proulx Lake (H48—a favorite for its stunning setting), and A.Y. Jackson Lake (H54). Trail campsites offer basic amenities including fire pits and box privies, but hikers must be self-sufficient and practice leave-no-trace principles.
Important Backcountry Rules:
- Interior camping permits are required for all backcountry stays
- Ban on cans, glass bottles, and chainsaws in the backcountry
- Bear-proof food storage containers are strongly recommended
- Camp only on designated campsites
- Practice leave-no-trace camping ethics
Explore more RV parks and campgrounds across North America for your next adventure.
Seasonal activities in Killarney Provincial Park
Off-Season
Cross-country skiing/snowshoeing
Over 33 km or around 20 miles of trails wind through the wilderness of Killarney Provincial Park that is reserved just for the winter season.
Eight km or five miles of the Chikanishing Trail loops around the snow-covered evergreen forests, while The Collins Inlet offers almost 15 km of wild and rugged trails that wind through frozen-over marshlands, open fields, and pine forests.
The Freeland Trail is also popular in the winter months as this almost eight-mile long trail loops towards the east side of the park and through open coniferous forests, hardwoods, and past the Cranberry Bog all the way towards the scenic Freeland Lake.
Biking
Biking along the trails of Killarney Provincial Park allows visitors to appreciate its natural beauty as they bike along the well-maintained and well-paved biking trails. That feeling of zooming past glistening sapphire lake water and feeling the rustle of the green and orange leaves of the birch and alpine forests is both relaxing and exhilarating.
You can either bike on the park roads or on the bike trail along the Chikanishing Creek.
Birdwatching
Birds are drawn to this oasis of nature as much as us humans. The rich landscape and diverse ecosystem of Killarney Provincial Park make it the home of many species of local and migratory birds. Birdwatchers can have a great time at this park as they are likely to catch sight of many exotic species of songbirds and waterfowl. Additionally, during the winter months, the park hosts a Christmas bird count festival and during spring and summer a loon count festival for all bird loving enthusiasts.
In-Season
Hiking
There are many hiking opportunities in Killarney Provincial Park for both novice and experienced hikers. Five designated trials are reserved for hiking enthusiasts, and they range in difficulty and length.
Chikanishing Trail is a three-km or less than a two-mile hike that takes about an hour and a half to complete. Cranberry Bog Trail is around four km long and takes about two and a half hours to hike, while the two-km-long Granite Ridge Trail takes only 1 hour to cross. These trails are relatively easy and can be tackled by less experienced hikers.
The almost four-km-long Lake of the Woods Trail is more of a challenge for hikers and can take upwards of three hours to complete. Seasoned hikers looking for a challenge can take on The Crack. This trail takes over four hours to hike and goes over mountainous terrain, including huge tumbling boulders, dense woodlands, steep inclines, and rugged trails that will test the skills of even the most seasoned hiker.
Canoeing
The expansive backcountry wilderness comprises of countless lakes, rivers, and streams that make for an incredible canoeing experience. A boat launch area at Chikanishing access point provides access to Georgian Bay and the intricate and vast freshwater network of Killarney Provincial Park. The rivers, lakes, rocky outcrops and surrounding woods are teaming with wildlife and flora that can be spotted on a number of canoeing routes in the park for visitors to explore. The vast body of interconnected lakes can take weeks to explore depending on how adventurous you want to be. Bring your own canoes or rent them from the park store.
Fishing
Killarney Provincial Park comprises over fifty freshwater lakes that present excellent fishing opportunities for keen anglers. However, many of these lakes are fish sanctuaries, so visitors should always make sure that they are fishing in an authorized area of the park, especially when fishing in the park’s eastern and northern sections. Killarney Provincial Park is home to many species of panfish, including bass, crappie, and walleye, and offers a reclusive fishing experience for both amateur and professional anglers.
Did you enjoy reading this guide? For more Ontario provincial park adventures, check out our Algonquin Provincial Park guide for canoe camping and autumn colors in Ontario's most famous wilderness park.
