15 Free Places to Camp in Canada That Offer Stunning Views
- 1. Squamish River Forest Service Road, British Columbia
- 2. Beaverdam Lake, British Columbia
- 3. Strathcona Provincial Park, BC
- 4. Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta
- 5. Jenner Campground, Alberta
- 6. Jayjay Lake Recreation Area, Saskatchewan
- 7. Lac La Plonge Provincial Campground, Saskatchewan
- 8. Burge Lake Provincial Park, Manitoba
- 9. Stephens Lake Municipal Park, Manitoba
- 10. Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, Ontario
- 11. Crosby Lake, Ontario
- 12. Brador Falls Lookout, Quebec
- 13. Gouin Reservoir, Quebec
- 14. Mish Landing Dispersed Area, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- 15. Bellburns, Newfoundland
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Free campsites with stunning views are becoming rarer in Canada as many spots transition to paid use. But don’t worry, we’ve done the legwork to find you some scenic, no-cost gems. From BC’s glacier-fed rivers to Newfoundland’s rugged coasts, these 15 free campsites offer the kind of natural beauty worth pitching a tent for. Just be ready to pack your supplies and carry out your waste, since most of these are not serviced. Now let’s dive in and get ready for your next adventure.
1. Squamish River Forest Service Road, British Columbia
The Squamish River Forest Services Road is 25 minutes from Squamish down the Squamish Valley Road. It offers free, unmaintained campsites with no services but countless spots alongside the river, from one kilometre to over 20km up the road. There are also additional free sites up Ashlu Creek FSR, including the Riverside Recreation Site, which has outhouses. No other amenities are available as this is free camping on Crown land. However, most sites along the Squamish River offer spectacular views of the river and mountains; some even have glacier views.
Be sure to bring drinking water, a saw to cut firewood, and portable power like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus. With 600W of output in a compact and lightweight unit, you can easily pack it in, recharge devices, run camping lights, and even power small appliances.
2. Beaverdam Lake, British Columbia
Beaverdam Lake is a provincial recreation site about 15km north of Clinton, BC. Just take a left turn on Meadow Lake Road and follow it for 10km to the lake. It offers spectacular views of the lake and the Marble Mountain Range. Eight maintained campsites are in flat grassy areas beside the lake. Amenities include picnic tables, toilets, and fire pits. This site is popular with families and solo campers for boating, fishing, and horseback riding, with a public boat launch available.
3. Strathcona Provincial Park, BC
Strathcona Provincial Park is on Vancouver Island, BC, offering a rugged wilderness of mountain peaks, forests, lakes, rivers, creeks, and waterfalls. Much of the park is undeveloped and appeals to those seeking an authentic wilderness experience. You can avoid the paid sites in the area and camp for free in the free backcountry sites on the Della Falls trail, at Douglas or McKenzie Lakes, Margaret Creek, Sawblade Camp, or Falls Camp. In the winter season, there is additional free camping with a permit.
4. Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta
Finding free camping in Alberta is difficult now that you must pay Public Lands Camping Pass fees at virtually all otherwise free sites. However, you can still camp for free at Willmore Wilderness Park. It’s a rugged backcountry experience with over 750km of trails accessible only on foot or horseback, as no motorized vehicles are allowed. You must be well-equipped and prepared for a backcountry adventure. However, you will be rewarded with amazing views of untamed wilderness, including thick forests, raging rivers, high mountain peaks, ancient glaciers, and plenty of wildlife.
5. Jenner Campground, Alberta
Jenner Campground is about 12km north of Jenner, Alberta, within driving distance to the world-famous Dinosaur Provincial Park. It’s a quiet, secluded location next to the picturesque Red Deer River where you can enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, and boating. And, since it’s not in the Public Lands Camping Pass area, it’s free. The road is gravel, but it’s fully accessible to all. There are 15 campsites, some with picnic tables and fire rings, and other grassy areas that accommodate an RV of any size. An outhouse is also available, but there is no power or water.
6. Jayjay Lake Recreation Area, Saskatchewan
Jayjay Lake is a free Recreation Site in Saskatchewan near Air Ronge, about 2.5 hours north of Prince Albert. This rustic campsite offers dispersed and designated sites located on the shores of Jayjay Lake with beautiful views of the lake and forest. There are no electrical hookups, toilets, or water, but picnic tables and fire pits are available. You can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in the lake, but note that this lake is restricted to non-motorized boats only.
With no power and a long drive to get supplies, bring along the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer. It lasts up to 40 hours wirelessly and can be recharged with solar panels. It has a separate fridge and freezer compartment to keep foods at food-safe temperatures, and the built-in icemaker means you can have ice-cold drinks anywhere.
7. Lac La Plonge Provincial Campground, Saskatchewan
The Lac La Plonge Campground is located 7.2 km east of Beauval on Highway 165 in a cozy, sheltered bay surrounded by majestic spruce forests along the shores of beautiful Lac la Plonge. It’s a popular destination for swimming and boating, nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and anglers keen to fish for lake trout and use the fish cleaning facilities. Camping is free in any of the 19 designated sites. There are picnic tables and fire pits, but no electricity or running water.
8. Burge Lake Provincial Park, Manitoba
Burge Lake campground is located about 10km from Lynn Lake and just minutes from the beautiful, clear waters of Burge Lake, with stunning views and sandy beaches. It’s popular for boating, swimming, and fishing. The campsites are primarily for tents, but some can accommodate motor homes. Outhouses, a hand water pump, group picnic shelter, fish cleaning shed, dock, boat launch, fire pits, and complimentary firewood are all available. Note that insect repellent is recommended.
9. Stephens Lake Municipal Park, Manitoba
Stephens Lake Municipal Park in Manitoba is a seasonal site open from May to October. It’s located on Butneau Road, about 1km southwest of Gillam. It offers 10 free unserviced sites without electricity, but an outhouse, fire pits, and a public boat launch are available. This location offers scenic lake views in a quiet, serene setting popular for families, with plenty of boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities.
10. Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park, Ontario
Unlike many of Ontario’s parks, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park is an unmanaged park with no camping fees. It’s located in south-central Ontario between Gravenhurst and Minden. It offers designated and dispersed backcountry camping, but there are no services, so bring everything you need and pack out your waste. There’s plenty of hiking through the untamed wilderness, where you’ll enjoy forest views, beaver fens, and rock barrens. With all the great wilderness views, bring the EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank to recharge your phone so you can keep taking amazing pictures.
11. Crosby Lake, Ontario
Crosby Lake in Leeds and Grenville counties in southeastern Ontario is on Crown land, so you can stay for free for up to 21 days. Since there are no services, you must bring your own power, water, and food, and gather your firewood. This is a wilderness site with dispersed camping only, though you can find sites used by someone already. Practice leave-no-trace rules and pack out your trash to help preserve the area's beauty.
12. Brador Falls Lookout, Quebec
Brador Falls Lookout in Middle Bay, Quebec, is a popular free campsite set on public land on a gravel lot beside Brador Falls. The road is unpaved but easy to access for vehicles, including large RVs. Up to five free campsites are within easy walking distance of the lovely Brador Falls, with additional hiking opportunities nearby. There are no amenities, so bring your supplies and practice leave-no-trace rules.
13. Gouin Reservoir, Quebec
Gouin Reservoir near La Tuque, Quebec, is a wilderness enthusiast’s dream with free camping on any of the islands. It offers scenic water views, forests, and beautiful sand beaches. The reservoir is a sport-fishing heaven with good walleye/pike fishing, and you can go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. It’s also very popular for winter sports, ATVs, and hunting. You can drive in, but don’t rely on your cellular GPS unless you download an offline version.
If you go for winter sports, bring the EcoFlow WAVE 3 Portable Air Conditioner. This wireless AC can be used indoors or outdoors and doubles as a heater for chilly winter days. It lasts up to 8 hours wirelessly and can be recharged with solar panels while camping.
14. Mish Landing Dispersed Area, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Located at the northernmost point of Cape Breton Island on the 6014 Road, Mish Landing dispersed camping offers views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean towards Newfoundland. There are no designated spots or amenities, so bring everything you need. It’s on public land and is only open seasonally from spring through fall. Many nearby attractions include hiking trails, rugged beaches, kayaking, scenic drives, and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Spend the day exploring, then head to your quiet campsite for a campfire and s’mores.
15. Bellburns, Newfoundland
You can camp for free on many Newfoundland beaches, provided you don’t drive on them, which may be restricted and might get you stuck. Bellburns, north of Gros Morne National Park, offers a nice little parking spot and different camping options, depending on the weather and wind. Look for the high tide line before setting up your tent. If the beach is too cold and windy, especially when winter camping, set up your tent tucked into the trees on the shoreline. There is plenty of driftwood for campfires, and gorgeous views of the rugged Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Camp in Canada for Free?
You can camp for free on most Crown lands in Canada if you limit your stay in any one place to three weeks in a calendar year. Most provinces also have many recreation sites that don’t charge fees since they are too far off the beaten path.
Is It Legal to Camp Anywhere in Canada?
No, you can’t camp anywhere. Camping is allowed in designated areas, including national parks, provincial parks, and private campgrounds. But you can also camp free on Crown lands, but availability and rules vary with the province, so check the rules before you go.
Is Canada Good for Camping?
Yes, absolutely. Stunning mountain ranges, picturesque lakes, and beautiful prairies are just some of the landscape features that make Canada a great choice for camping. You can camp for free in some spots, or choose from countless paid campsites across the country if you prefer more facilities.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re after scenic waterfalls, mountain peaks, lakeside serenity, or coastal cliffs, Canada still offers some incredible free camping spots if you know where to look. Most are off-grid and unserviced, so pack in your gear, drinking water, and garbage bags and practice leave-no-trace principles to help keep these places pristine. Be sure to bring portable power like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus for added comfort to make your wild camping trip even more enjoyable.