Discover Camping

Where to Camp in Winter

Unfortunately not all Ontario Parks or private campgrounds are open for winter camping, but there are still a few good options available. Check out these spots for a winter camping experience in the Haliburton Highlands.

Gear Up for Cold Weather

Winter camping in the Haliburton Highlands demands careful preparation, with your gear playing a pivotal role in your comfort and safety. Don’t underestimate the chill factor—ensuring warmth for your extremities is essential for an enjoyable outdoor adventure. From insulated footwear to cozy headwear, every piece counts when temperatures plummet. Prioritize gear that offers both waterproofing and insulation, guarding against the biting cold even during the coldest of days.

Tips for Success: Invest in snow pants to shield your attire from moisture, a crucial step in maintaining warmth throughout your excursion.

Pack the Thermals

In the frigid embrace of winter, your base layers become your best ally against the cold. Layering up with quality thermal wear, particularly garments crafted from insulating wool, forms the cornerstone of your preparation. Opt for outer layers that facilitate easy removal, as your body heat will quickly soar with even minimal physical exertion amidst the wintry landscape.

Tips for Success: Resist the temptation to slumber in multiple layers, as this can lead to discomfort the following day. Instead, strip down to your base attire before nestling into your sleeping bag. And don’t forget to don a snug toque to safeguard against heat loss from your head.

Get Moving

Winter unveils a realm of enchantment within the Haliburton Highlands, beckoning you to explore its snow-draped terrain. Equip yourself with snowshoes, ice cleats or cross-country skis, while embracing the exhilarating journey through this frost-kissed wonderland. Then traverse the silent woods, where the nature echoes amidst the crisp air, and each footprint tells a tale of bustling wildlife.

Tips for Success: Dress in layers, ready to shed as your exertions kindle warmth within. Carrying a thermos with steaming coffee or hot chocolate, offers a comforting respite amidst your adventure as you bask in the serenity of the winter forest.

Look to the Stars

As winter’s blankets the landscape, the heavens above offer a celestial spectacle like no other. The cold, crisp, dry air, holds less moisture than in summer, which creates extraordinarily clear skies filled with brilliant stars. Find solace beneath this expansive canopy, where the quiet majesty of the cosmos unfolds, painting a picture of awe-inspiring beauty.

Tips for Success: Find a clearing in the forest and then lay back in the snow and feel small beneath the vastness of the galaxy. The Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve is considered one of the darkest skies in Ontario.

Also read a couple of stories about Star Gazing – Looking at the Stars and the 2025 Winter Celestial Calendar

Eat Up

This is one thing to really get excited about for winter camping – you will need to eat more than you normally do (yay!). Keeping your body warm burns a lot more calories than normal which means you need to fuel up with carbohydrate-rich foods to be sure you are have enough fuel to burn. Plan ahead for some quick or easy to make meals that will fill your belly. The good news is you won’t need to worry about keeping food frozen until you are ready to eat it!

Tips for Success: Some good winter camping meals that are carb-laden, quick and easy to heat up are oatmeal for breakfast, soups and stews. Make a spaghetti sauce ahead of time and bring it with you to reheat with some pasta. Bring plenty of coffee or tea, hot chocolate, and marshmallows, too.

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