Looking for the cottage experience without the commute? Here’s a peek at some of the great places to camp, swim, picnic and boat in the GTA.

I spent several childhood summers sunning on Centre Island beach. I often traveled with my best friend and her parents from Oakville to the Toronto Islands for a day of swimming, sandcastles and sandwiches. When we got older, we ditched her parents for tanned lifeguards. Now that I’m a parent of two, one of my family’s favourite summer adventures is packing a picnic and heading to the Island. And good news! It’s just one of many places nearby where you can spend a day or overnight it.

Toronto Islands - Once a series of roaming sandbars, the Toronto Islands welcome more than one million people yearly via the ferry from Toronto Harbour. Walk or cycle the paths connecting Ward’s Island, Hanlan’s Point and Centre Island. Explore by boats for rent on Centre Island. Younger children will enjoy Centreville Amusement Park and petting zoo also on Centre Island. Play softball or build sandcastles, then picnic in one of the many designated areas. To use the fire pits or barbeques, a picnic permit from the city is required. No overnight camping allowed.
city.toronto.on.ca/parks/island/
City of Toronto Permit Services: 416-392-8188

Toronto Zoo - Spend a night under the stars in the Africa Savanna. The Toronto Zoo’s Serengeti Bush Camp is an overnight program for families with children six years and older. Included are zoo admission, tent accommodation, buffet dinner and breakfast, snacks, hikes, evening campfire and activities, plus a pass to see the rest of the Zoo before the year’s end. torontozoo.com or 416-392-5947

Belfountain Conservation Area - On the Niagara Escarpment in Caledon, the Belfountain Conservation Area is the perfect place to picnic on a summer’s day. Don’t forget your fishing rods: the cold, spring-fed waters of the West Credit River are ideal for angling brook and brown trout and other fish. Barbeques, including charcoal, lighter fluid and utensils, are available for rent.
creditvalleycons.com

Island Lake - The varied landscapes of Orangeville’s Island Lake will make for a fun and educational outing for your family’s budding naturalist. The lake is filled with pike, perch and largemouth bass, plus underwater plants. On shore, spot deer, red fox, raccoon, porcupines and even flying squirrels. Bring your binoculars to spy osprey, great blue herons and mallards, which make the lake their summer home. Also available are a wading beach, boat rentals and volleyball court. creditvalleycons.com
Boat rental information: 519-941-6329 or 1-800-367-0890

Albion Hills Campground - Just 40 minutes northwest of Toronto, Albion Hills is beautifully situated in the Caledon Hills on the Humber River’s banks. Set up camp in your tent, tent-trailer or RV, then enjoy mountain biking, hiking, swimming or just lazing on the beach. Bonus: for longer stays, on-site laundry, hot showers and campground store come in handy.
Toronto and Region Conservation, trcacamping.ca or 1-800-838-9921/905-880-4855

Indian Line Campground - Also run by Toronto and Region Conservation, the Indian Line Campground in Brampton is just a stone’s throw from downtown Toronto. Set up base and camp, fish, swim or explore the cool Claireville Dam. Then for a treat, pack the kids in the car or take public transit to nearby attractions such as Paramount Canada’s Wonderland or the CN Tower.
trcacamping.ca or 1-800-304-9728/905-678-1233

Professor’s Lake - Originally a gravel pit, Professor’s Lake in Brampton may be artificially created - but there’s nothing fake about it. Fish abound, ready for the catching. Rent a canoe or paddleboat and take to the breezy waters. Big and little kids alike will enjoy zipping down the waterslide or jumping off the swim raft. On site are a snack bar, change rooms and showers. No barbequing or camping permitted.
professorslake.com/rec_centre.htm or 905-791-7751 .

Glen Rouge Campground - Spend the day or week at the Glen Rouge Campground, close to Port Union. Tucked amongst 12,000 acres of forests and meadows in Rouge Park, Canada’s largest urban park has sites available for overnight stays or for those wanting to backpack and cycle the trails for the day. Canoe or kayak the lower Rouge River to Lake Ontario. Nearby Petticoat Creek Conservation Area has a 1.5-acre outdoor swimming pool and more hiking trails. toronto.ca/parks/recreation_facilities/camping/index.htm
Petticoat Creek Conservation Area: 416-661-6600

Toronto Kayak & Canoe Adventures - Don’t have your own canoe? No need. Toronto Kayak & Canoe Adventures offers guided tours along the Humber, Rouge and Credit Rivers. Choose from beginner level tours such as on the slower moving Humber River, south of Bloor Street, to more advanced paddling. Children of any age welcome to ride along when accompanied by a parent. To paddle a kayak solo, kids must be age 8 or older.
TorontoAdventures.ca or 416-536-2067.