Beyond the Ferry: Top 5 Campgrounds on Manitoulin Island

Stepping off the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry or driving across the historic Little Current Swing Bridge feels like entering another world. Manitoulin Island—the largest freshwater island on Earth—offers an immediate escape from the frantic pace of the mainland, trading highway traffic for sweeping lake views and quiet, winding roads.

It is a place of rugged limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, vibrant Indigenous culture, and some of the darkest, most star-filled night skies in Ontario. There is truly no better way to experience this unique northern landscape than by pitching a tent or parking your RV right along its pristine shorelines.

But with so much coastline to explore, finding the perfect basecamp is key to an unforgettable trip. From high-amenity family resorts to quiet, off-grid wilderness escapes, here are the top 5 campgrounds on Manitoulin Island to add to your summer road trip itinerary.

1. Uncle Steve's Park & Cabins

Location: Manitowaning, Ontario (Lake Manitou)

Type: Waterfront Cottage Resort & Seasonal RV Park

Tucked away on the quiet shores of beautiful Lake Manitou, Uncle Steve’s Park & Cabins is a relaxed, family-run resort that perfectly captures the slower pace of island life. Located just ten minutes off Highway 6 near Manitowaning, this park's core mission is to provide a deeply relaxing lakeside escape that remains genuinely affordable for the average family.

The property features seven fully equipped, pet-friendly housekeeping cottages alongside a tight-knit community of seasonal trailer sites. Guests have access to excellent waterfront amenities, including a private boat launch, docking slips, and handy aluminum boat, kayak, and canoe rentals to explore the island's largest lake.

When you aren't out chasing lake trout and bass, you can unwind on the beach, which features soft sand on the shoreline and smooth, flat rock as you wade out into the clear water. If you want to stretch your vacation budget even further, they offer fantastic booking discounts during the shoulder months of May, June, and September.

Best for: Budget-conscious families, couples, and anglers looking for an affordable, low-key lakeside cabin rental or a friendly seasonal community.

Pro Tip: This resort exclusively offers cottages and long-term seasonal sites, meaning they don't host overnight tent or RV campers. Because it is a classic housekeeping layout, remember to pack your own towels, bedding, and pillows from home!

2. Mindemoya Court Cottages and Campground

Location: Mindemoya, Ontario

Type: Waterfront Cottage, Campground & RV Resort

Mindemoya Court Cottages and Campground is a waterfront resort on clear Lake Mindemoya, offering cottages, RV sites, and camping in a private 18-acre setting. It is a great choice for families who want a relaxed Manitoulin Island stay with lake access, open recreation space, and the convenience of being just minutes from the town of Mindemoya.

The campground has 15 RV and trailer sites, each with water, electricity, sewer connection, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Campers also have access to 20- and 30-amp sites, a dumping station, free Wi-Fi throughout the camping area, and a clean modern bathroom facility with hot showers.

Families can enjoy a swimming area with a diving board and floating swim platform, a nearby public sandy beach, a children’s play area, picnic space, BBQs, a softball diamond, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, bonfire pit, and nature trails through a 100-year-old maple forest. With weekly activities, dark-sky stargazing, and lakefront cottage options, it makes a well-rounded base for exploring Manitoulin Island.

Best for: Families, RV campers, cottage stays, and lakefront Manitoulin getaways.

Pro Tip: Book early if you want a cottage or RV site during peak summer, especially for longer stays on Lake Mindemoya.

3. Idyll Glen RV Park

Location: Mindemoya, Ontario

Type: RV Park & Rental Unit Campground

Idyll Glen RV Park is located on the shores of Lake Mindemoya in the heart of Manitoulin Island. It is a relaxed summer campground for visitors who want lake access, family-friendly amenities, and a convenient base for exploring the island.

The park offers fully serviced 30-amp RV sites, public washrooms and showers, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi near the office, a dumping station, pump-outs, firewood, ice, and rental units with lake views. Guests can also enjoy a sandy beach, playground, horseshoe pits, ice cream, slushies, fishing, a boat launch, and docking facilities.

For campers who do not have their own trailer, Idyll Glen also has one- and two-bedroom rental units with air conditioning, satellite TV, fully equipped kitchens, and propane BBQs. The park is open seasonally from the Victoria Day long weekend to Thanksgiving, making it a good choice for summer and early fall Manitoulin Island camping.

Best for: RV campers, families, beach days, fishing, and relaxed Lake Mindemoya stays.

Pro Tip: Ask about rental unit availability if you want the campground experience without bringing your own trailer.

4. North Channel View Trailer Resort

Location: M’Chigeeng, Ontario

Type: Trailer Resort, Campground & Cottage Rentals

North Channel View Trailer Resort is a scenic Manitoulin Island campground located in M’Chigeeng, facing the beautiful North Channel. Set in the heart of the island, it is a convenient base for campers who want peaceful views while still being within reach of Manitoulin’s beaches, trails, galleries, small towns, and attractions.

The resort offers trailer lots, campground space, cozy cottage rentals, and modern amenities for a comfortable island stay. Its lakefront setting makes it a relaxing option for visitors who want to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and experience the quieter side of Manitoulin Island.

North Channel View is a good fit for travellers who want a simple, scenic place to stay while exploring the island beyond the ferry route. With its central location on Highway 540, it works well for both longer stays and relaxed camping getaways.

Best for: Trailer campers, cottage stays, scenic views, and central Manitoulin exploring.

Pro Tip: Use North Channel View as a home base for exploring nearby M’Chigeeng, Mindemoya, Kagawong, and the North Channel shoreline.

5. Manitoulin Resort

Location: Manitowaning, Ontario

Type: Family Resort, Cottages & Campground

Manitoulin Resort is a family-operated resort on beautiful Lake Manitou, offering a mix of deluxe housekeeping cottages, a bunkie, and camping among the trees. It is a friendly option for visitors who want a relaxed Manitoulin Island stay with swimming, fishing, and a quiet lakefront setting.

The campground offers spacious grassy sites, with many including 30-amp electricity and water, as well as non-serviced tent sites for campers who prefer a simpler stay. Each campsite includes a fire pit and picnic table, with nearby clean washrooms, free hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, campfire wood delivery, and a free dump station for guests staying at least one night.

Guests can enjoy Lake Manitou’s clear water, family-friendly amenities, fishing opportunities, a variety store, and a peaceful resort atmosphere. Pets are permitted with rules in place, and the resort recommends calling to confirm camping or cottage availability so they can best match guests with the right stay.

Best for: Families, cottage stays, campers, anglers, and relaxed Lake Manitou getaways.

Pro Tip: Call the resort directly before booking, especially if you have a specific cottage, campsite, or hookup preference.

Final Thoughts

Camping on Manitoulin Island is a great way to experience one of Ontario’s most unique destinations at a slower pace. From lakefront cottages and family RV parks to quiet trailer resorts and scenic campgrounds, the island offers plenty of ways to stay close to the water and enjoy the outdoors.

What makes Manitoulin special is the mix of natural beauty, small-town charm, beaches, hiking trails, fishing, Indigenous culture, and peaceful lake country. Whether you are staying near Lake Mindemoya, Lake Manitou, or the North Channel, each campground gives you a different base for exploring the island.

Before booking, check each campground’s season, site types, pet policies, and rental options. Summer dates can fill quickly, especially for lakefront cottages and RV sites, so planning ahead is the best way to make the most of your Manitoulin Island getaway.