Tips for Camping Trips in Ontario - Georgian Bay and Killarney Park

Tips for camping trips in Ontario from Killarney Outfitters. Camp safely and leave no trace in Georgian Bay and Killarney Park. Our wilderness is very special and requires your care and consideration - please follow the guidelines below for Canoeing and Sea Kayaking.

A can and bottle ban is in effect for all interior adventurers, including day users

All food, garbage and other scented items (i.e. toothpaste) must be hung in a pack from a tree, or a rope between two trees, at least 13 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the nearest tree trunk

All drinking water must be purified via a rolling boil, purifying crystals or a water filter

Try to pack out more than you pack in

Use only designated washroom sites, if you are caught with your pants down and no privy, move 60 meters from shore, dig a 6" hole and use as little toilet paper as possible

Do not dump garbage, tampons or food scraps into privies

Interior camping is only permitted on designated sites, day paddlers and day hikers must not use interior sites for rest/lunch stops

Please keep all sites clean and litter free, even if it's not your garbage; pack it out!

Please use stoves for cooking as much as possible, if you must build a fire, use a designated fire pit and collect wood along your paddling route or well away from the campsite to avoid depletion

Go jump in the lake...but not with your soap! If you need to wash; lather up with a biodegradable soap at least 60 meters from the water and use a pot to rinse off.

Excessive noise is not allowed, solitude is part of the magic of Killarney!

Canada's Group of Seven were among the first artists to fall in love with Killarney. A. Y. Jackson and other members of the Group lobbied the Ontario government to protect Killarney and save some of those "big old pine trees". Killarney's inland lakes, white quartzite ridges and much of the nearby Georgian Bay shoreline are now parkland and will remain untouched forever. The canoe is perhaps the finest vehicle to explore this accessible wilderness with. As Bill Mason once said; "it is as if God made the canoe and then set about creating a country in which it would flourish, that country was Canada." Often called the "crown jewel" of Ontario's Park system, Killarney offers all levels of paddlers numerous canoe routes coupled with magnificent scenery.

Choose your route wisely and embark on a trip that meets your skills. Plan beforehand how to deal with emergencies such as equipment failure, lost food or an injury. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a contact person or leave one with us. Become proficient using a map and compass before your bow hits the water. Always carry extra rations, clothes, the proper safety gear and knowledge to use it.

Please enjoy Killarney and respect the wilderness that lies herein. After your trip, visit the village of Killarney for shopping, scenic cruises on Georgian Bay, or perhaps a delicious homemade meal. If you have any questions about your canoe trip in Killarney feel free to contact us.

Purify all drinking water by heating to a rolling boil, purifying crystals or a water filter

Hang all food, garbage and other scented items (i.e. toothpaste) in a pack from a tree, or a rope between two trees, at least 13 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the nearest tree trunk.... remember bears can swim from island to island! If there are no trees in the vicinity, lock your food in the bow or stern hatch of your sea kayak

Garbage...Try to pack out more than you pack in! Remove your garbage as well as any you find on your site

There are no designated washroom sites on Georgian Bay....when you are caught with your pants down; move 60 meters from shore, dig a 6" hole and use as little toilet paper as possible

There are no designated campsites on the Bay, please try to use existing sites rather than creating a new one...ask us where some of the best ones are!

Go jump in the Bay....but not with your soap! If you need to wash; lather up with a biodegradable soap at least 60 meters from the water and use a pot to rinse off

Please use stoves for cooking as much as possible. If you build a fire use an existing fire pit and collect wood along your paddling route or well away from the campsite to avoid depleting the immediate area

Northern Georgian Bay and the Killarney coast is a land of rugged wilderness and solitude. It is a magical area and Group of Seven vistas in every direction. There are; however, important issues to keep in mind. Waves on Georgian Bay can build up in a matter of minutes and overturn a kayak. Know your skill limit on the water and seek shelter when necessary. Always carry extra rations, clothes, the proper safety gear and knowledge to use it. Advise a contact person before you leave of your whereabouts and trip itinerary, or leave one with us. Furthermore, it is advisable to travel with skilled sea kayakers and be part of a group.

Become proficient at navigation and weather interpretation before your bow hits the water. You or someone in your group should carry a marine radio, cell phone, GPS or similar equipment. A detailed five day forecast can be retrieved from the Sudbury Airport at 705 677 7928. The internet hosts numerous weather sites, including the Environment Canada Great Lakes Marine Forecast at http://weather.ec.gc.ca/text/fpcn20.wqt.htm On your marine radio, channel 16 is used for emergencies. Also, 911 will work on a cell phone. Contact us; we are more than happy to provide any assistance you need for a fantastic kayak trip in Killarney.

Please enjoy Killarney and respect the wilderness that lies herein. After your trip, visit the village of Killarney for shopping, scenic cruises of Georgian Bay, or perhaps a delicious homemade meal. If you have any questions feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

There are many resources available for novice sea kayakers. Killarney Outfitters; along with other sea kayak outfitters, provide instructional programs that will enhance your skills. Check with us for details. Also, books provide a wealth of information. A few of our favourites are Sea Kayaking by John Dowd (1997) and Kayaking Georgian Bay by Jonathan Reynolds and Heather Smith (1999). Happy Paddling!