The St. Lawrence is calling. Naturally!
As longer days and warmer weather return to South Eastern Ontario, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next escape. From waterfront camping and scenic drives, and beach days, to immersive heritage experiences and outdoor adventures, this remarkable region offers countless ways to make the most of the season.
Why Visit The Region
From scenic shorelines and historic experiences to nights under the stars, St. Lawrence Parks Commission offers some of the region’s most memorable ways to enjoy the season. Discover a unique blend of local culture, outdoor adventure, and stunning waterfront landscapes as you plan your next getaway in South Eastern Ontario.
Spanning more than 7,000 acres from the 1000 Islands to the Quebec border, Parks of the St. Lawrence offers 10 waterfront campgrounds, scenic parkways, day-use areas, as well as beaches, trails, and recreational spaces for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Managed by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario, Parks of the St. Lawrence provides safe, accessible, and well-maintained recreational spaces across Eastern Ontario.
Featured Experiences
Waterfront camping, scenic drives, sandy beaches, small-town discoveries, and immersive historic attractions make Parks of the St. Lawrence a go-to destination for warm-weather adventures in South Eastern Ontario.
Embrace exciting heritage at Upper Canada Village
Step back in time at Upper Canada Village, a living history destination in Morrisburg where the 1860s come to life. Explore authentic buildings, watch traditional trades in action, and connect with the stories, music, and daily life that shaped early Canada. Watch traditional trades in action, explore daily life, and enjoy music and cultural traditions that shaped early Canada. Interactive and engaging, Upper Canada Village is a window into the past.
Located along the scenic St. Lawrence River, Upper Canada Village showcases the importance of water through its working mills. You’ll want to set aside most of the day to explore - not only is Upper Canada Village a leading educational destination for groups, but its live demonstrations and intriguing storytelling make the learning engaging for all ages.
Visiting this time of year hits differently as the Village comes alive for a new season of discovery. It’s a time of rebirth and awakenings, as lambs and calves make their seasonal debut and the rhythms of rural life return. Spring is a relaxed time to stay those extra few minutes chatting with interpreters, stroll the streets with ease and dive into history. Deepen your understanding of the diverse people who shaped the region through an award-winning Black history exhibit and a Discovery Centre display of Mohawk artifacts, developed through an ongoing partnership with the Akwesasne community.
Be sure to take some spring photos and then enjoy returning to Upper Canada Village later in the season to see how the animals have matured, the gardens have blossomed and do some more taste testing of the legendary bread baked on site.
Getting around the Village is fun, too! Hop aboard the Moccasin Miniature Train, a wheelchair accessible ride offering scenic views of Crysler Park and the St. Lawrence River, with an audio tour about the Battle of Crysler’s Farm. Use the waterway as it was in the 1860s, by riding on a Tow Scow, a useful animal-powered water barge, or even take a special horse and wagon ride to tour the village from a different perspective.
From May to September, experience history in even more meaningful ways through popular themed weekend events. An insider tip: visiting Upper Canada Village this spring can also save you money. All dads enjoy complimentary admission on Father’s Day!
Accessibility considerations: Upper Canada Village has accessible parking, free admission for support persons and caregivers, welcoming service‑animal policies, accessible washrooms, and wheelchairs available.
Unique Stay
After a day of exploring the past, put your feet up at a Prospector Tent at Woodlands Campground on the Long Sault Parkway!
Is there anything more quintessentially spring than camping? Parks of the St. Lawrence makes it easy with waterfront sites waiting for you! Woodlands Campground is one of 10 beautiful campgrounds on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, each offering its own charming character, unique scenery and unique style of outdoor adventures. It’s located along the Long Sault Parkway, placing guests close to scenic cycling routes, sandy beaches, trails and lookouts, as well as quiet island moments.
Parks of the St. Lawrence offers a collection of campgrounds where people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy time outdoors. To that end, Woodlands Campground is a family favourite! Two beaches offer shallow swimming areas, as well as sheltered bays perfect for learning to paddle. It’s a great home base for family outings, with a relaxed vibe - returning guests often remark on the cozy, island feel to the campground. Guests at Woodlands can stay in roofed accommodations, like the Family Lodge, Mini Cabins or Prospector Tents. The waterfront Prospector Tents are a popular new addition that allow guests to experience the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern convenience.
Wake up to bright water views, or enjoy a happy hour watching the sunset shimmer across the channel. With a wide range of options, from shaded tent sites beneath towering pines to premium waterfront sites, walk-in sites, cabins and roofed accommodations, the Parks of the St. Lawrence campgrounds support outdoor experiences for families, seniors, first-time campers, long-time outdoor enthusiasts, and travellers from across Ontario and Québec.
Bonus tip: every camping reservation includes two complimentary adult tickets to Upper Canada Village or Fort Henry, adding immersive historic experiences to a stay on the river!
Bird is the word: Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Just a short way down the road from the campground is the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary - a must-see for avid birders and nature enthusiasts. Birds will be your new besties as you stroll the trails at the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Add some birds to your life list with more than 150 bird species and eight kilometres of self-guided hiking trails on site. The boardwalks here are perfect for wildlife viewing, and there’s a definite wow factor for experienced birders and anyone who enjoys walking in nature.
Looking to level up your stay? Be sure to inquire about new camping experiences here, too, featuring exciting suspended tree tents and Adventure Ready Camper stays, which are fully equipped camper trailers along the shore of the St. Lawrence. We’re talking a kitchen, beds, bathroom with shower, private deck with seating and BBQ, as well as access to campground amenities. If privacy is your aim, then exploring the new walk-in campsites will be another summer win. Discover secluded waterfront sites on the north shore of Morrison Island at Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary Campground. A calm, secluded bay highlights forest‑surrounded sites complete with private decks, fire pits, and all the serenity summer dreams are made of!
Take the long way: A scenic Drive Experience along the Long Sault Parkway
Looking for a picture-perfect drive? The Long Sault Parkway delivers every time. Witness panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River and stunning scenery. Spanning a series of 11 islands connected by causeways, the parkway is breathtaking from start to finish. Pack a lunch and discover the must-see route, host to inviting picnic areas, golden sand beaches, fishing access and calm bays for paddling and leisure boating. It’s also a local favourite for cyclists and photographers!
Operated by Parks of the St. Lawrence, the Long Sault Parkway is one of Eastern Ontario’s most scenic and distinctive destinations. The Parkway offers vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians a mix of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and powerful history.
Beneath the surface, the Parkway holds a deeper story. The islands that make up the Parkway are remnants of communities submerged during the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s, a history closely connected to Upper Canada Village and the story of the Lost Villages. The islands that make up the Long Sault Parkway were once the hilltops of communities that were flooded to create the Seaway. Today, the Parkway stands as both a recreational escape and a place of remembrance, welcoming sightseers from across Ontario, Québec, and beyond each year.
The Long Sault Parkway is free to drive on, however, separate fees may apply to access day-use or campground areas. While the above water setting is peaceful to view, it’s a scuba diver’s bucket‑list under the water. In fact, Lock 21 off Macdonell Island, offers rare access to submerged remnants of the old lock system and former Highway 2. It’s known as one of Canada’s best surface dives! To make it even more exciting, the waters of the St. Lawrence River are renowned by the international diving community for their exceptional clarity.
The Long Sault Parkway is also home to an intriguing geographic curiosity: on Macdonell Island, a stone monument marks the location of the 45th Parallel - exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole (5,001 kilometres in each direction)!
Un-fore-gettable summer: Upper Canada Golf Course
Tee off in the heart of one of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes at Upper Canada Golf Course. This is where championship golf meets postcard-worthy scenery. This 18-hole, 6,922-yard public course winds through towering forests and sparkling waterways, delivering a rewarding challenge for golfers of all skill levels.
With pristine fairways, upgraded drainage, top-notch playing conditions, a fully stocked Pro Shop, and on-site practice facilities, every round feels like your best one yet from May through October. When the final putt drops, the fun keeps rolling at the Upper Canada Restaurant, open to golfers and the public, serving up casual eats, cold drinks, and panoramic course views that are just as satisfying as a birdie on 18.
Spring adventures start here! St. Lawrence Parks Commission in South Eastern Ontario is bursting with outdoor fun, family-friendly excitement, and unforgettable springtime experiences waiting to be discovered. Plan your spring route and hit the road for something new!
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