The best camping near Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site adventure.

Discover the echoes of history at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site

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Backwater Paradise

13 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Blind River, ON
Welcome to Backwater Paradise in Northern Ontario. We are 15 minutes north off Trans Canada Highway, Blind River. 5-6 hours northwest of Toronto and 9 hours east of Thunder Bay, between Sault Saint Marie and Sudbury. Looking for a wilderness get away or just driving through? We can accommodate. Backwater Paradise has possibilities for several camping styles. whether you bring your own RV, easy tenting or choose to go deep and experience raw wilderness/survival in our Left Field. There is a water tower providing utility water for washing or extinguishing camp fires. We have a quiet atmosphere for new and savvy nature lovers. s. There are no lights on this lake which makes it perfect for star gazing. The main entrance is very well marked and leads to the lake. This is where we host RV sites and tent sites. All nature watchers and sky gazers will enjoy the spaces we have here. Moose, bald eagles. wolves, otters, beavers, bears, owls and several migratory birds are common visitors. You will get to hear whippoorwills, several species of frogs, crickets, and sometimes wolves/coyotes at night. It is very important that pets be kept on a leash. In the lake there is plenty of bass and pike to keep a fisher and kid fishers busy. Common gear will work here and strongly recommend using wire swivel leaders. We promote 'lake 2 plate' principles and if you need anything let us know!! All campers have use of the water front no matter where your site is. On the shore of the lake front is a very large common area and firepit and picnic tables for everyone to access and enjoy the water and the shoreline. We host fires Friday and Saturday nights weather permitting at this location. There are several firepit rings to allow campers to have their own camp fire and we sell hardwood. We also have a paddle boat rental. There is 30 acres of mixed forest, lake and marsh, and now we are able to be open year round. You will notice that some of the photos have brown for grass. Those are earlier pictures of when we first opened. All of our expanded areas are like that at first, and things have changed a lot over the last 4 years and, will continue to have "unkempt" areas as we continue to expand. Our newest listings this year are called Almost Paradise (shower unit) and more recently Rootbound Ranch (camping for those travelling with livestock or horses.) This also available for those that like to stay at a farm. If Backwater Paradise is full, you can enjoy the same attributes just across the road at Almost Paradise. Another site we have is Left Field. Its raw bush and field space in the center. This is where the marsh is. We are also working on a new trail between Backwater Paradise and Left Field and encourage our campers to enjoy the views of both of these spaces. Backwater Paradise can be discovered at 220 Lake Hope Road, Blind River, Ontario
Pets
Toilets
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from 
CA$25
 / night

The best camping near Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site guide

Overview

About

Explore the ruins of Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site and feel the rich War of 1812 history that lingers – a history that saw a powerful alliance struck between the British and the First Nations People of the western Great Lakes region. Hike to Lake Huron’s edge, experience history through heritage demonstrations, watch for more than 100 species of birds, and view authentic artefacts from the old fort.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is between June 1 and September 30, when the site is open to the public. The summer months offer the best weather for exploring the ruins and enjoying the heritage demonstrations. Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays, as the site is closed, and plan your visit for the rest of the week when the rich history of the War of 1812 can be fully appreciated.

Know before you go

  • Check the operation schedule: Fort St. Joseph is open from June 1 to September 30, excluding Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • Prepare for the outdoors: Dress appropriately for hiking and bird watching, and bring water and snacks.
  • Respect the wildlife: Look out for monarch butterflies and various bird species, but maintain a safe distance.
  • Embrace the history: Participate in heritage demonstrations to gain a deeper understanding of the site's significance.
  • Contact for information: Reach out to the site at 705-246-2664 or via email for any inquiries before your visit.

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