Parry Sound sits at the transition point where Highway 400 ends and northern Ontario begins. The town itself is the main provisioning stop for travellers heading to Georgian Bay parks like Killbear, continuing north on Highway 69 toward Sudbury, or diverting east toward Algonquin. The camping options in the immediate Parry Sound area are more practical than spectacular -- these are good overnight stops and comfortable bases rather than destination campgrounds.
Oastler Lake is the most convenient overnight stop on the Highway 400 corridor. The park sits right on the highway, has electrical sites for RVs up to 40 feet, a beach on Oastler Lake, and a Canadian Shield setting that is genuinely attractive. You can be off the highway and set up in under 15 minutes. Gorgeous waterfront sites, cozy tree-shaded spots, good paddling, and decent sunsets.
The train problem: This is the most important thing to know about Oastler Lake, and it is the detail that most guides leave out. The rail line runs close to the park. Freight trains -- 200-car, 20+ minute passing time -- roll through day and night with whistles blowing at crossings. Some campers sleep through it. Others lose entire nights of sleep. If you are a light sleeper, this park may not work for you. If you can sleep through noise or bring good earplugs, the park is excellent. It is not a subtle issue; it is the most common complaint in every review source we checked.
Other notes: fire pits at some sites are positioned too close to neighbouring sites, reducing privacy. Washroom and comfort station coverage could be better -- the park does not have as many as larger parks with comparable site counts.
Six Mile Lake sits near Port Severn on the southern end of the Highway 400 corridor, making it one of the closest provincial park options to the GTA. About 200 sites on Canadian Shield terrain with three beaches, a playground, a boat launch, and a hiking trail. Each site has two picnic tables and a fire pit. A recently added comfort station and EV charging station are welcome improvements.
The park has different vibes across camping areas. Walk-in sites right on the lake are the most private and scenic. Some loop sites pick up Highway 400 noise -- ask about site location relative to the highway when booking. The camp store covers basics. Port Severn has a gas station, Tim Hortons, small LCBO, and a few restaurants. Bring a long extension cord -- some electrical outlets are a significant distance from the campsite.
Six Mile Lake works well as a first-night stop for families heading north, a weekend destination for GTA campers who do not want a long drive, or a base for exploring the Trent-Severn Waterway (the Port Severn lock is worth a visit with kids). It is not a destination park like Killbear or Grundy Lake, but it delivers reliable, quiet camping without the booking fight.
The town of Parry Sound itself is the supply hub for this region. Full grocery stores, hardware stores, LCBO, fuel stations, restaurants, and the harbour. The town beach is the best free roadside stop on the Highway 400 corridor: picnic tables, sandy beach with swimming, 5 minutes off the highway. The harbour area has a nice waterfront walk and boat tour options.
For RV travellers, Parry Sound has private parks with full-hookup sites, laundry, heated pools, and camp stores. Prices run $45-65 per night, which is less than the Muskoka corridor. Several private parks have lakefront or riverfront sites that make them destinations rather than just service stops.
Most people camping in the Parry Sound area are en route somewhere else:
Fuel up in Parry Sound before heading to any park in the region. Prices in Parry Sound are reasonable compared to what you will find further north. There is no fuel between Parry Sound and Grundy Lake (80 km). Killbear has no fuel. If you are heading north on Highway 69, the next reliable fuel is in French River or Sudbury.
For detailed campground guides along the highway corridor, see our Highway 400 RV guide. For the Georgian Bay parks accessed from Parry Sound, see our Georgian Bay guide. For overnight stop planning, check our best overnight stops guide.