How to Find Private, Pet-Friendly Campsites Using Hipcamp

If you’ve tried booking a campsite at Ontario Parks lately, you already know the drill: waking up before dawn five months in advance, staring at the system time, only to find that every site on your list is gone in under thirty seconds.

There are ways to boost your chances, such as booking less-popular parks or non-electric ones.

But for many, the “Ontario Parks Lottery” is an exhausting cycle that has sparked many online conversations and heated debates.

Luckily, crowded parks aren’t your only option.

Over the last couple of years, we have been experimenting with Hipcamp as an alternative to Ontario Parks, and we’ve been surprised by what we found.  

Interested in learning more?

Let’s talk about how the free Hipcamp app can help you find an incredible site for your next trip.

What is Hipcamp and How Does it Work?

Think of Hipcamp as the outdoorsy version of Airbnb.

Instead of booking a rental home or a plot of land at a larger campground, you are renting directly from a private landowner.

This could be a secluded forest lot, a quiet northern homestead, on a private sandy beach, or even on a working farm.

What we love most about Hipcamp is the wide variety of camping options for every experience level, accessibility need, and travel style.

Whether you want to go rustic and completely off-grid or to indulge in a glamping getaway, there really is something for everyone.

Navigating the App with Your Pets in Mind

Good news. The Hipcamp app is free to use on your phone. Within the app, there are filters to help you narrow down the search results to zero in on your ideal site.

Here are the steps we take when choosing a campsite:

• Turn on the “Pet-Friendly” Filter First: This is non-negotiable. There is no point in falling in love with a campsite only to find out your best friend isn’t welcome.
• Check the “Features” Section: Look closely at what each property offers. The app describes the terrain types, acreage, and whether the site is vehicle accessible or a pack-in hike.
• Number of Sites: While some locations are single-site, others have several designated campsites or cabins on the property. Not only does the app tell you how many sites there are, but the map feature also shows how close together they are, which is important info for those of us camping with a reactive dog.
• Take Note of Amenities: Does the site offer potable water, or do you need to bring your own? Are there bathrooms on site, or is it a true backcountry experience? This can make a big difference depending on your preferences. Some even offer firewood or canoe rentals.
• Study the Host Rules: Every host sets their own rules and guidelines for their property. Some have strict leash requirements, especially those with operating farms and livestock. Others are open to well-trained dogs with solid recall hanging out off-leash. Other rules to consider are whether campfires are allowed, if there is a set quiet time, and whether there are any alcohol restrictions.

The Pros and Cons of Hipcamp for Pet-Friendly Adventures

Switching from the highly regulated parks available through Ontario Parks and Parks Canada to private land rentals comes with both advantages and challenges.

After all, nothing’s perfect.

You are dealing with individual property owners rather than a centralized system. As a result, there is no standard to rely on.

Here is an honest breakdown of what to expect based on our experiences:

The Pros: Why We Love It

Privacy and Seclusion

Finding a truly private campsite in a provincial park (excluding backcountry) can be challenging.

With Hipcamp, you can find beautiful campsites where you have the entire forest, meadow, or waterfront point all to yourself.

Last-Minute Availability

We often hear complaints from people trying to book a campsite at the last minute (although I will admit we have scored some stunning waterfront sites by booking this way).

With the large number of sites listed on Hipcamp, we can always find a high-quality pet-friendly site, even when booking on the same day.

Less-Crowded Environments

Often, camping is about more than just the privacy of your campsite.

Instead of sharing a packed beach or a busy boat launch, you can often book sites with private trails and quiet shorelines.

We are firm believers that the fewer people during our travels, the better.

Direct Access to the Host

Being able to reach out to the property owner directly through the app means you can quickly and easily ask questions or express concerns that you may find difficult in a larger park setting

This is especially true with the recent changes we have seen that are reducing staff at Ontario Parks, making it harder to reach someone.

The Cons: What to Watch Out For

Varying Amenities

Consistency is not guaranteed. One listing may offer a spotless, well-ventilated outhouse and complimentary firewood.

The next might be a rustic backcountry-esque site where you must pack in your own drinking water and any creature comforts you will want during your stay.

Researching each individual site is important if you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises or disappointments.

Less Regulation and Lack of On-Site Staff

If you are staying on a Hipcamp with multiple sites, this may be a factor to consider.

Unlike provincial and national parks, there are no park wardens patrolling the property at night to enforce quiet hours or handle emergencies.

The property owner may live on-site, but that doesn’t guarantee someone will be home.

You need to be self-reliant. This means your camping first-aid kits must be fully stocked both for humans and pets.

Working Farms and Free-Roaming Animals

A property that is listed as “private” or “rural” does not always mean you’re completely isolated in nature.

Many Hipcamp locations are located on active homesteads or working farms.

This means you may encounter heavy machinery, livestock, loose farm dogs, barn cats, and more.

If your dog has a high prey drive or is uncomfortable around livestock, read descriptions carefully.

Environmental Hazards

While many private landowners take pride in the condition of their sites, not all Hipcamp spots will be as well-groomed and manicured as a maintained park.

This means you are more likely to encounter tall grass, dense brush, and thick undergrowth. AKA tick haven.

You will need to be extra vigilant with your tick prevention plan, checking your pets after every hike or day spent outdoors at the campsite.

If you’re worried that your pet will wander into the dense brush regularly, it may be best to keep them tethered or in an exercise pen to reduce their potential exposure.

Hipcamp Sites We’ve Found and Loved

Of course, we can’t claim to know all the Hipcamp sites out there. We haven’t experienced a tiny fraction of the many available!

But we have found some great sites during our travels with our pets.

The following are a few of the specific spots we have fallen in love with, and why they stand out to us.

Spoiler: We have talked about returning to all of these places in the future.

1. Edges Sideroad Springs | Durham, Ontario

• Number of Campsites: 5 tent sites, 1 cabin
• Why We Loved It: The sites are beautiful and private, while still offering the comforts of a clean bathroom and low-cost firewood. Our senior girl, Daviana, loved wading in the small stream at the Bubbling Spring site.  
• Considerations: There are other campsites, with a trail that ties most of them together. This means you may still have someone wandering past your site during your stay.

2. Beaver Ranch | Hanover, Ontario

• Number of Campsites: 3 tent sites, 2 RV sites, and a cabin
• Why We Loved It: We loved relaxing and listening to the sound of the water, especially in the tent at night. The river also offers a great spot for the pups to swim and cool off.
• Considerations: With these sites located right on the Saugeen River, you are occasionally going to have people tubing down the river, a popular activity at Saugeen Springs R.V. Park. The Sleepy Hideaway spot offered some privacy from the trees, while The Dam Spot is fairly wide open.   

3. Peanut Pond Stargazing | Markdale, Ontario

• Number of Campsites: 1 RV/tent site
• Why We Loved It: Having the property to ourselves meant complete privacy. While you can see the road from some spots in the campsite, it was easy to set up to block it and have full privacy. There is also a pond that our water-loving boy Lucifer enjoyed.  
• Considerations: There are A LOT of frogs in the pond. If your dog is like Lucifer, interested from a distance, it’s fun to see them and hear them all night. However, if you have a dog who is going to hunt frogs, it likely isn’t the best option.

Start Planning Your Next Getaway

At the end of the day, we don’t see Hipcamp as a replacement for the traditional provincial park experience. There are too many incredible parks to explore.

However, it is a powerful tool that has completely changed how many people plan their adventures.

It gives us the freedom to find stunning campsites and destinations, even when we’re working with strict booking windows and considering popular areas across the province.

With the right gear, a solid safety routine, and a respect for the landowners who open their properties to us, Hipcamp might be the perfect start to planning your next pet-friendly camping trip.

Have you tried Hipcamp to book a stay for you and your pet? What do you wish you had known before your first stay? Let us know in the comments below!