Fitzroy Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide

Wondering if Fitzroy Provincial Park is worth a visit? Before you book a campsite, read our honest review of this Ontario park.

John and I spent a couple of days here in July as part of a week-long northern Ontario camping trip.

Fitzroy Provincial Park is located 402 km northeast of Toronto or 60 km west of Ottawa (practically on the Quebec border).

Because Fitzroy Provincial Park is about a five-hour drive from our home, we wanted to see if it was worth adding to future camping trips.

While we enjoyed exploring the campground and spending time by the water, our visit wasn’t quite what we expected.

Like every park, Fitzroy has its strengths along with a few drawbacks that are worth knowing before you go.

In this guide, I’ll share what we liked, what we didn’t, and everything you need to know to decide if Fitzroy Provincial Park is the right fit for your next camping trip.

Pros and Cons of Fitzroy Provincial Park – Quick Guide

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of Fitzroy Provincial Park:

Things We Liked

Large campsites
Good paddling opportunities
Very friendly park staff

Things We Did Not Like

The beaches were not great
Could hear the drone of the power station across the river
VERY rough roads
Facilities were old and run-down

Fitzroy Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Fitzroy Provincial Park is pretty easy.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We booked our stay at Fitzroy for July and had a pretty easy time getting our choice of site.

Most of the sites at this park were pretty decent, so I really don’t think you can go wrong.

☑️ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

The park is open for camping from the beginning of May until about the third weekend in October.

Fitzroy Provincial Park Address:
5201 Canon Smith Drive, Fitzroy Harbour, ON, K0A 1X0
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/fitzroy

Arriving at the Park

When you pull into the park entrance, it’s just a short drive to the gatehouse.

There’s regular vehicle parking there, plus several longer spots designed for RVs outside the gate.

Those extra-long spaces are a huge help when you’re towing a trailer. I really wish all provincial parks would add them.

One other thing we noticed, is that there was actually a water fill station right in the gatehouse parking lot. This was a bit odd, but convenient, I guess!

We picked up a printed map, grabbed some firewood and ice, and were on our way.

We timed our arrival for the 2:00 p.m. check-in, so once we were done at the gatehouse, we could head straight to our campsite.

Fitzroy Provincial Park Map

Navigating the Park

Fitzroy is a decent sized park. But for the most part, we found it easy to get around.

There are plenty of clear signs pointing you toward the campgrounds, day-use areas, and key spots throughout the park.

The main park road was paved, although bumpy and uneven in many places.

The campground roads are one-way, fairly narrow, and not paved. We found them to be in ok shape during our visit and easy enough to manage.

Parking

The parking lots we came across around the park were a good size. We never had trouble finding somewhere to park.

There were parking lots at the gatehouse, one at the comfort stations, at both beaches, in the day-use area, and small ones at the trailheads.

Fitzroy Provincial Park Camping

Fitzroy Provincial Park supports a range of camping options.

You can book sites for car camping, tenting, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres).

You can choose between electric and non-electric campsites as well.

Just note that not every campground section fits every style of camping, so pay close attention to the site details when you book.

Fitzroy Provincial Park has 2 main campgrounds – Two Rivers Campground and Pine Grove Campground.

Both campgrounds offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites.

All in all, Fitzroy is home to 241 campsites.

Campgrounds at a Glance

Two Rivers Campground

100 Campsites
Mix of electric and non-electric sites
Water taps
Vault Toilets
Comfort station with showers
Wooded and private sites

Pine Grove Campground

136 Campsites
Mix of electric and non-electric sites
Water taps
Vault Toilets
Comfort Station with showers
1 Laundry Station
Wooded and private sites

Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Fitzroy, we stayed in the Two Rivers Campground.

Our campsite was huge with more than enough room for us to set up our dining tent.

Because our site was at the bend in the road, we had zero privacy. The only shrubs on our site were directly behind us, giving us some privacy on that side.

But because the road basically wound around our site, we were exposed to a greater than average amount of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

And because we were practically right across the street from the Camper’s Beach, people were always coming and going.

Not only that, but our firepit was practically at the edge of the road, which meant that people were walking less than 4 feet from where we were sitting!

Our site was a fair distance from the comfort station but still within walking distance. And we were pretty close to a water tap, which was also ok.

The showers were busy earlier in the evening, so we waited and headed over around 10 pm to skip the long lines.

On the plus side, having the beach right across the street was great in the sense that we just had to walk our boards over whenever we wanted to head out for a paddle!

What Amenities Does Fitzroy Offer?

Onsite Amenities – Quick List

241 Campsites
Showers and Flush Toilets
One Laundromat
Park Store
Picnic Shelter
Two Beaches
Small Boat Launch
Playground

Comfort Stations

There are only 3 comfort stations with showers in Fitzroy Provincial Park.

You will find one comfort station with showers in each of the campgrounds. In the day use area, there is also a comfort station with flush toilets.

John and I chose to shower later in the evening, so we had a much shorter wait.

Vault toilets were located in each of the campground areas.

We found the comfort stations to be relatively clean and well-kept. The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was okay.

Laundry

A coin laundry is available in the comfort station in the Pine Grove Campground.

We did not venture over to have a look, so I can’t tell you if it is operational or what condition the machines are in.

The laundry room that was supposed to be available in the Two Rivers Campground (according to the Ontario Parks website), was not open at all.

In fact, it had been turned into a broom closet!

Park Store

The Park Store at Fitzroy Provincial Park was pretty awesome!

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, water bottles, camping cups, and of course, park patches and stickers.

You will also find a good selection of snacks, refrigerated drinks, a coffee station, camping supplies, and a scooped ice cream counter.

While they were now selling our favourite Kawartha Dairy ice cream, that didn’t deter john from grabbing a scoop!

You are also able to stock up on ice and firewood, as well as rent kayaks and canoes at the park store.

Outside, you will find a few picnic tables and plenty of shade to enjoy your treats.

Visitor’s Centre

There is no Visitor Centre at Fitzroy Provincial Park.

Day Use Area

The day-use area at Fitzroy is pretty big.

There, you will find the beach with a roped off swimming area, a playground, a comfort station with flush toilets, picnic tables, and the racks holding the rental kayaks and canoes.

There was also a large parking lot located adjacent to the beach.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.

Boat Launch

There is a small boat launch available at Fitzroy which can accommodate small fishing boats and canoes or kayaks.

The boat launch is located closest to the Two Rivers Campground.

Fitzroy Provincial Park Beaches

Fitzroy Provincial Park is home to two sandy beaches.

Both beaches face the Ottawa River, with one located in the day use area and one in the Two Rivers Campground.

The Main Beach in the day use area has a large swimming area that is marked with buoy lines.

The water stayed pretty shallow practically right to the ropes. It was nice and sandy and clean too, making it perfect for families with younger children.

We also like the fact that the beach had a wide sandy area with plenty of big trees for shade, and a pretty decent view over the water.

On the other hand, the camper’s beach located right across the street from our campsite was pretty underwhelming, unfortunately.

There was a large enough sandy area for kids to play in, but the swimming area was awful.

The entire roped-off area had large rocks at the bottom, making it very difficult to walk on (and it was too shallow to really swim in).

Even with crocs on, I had a difficult time picking my way over the large slippery rocks.

The only part of the beach that was ok, was the first few feet where the water met the sand. At least here, you could walk and get your feet wet, with only tiny pebbles to deal with.

And don’t get me started on the view! The camper’s beach overlooks a power plant on the opposite side of the river!

On the plus side, we were able to easily launch our paddleboards into the water from either side of the swimming area, which at the end of the day, was all we really wanted.

What Services Does Fitzroy Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at Fitzroy.

Water

There are two water fill stations at Fitzroy Provincial Park, which is awesome.

The first, as I mentioned earlier, is located in the parking lot of the gatehouse.

While this is really convenient, unless your tank is on the passenger side of your rig, you would have to run your own hose.

The second, is located in the sanitation loop located just adjacent to the gatehouse.

This one is a little awkward to get to as you will need to drive past the gatehouse, then swing back toward the exit to get to the fill station.

There, you will find two nicely-paved lanes equipped with two fill stations.

Both fill stations are located on the driver’s side, but if your tank is on the passenger side, you could still use the centre fill (you would just be tying up both fills at once).

You will find water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

Dump Station

There is only one sanitation station at Fitzroy Provincial Park, but it is pretty nice.

As I mentioned above, the sanitation loop is located just behind the gatehouse.

Just like with the fill stations, there are two dump stations. Both are located on the driver’s side, which is where most rigs have their tanks.

The dump stations come before the fill stations, so you may get stuck behind people filling their tanks.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.

Garbage and Recycling

You will find a small garbage and recycling area at the entrance to each campground.

In this area, you’ll find multiple garbage containers, mixed recycling bins, and designated spots for small empty propane canisters and alcohol bottles.

We did not notice a central garbage and recycling area in the park, however.

Cell Signal

If you need to stay connected during your time at Fitzroy, we found the cell service to be somewhat spotty.

Within the main campgrounds, you should be able to get enough service to text and call. Using data is a little more sketchy.

Things to Do at Fitzroy Provincial Park

There are plenty of things to do at Fitzroy Provincial Park to keep busy.

1. Enjoy a Bike Ride

While there are no dedicated bike trails at Fitzroy, you are welcome to ride your bike on all campground roads.

Just keep in mind, some of the roads are only in ok shape with bumps, hills, and potholes.

Just be careful on the main campground road, as it did get busy during check in/out time.

We did see plenty of families riding their bikes during our stay. That said, John and I did not use our bikes during our stay.

2. Go for a Paddle

John and I love to go out on our paddleboards while camping. During our stay at Fitzroy, we were out on the water for several hours.

The park provides access to the Ottawa River, which was pretty decent to paddle on.

If you got too close to the shoreline it was marshy and filled with weeds. However, further out, the water was absolutely fine.

We enjoyed seeing all the interesting cottages and properties that line the shores just outside of the park boundaries.

There are so many kilometres of shoreline to explore with your canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. And if you cross over the river, you will actually end up on the Quebec side!

The water was relatively calm in the more sheltered areas within the park boundaries, but got a little choppy when you headed too far from shore. Just something to keep in mind!

Another thing that you need to know is that there are restricted sections of the river adjacent to the power generation plant.

Because these restricted areas fall close to the park boundary, just make sure to pay attention to the signage!

3. Take the Plunge

Fitzroy is not a bad place to go for a swim (provided it’s at the main beach).

The tea-coloured water is clean and warm enough for a comfortable dip.

It stays fairly shallow within the roped swimming area, which makes it a good option if you’re visiting with younger kids.

And best of all, there is plenty of soft sand to relax on when you come our of the water!

4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

During the summer months, the park runs a full schedule of educational programs.

You can join a guided hike with a park naturalist or learn about the local wildlife and plant life from the Parks staff.

Head over to the Parks Store to pick up a copy of the Discovery Activity Book and explore Fitzroy on your own!

5. Try Your Hand at Fishing

The Ottawa River provides some pretty decent opportunities to do a little fishing.

Some popular fish that you will find are walleye, pike, bass and panfish.

The best places to cast your line at the park are at the dock, along the shoreline or near Butternut Island where the Ottawa and Carp rivers meet.

6. Do Some Birdwatching

While John and I are no bird experts, we do appreciate some of the amazing birds that we see while camping.

The park offers plenty of opportunities for birders to see killdeer, flickers, warblers, goldfinches. The annual fall migration of geese and ducks is also popular.

7. Enjoy a Hike

Fitzroy Provincial Park is home to 2 hiking trails. The trails were nice enough and not too difficult.

Both trailheads were a little tucked away, but still off the main park road.

And keep your eyes open for deer! While we didn’t see any deer on the trails, we did see a mom and her two fawns in the brush alongside the main park road!

There are also decent-sized parking lots near to the trailheads.

Carp Trail

Length: 1 km (loop)
Duration: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

John and I enjoyed this short trail, which takes you along banks of the Carp River through a mature forest.

We found it to be an easy stroll, with plenty of shade, making it the perfect walk on a hot, sunny day.

The Trailhead can be found adjacent to the bridge that leads to the Two Rivers Campground.

Parking can be found across the street at the entrance to the Pine Grove Campground.

Terraces Trail

Length: 2 km (loop)
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate

We found this trail to be very peaceful. In fact, just a few meters from the parking lot, you will start the trail with a small waterfall.

During our visit, it was just a trickle, but still nice to see.

The trail takes you along a geological journey where you will see shale pillars and fields that are strewn with huge boulders left by glaciers.

There were also several plaques, some containing rock samples, that teach you about the varied terrain.

The trailhead can be found down a narrow lane off the main road, across the street from the Park Store.

There is a small parking lot at the trailhead.

Is Fitzroy Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Fitzroy to be very accessible.

The Park Store, as well as all the comfort stations allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

Both beaches had well-placed accessibility mats (unlike the weird one at Samuel de Champlain), and we did see a beach wheelchair that could be rented from the Park Store.

During our walks through the campgrounds, however, we did not notice any sites that were designated barrier-free campsites.

Are Pets Allowed at Fitzroy?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Fitzroy Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

Point Farms Provincial Park - Guinness and I at our campsite

Unfortunately, there are no pet exercise areas in the park.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the main beaches.

Is There Winter Camping at Fitzroy?

Fitzroy does not offer winter camping.

That said, according to their website, Fitzroy, in partnership with West Carleton Nordic Ski Club, provides 20 km of groomed cross-country ski trails for traditional and skate skiing.

Our Park Rating

We give this park 2 out of 5 stars for having:

Decent Campsites
Very Friendly Park Staff
Great Amenities
Nice Beaches
Well-Maintained Park

Final Thoughts

While our visit to Fitzroy Provincial Park wasn’t terrible, I honestly can’t see us making a return visit.

We had a decent time out paddling on the river and on the hiking trails, as well as enjoying some ice cream at the Park Store. So in that sense, we enjoyed ourselves.

But while we would not discourage anyone from giving this park a shot, Fitzroy does not get our stamp of approval.