McRae Point Provincial Park Review & Camping Guide

Looking to camp at McRae Point Provincial Park? We have camped there before. So if you are wondering what it’s like, you have come to the right place!

Located on the shores of Lake Simcoe near Orillia, McRae Point is about an hour and 45 minute drive (158 km) from Toronto.

We spent one night at McRae Point Provincial Park as a stopover point while travelling through cottage country.

While McRae Point was not our favourite Provincial Park for camping, there were a few great reasons to visit this park.

Want to learn more? Let’s jump right in!

Pros and Cons of McRae Point Provincial Park – Quick Guide

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

Things We Liked

Campsites had large trees for shade
Decent day-use area
Nice Playground
Clean beach

Things We Did Not Like

No privacy on campsites
Only one dumping station

McCrea Point Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Booking a campsite at McRae Point 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 though, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

I don’t think that this park is very popular or in high demand, as we were able to secure a spot for the July long weekend less than a month before.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

McRae Point is open for camping from the middle of May until Thanksgiving Monday.

McRae Point Provincial Park Address:
4366 McRae Park Road, Ramara Township, Ontario L3V 6H7
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/mcraepoint

Arriving at the Park

Once you arrive at the park, you are able to check in at the main gatehouse.

John was able to purchase our park patch while he was picking up our map and parking permit.

We had no trouble checking in at about 3 pm as there was no line-up.

Right next to the Gatehouse is where you can also purchase your firewood.

McRae Point Provincial Park Map

McRae Point Provincial Park - Campground Map — Photo Credit: Ontario Parks

Navigating the Park

We found that McRae Point was easy enough to navigate.

Since the campground area of the park is pretty small, and there are enough signs, you won’t have any trouble finding your way around.

The campground roads were a little tight at this park, but they were in relatively good shape.

Parking

There are a few parking lots in the day-use area, including at the boat launch.

You will also find a parking lot at the main gatehouse, and several smaller lots within each campground, including at the small piers.

Since the parking lot at the day-use area is not part of a loop (you drive in and come out from the same access point), we wouldn’t recommend bringing your trailer in there.

McCrea Point Provincial Park Camping

McCrea Point Provincial Park accommodates a variety of camping styles. From car camping to tenting, group camping, barrier-free camping, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all.

You will also have the choice between electric or non-electric sites.

Unfortunately, not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites, so you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.

McRae Point Provincial Park has 2 campgrounds – North and South – with a total of 203 campsites.

Campgrounds at a Glance

North Campground

125 campsites
Electric sites
Large pull-through sites
Can Accommodate extra large trailers and motorhomes
Barrier-free sites #51 and #53
2 Comfort Stations with showers
2 Vault Toilets
Water taps
Park-like shaded sites

South Campground

78 campsites
Electric and non-electric sites
Sites suitable for small trailers and tents
2 Comfort Stations (no showers)
Vault Toilet
Water taps
Smaller sites with some privacy

Group Camping

There are no designated group camping sites at McRae Point.

That said, we did see many large groups and families occupying multiple sites.

They would have their tents and small pop-ups on a couple of sites, while dining tents, picnic tables and chairs would be set up on adjacent sites.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Making breakfast at our campsite

This made for a noisy camping experience for the families occupying nearby sites (including us).

We even noticed one such group with large spotlights set up on their sites.

And considering there is nothing to separate sites, the light flooded through to a large portion of the campground. Not great!

Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to McRae Point, we stayed at campsite #115 in the North Campground. This was a large drive-through site with a small view of the water.

The site was more than sufficient for our Teardrop Trailer, with plenty of room for us to spread out.

Like most of the other sites in this campground, we had no privacy from any of our neighbours, as there were no low-growing trees or shrubs.

McRae-Point-Provincial-Park-Nellie-decked-out-in-twinkle-lights

Right across the road from this site is the parking lot to a small pier. This became a huge problem during our stay.

Not only did we have to deal with the constant coming and goings of cars in the parking lot, or people heading onto the trails, but we actually had people cutting through our campsite to get to the boat launch.

After telling multiple people to stop using our campsite as a thoroughfare, we finally moved our picnic table strategically closer to the camper and hung our string lights across our site to form barricades.

Campfire at McCrae Point Provincial Park

While we had a nice view of the water from this site, it definitely was not worth the hassle!

Just something to keep in mind if you have any ideas about booking this particular site.

What Amenities Does McCrea Point Offer?

Onsite Amenities – Quick List

203 campsites
Showers and flush toilets
Hiking Trail
Main Beach plus 1 dog-friendly beach
Boat Launch plus 3 small docks
Playground

Comfort Stations

You will find 2 fully serviced comfort stations in the North Campground only. These comfort stations include flush toilets and showers.

In the South Campground, however, the comfort stations only have flush toilets. If you want to shower, you will need to head to the North Campground.

As you can imagine, the showers can get busy at peak times.

Barrier-free washrooms are available in both campgrounds.

You will also find a comfort station with flush toilets in the day-use area.

Laundromat

There are no laundry facilities available at McRae Point Provincial Park.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Trees at the beach at sunset

Park Store

Unfortunately, McRae Point does not have a Park Store where you can buy forgotten items, snacks, sundries, or Ontario Parks Merch.

Your only option is the Main Gatehouse where you can buy some Ontario Parks souvenirs, firewood, ice and novelty ice cream.

Day Use Area

The day-use area at McRae Point is a decent size and is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

You will find a beach, a playground, picnic tables, access to the hiking trail, and a comfort station there.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Playground

Just be warned, the grassy parts of the day-use area are filled with goose poop! We found this funny, considering we really didn’t see all that many geese!

It was pretty gross though. And we didn’t see anyone using the volleyball net or playing games on the grass, probably as a result.

The parking lot is a fair size but is not suitable for trailers as it is narrow with only one entrance/exit.

No alcohol is allowed in the day-use area at any time, day or night.

Dogs must be leashed at all times, and are not permitted on the beach. There is a small pet-friendly space in the day-use area near the boat launch.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Golden hour at the park

Don’t forget, that you will need a daily vehicle permit to use the day-use area if you are not camping in the park.

The permit can be obtained up to five days in advance.

Rentals

Personal Floatation Devices can be borrowed from the Registration Office (main gatehouse). You will need to leave a $30 refundable deposit for each jacket.

McCrea Point Provincial Park Beach

Just like the park, the beach area is on the small side.

The sandy part of the beach is quite narrow but clean. There are trees and picnic tables lined up along the beach, making it a perfect spot for a picnic.

The water is warm and shallow but does get a little rocky in some parts. The water is also quite clean and clear, which makes me happy.

However, it does get sandy again once you are in slightly deeper water.

We found that it was more comfortable to wear water shoes at this beach

What Services Does McCrea Point Offer?

McRea Point has all the usual services found at other Ontario Provincial Parks.

Water

You will find the sanitation station for your trailer before the Main Gatehouse. There is only one water fill station located there.

This means that you may get stuck waiting in the same line for people who are dumping their trailers.

The sanitation area is set up as a circle road with one entry/exit point.

There are also plenty of drinking water taps at pretty close intervals located in all four campground loops, as well as in the day-use areas.

Sibbald Point Park - Directional sign in the park

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

Dump Station

Just like with the fill station, there is only one dump station in the sanitation area.

So with one dump station, just expect it to be busy around check-out time.

While we did check out a little early, the line-up was quite short at the dump station.

This is most likely due to the fact that we were leaving on a Tuesday morning and the park really wasn’t very busy during our stay.

The sanitation area is set up as a pull-through road. This means you may get stuck in a lineup for both the water fill and the dumping stations.

Garbage and Recycling

There was a small area located next to the entrance of the North Campground with both garbage and recycling bins.

There is also a second garbage area located at the entrance of the South Campground.

Things to Do at McRae Point Provincial Park

McRae Point Provincial Park - Boy taking pictures at waters edge

1. Enjoy Some Hiking

Water’s Edge Trail

Length: 2.4 km
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

We really enjoyed hiking the Water’s Edge Trail during our stay at McRae Point.

The start of the trail is located near the boat launch, but we were able to catch it at the pier located across from our campsite.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Hiking Trail

Water’s Edge Trail takes you along Lake Simcoe to a section of boardwalk. It then passes through a hardwood swamp, filled with a variety of ferns.

Further along the trail, you will come out to a point that is popular for viewing incredible sunsets over Lake Simcoe. This spot did not disappoint!

Since we timed our hike perfectly, we were able to spend a good amount of time doing golden-hour photography. It was amazing!

McRae Point Provincial Park - Photography during golden hour

The trail itself is uneven and narrow in a lot of sections, so not great for people with mobility issues.

2. Go for a Boat Ride

Lake Simcoe can be a really nice place for boating, as it offers access to the Trent Severn Waterway.

McRae Point has boat launch facilities located in the day-use area of the park. The launch is suitable for smaller boats only.

You will also find several small piers located throughout the campground. These are perfect for mooring small boats during your stay.

3. Try Your Hand at Fishing

If you are interested in fishing, Lake Simcoe offers great opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

You will find bass, pike and perch in the waters surrounding the park.

Just be aware, that you will need to have a valid Ontario fishing licence to be able to fish at this Provincial Park.

4. Enjoy a Bike Ride

There are no dedicated biking trails at McRae Point. However, you are welcome to cycle on the park roads.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Biking area on campsite road

5. Go for a Swim

McRae Point offers a large designated swimming area at the beach. This section of the water is roped off, to separate swimmers from boat traffic.

Keep in mind, that there are no lifeguards on duty at McRae Provincial Park.

6. Do Some Birding

While this park is not very big, McRae Point still manages to play host to about 79 species of birds including the Yellow-throated Vireo and Pileated Woodpecker.

7. Take Part in the Discovery Program

McRae Point’s Discovery Program is available during the months of July and August.

McRae Point Provincial Park - Splashing water on the rocks

During this time, kids can pick up a Discovery Activity Book from the Exploration Station, and use the equipment and materials provided to explore the park.

Is McCrea Point Provincial Park Barrier Free?

Yes. There are barrier-free washrooms available in both the North and South campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are also two electrical barrier-free campsites available in the North Campground.

Are Pets Welcome at McCrea Point Provincial Park?

Yes. Pets are welcome at McRae Point Provincial Park.

Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, on the trail, and in the day-use area.

Pinery Provincial Park - Dog at the beach

While dogs are not allowed on the main beach, there is a small dog beach near the boat launch.

Pets must be leashed at all times.

Is There Winter Camping at McCrea Point?

No. Unfortunately, there is no winter camping available at McRae Point Provincial Park.

The park is also closed during the winter season, so you cannot use the day-use area either.

Our Park Rating

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

Beautiful Beach
Available Hiking Trails
Private Campsites
Great Amenities
Large Day Use Area

McRae Point Provincial Park - Brothers sitting at the beach at sunset

Final Thoughts

We only had a so-so time at McRae Provincial Park.

While it is a small park compared to many that we have been to (like Presqu’ile for instance), it did have nice a hiking trail and a decent beach.

Other than that, we were not too impressed by the campsite’s lack of privacy, the noisy party-like atmosphere of the unofficial “group sites”, or the lack of amenities.

That said, the park was easy enough to get a last-minute reservation for. Other than for a short overnight stop (like ours), we can’t say that we would recommend this park.