Victoria Park Campground Review – Our Stay in Cobourg
Are you interested in camping at Victoria Park Campground, but want to make sure that is worth a visit? We have got you covered!
Located In Coubourg, Ontario, Victoria Park Campground is about an hour and twenty minutes (119 km) north of Toronto.
We visited this private campground on a summer weekend. And while it was fully booked, we did not feel crowded at all.
This park was filled with plenty of mature trees, nice large campsites, and a gorgeous, well-groomed beach.
Want to learn more? Let’s jump right in!
Pros and Cons of Victoria Park Campground – Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of Victoria Park Campground:
Things We Liked
Things We Did Not Like
Victoria Park Campground Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go
Making a reservation to camp at Victoria Park Campground is pretty easy.
You can book your campsite up to five months (plus seven days) in advance of your arrival date through their online reservation system.
While we did not have too much trouble booking a campsite at Victoria Park Campground, we were unable to score a beachfront site or a full-service site.
Just something to keep in mind.
Victoria Park Campground is open for camping from the middle of May until after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October.
Victoria Park Campground Address:
138 Division St, Cobourg, ON K9A 3P3
https://www.cobourg.ca/en/parks-recreation-community/victoria-park-campground.aspx
Arriving at the Park
Once you arrive at the main entrance to the park, you are able to check in at the gatehouse.
At the gatehouse, we were given keys to the washroom, a card to open the gate, and our parking permit.
We arrived just after the 4 o’clock check-in time, so we were able to make our way to our site right away.
We were also able to purchase firewood and ice at the gatehouse.
The one issue you may run into is the fact that there are no parking spots at the gatehouse.
You are pretty much forced to park along the road in front of the campground, or enter the parking lot across the street and have to circle back around. Might be a bit of a pain with a larger rig.
Another thing to be aware of is that if you arrive after hours, the gatehouse will be closed.
We were sent instructions on what to do if that is the case, as you will need an access card to enter the front gate.
Victoria Park Campground Map
Navigating the Campground
The campground is only made up of one large loop, with one entrance and exit. It is impossible for you to get lost!
Parking
There is no additional parking in the campground. You are allowed one vehicle per site.
Any additional vehicles must park in the public (paid) parking lot across the street.
Victoria Park Campground Camping
Victoria Park Campground can accommodate both tents and large RVs.
Most sites have hydro, water and sewer hookups. The rest of the sites (except for the 5 tent-only sites) have hydro and water.
Our Campsite Experience
During our visit to Victoria Park Campground, we were booked to stay at campsite #28.
This campsite was near to the entrance and the gatehouse. We only had hydro and water at our site, unfortunately.
The site was relatively level, except for the area under the tree. The tree provided us with some shade, which was welcome on the sweltering hot days we were there.
The sites at this campground are all narrow, with no privacy between sites.
We had plenty of space for our Teardrop, with room to spare for our vehicle, and a dining tent (which you need permission to put up).
The hydro and water connections were located at the back end of our site, which was quite convenient.
Just keep in mind, that you will be sharing the water and electric pedestals with other campers.
Our firepit was located at the front of our site near the road. It was a little odd, in that it was literally a hole in the ground.
No rocks or bricks… just a round circle of dirt.
One standard-sized picnic table is also provided per site.
Other than that, it was a 2-minute walk to the comfort station with showers, which we really didn’t worry about since our Teardrop does have a wet bath.
💡 Pro Tip – The sites on either side of the comfort station are right up against it! I almost felt rude walking up the path because it was like walking through someone’s site.
What Amenities Does Victoria Park Campground Offer?
Onsite Amenities – Quick List
- 73 campsites
- 5 Tent-only sites
- 44 Full-service sites
- 27 Hydro and Water only sites
- 19 Beachfront sites
- Mature trees
- Comfort Station with showers
- Laundry
- Dump Station
- Gatehouse
- Garbage/Recycling
And while the following amenities are not on site, they are just steps outside the campground:
Comfort Station
There is one centrally-located comfort station at the Victoria Park Campground.
The comfort station has both men’s and women’s bathrooms with flush toilets. There are also 2 showers located in each bathroom.
Laundry
You will find a washer and dryer inside the laundry room at the comfort station.
The machines appeared to be in good working order.
Victoria Park Beach
Victoria Park Campground is located directly on gorgeous Cobourg Beach.
Home to a fairly large stretch of sandy beach on Lake Ontario, Cobourg Beach was literally a 5-minute walk from our campsite.
The sand was powdery and well-groomed. And there is an accessibility mat that goes from the boardwalk almost into the water.
We loved spending time at the beach. The water was clean and refreshing, and there was plenty of room on the beach to spread out.
There were also public washrooms and changerooms located just off the boardwalk.
While there were lifeguard stands on the beach, we did not see any on duty during our visit in August.
One nice thing about camping so close to the beach was, that John and I could go for a walk on the boardwalk after all the crowds had gone home, and during the early morning when things were still peaceful.
What Services Does Victoria Park Campground Offer?
As we mentioned earlier, Victoria Park Campground offers many full-service sites.
Water
Because all sites have water service, there is no filling station or additional water taps located in the campground.
Dump Station
There is one dump station located near the gatehouse at this campground.
Because we did not have sewer service, we needed to wait in line to dump at check our time.
It gets a little tricky, given that the dump station is so close to the gate. You will need to be careful not to block the entrance/exit.
So with only one dump station, just expect it to be busy around check-out time.
Garbage and Recycling
There was a small area right behind the gatehouse with both garbage and recycling bins.
Wi-Fi
We had more than enough cell service inside the campground. We were easily able to make phone calls, browse the internet, and even stream movies.
In fact, most of this post was written while sitting at our campsite!
Things to Do Near Victoria Park Campground
1. Take a Stroll Through Town
John and I loved strolling through Cobourg. It’s a great way to see what the town has to offer.
We started at Victoria Park (just outside the campground), where you can walk along the waterfront and enjoy views of Lake Ontario.
If you’re into history, head to the historic Victoria Hall, which is actually a National Historic Site. Victoria Hall often hosts art shows and events.
The downtown area is also full of unique shops and local cafes, perfect for a quick break.
2. Have Some Fun at the Splash Pad
The Cobourg Splash Pad is a fun spot for families, especially on hot summer days.
Located right outside the campground and directly off the beach, it’s a great way for kids to cool off and burn some energy.
The splash pad has lots of fountains, sprayers, and water features that are perfect for all ages.
There’s plenty of space around the area for parents to sit in the shade and relax while keeping an eye on the kids.
Best of all, it’s free to use!
3. Enjoy the Views from the Marina
Cobourg Marina offers some of the best views in town. We enjoyed taking a walk along the marina, watching the boats come and go, and doing some photography.
Of course, my favourite part is the lighthouse! I enjoyed sitting on one of the benches and watching the sunset.
The marina is also close to the campground and downtown, so it’s easy to add it to your day of exploring Cobourg.
4. Grab Some Ice Cream from Harbourlight Delights
Harbourlight Delights is a must-stop for ice cream lovers in Cobourg.
Located just a couple of minutes’ walk from the campground gatehouse, it is the perfect place to grab a cone after a day at the beach.
They serve a variety of flavours, so John was having a tough time deciding! Unfortunately for me, they do not have any dairy-free options.
I ended up enjoying a funnel cake dusted with icing sugar. Such a sacrifice!
The shop has a friendly vibe and outdoor seating. We thought it was a great spot to enjoy our treats while taking in the views of Lake Ontario.
5. Find the Perfect Trinket in Cobourg’s Boutique Shops
Cobourg’s downtown is full of boutique shops that offer unique finds.
We recommend taking your time strolling down King Street. You can find stores selling everything from handmade jewelry to home decor.
These small shops are perfect for finding a one-of-a-kind souvenir or gift. In fact, many of the items are made by local artisans.
Whether you’re looking for a special trinket or just want to window shop, the boutiques in Cobourg offer an awesome shopping experience.
Is Victoria Park Campground Accessible?
Yes. Both the Comfort Station and the Gatehouse are both accessible.
The roadway through the campground is gravel, however, which may make it a little difficult for some.
There are no sites that are designated as accessible at this campground.
Are Pets Allowed at Victoria Park Campground?
Yes. Dogs are welcome in the campground but must be leashed at all times.
Is There Winter Camping at Victoria Park Campground?
No. The park is not open for winter camping.
FAQs
What time is check-in at Victoria Park Campground?
Check-in is 2:00 p.m. and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. for all sites at the campground.
Can you kayak at Cobourg Beach?
Yes. Kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming or paddle boarding are all awesome water activities you can do while enjoying the day at Cobourg Beach.
Can you bring dogs to Cobourg beach?
No. Pets of any kind are not allowed at Cobourg Beach at any time.
Our Park Rating
We give this park 4 out of 5 stars for having:
Final Thoughts
Victoria Campground was a wonderful surprise.
This park was well maintained and close to a ton of amenities, including a gorgeous beach.
While the campsites had zero privacy and were pretty close together, we knew to expect this as it is a private campground.
We would totally recommend this park, and can’t wait to come back for another visit.
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