If you love the outdoors, Ontario is a wonderful place to live in or to visit. From the Great Lakes to Bruce Trail to Conservation Areas to Ontario Provincial Parks, there are a plethora of places to explore. Among the best places to visit are Ontario’s many provincial parks. There are more than 330 provincial parks that offer visitors unique experiences to connect with nature. Entering an Ontario Provincial Park requires a daily vehicle permit which varies in cost ranging from $12.25 to $21.00 per vehicle. There are discounts for seniors, people with disabilities as well as active members of the Canadian Armed Services and veterans. If you plan on visiting Ontario Parks regularly throughout the year or during the summer or winter months, getting an annual vehicle permit or seasonal vehicle permit will help lighten the impact on your wallet. An annual vehicle permit will set you back $118.87 including HST. That is equivalent to about 9 visits to parks with the minimum daily vehicle fee of $12.25 or 6 trips to the parks with the maximum daily vehicle permit fee of $21.00. If you want to save some money and only plan to visit Ontario parks for seasonal activities, you may want to consider purchasing a summer vehicle permit for $84.75 or a winter vehicle permit for $67.80.

Where Can I get a Daily Permit?

At most Ontario Parks, getting a daily vehicle permit is quite simple. All you have to do is drive up the gatehouse and purchase one. Permits are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The cost of a permit depends on the park itself. They range from $12.25 to $21.00. It’s free if you are an annual or seasonal vehicle permit holder. Ontario Parks are popular destinations, especially during the warm summer months. Parks have capacity limits so make sure to get there early to ensure you can get in. This applies to annual and seasonal permit holders as well. Having a pass means you don’t have to pay additional fees to enter, but it does not guarantee entry. If a park is at capacity, you will be turned away.

If you are lucky enough to live near an Ontario provincial park or happen to be staying near one you may want to save a few bucks and enter by foot. It is significantly cheaper.

Online Vehicle Permit Booking System

In 2021, the Ontario Parks introduced a new online service that allows visitors to purchase a daily vehicle permit in advance of arrival at 17 different parks. Annual or seasonal vehicle permit holders can reserve a daily permit free of charge. Daily vehicle permits can be purchased 5 days before the visit. Due to the popularity of the service, Ontario Parks announced that they will be expanding the program to 16 additional parks. Starting May 16, 2022, visitors can purchase advanced daily permits for 33 locations.