📅 Date Visited:
August 29 – 31, 2025
🛶 Type of Site:
Electric Hook-Up
Back In (but large enough to drive around and through)
🔥 Site #:
145
🗺️ Campground Overview:
Nestled in Simcoe County, near the town of Alliston, Earl Rowe Provincial Park is a welcoming destination for campers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It’s HUGE! The park offers a balance of recreation, relaxation, and nature, making it an excellent choice for both day trips and extended stays.
The campground is on two sides of a fairly busy concession road. We were in the Riverside camping area, which is the opposite side of the road from the main camping area. Due to this, we didn’t spend a ton of time in the main area, other than to drive through to see some other sites, and to go to the park store.
⭐ Overall Rating:
Ex: 7.5 / 10
Campsites 
– 9/10: Our site was HUGE. It honestly felt too big at some points. If you’re unsure about reversing trailers, this is the site to book, and the ones around it. We could easily pull the truck and trailer through the site to position perfectly if Layne wasn’t so good at reversing with a trailer. The site was open to the front, however had a lot of trees and nature between the sites to the side and behind us. The fire-pit was in a great location towards one side at the back, and we set up our trailer on the opposite side. We had plenty of room for Angus, as well as our lawn games we bring to play.
Beach 
– N/A/10: There isn’t a dog beach available at this location, so we didn’t really check out the beach. However walking passed, it looked to have 2 nicely groomed beaches. We arrived after a good amount of rain storms so the water looked dirty, but it was most likely just stirred up from the recent storms.
Park Store 
– 7/10: The store is smaller, but has what you’re looking for. I only went in looking for a park sticker, but the staff were friendly, and the store was clean.
Registration 📝 – 6/10: You need to pull into a side space to get out of your vehicles to register. This isn’t a big deal for us, however out of the 4 windows they had to register, there was only 1 person working. At 2 pm when you’re allowed to check in, the line was long. I think they could afford to have more staff available, especially on a typical weekend check-in date. Depending on what camp area you’re in, you can either proceed to your campsite from there, or they give you a gate pass to enter the Riverside campground which is across the road. This is where we were.
Hiking 🥾 – 8/10: We did one of the main hikes and absolutely loved it. It had great shade, a groomed path to walk on, and followed most of the lake. The campground has many hiking trails, however as we were on the other side of the road, we only went on one hike, when we had driven to the main side. I would guess the other trails are similar to this one, and would look forward to completing those hikes the next time we camp there, and can book in the main area.
🌲 Things to Do at the Campground:
Water Recreation
At the heart of the park lies Earl Rowe Lake, a hub for paddling, fishing, and swimming. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are welcome, with a boat launch available for easy access. Anglers can look forward to catching species such as bass and trout.
Trails and Hiking
Earl Rowe boasts several hiking and biking trails that wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands. Trails vary in length and difficulty, making them suitable for both casual walkers and those seeking a more challenging trek.
Day-Use and Picnicking
For families and groups, the park offers multiple picnic shelters (reservable), playgrounds, and spacious day-use areas. Comfort stations, showers, and a park store help ensure a comfortable visit.
Wildlife Viewing
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse ecosystems within the park. Earl Rowe is home to a variety of bird species and offers opportunities to view salmon and trout at its fish ladder during seasonal runs.
📍 About the Area:
Earl Rowe Provincial Park is located in Adjala-Tosorontio, near the town of Alliston in Simcoe County, Ontario. This area is known for its rich agricultural roots, rolling countryside, and welcoming small-town charm. Alliston itself is famous for its potato farming and vibrant local community, while the surrounding region offers a mix of farmland, forests, and rivers that highlight the natural beauty of central Ontario. Just an hour’s drive from the GTA, the park sits in a convenient location that feels worlds away from the bustle of the city.
🧭 Things to Do Nearby:
- 🥾 Trails / Parks
- 🎣 Fishing / Boating
- 🛍️ Local Shops / Markets
📸 Favourite Moment:
Our favourite moment at this park was both evenings. It was quiet and calm; the sky was clear and the stars were shining bright.
📝 Final Thoughts / Tips:
Our final thoughts for this campground would be this is a park that we would visit again. Although our next visit would be in the main area, where there is more to do, and easier to get to the trails for hikes. We enjoyed the sizes of the sites, the friendly staff, and friendly neighbouring campers. This park isn’t too far away, but gives you the feel that you’re further away from home than you think!
Throwdown Adventures 
Leave a comment