Private Campground
Shady Pines Campgrounds is a quiet, family-oriented campground, nestled in a picturesque country setting amid the rolling hills of Ailsa Craig, Ontario. Between the sun-dappled river that winds its way merrily alongside the 109 acre campground, the spectacular sunsets, wide peaceful meadows and unspoiled wooded areas, you'll soon realize that Shady Pines is truly a magical place. Ideally located in Southwestern Ontario, between London and Grand Bend, Shady Pines is a getaway destination, not too far from home.
Unplug and Reconnect with your family at Shady Pines! Rediscover the simple joy of sleeping under the stars in the fresh air. Have an adventure exploring the wonders of our natural environment. Dust off your bicycle and go riding. Go for a hike, go fishing, or relax and read a book. Take a nap. Take a wagon ride. (When was the last time you were on a wagon ride?) Then as the sun sinks below the horizon, share stories while toasting marshmallows around a campfire under a breathtaking night sky. Spending quality time with your family creates memories they will cherish forever.
Come experience Shady Pines for yourself. Stay awhile. You'll be glad you did!
"Where Community and Nature Meet"
In 1970, Shady Pines Campground opened near Ailsa Craig as Canada’s first KOA (Kampgrounds of America). Owners Wilfred and Emma Schlegel anticipated a place where families could come to relax and reconnect with each other and unwind in a picturesque natural setting.
The Schlegels found that although KOA was an excellent guide for travelers, the majority of their campers were local and wanted to stay for longer periods. After 10 years, they made the decision to leave KOA and joined Ontario Private Campgrounds Association (OPCA).
The campground has grown over the years from 30 sites when it initially opened, to well over 200 sites today. With many amenities, including two swimming pools, playground, groomed hiking trails, natural wooded areas, meadows, ponds, a creek, 6-hole golf course, dog park and much more, Shady Pines has been a family destination for nearly 50 years.
The campground has remained in the Schlegel family over the years, and the family tradition continues with Wilfred and Emma’s grandsons – Rob, Brad and James Schlegel – who purchased the campground in the Spring of 2016. Bernie Bernett has been hired as General Manager, along with Ernie Schlegel (former owner), to oversee the operations of the family-oriented campground and to incorporate infrastructure with accessible amenities for seniors to encourage healthy active aging in the great outdoors.
Open May 1 – Thanksgiving
Seasonal Sites: 1- 203, Chalet area 414, Club 504
Serviced Overnight Sites – Club area (500-526), Pondview (402-406), Chalet area (413-418)
Primitive Sites – Chalet area (420-429), Flats area (601-645)
Download a copy of the site map here
Reservations are advised.
Seasonal sites are almost sold out for the upcoming year, please check with our office 519-232-4210/ reservations@shadypinescampgrounds.com for availability. Payment plan options are available, speak to a manager. Extended season is available by the day, week or month. Campground will have a hard closure during January and February.
Campground Facilities ~ Recreational Facilities ~ Activities
Campground Facilities
109 acres of natural wooded areas, meadows and campgrounds
Chalet in the Woods, with main hall with stone fireplace, kitchen and washrooms- group activities
Harmony Island, with 2 bridges and pergola – for weddings, picnics
River meanders alongside the campground, with natural lagoon and walking trails
Covered Pavillion
Clean washrooms with free hot showers
Laundry facilities
Games Room
Convenience Store
Dog Park
Dumping Station
Municipal Water
WiFi Hot Spot
Ice
Firewood
Recreational Facilities
Swimming Pool
Wading pool
Playground
Hiking trails
6-Hole Practice Golf Course
Soccer Field
Baseball diamond
Sand Volleyball
Shuffleboard
Bocci Ball
Horseshoes
Jumbo badminton
Yardzee (play Yahtzee outdoors)
All sports/game equipment is available free of charge from the lodge office. (golf, baseball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, soccer balls, basketballs, badminton, Yardzee)
Activities
Planned Activities for all ages
Themed Weekends
Fishing
Bicycling
Wagon rides
Adult and Youth Dances
Bicycle helmets are recommended for all bicycle riders in the park, but are a requirement for those under 16 yrs old. Bicycle helmets are not provided on a rental or loan basis for health reasons.
Golf:
Public golf courses near Shady Pines Campgrounds (19 golf courses within 40 min drive)
Restaurants:
Grammies Pizza (Parkhill/Ailsa Craig), North Star Restaurant (Elginfield), The Stuffed Zuccinni (Lucan), Crabby Joe’s (Strathroy), Amy’s Restaurant (Canadian/Chinese – Strathroy), Banh Mi Shop (Vietnamese cuisine – Strathroy), Simply House (Chinese – Strathroy), Subway (Strathroy), McDonald’s (Strathroy), Burger King (Strathroy), Clock Tower Bistro & Pub (fine dining & pub – Strathroy), Sunset Restaurant (casual family dining- Strathroy), Johnny G’s Premium Pizza (Strathroy), King of the Pigs (Strathroy), and many more.
Attractions:
Delaware Speedway – 2017 racing schedule
Storybook Gardens (London)
Kusterman’s Berry Farm and Family Fun Park (between Strathroy and Mount Brydges)
Treetop Adventure Boler Mountain (London)
Fanshawe Pioneer Village (London)
London’s Children’s Museum
Strathroy Skate Park
Harness Racing at Western Fair District (London)
OLG Slots at Western Fair District (London)
Grand Bend Motorplex
Huron County Playhouse Drayton Entertainment (Grand Bend)
Grand Theatre London
Budweiser Gardens London – music concerts, events, shows
East Park -London’s Place to Play
Events:
Downtown Strathroy Farmer’s and Artisian’s Market – Saturdays June 16, 2017 to 2nd weekend in October – held on main street (Front St) 8 a.m.- noon
Steve Plunkett’s Fleetwood Country Cruize-In (near Delaware) June 3 & 4 2017
Strathroy Hometown Turkeyfest – in Alexandra Park, Strathroy – June 16, 2017
Tri-County Heritage Club’s Heritage & Antique Show (Ilderton fairgrounds) – held the 2nd weekend in July
Ailsa Craig Gala Days – July 14 -16, 2017
Ribfest London – August 3-7, 2017
Zurich Bean Festival – held the 4th weekend in August
Western Fair, London – September 8-17, 2017
2017 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo – September 19 – 23, 2017 – Walton, Huron County
Ilderton Fall Fair & Dog Show– Sept 30- Oct 2, 2017
Pinery Antique Flea Market (Grand Bend) – May 7th to Thanksgiving, open Sundays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Local Tourism:
North Middlesex
Discover Middlesex County
Tourism London
Shopping:
London: (25 min) Masonville Mall, White Oaks Mall, Walmart Superstore Hyde Park (Marshalls, Winners, Homesense, Canadian Tire, etc) , Wonderland Rd S London (Urban Barn, Toys R Us, Homesense, and more)
Ailsa Craig (5 min): Ailsa Craig Foodland, Ailsa Craig Home Hardware
Strathroy (20 min): Real Canadian Superstore Strathroy, Canadian Tire Strathroy, Walmart Strathroy
Movie Theatres:
Silver City Masonville (London)
Westmount Cineplex Odeon (London)
Starlight Drive-In (Grand Bend)
Beaches:
Grand Bend
Ipperwash
Port Stanley
Guests Coming? Where to Stay:
Shady Pines Campgrounds – camping
London – accessible hotels
Strathroy – Clock Tower Inn (stairs)
B&B – A Touch of Country, Ailsa Craig
GPS coordinates N43 06'57" W81 32'41" between New Ontario Rd (1,550 m) and Maple Rd (40 m) From Hwy 7 at Ailsa Craig, turn S on Queen St (becomes Petty St). Go 3 km; campground located on R side. From 402 take Strathroy exit (65, Hwy 81 Centre Rd). Turn away from town of Strathroy, turn R.
Regular Weekends:
Upon booking, a credit card will be required to hold your reservation.
Cancellation Policy for Regular Weekends:
Cancellation fourteen (14) days or more prior to your date of arrival, your credit card will be charged a $10 processing fee for each site booked.
Cancellation within thirteen (13) days or less prior to your date of arrival, your credit card will be charged for one (1) night stay for each site booked.
Holiday Weekends: (minimum 3 nights)
Upon booking, a credit card will be required to hold your reservation. A minimum of 3 nights stay is required.
Cancellation Policy for Holiday Weekends:
Cancellation fourteen (14) days or more prior to your date of arrival, your credit card will be charged $10 processing fee for each site booked.
Cancellation within thirteen (13) days or less prior to your date of arrival, your credit card will be charged for all three (3) nights for each site booked. (However, if the site/s previously booked are able to be resold by Shady Pines, your credit card will then be charged at the regular cancellation rate, which is one (1) night for each site booked.)
Shortened stays:
After you have arrived at Shady Pines, if you find you have to cut your stay short due to unforeseen personal circumstances (ie: severe illness / serious injury to campers / death of immediate family member), a certificate equivalent to the unused nights may be issued at the sole discretion of management. Certificates may be used on an alternate date during the current season at Shady Pines (not valid on holiday weekends).
Once a reservation has been confirmed, any changes or cancellations can be made by calling the campground at 519-232-4210. Cancellation fees will apply (see above).
Terms & Conditions:
Once cancellation has been received, Shady Pines reserves the right to resell any site/s previously booked, regardless of the cancellation fee paid. Should your conditions change, please call us for availability at that time.
For cancellations received regarding holiday weekends, all sites previously booked must be resold by Shady Pines in order for the regular cancellation rate to apply.
No refund or certificates will be issued due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
SHADY PINES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW AND REVISE THESE POLICIES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
Website: shadypinescampgrounds.com
Email: info@shadypinescampgrounds.com
Phone: 519-232-4210
Shady Pines Campgrounds is a seasonal family campground.
Opening and Closing Dates for 2017:
Opens Monday, May 1, 2017
Closes Monday, October 9, 2017
Store hours: posted on the lodge door
FOR RESERVATIONS, please contact us at 519-232-4210. In order to hold your reservation, have your credit card information ready when you call. (Specific site requests can not be guaranteed.)
Facebook: Campingatshadypines/
Twitter: ShadyPines11316
Are you the owner of this campground?
Send us a message to claim this directory listing so you can make updates to this page, start accepting reservations online, and use our other features for campground staff.