Watercraft Camping On Crown Land
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:58 pm
Hello!
I would appreciate any thoughts on permitting required to boat-camp on Crown Land without a purchased permit.
Ontario’s Public Lands Act Free Use Policy allows for camping without a permit on crown land on watercraft with overnight accommodation. It is important to note that additional requirements apply to non-residents, under Public Lands Act regulation O.Reg. 326/94.
O.Reg. 326/94 sets out the permitting requirements for non-resident camping on Crown land. Non-residents use of watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation, may moor the watercraft over provincial crown land that is covered by water, provided that this moorage is under 21 days.
If my boat has a built in Mills cover enclosure, do I need to purchase a camping permit? I posed this question to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Their response:
"Non-residents use of watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation, may moor the watercraft over provincial crown land that is covered by water, provided that this moorage is being done as part of the exercise of the right of navigation. No permit or fee is required for that temporary moorage. Longer term occupation of this land by a non-resident, that is not part of the exercise of the right of navigation, would require a non-resident camping permit (if staying less than 21 days) or occupational authority (if staying greater than 21 days).
Regarding your question about what a watercraft would need to satisfy the definition of being equipped for overnight accommodation, MNRF would expect that the watercraft had structures or facilities that were built-in with the intent of providing sleeping accommodations.
I hope this helps to answer your question regarding non-resident camping on Crown land that is covered by water."
What does it mean to exercise the right of navigation? My Mills Canvas Enclosure is a structure built specifically for sleeping accommodations. Am I valid without a camping permit?
Aaron
I would appreciate any thoughts on permitting required to boat-camp on Crown Land without a purchased permit.
Ontario’s Public Lands Act Free Use Policy allows for camping without a permit on crown land on watercraft with overnight accommodation. It is important to note that additional requirements apply to non-residents, under Public Lands Act regulation O.Reg. 326/94.
O.Reg. 326/94 sets out the permitting requirements for non-resident camping on Crown land. Non-residents use of watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation, may moor the watercraft over provincial crown land that is covered by water, provided that this moorage is under 21 days.
If my boat has a built in Mills cover enclosure, do I need to purchase a camping permit? I posed this question to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Their response:
"Non-residents use of watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation, may moor the watercraft over provincial crown land that is covered by water, provided that this moorage is being done as part of the exercise of the right of navigation. No permit or fee is required for that temporary moorage. Longer term occupation of this land by a non-resident, that is not part of the exercise of the right of navigation, would require a non-resident camping permit (if staying less than 21 days) or occupational authority (if staying greater than 21 days).
Regarding your question about what a watercraft would need to satisfy the definition of being equipped for overnight accommodation, MNRF would expect that the watercraft had structures or facilities that were built-in with the intent of providing sleeping accommodations.
I hope this helps to answer your question regarding non-resident camping on Crown land that is covered by water."
What does it mean to exercise the right of navigation? My Mills Canvas Enclosure is a structure built specifically for sleeping accommodations. Am I valid without a camping permit?
Aaron