National parks near Hearst, Ontario: Pukaskwa National Park
Pukaskwa National Park is the closest national park to Hearst, Ontario — 227 km (141 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 3 hr 47 min behind the wheel.
Rugged Lake Superior shoreline and boreal forest with few roads. Long undeveloped coast and hiking.
Pukaskwa National Park is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Hearst gates the entrance itself, but Voyageurs National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Hearst has a population of about 4,746.
Pukaskwa National Park
Isle Royale National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Rouge National Park
Best time to visit Pukaskwa National Park. Getting to Pukaskwa National Park.
National parks near Hearst
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pukaskwa National Park | 227 km (141 mi) | 3 hr 47 min | Best as a weekend |
| Isle Royale National Park | 398 km (247 mi) | 6 hr 18 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Bruce Peninsula National Park | 519 km (322 mi) | 8 hr 5 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | 606 km (376 mi) | 9 hr 22 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Voyageurs National Park | 683 km (425 mi) | 10 hr 30 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Rouge National Park | 723 km (449 mi) | 11 hr 5 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 832 km (517 mi) | 12 hr 41 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| La Mauricie National Park | 854 km (530 mi) | 13 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Point Pelee National Park | 862 km (536 mi) | 13 hr 8 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | 933 km (580 mi) | 14 hr 10 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Hearst
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyageurs National Park | Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Hearst
Within reach of Hearst, 39 campgrounds across 3 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 33 at Isle Royale National Park, 5 at Indiana Dunes National Park, and 1 at Voyageurs National Park.
Beaver Island at Isle Royale National Park, Caribou Island at Isle Royale National Park, Chippewa Harbor at Isle Royale National Park, and Daisy Farm at Isle Royale National Park do not take reservations, so they never show up as bookable inventory — in busy season that means arriving before mid-morning rather than planning around a confirmation.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Pukaskwa National Park is generally best May through October, with April and early November as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Planning a trip from Hearst
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Cochrane District
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Hearst?
Pukaskwa National Park. It is about 227 km (141 mi) from Hearst, roughly 3 hr 47 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Hearst?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near Hearst?
10 parks are within reach of Hearst, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Hearst?
None of them gate the entrance itself. Voyageurs National Park puts a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Voyageurs National Park Houseboat Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Hearst?
Recreation.gov lists 39 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Hearst. They are spread across 3 of those parks. 33 of them are first-come, first-served, so they never appear as bookable inventory.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Hearst?
For Pukaskwa National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.