Freezing Woman FAQ
Everything you wanted to know about Freezing Woman!
Q: How much does Freezing Woman Cost?
A: There are two parts - paying for campsite and travel. And all of the extras as part of Freezing Woman.
If you choose a Yurt, it will cost more than a site with no utilities. It also depends on how many people are sharing that site with you.
Your travel costs will also factor. If you carpooling, that will affect the costs.
If you’re not doing any of the activities, that’s it! Freezing Woman is “free” then.
Q: Is there a cost for Freezing Woman activities?
A: There are presentations, workshops, and other curated activities that are available for a modestly priced membership. There are additional services available to members such as site matching, mentors, a warming tent with a wood stove (and wood) and more.
The funds raised cover the costs for these enable us to keep going as Freezing Woman has grown so much.
NOTE: Volunteers receive a free membership for 1 year to thank them!
Q: How many people are sharing the site with me?
A: It depends on what you want. If you choose to have a site to yourself, it will cost more than sharing it with a handful of people.
Q: Do I have to share a site with someone?
A: No, you can have a site to yourself if you like, assuming sites are still available. We do completely fill the park each year. Or you can share a site you booked. Or you can camp on a site booked by someone else who’s willing to share it with you. The site limits in terms of people and shelters will be stated in the Ontario Parks booking.
Q: What if I cancel? Do I get a refund?
A: If you booked your site, and cancel, you’ll fall under Ontario Parks’ refund or transfer policy.
Usually with enough notice, someone will snap up the site and pay you what you paid for it. Be respectful of anyone sharing your site of course.
If you book on someone else’s site, consider that your share is non-refundable by default.
Q: What about bad weather? Can I cancel?
A: Yes, absolutely. You can cancel, but see the previous FAQ item regarding refund. It would be unfair to stick the person who booked the site with the bill if the weather isn’t to your liking, your schedule situation changes, or for any other reason. This event depends a lot on those booking sites, so we need to treat them fairly!
Q: I don’t know which activity I should pick. Can someone guide me?
A: Please plan to be independent. That said, saying hello, meeting a few new friends, and hanging out with them if their plans align with yours works great. It is a great idea to post and comment in the discussion forum ahead of Freezing Woman to get a rough idea or pin down your plans with others.
Q: Who do I pay?
A: If you’re registering a site, you’ll register with and pay Ontario Parks.
If you’re sharing a site with someone… the people sharing the site will pay their share to the person who booked it - see below. Even if you’re sharing a site with someone, see the section on parking below.
Q: What time can we set up our site?
A: “Check-in” and “Check-out” is 2pm. If there’s no one on the site, you can set up earlier.
Q: Are there bathrooms?
A: Yes, there is a heated comfort station with toilets, sinks. There are also vault toilets (aka. outhouses) throughout the campground. There are also heated bathrooms at the visitor centre, about a 15 minute drive away.
Q: Is there drinking water?
A: Yes, usually you can get potable water from the taps in the laundry room at the comfort station.
Please remember, it’s cold, and water freezes, so you may want to consider ways to keep it from freezing like putting it into a cooler (which keeps it warmer than outside), and even a water bottle on your body.
You can always melt ice/warm water over the fire if you need to - use a pot that can safely handle an open flame of course - no plastic handles.
It’s not a bad idea to bring some water from home just in case.
Ontario Parks surprised us in 2022 by shutting down the water system for maintenance. We coped. Nevertheless, we try to coordinate with them so they won’t surprise us again.
Q: Are men allowed at Freezing Woman?
A: Everyone is welcome. And, everyone is expected to follow the code of conduct.
IMPORTANT: the park is a public place, and there may be campers who aren’t part of Freezing Woman. Usually there’s a few.
Q: What about food?
A: Please plan to be independent. This means having all the gear and food you need, OR, making clear arrangements with the people you’re planning to share with.
There are group potlucks, and group meals that all comers are welcome to. And treats many sites give out. BUT, please don’t depend on these as your only source of food.
Q: Where can I find the list of activities, speakers, and workshops?
A: They will be posted in the discussion forum, under the Freezing Woman Category, available to members.