Ontario Provincial Parks

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by itat

The blackflies and mosquitoes should be much better by then! With Spring being so wet in 2017 and again this year and likely in the future, we're probably going to avoid heavily wooded campgrounds in the Spring from now on.

Mikisew was the furthest north we've ever camped. I don't think my DW would be interested in going farther north.

With this new larger 5th wheel we're finding we're much more limited in the availability of campsites at Provincial Parks. We've been to Pinery and may consider Inverhuron since they have large sites. We've been to Rondeau on Lake Erie and it has sites plenty big enough. Of course, Mew Lake in Algonquin also has nice big sites we can fit in.

If you get the chance to convince the DW...….Halfway Lake, north of Sudbury is a gem. As I recall there were large sites available.

[nature87]

Anyone know of any off grid ... boondocking places in the Sudbury area... within 150 kms ?

[oldsmasma]

Originally Posted by itat

I thought I’d revive this thread now that we’re into another camping season.

So far this year we’ve camped at Sandbanks, Bon Echo and Mikisew.

At Sandbanks we stayed on site 866 in the West Lake campground for the May long weekend. It’s a very new campground, very few trees yet but almost all the sites are drive through. Sites are fairly level and that campground is close to a beach and the Dunes trail. The brand new dump / water filling station at the West Lake campground is the best we’ve every seen, anywhere. Really enjoyed our stay at Sandbanks. We’ll definitely go back.

At Bon Echo, we were on site 131 in the Sawmill Bay campground from May 28 to June 1. There were very few people there and the boat that takes you over to the trail to climb the rock was not operating. Couldn’t rent a canoe either. I guess we were just there too early in the season but its very difficult to get a site in July and August. We upgraded to a 35’ 5er this year so there are very few sites at Bon Echo that can accommodate such a larger trailer. There were several trees with branches hanging down that might hit a 5er. I’m not sure we’ll go back because of the lack of larger sites which is unfortunate because we’ve been to Bon Echo many times any always enjoy it. This year the black flies were terrible and many of the trails were covered in water due to the amount of rain we’ve had. I suspect that’s a problem everywhere this Spring.

At Mikisew we were on site 354 from June 16 - 24. It was their first week being open. There are more sites there that can handle larger TTs and 5ers but there were some roads that had branches that needed to be trimmed up for my comfort. The tall pines don’t provide much privacy but it wasn’t bad. In that respect, its similar to Awenda. The yellow pollen covered everything, so if you have allergies, stay away from this park at that time of year. Interestingly, they had about a half dozen campers there who have reserved their sites for the entire season - until October 15th. I’ve never seen that at an Ontario PP. The beaches were quite nice but again, some of the trails were water covered in some places. The mosquitoes were plentiful but bearable. The firewood was the best I’ve ever bought at a PP. Nice, dry birch and my new Fiskars X25 splitting axe cut through it easily. We like to sight see in the local area of the parks we visit and since some of the the trails were not passable we wanted to do that instead, but there wasn’t a lot to do close by. The dump / filling station really needs some improvements. Its a loop with a single entrance and exit that will easily be some overloaded on a summer Sunday morning. It desperately needs a separate exit. It was a nice park but I’m not sure if we’ll go back.

Glad you made it North. The seasonal sites must be a northern thing. Quite a few around here. It’s a revenue stream for the parks that don’t sell out. We’ve seen them at Mikisew Marten River and Chutes to name a few off the top of my head. Used to have them at Samuel de Champlain too but not now.

[Littlehouse]

Hi We did Inverhuron PP then Pinery PP and back up to MacGregor Point PP in June. It was awesome. No bugs. At Pinery we stayed in Dunes which was lucky as Riverside was crawling with caterpillars. A gypsy moth caterpillar invasion they were raining down poop and crawling up everywhere . Lots of bike paths here and the Old Ausable is an easy paddling channel.
. At Inverhuron you could hear the Bruce Nuclear plant. The sites were nice.
Macgregor Point was really nice and quiet. Nice trails and bike paths. The water was high at all the parks but MacGregor Point did have more sheltered beaches.
We picked the Huron shores knowing black flies are rampant in June.

[Littlehouse]

We just got back from Sturgeon Bay PP. Nice little small park. No comfort stations but there is a shower hut. We used our own facilities so no info on that.
The little beach is nice and safe for kids. Small boat launch but there is a marina just across. People were having a lot of luck fishing.
The area by the beach is tight but the end sites would be ok. We had 115. Big and easy.
We did get out kayaking and if it’s not windy there is a lot of water to explore.
Deer flies were a nuisance so I bought one of those clip on dragonflies. I really didn’t think it was working until I went out without it. Ugh. I always have been a bug magnet. Mosquitoes were expected. Thank goodness for a dining tent.

[derek6669]

we did Presquille Week of Apr 29 and May 22 . water levels were high. Owen's Point Trail was and still is flooded. Only about 5 feet of beach at Beach 1 & 2. Some camp sites are closed due to the high water levels.
Just back from Newfoundland and will be headed to Algonquin - Mews Lake on Monday.

[itat]

Originally Posted by derek6669

we did Presquille Week of Apr 29 and May 22 . water levels were high. Owen's Point Trail was and still is flooded. Only about 5 feet of beach at Beach 1 & 2. Some camp sites are closed due to the high water levels.
Just back from Newfoundland and will be headed to Algonquin - Mews Lake on Monday.

My oldest DS just got back from a week at Presqui’le and reported they still have high water covering many of the trails. We’ve booked a site at Mew Lake for the week of September 23rd. Hopefully the fall colours will have started by then.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by itat

My oldest DS just got back from a week at Presqui’le and reported they still have high water covering many of the trails. We’ve booked a site at Mew Lake for the week of September 23rd. Hopefully the fall colours will have started by then.

We've booked the week of September 9th at Grundy Lake.....haven't been there in 10 years. We look forward to it.....too early for fall colours, but, maybe able to still swim.

[itat]

We’re thinking about booking a PP trip in late June. Can anybody tell me how the bugs are at Arrowhead and Killbear that time of year? They were terrible at Bon Echo last year but we’ve had good luck at Awenda at that time of year. Have they had any flooding at either park in the past couple of Springs?

[oldsmasma]

Can’t comment on Killbear - only been there later in the season. The last two seasons have been weird. Absolutely no bugs May long weekend at Driftwood either year but Father’s Day weekend at Marten River in 2019 and Arrowhead in 2018 the black flies overlapped with the mosquitos and it was so bad you could hardly breathe!

[itat]

Originally Posted by oldsmasma

Can’t comment on Killbear - only been there later in the season. The last two seasons have been weird. Absolutely no bugs May long weekend at Driftwood either year but Father’s Day weekend at Marten River in 2019 and Arrowhead in 2018 the black flies overlapped with the mosquitos and it was so bad you could hardly breathe!

How hard is it to book a site in September at Killbear or Arrowhead? Since the springtime is getting bad for bugs with all the rain and flooding it might be better to go up there in the early Fall. We're also considering the Ottawa area as an alternative for a June trip.

[oldsmasma]

Don’t know about Killbear - it’s been a while but we go to Fitzroy near Ottawa a few times a year. It’s easier than Arrowhead for sure. We don’t go to Arrowhead till after Labour Day and then usually only during the week. Although beautiful it’s incredibly busy.

[oldsmasma]

Also if you are thinking Ottawa more for sightseeing etc the Wesley Clover Campground can’t be beat for location. Haven’t been there for 5 or 6 years but it’s really convenient and a decent campground.

[itat]

Thanks, oldsmasma! Looks like both Fitzroy PP and Wesley Clover Campground can both accommodate a 35' fifth wheel.

[itat]

Any recommendations for either park?

[oldsmasma]

At Fitzroy we prefer Two Rivers Campground.and our very favourite site is 248. 245 227 251 214 and 215 are all good if memory serves. 256/267/258/259 along with 262/264/265 are all open as are the 202 and 205 area. We’re just over 30’ but have seen diesel pushers in some sites so you’ll be ok.

At Wesley Clover I believe we were in cluster 6 group c. Not sure of the exact site but our camping log is in the motor home. I can get it tomorrow if you need it.

[itat]

Originally Posted by oldsmasma

At Fitzroy we prefer Two Rivers Campground.and our very favourite site is 248. 245 227 251 214 and 215 are all good if memory serves. 256/267/258/259 along with 262/264/265 are all open as are the 202 and 205 area. We’re just over 30’ but have seen diesel pushers in some sites so you’ll be ok.

At Wesley Clover I believe we were in cluster 6 group c. Not sure of the exact site but our camping log is in the motor home. I can get it tomorrow if you need it.

Thanks!

[wheeler48]

Originally Posted by itat

We’re thinking about booking a PP trip in late June. Can anybody tell me how the bugs are at Arrowhead and Killbear that time of year? They were terrible at Bon Echo last year but we’ve had good luck at Awenda at that time of year. Have they had any flooding at either park in the past couple of Springs?

We stayed at Arrowhead in June a couple of years ago, and the mosquitos were bad. We met some people who were talking to some locals and they recommended Watkins bug spray, which helped make our trip more bearable.

[Dave Lyon]

One thing you can count on in Ontario is blackflies until at least July 1st. That's why we typically don't camp in June.
If we do, it's usually close to home and the blackflies aren't present.
Once you get to cottage country they out for sure.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

One thing you can count on in Ontario is blackflies until at least July 1st. That's why we typically don't camp in June.
If we do, it's usually close to home and the blackflies aren't present.
Once you get to cottage country they out for sure.

Dave, we've booked a site in the West Lake Campground at Sandbanks for the May long weekend. The West Lake Campground is very new and its wide open with a few young trees, so the bugs aren't a problem. All the sites are drive through. On the Victoria Day weekend there is an alcohol ban so if that's a show stopper for anyone, you would just need to avoid the 2-week period of the ban. I'm sure no one will be bothered if you're quiet and stay on your site but you just need to be aware.

It sounds like most PPs in cottage country will be swarming with bugs in May and June although as I said we've had good luck at Awenda on the south shore of Georgian Bay. Its in a forest of very tall, old growth deciduous trees with the leaf canopy way up high. We're leaning towards the Ottawa area in June now and maybe think about Killbear or Arrowhead in the Fall when its easier to book a site through the week.