Ontario - Stratford to Thunder Bay

[MNtraveler]

Killarney and Algonquin PP's are both within an easy drive of Toronto so although nice are busy. Once you get past North Bay or Sudbury the real camping begins. Chutes, Neys and Kakabecka Falls are all awesome. Ontario is big. Really big. Lots of driving to get around the lake. Have fun and enjoy!

Thanks! Maybe we'll keep it to one day until we get further north. Good point and thanks for the leads on the other parks. Ontario has so many!

 

[MNtraveler]

Consider Neys PP. Great place with interesting walkable lake shoreline. Was a German POW camp during WWII. Your itinerary sounds good. It'll be a great trip.

Thank you! I am looking at that now.

 

[MNtraveler]

Have you considered taking the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island?

Thanks - I am looking into that now!

 

[MNtraveler]

You may also want to look at Grundy Lake Provincial Park. Located about an hour North of Parry Sound just off highway 400. They have some electric only sites (water and sewer dump station on way in). Scenic hiking trails. Beautiful lakes that are restricted to non motorized boats.

If you do go to Killarney, make a trip into town to try Herbert's Fish and Chips located on the waterfront. THey use fresh caught fish.

Safe travels

Bill and Diane
Cobalt, Ont

2015 Dodge Ram Ecodiesel
2012 Cherokee Grey Wolf 18RB
Equal-i-zer hitch

Thank you!

To avoid travel from Stratford north on a Friday or Saturday. The northbound 400/69 is not for the faint of heart. Make a reservation for Killarney. It is beautiful and popular. It is an hour in off the highway. Grundy is a good option. Stratford is worth exploring. Plan on bugs in the north. Enjoy.

Thanks for the tips. We know about the skeeters as we have them in N. Minnesota, though we know they get even hungrier further north!

"... we're planning out a trip for June and will head across the US first to Stratford...." -- please do take your time in and around Stratford! has been a number of years since I was there, but back in the day, which might still be the same, most of a day could be softly passed along the river front, letting the mind wander with the swans, watching lawn bowling matches, just coming down from being on the road -- and then, from about april into october, mozy thru the streets of town, take in a stage matinee, then a light dinner and another theatre to cap the day -- too much to enjoy to stuff it all into a day or so -- Enjoy!!

Thank you - we do plan to spend 2-3 days at the Shakespeare Festival doing just as you say!

 

[MNtraveler]

Don't forget Quetico Provincial Park, 100 miles west of Thunder Bay on Hwy 11. Canoeing paradice, two mile canoe trip to the Pines, Pickeral Lake for a beautiful sand beach. There is also a hiking trail there. This is a park that allows no motors, no live bait.
John

Ah yes, but alas that will be another trip. Once we get to Thunder Bay we will be heading south and home. We love the Boundary Waters (not RV turf but there are a few small places very close by) and have long wanted to get to Q'uetico!

We live in the Sault and I am familiar with your route. I have done it a few times and it is very scenic. Lake Superior Provincial Park is nice. I suggest stopping at Chippewa Falls on the Trans-Canada (Hwy 17 North) out of the Sault. It is pretty and there is adequate parking, a picnic spot and rest rooms. This is the half-way point on the Trans-Canada between Atlantic Canada and Vancouver. I like the commercial campground in Wawa also. It is right on a river and I have caught some nice Jackfish there at times.

Thanks for the feedback and ideas!

Killarney is amazing ... Definitely a must see ... And the suggestion of the Chichimaun from tobermory to Manitoulin island to espanola ... Can't go wrong there either ... I am from Ontario and have done the northern Ontario route many times ... Really not that much to see between Sault Ste Marie and thunderbay ... Tis a very long deserted highway ... Stay gassed up ... Enjoy yr trip ...

Thanks - glad to hear that about Killarney and that the other route is good too. Interesting what you say about the western part of the route... I hope they have plenty of diesel up there!

 

[Wingdreamer]

Killarney is amazing ... Definitely a must see ... And the suggestion of the Chichimaun from tobermory to Manitoulin island to espanola ... Can't go wrong there either ... I am from Ontario and have done the northern Ontario route many times ... Really not that much to see between Sault Ste Marie and thunderbay ... Tis a very long deserted highway ... Stay gassed up ... Enjoy yr trip ...

I would agree to keep gassed up due to the long stretch between the Sault and
Thunder Bay, but it is truly one of the most beautiful parts to travel! I rode the Lake Superior Circle tour on my motorcycle a couple of years back and the views of the Lake were fantastic (especially from Marathon to "Tundra Bay")
Loved it so much that my wife and I are doing the full circle in our trailer this summer over a two week trip. Cant wait!!

 

[MNtraveler]

I would agree to keep gassed up due to the long stretch between the Sault and
Thunder Bay, but it is truly one of the most beautiful parts to travel! I rode the Lake Superior Circle tour on my motorcycle a couple of years back and the views of the Lake were fantastic (especially from Marathon to "Tundra Bay")
Loved it so much that my wife and I are doing the full circle in our trailer this summer over a two week trip. Cant wait!!

That sounds like fun! I am grateful for all the suggestions and information people have provided! We are starting to make our reservations starting with Wildwood Conservation Area near Stratford and we now are fortunate to have a nice handful of Shakespeare tickets !

Now another question for the group: Ontario Parks says: "Often pedestals are shared between two campsites. You should plan on bringing a long extension cord with you to reach the pedestal." How long are we talking about here? Our standard 30A cord is 25' (7.6m). Is that likely to be sufficient? Otherwise I'm looking at having to pick up a 30A extension cord.

 

[oldsmasma]

You will need at least one more cord. We carry 75' of cord and have actually used them all at times. It is the down side of large secluded sites I guess. We have seen some Provincial Parks that rent cords. The distance to the outlet is usually included in the on line site description. Chutes PP is just off the Trans Canada Highway at Massey and has the most beautiful trails.


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[Canadiancrew]

I would make sure you have an extra 30 amp power cord for the provincial parks.

As for gas the stations are spare between Sault st Marie and Thunder Bay. The biggest gap with no gas will be from the Sault to Wawa. There is gas if you go off the highway into the town of Wawa. I pulled in there with my car reading 2 km to empty a few years ago. There are some tough grades but very scenic but gas milage will suffer some. We have kids and Grand kids in Thunder Bay and have made that trip many times and may do it a couple of times this year. I can't promise you will see wild life as most trips we don,t but this past June on our trip back home we saw 8 moose and 1 black bear.

 

[Wingdreamer]

I have a 50 foot power cord and 2x 25 footers to go along with the one attached to the trailer. I used them all to reach a power box....

 

[Canadiancrew]

And forgot to ad if you are in Sleeping Giant the drive to the end of the road is worth seeing silver islet. It scenic and a step back in time if you go into the general store. The road is narrow and one way so caution if you do not have a toad. Also on the way in there is a scenic lookout that is beautiful from a platform at the top of the cliff. But you can see right across the bay to Thunder Bay. Warning though is its a dirt road and the last part of it will be a drive across the bare escarpment rock. It's a little bumpy and I don't think it will be doable with the rv only a toad.

 

[NWT Rick]

As far as electrical hookups in the provincial parks is concerned I am not sure what the hook-ups are like because we always stay in Wawa at the Good Sam RV Park. When I travel I carry all sorts of adapters and a couple of pig tails (one for 30 amp and one for 50 amp). I carry 100 feet of standard (orange) extension cord, and three 25 foot 30 amp cords and I have never found a place I could not plug into as long as the park has electricity.

2008 GMC 2500 HD
2015 Fleetwood (34') TT

 

[Happyvibe]

The majority of plugs in Ontario provincial parks are 15/20 or 30 amp. I believe there are some 50 amp but not many. You may also need an extension cord. The poles tend to be setup so you have one pole per two sights with two 30 or 15/20 amp outlets. Depending on how far apart the sites are you my need 50 feet or more to reach the pole.

 

[MNtraveler]

Thanks for all the recent posts, advice and tips. I have plenty of orange extension cord but it looks like I need to stock up on 30A line!

 

[D-mo]

Killarney is beautiful . ..but remote..did this last year....need lots of gas...and lots of food-booze....as the nearby town is a money pit for any supplies. Last year we filled up for 1.75 a liter...at a boat dock....as beautiful as it is...Killarney is very small...with no electrical sites

 

[MNtraveler]

Killarney is beautiful . ..but remote..did this last year....need lots of gas...and lots of food-booze....as the nearby town is a money pit for any supplies. Last year we filled up for 1.75 a liter...at a boat dock....as beautiful as it is...Killarney is very small...with no electrical sites

Thanks for the tips! We are prepared for the lack of services. This will be after a week on the road and in Stratford (Wildwood Cons.) with elec & water, so we will be looking forward to the remoteness! Must be sure to stock up on propane for the fridge and gennny!


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

 

[MNtraveler]

We have nailed down our reservations for a trip this summer that will cover a large swath of Ontario. After crossing part of the U.S., we will stay four nights at the Wildwood Conservation Area near Stratford while attending Shakespeare plays, two nights at Killarney PP, a visit to Sault Ste, Marie Canal Park and one night at Pancake Bay PP, two nights at Lake Superior PP Agawa Bay Campground, one night at Rainbow Falls PP Rossport Campground, two nights at Sleeping Giant PP, a day visit to Kakabeka Falls PP and probably a night back across the border at Grand Marais, MN before returning home. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions! Some spots had to be left for a future visit, or two!


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

 

[chideock]

Just found this thread. We live in Stratford and have travelled the route you are taking. We always go north out of Stratford to Arthur then to Hwy 89 thru Shelborne (sp) to Hwy 400. Traffic will be heavy from Hwy 89 to Barrie, any evening, Fri and Sat in particular(Hwy 400 Toronto to Barrie is basically a commuter route to and from Toronto and to cottage country weekends). After Barrie it gets much better.

If you wish I can send you the exact route out of Stratford that I take.

Tom

 

[MNtraveler]

Just found this thread. We live in Stratford and have travelled the route you are taking. We always go north out of Stratford to Arthur then to Hwy 89 thru Shelborne (sp) to Hwy 400. Traffic will be heavy from Hwy 89 to Barrie, any evening, Fri and Sat in particular(Hwy 400 Toronto to Barrie is basically a commuter route to and from Toronto and to cottage country weekends). After Barrie it gets much better.

If you wish I can send you the exact route out of Stratford that I take.

Tom

Thanks - we are going to leave Stratford on Sunday morning and are hoping the traffic will be much better then. Think will be safe staying on the main highways at that time?


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

 

[chideock]

If you are going via Kitchener/Waterloo to Hwy 401 to Toronto then Hwy 400 north you still can expect heavy traffic on the 401 east of Milton and all the way through to Hwy 400 and north to Barrie even on Sunday. It might move near the speed limit but heaven forbid one incident and you will be stuck at a crawl all the way from Milton.

Sunday and Sunday morning may be better than most days.

Another stop for you - just east of Pancake Bay Prov Park (between Sault St Marie & Wawa) is Agawa Indian Crafts and The Canadian Craver. It is a great stop, lots of parking, a small food stand, good rest rooms and an Esso Gas Station. You have to Google maps the Esso gas station at Pancake Bay to get the proper location.

I fuel there and leave with a full tank because when you hit the "mountains" at teh Montreal River and start up those grades you will wonder about having enough gas to make Wawa if you did not refuel.