Today’s post comes from Catherine Sugrue, a writer for Canadian leading lifestyle blog DoTheDaniel.com. Catherine is one of six content creators we invited to document and share their Ontario Parks RV experience in a custom-wrapped RV as part of this year’s OP125 celebrations.
In 2018, Ontario Parks turned 125 years old.
Recognized all over the world for stunning scenic landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities, Ontario Parks hosts millions of people every year from all over the globe.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I took my place amongst those millions by hopping into an RV with three of my friends on behalf of DoTheDaniel.com, in order to explore some of these awesome parks in the fall season.
Camping and exploring the outdoors isn’t just for the summer, folks!
Immersing ourselves in the wealth of iconic scenery that Ontario has to offer was pretty easy (and a whole heck of a lot of fun), while travelling around in an RV.
So we headed up north from Toronto along a pre-determined route for six days of non-stop nature, campfires, hiking, swimming, canoeing and incredible views.
Since my first foray into the RV life and my first time checking out some of these areas was pretty darn epic, I thought I would indulge you with some reasons why I think you should also hop on board the RV train (I know it’s not a train, but you get the idea).
1. There’s so much to explore
Our trip took us to six different campgrounds in five provincial parks.
Our first stop was to Pancake Bay Provincial Park, where we were astounded by the beauty of Lake Superior in the morning and the stunning views up the Edmund Fitzgerald Lookout Trail overlooking Batchawana Bay.
Next up was Lake Superior Provincial Park, where we spent one night at Agawa Bay and another night at Rabbit Blanket (yes, there are rabbits everywhere).
Up further north, we ventured to Neys Provincial Park, where I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life.
Then it was off to Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, where we got to hike all around the falls themselves. And our last stop was back down south towards Toronto to Chutes Provincial Park, near Georgian Bay.
Now that we got to experience those five amazing Ontario Parks, we just can’t wait to explore the remaining 335 of them!
2. You literally drive your house around
Imagine rocking up to a place to stay for the night, and already having everything you need right there with you – including your kitchen and bed!
Navigating through northern Ontario in an RV was a breeze, as the designated Ontario Parks campsites that are equipped for them are pretty great.
I loved being able to park in a stunning spot, unload and get ready for all of the adventures ahead without having to worry about anything other than getting a good campfire going and enjoying my surroundings.
3. Convenience is key
Each one of the campsites we stayed in had a wide range of amenities and an abundance of wonderful things to explore all around.
I loved being able to cook all of our own meals and sleep in a warm, safe environment, all while enjoying the benefits of being out in nature.
We made sure to do research before getting to each spot, in order to ensure that we maximized our potential for exploration. We even had some down time to get work done, which is pretty awesome if you’re someone who can take their work with them wherever they go.
4. You can do whatever the heck you want
One of the coolest things about the RV life was our super-flexible itinerary.
If we wanted to make a pit stop somewhere along the way, we could. Even though we had a set plan for where we wanted to stay each night, that could’ve changed at any time, and we could just roll with it pretty easily.
We were able to check out some beautiful locations all along the route.
Among my favourite stops was to Katherine’s Cove, where we sunbathed on the smooth sandy beaches and swam in the refreshing waters of Lake Superior.
At Rabbit Blanket, we took advantage of the fact that you can rent canoes, and I was able to get in a bit of fishing.
It was easy to follow the routes along the river in order to portage to another hidden gem of a lake along clearly marked trails. Some campgrounds also rent out other equipment like kayaks and bicycles for you to enjoy. No need to pack those in the RV (although you likely could)!
5. You get by with a little help from your friends
The community of people throughout each one of the parks really stuck with me. There’s a certain level of unspoken camaraderie between those who camp, RV, and enjoy the outdoors.
Every time we ended up somewhere new, we would be immediately greeted with smiles and waves. We even met a few dogs (I made sure to pet them all).
I even loved how you felt connected to other RVers along the roads as you drove by, giving them the nod and universal sign for “I feel ya too, bud — this is pretty freakin’ awesome.”
Although we enjoyed the scenery, the company itself was truly magical.
We were able to connect, not only because we were basically forced to with our proximity in the RV, but also because of the experiences on offer all over Ontario Parks. We spent our mornings relaxing, our afternoons exploring, and our evenings laughing.
I’m already planning our next trip.
Catherine Sugrue is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist (CNP) and the founder of Catherine’s Cabinet, and a writer for Canadian leading lifestyle blog DoTheDaniel.com. With a passion for adventure and experiencing all that the outdoors has to offer during every season, you’ll find her doing anything from travelling all over the world to exploring local areas while hiking, camping and fishing and all that’s in between.
