How and Where to Go RVing in Ontario
Ontario is a playground for RV owners and renters. Here are 4 epic RV touring experiences we recommend that will take you to some of our favourite destinations.
Ontario is Canada's second-largest province, covering more than 1 million square kilometers (415,000 square miles), an area larger than France and Spain combined. A vast landscape of rocky Canadian Shield, fertile farmland, forest and grassy lowlands of the north. It is the home of Manitoulin Island (the world's largest freshwater island), more than 250,000 lakes and the shoreline of four great lakes. Crossing Ontario east to west will take up to 24 hours behind the wheel. So what do all these fun Ontario facts have to do with your next RV tour? Ontario is extensive, and the RV might be the best tool to explore it all.
So how do you get started on an incredible Ontario RVing adventure? If you are an RV owner already, you can skip ahead to the where to go part below. If you are considering purchasing an Rv or are ready to make RVing your next Ontario vacation and are over the age of 25, then renting is the way to go. There are many reasons why renting makes sense.
Cost-Effective
Vacation costs including flights, hotel rooms, and eating out add up quickly. There are costs associated with RV travel, but you have more control over your spending. Cook your meals in the RV and save on eating out, campsites are typically less expensive than hotel rooms, and even free camping spots are available with some research. Fuel costs can vary but are usually less than travel by other means, and the savings become more evident as you add family members to the equation.
Enjoy the comforts of home
Everything and the kitchen sink, RVing is a perfect blend of home comforts and open road adventures. Most RVs come with all the comforts of home plus the most significant amenity, the freedom to park your home at so many spectacular locations.
RV travel gives you total flexibility
Only bound by the length of your rental period, the RV is the ultimate in flexible vacation possibilities. Make changes to your plans on a whim, but if you like what you see, stay a while.
You'll get closer to your loved ones
RV travel is ideal for family vacations. Not only are you saving money on meals and hotel rooms, but campground environments are designed to allow children to explore freely and have fun. Many campgrounds often feature pools, playgrounds, volleyball courts, bonfires, crafts and more.
Here are some of the best places to rent an RV in Ontario:
Where To Go RVing Ontario
Ready to hit the road but not sure where to go? Go Tour Ontario has you covered with all you need to know to set out on a 7, 10, 14, or 21-day Ontario RV tour. The interactive resource provides route information plus updates on cell coverage, construction, gas, food, tourist sights, parks, and more.
7- Day RV Route
From the roar of Niagara Falls to the beaches of Port Dover, then north to the rugged Bruce Peninsula and beyond, this 7-day adventure will show the spectacle of what is often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, the impressive Georgian Bay. Windswept pines, towering cliffs, inviting beaches and clear blue water create a one-of-a-kind destination. Highlights to look forward to, Bruce Peninsula National Park, where you can hike to the famous Grotto, take a boat tour in Tobermory before boarding the M.S Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island. Sudbury's Science North is a worthy stop, as is Killarney Provincial Park with its landscape of white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche Mountains. Before turning south for home, some beach R&R is in order at Wasaga Beach, the world's longest freshwater beach.
10-Day RV Route
Take the seven-day plan and expand it as you head for the beach along Lake Huron shore, where beach towns of Grand Bend, Sauble Beach, and Southampton will have you wishing for more time. Beyond Sudbury, you travel east along Highway 17 to Mattawa, along the Ottawa river, then on to Algonquin Provincial Park and Muskoka.
14-Day RV Trip Champlain's Route
As implied in the name, you will follow in the footsteps of Samuel de Champlain along the Ottawa and the St.Lawrence Rivers. A stay at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park near Mattawa is almost mandatory. Along the way, visit museums in Ottawa and historic sites in Kingston, meander through the countryside settings of Ontario's Green Belt and along the western shores of the Georgian Bay.
21-Day RV Route
If epic adventure is what you are after; this will surely satisfy. Take all the highlights from the routes mentioned above and add the Lake Huron North Channel, where you can browse the quaint main street in Blind River or let a local fishing guide provide an unforgettable northern Ontario fishing experience.
Along the rugged shore of Lake Superior, camp by the water at Lake Superior Provincial Park or hike for a spectacular view at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
In Thunder Bay, visit Fort William Historical site where RV camping is available or grab a pint at Lakehead Brewing.
When in Hearst, learn about the area's lumberjacking history at the Heritage Sawmill Museum, and discover the ins and outs of vodka making at the Rheault Distillery.
In Timmins, meet the animals at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa's 100-acre Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to moose, bison, and elk. Be sure to check out the Polar Bear Habitat in Cochrane, the only facility in the world dedicated purely to caring for polar bears.
Along the way out of the way, provincial parks and family-owned campgrounds are ready to welcome you for a night or more. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along northern Ontario roads: moose, black bears and wolves can often be spotted.
Yes, Ontario is a big place, with so much to do and see. Whether you rent or own, the RV is the best tool for the job, whether for seven days or a 21-day epic experience.
