Tourism PEI Laura Lund
Jacques Cartier Provincial Park in Alberton, PE.
Words by Steve Fennell
At 9.98 million sq km (3.85 million sq mi), the Great White North is the second largest country on the planet by total area and there’s no shortage of places to visit – no matter how many times you’ve traveled out west, out east, or a just few hundred kilometres from your doorstep.
That’s the real beauty of RVing in Canada. Even if those far-reaching, bucket list-destinations aren’t on your radar any time soon, no need to worry. There are plenty of ready-to-be-discovered provincial parks that you’ve probably never heard of (or have heard of but know nothing about) to enjoy something new and exciting with your RV.
Whether you’re motoring within your home province or on an extensive cross-country trek, here are six provincial parks to check out if your plans include heading a little off the beaten path this season. These parks may not be the largest nor rank on any Condé Nast top ten list, but they are scenic, quiet, and offer plenty of activity. They also serve as a great starting point to get you on the road. And before you know it, you’ll have generated a list of new destinations of your own to check out season after season.
Travel Manitoba
The endless sky at Clearwater Lake Provincial Park in The Pas, MB.
1. Clearwater Lake Provincial Park
The Pas, Manitoba
When you think of Manitoba, you may envision frigid weather, polar bears, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. So, it might be a little surprising to learn that a beautiful beach, crystal clear water, interesting hiking, and excellent camping await you when you arrive at Clearwater Lake Provincial Park in The Pas, MB.
Located 600-plus km (more than 300 mi) from the Trans-Canada Highway and the provincial capital, Clearwater Lake spans 593 sq km (229 sq mi) and is home to two campgrounds, including Pioneer Bay with walk-in tent sites and Camper’s Cove, which has 30/20/15-amp power, showers, and restrooms. It’s also pet-friendly.
The main attraction here is the expansive beach and o f course, the lake itself, which is a good size at 16 km (10 mi) in diameter. It also has an average depth of 13.1 m (43 ft) and a maximum depth of 39 m (127 ft). Being this far north, it may be a bit chilly, but it is enticing with its clear, turquoise waters and refreshing enough not to deter you from swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding. The fishing is also known to be excellent with its aggressive northern pike, large lake trout, and whitefish. Be sure to bring your gear.
On land, of special interest is the self-guided cave trail. Access is about halfway along the 1.2 km marked path and while these are not actual caves, but deep crevices of dolomite that formed when the rock masses split away from shoreline cliffs 400 - 435 million years ago, they are worth checking out. What’s more, the park is about 30 minutes from The Pas, which has a variety of commercial services including groceries, fuel, and more.
Tourism Saskatchewan Paul Armstrong
It’s all fun and sun in Battlefords Provincial Park, SK.
2. Battlefords Provincial Park
Cochin, SK
This isn’t the first time we’ve included Saskatchewan in the pages of Snowbirds and RV Travelers magazine as we just recently visited Makwa Lake Provincial Park, Meadow Lake, and Buffalo Narrows. But, just to the south in Cochin, SK, is Battlefords Provincial Park, another secluded destination worth visiting.
Located two hours north of Saskatoon via Highway 16 and Highway 4, Battlefords Provincial Park offers a true RV experience. It has three campgrounds, which all combine to offer 30 and 50-amp service, modern washrooms, picnic facilities, showers, sewage disposal, plus playgrounds and a variety of kid’s activities. But it’s the lake that’s extremely popular here and is a huge draw for boaters, paddleboarders, kayakers, or if you just want to swim and relax by the water.
It’s also relatively shallow with a max depth of 6.1 m (20 ft). But this doesn’t mean the fishing is less exciting than deeper lakes in the region. Be prepared to catch the active perch, burbot, walleye, and northern pike – and yes, people call the northern pike here jackfish. The park also has two boat launches. One is at the north end of the lake and the other is at the southwest end. The former charges a nominal fee.
There are also two main hiking trails called Lakeside and the Cacti and Cranberries Interpretive Trails, which offer excellent views of the lake and are great ways to further explore the park. A dedicated 4 km (2.5 mi) mountain bike trail is also accessible and designed for more advanced riders. It varies from natural terrain to gravel.
Scott Darbey
Of course, Sproat Lake is one of the main attractions in this provincial park.
3. Sproat Lake Provincial Park
Vancouver Island, BC
Located on Highway 4 near Port Alberni on central Vancouver Island, Sproat Lake Provincial Park can serve as a main destination or a stopover (or a few days) while on route to another BC hot spot. Either way, you’ll be provided with a choice of the park’s Upper and Lower Campgrounds – the latter being closest to Sproat Lake, shower facilities, flush toilets, and large day-use area. It is also nearby to picnic sites among a large grassy area and a beach. The Upper Campground is just across the highway from the lake and is connected to the lower area via a short access trail.
Nonetheless, you’ll most likely be spending a lot of your time in, on, or around Sproat Lake. It has approximately 90.8 km (56.4 mi) of shoreline and two designated swimming areas – one is near the boat launch in the day-use area and the other is closer to the lower campground.
If you’re an angler, plan a trip here in early April or May to experience the excellent steelhead fishing, while rainbow trout are feisty from June through to September. With the lake being warmer than the ocean that surrounds Vancouver Island, swimming, windsurfing, and waterskiing are common.
With only short access trails in the park, there is a designated path at the east end of the lake to one of the finest prehistoric petroglyphs in the province. Although not much is known about it, it’s named K’ak’awin, and is considered to depict mystical ancient monsters of the lake.
When visiting in peak summer, it’s important to know that reservations are required, although there are a few first-come, first-served sites to accommodate last minute travel plans.
Tourism Nova Scotia Adam Cornick
Kayaking in Pictou, just outside of the park.
4. Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park
Braeshore Northumberland Shore, NS
Unlike some provincial parks, Caribou-Munroes Island has a convenient choice of locations to set up camp. They range from completely open, partially wooded, and fully wooded sites to electrical, non-serviced, and group sites. Even though there are 95 in all, reservations are recommended, especially during peak season.
What’s also special about Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park is you can stroll along its 1.6 km (1 mi) sand beach and swim in some of the warmest saltwater north of the Carolinas. Birding, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular. If you want to stretch your legs after a long drive, hike the 3 km (2 mi) trail to Munroes Island. This route along the shore is a great way to further discover the area.
But the park has many amenities including on-site fire grills, cooking shelters, and even a dishwashing station to effectively clean utensils and dishware. And for being in such a rustic location, there are shower facilities, flush toilets, wood/ice, and WiFi.
What’s more, the park is 11 km (7 mi) north of Pictou where you can enjoy some local cuisine at a variety of restaurants, grab groceries, or top up the gas tank(s). It’s also nearby to the PEI ferry terminal that travels to and from the island.
5. Parc Provincial de la République (République Provincial Park)
Saint-Jacques, NB
What makes this provincial park so distinctive is the fact that it lies on the New Brunswick-Quebec border, making it an ideal first or last stop when touring Canada’s Maritimes. Situated on the Madawaska River, just 11 km (7 mi) from Edmundston and nearby to the mighty St. Lawrence, the park’s pet-friendly campground has 150 sites on 108 acres (with 100 offering electrical) and has a range of amenities including an indoor playroom, a heated pool, tennis and volleyball courts, three playgrounds, as well as horseshoe pits, picnic tables, and shelters.
Outside of the park’s campground are easily accessible biking and hiking trails, as well as the New Brunswick Botanical Gardens. Situated on eight hectares along the Madawaska River, this scenic attraction has themed gardens, two arboretums, a medicinal garden, plus a herbalist's shop and café. A variety of workshops are also commonly scheduled.
One of the great things about visiting a new area is experiencing all the attractions in the immediate area. An earshot from the park is the Antique Auto Museum and if you travel a little further into Edmundston, you’ll find the Sentier Madawaska mountain biking trails and the Fraser Edmundston Golf Club.
www.tourismenouveaubrunswick.ca
Tourism PEI Stclair Macaulay
A family enjoying a fireside moment on the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
6. Jacques Cartier Provincial Park
Alberton, PEI
One of eight provincial parks on this small but active island, Jacques Cartier is 5 km (3 mi) from Alberton and Northport on PEI’s west coast. What this means is the provincial park’s campground offers ocean-front sites with expansive views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are also pull-through sites for larger rigs along with full hook-ups with 50/30/20/15 electrical, plus water, sewer, and dump stations.
Being right on the ocean also means access to the park’s beach (with a lifeguard on duty from June to August) where you can enjoy leisurely walks or watersports such as swimming and paddleboarding.
To further explore PEI, the provincial park is accessible to the North Cape Coastal Drive, a 350 km (217 mi) route that winds along the island’s west coast through rural villages, rich farmland (red soil is a common site), the fishing culture, The West Point Lighthouse Museum, Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island, and The Canadian Potato Museum that showcases antique potato-farming equipment, a Potato Hall of Fame, and a gift shop selling potato-themed goods – only in PEI.
*In light of the current pandemic, always travel safely and do your part by following public health advice and the appropriate safety Covid-19 measures according to current provincial guidelines. It’s also advisable to check for modified operating hours of parks or local businesses before your departure.