Destination Ontario
Finding a new scenic route without congestion makes your trip all that more relaxing.
Words by Steve Fennell
"Take the road less traveled" is the number one mantra among RVers. Discovering a destination where tranquility prevails is always exciting yet, finding a new scenic route to get there without hair-raising traffic or congestion can make your trip all that more relaxing.
Canada's capital, Ottawa, and its larger counterpart of Toronto to the west is a popular destination for millions of visitors every year – including RVers. Although Ontario's Hwy 401 is the most popular route between these two cities, a great, alternate route from Ottawa to Toronto (or vice versa) is the province's acclaimed ON Hwy 7 – or the King's Highway.
This is one of the province's oldest and longest highways, stretching 500-plus km across the southern half of Ontario. So, if you're looking for a less-busy, tree-lined, scenic route between Ottawa and Toronto that meanders past scenic lakes and several campgrounds, this is it.
Technically, this eastern destination of Hwy 7 starts in the Ottawa suburb of Carleton Place and ends in Peterborough, before you take Hwy 115 south to Hwy 401 into Toronto. If you have time, however, Hwy 7 extends to as far west as Elginfield – just north of London – offering an even more exciting route through rural Ontario.
Being north of the 401, this two-lane runs through pure Ontario countryside. Accessing it from Ottawa is easy. You can access the route just off Hwy 417 in the community of Kanata (about 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa) and once you veer off to Hwy 7, there's no looking back until Peterborough about three hours later.
Ryan
Visit Hwy 7 the right time of year and you can enjoy all the "fruits" of the local farmer's markets.
Carleton Place, Mississippi Lake, Perth and Maberly
Once on route to Carleton Place on Hwy 7, the scenery changes to pure, green nature. Carleton Place is a great place to stop for fuel, groceries and other necessities. However, a real highlight is Mississippi Lake, which stretches to just outside Perth and is one of the largest inland lakes in South-Eastern Ontario.
Warm and shallow, it spans approximately 55.9 km (34 mi) and anglers will be happy to know it supports active walleye, Northern Pike, plus small and largemouth bass. While its shoreline encompasses various resorts and cottages, the area offers a series of RV parks that can accommodate rigs of various sizes.
It's also home to Mississippi Lake National Wildlife Area and Mississippi Bird Sanctuary. The former covers an area of 307 hectares and the day-use-only facility offers parking with access to hiking trails, picnic areas and wildlife viewing on its designated trail.
From Carleton Place, you'll pass a series of rural communities including Boyds, Innisville, and Drummond Centre until Perth. Although very rural, each community offers fuel and dining options plus a series of RV parks. All provide a great location to rest, plus, they are just an hour away from Ottawa so you can plan day trips.
With a population a little more than 6,000, Perth is a charming community with century-old heritage buildings, unique shops, and restaurants in its downtown district with many other services right off Hwy 7. If you need RV parts, there are a series of parts retailers and dealerships with another one located in neighbouring Smiths Falls. Groceries and other services are found in its business corridor, yet you may also want to visit the Perth Farmer's Market. It's open every Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm from the weekend of Mother's Day to Thanksgiving. Walking tours cycling on backcountry roads and a series of nearby inland lakes offer additional activities.
Approximately 21 km (13 mi) from Perth is Maberly, which is home to Mcgowan Lake. There's yet another RV park with full-service sites and several amenities such as a boat launch and sand beach. Be sure to also visit Silver Lake Provincial Park as it has more than 100 treed sites. Both lakes are known for excellent fishing.
Destination Ontario
Perth is one of the more popular communities with many services and dining options.
Sharbot Lake
Sharbot Lake, one of the more popular villages in this region, has a large, popular lake of the same name and is accessed from Hwy 7 by heading a short distance south on Road 38. Popular amongst seasonal cottagers and RVers, Sharbot Lake has a series of campgrounds including Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. Closer to Hwy 7 than the village of Sharbot Lake, the park offers more than 150 treed sites with electrical (select sites), shower facilities, laundry, a day-use area with a sand beach and a park store. If you have a boat in tow, you'll appreciate the park's boat launch and docks. It also neighbours Black Lake that has two beaches. Anglers will happy to know that both lakes are populated with walleye, Northern Pike, perch, and sunfish.
Although the larger and scenic region of Peterborough is about two hours away, taking your time through this section of Hwy 7 is worth it. Several roadside services for groceries and fuel are plentiful and there is a choice of campgrounds for every kind of rig and budget.
If you're active in the Geocaching community, perhaps tune into your GPS in Actinolite as the area is considered a hot spot for this popular pastime. You can also enjoy parts of the Skootamatta River, which is considered one of the cleanest water routes in Ontario and is a popular paddling route among locals. In the event you brought your clubs, nearby Madoc is home to a public golf course where you can enjoy your game at a reasonable value. A series of area campgrounds offer access to popular Moira Lake.
Next up on Hwy 7 is the former mining community of Marmora. The Crowe River and Crowe Lake are big attractions here and one of the access points to the lake is in Booster Park. Marmora's Memorial Park is also popular and its paved Brian Goodchild Memorial Trail is where you can stretch your legs or enjoy a picnic lunch.
D Brandsma
Scenic Sharbot Lake.
Peterborough and Surrounding Communities
The last stretch of this section of Hwy 7 opens up to Peterborough. Known as the gateway to the popular cottage region of The Kawarthas, it's popular among seasonal visitors with its range of RV parks, attractions, and countless opportunities for outdoor activity.
Even though Peterborough has a population of more than 80,000, you will find it easy to escape the city centre and see what this rural region has to offer. Yet, you may want to visit the Peterborough Lift Lock Museum, The Canadian Canoe Museum, The Art Gallery of Peterborough or The Peterborough Folk Festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in August 2019. You can even enjoy a self-guided butter tart tour, which is one of many attractions that commemorate the local fresh foods in the area.
From Peterborough, Hwy 115 is easily accessed for the south-bound run to Hwy 401 in the event Toronto, or many of its surrounding communities, are on your destination list. If time permits, perhaps continue on Hwy 7 to see more of everything that rural Ontario has to offer.
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Destination Ontario
Smiths Falls also offers activity and is nearby to Perth.
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Robert Taylor
Friendly Marmora that's home to Crowe Lake that affords a lot of activity.
TWO TOP PROVINCIAL PARKS ALONG ON HWY 7
Discovery Trail in Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
A hiker's delight, this is a moderate 1.2 km loop and 1hour hike that leads along a ridge that divides Black Lake and Sharbot Lake. It's where maple, oak and birch trees stand tall you're afforded with great views of both lakes at the top of the ridge.
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/murphyspoint/camping
Murphy's Point Provincial Park
About 17 minutes from Perth, this provincial park is part of the historic Rideau Waterway and located right on Big Rideau Lake. If you have a boat in tow there's a boat launch for easy access for a series of water-based activities. Or, you can also enjoy the series of trails that offer great day hikes or excellent opportunities for birding. Camping is also designated for RVers thanks to the series of pull-through sites (many with electrical) in the park's Hogg Bay Campground.
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/murphyspoint
Go for the Garlic in Perth
One might consider the Perth Lions Garlic Festival a true testament to the region's acclaimed agricultural community. Started in 1997, 2019 marked its 22nd year of this popular event that celebrates and promotes Ontario-grown garlic. Learn how to grow, harvest, cook, and of course, how to enjoy all the benefits of this pungent herb.