Words by Steve Fennell
If the thought of winter camping with your RV sends shivers down your spine remember the old saying, don’t knock, until you try it. Appealing to many Canadian RVers, winter RVing provides several opportunities for adventure and enjoying the great outdoors. From cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, to ice skating and tobogganing, there are many activities and sports to enjoy that are always invigorating and exciting.
While options may be limited in certain areas, these popular destinations are just three Provincial Parks that keep their gates open all-year for RVers. If you haven’t yet tried winter camping, give it go. Or, take a test run and make a day trip with your trailer or motorhome. Set up a base camp, go out for the day and then relax back at your RV for few hours or even overnight. What better way is there to enjoy the cold season?
Destination Ontario
Many activities can be enjoyed with your RV during winter.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Port Elgin
Winter activities are a pretty much a speciality at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Located in Lake Huron country about 12 minutes from Port Elgin, MacGregor provides the perfect getaway for weekend or day trips. One of the highlights the park touts is its popular ice skating trail (see more skating trails in the side bar). Perfect for kids just learning and seasoned skaters alike, its spans 400 m (.4 km) and provides the chance to glide effortlessly among pure nature. There’s even evening skates lined with the series of torch lights along trail. The park also has a large ice pad for hockey and 8 km of cross-country skiing trails. Snowshoeing can even be enjoyed in Nipissing Campground. Staying the night in the RV? Some services include showers and flush toilets or try one of the park’s yurts for a new experience. www.ontarioparks.com
Destination Ontario
Winter has a beauty all its own.
Pinery Provincial Park
Another Lake Huron destination, Pinery Provincial Park is a popular spot for RVers, which can be enjoyed all year with winter camping options at Riverside Campground. If you’re an avid cross-country skier, you’ll love the Pinery. It offers some of the finest and most scenic trails in Southwestern Ontario, which spans 38 km (24 mi) and provides a variety of challenges for beginner and advanced skiers. Tobogganing is also popular. Furnished yurts are available and there’s even a heated chalet. www.ontarioparks.com
Destination Ontario
The colder season is also a great way to enjoy time with family.
Algonquin Provincial Park
If you’re new to winter RVing and haven’t yet experienced Algonquin, we suggest placing it high on your winter getaway list. While the only area of Algonquin that can be accessed in the winter is along Highway 60, stretching approximately 60 km (37 mi) across the park’s southwest corner, it’s here where you’ll find Mew Lake Campground. It’s complete with a heated comfort station that offers flush toilets, showers, and laundry. While you can be comfortable at any one of the available sites with electrical, the outdoors activities are king. There’s a skating rink plus easy access to the Old Railway Multi-Use Trail, which spans 16 km (10 mi) where you can cross-country ski, snowshoe or use your fat bike. Seven other trails are accessible and range from 1.3 km (.8 mi) to 10.8 km (7 mi). If you’re an avid birder, be sure to bring the binoculars as sightings of Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadees, and Spruce Grouse are common. Camping permits are available at the east/west gates and for all the details visit http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca or www.ontarioparks.com
D Brandsma
Make your own tracks – and adventure – this winter at Algonquin Park.
More Activities; More Fun at Parks and Other Places of Interest
Courtesy Destination Ontario
Is there anything more Canadian than outdoor skating in the winter? In recent years, this nostalgic pastime has been given a modern makeover across Ontario with new, enhanced ice skating trails at a series of destinations and provincial parks. Whether you’re visiting a new winter hot spot or on route or returning from one with your RV, this a great pastime the whole family can enjoy. A little research also goes a long as there are many additional outdoor winter activities available in the following regions.
Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene
This 2 km ( 1.2 mi) trail hugs the Georgian Bay shoreline at the 19th Century Naval Outpost in Penetanguishene Bay (open weekends only) and features historic storyboards along the way.
http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca
Ramsey Lake Skating Path, Sudbury
Glide up to the front doors of Science North in Sudbury on this 1.5 km (.9 mi) skating path. The heated change facilities at both ends of the path are a huge bonus. Yurts for winter camping are available at nearby Windy Lake Provincial Park. www.greatersudbury.ca
Destination Ontario
The skate trail at The Fern Resort, Orillia.
Woodview Mountaintop at Blue Mountain
Woodview promises spectacular views, tiki torches and 1.1 km (.7 mi) of skating trails to at one of Ontario’s most popular snow destinations. www.bluemountain.ca
Fern Resort, Orillia
Skate the enchanting 1.5 km (.9 mi) trail through forested countryside at Fern, an all-inclusive gem on Lake Couchiching. What’s the best part? There`s a resting area with an open fire pit. Skating trail packages are also available to include a meal for day trips. www.fernresort.com
Harley Farms Skating Trail, Keene
Glide along 2 km (1.2 mi) of ice trail through pristine farmland. It’s not all coasting though. There are some challenging small hills to ascend, but it’s nothing short of fun.
Perth Outfitters Skate Trail, Perth
An hour south of Ottawa, Perth Outfitters has a 400 m (.4 km) looped skate trail that meanders through forests and along the Tay Canal. A log cabin clubhouse is ideal to warm up and you can even toast marshmallows on the outside campfire. Enjoy lantern-lit skating on Friday and Saturday evenings.
*Ed Note: At the time of publication there was no indication of closures of the aforementioned areas. Please check the websites for closures, hours of operation, available services and conditions.
Public Health Measures
We’re counting on people to be responsible when enjoying our parks. Continue to follow public health advice including physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others; wearing a face covering where required and when physical distancing may be challenging or not possible; wash hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. – Ontario Parks