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Destination Ontario
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Fjorden Kayak
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Blueberry Hill Motel & Campground
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Parks Canada, Riding Mountain National Park
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Wayne Barrett, Barrett and MacKay Photography Inc. www.barrettmackay.com
, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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Destination Ontario
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Parks Canada, Riding Mountain National Park
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Parks Canada, Riding Mountain National Park
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Destination Ontario
Words by Jan Lee
There's a certain appeal to launching an RV trip in the spring. Smaller crowds, a better chance of visiting that premier campground you have always wanted to try and sometimes less expensive fees, all make April and May the perfect time to RV in Canada's east coast provinces.
As many nature enthusiasts will attest, spring is also one of the best times to see the local wildlife. Ontario's Algonquin National Park is well known for its protected herds of moose, which make their best showing when the park isn't packed with visitors. St. John's Newfoundland's Fluvarium is an ideal setting to birdwatch. Many visitors head to Quebec in spring to get a glimpse of whales on the St. Lawrence River.
However, that's not to say that you won't encounter a little rain or snow along your journey. Canada's many varied and moody climates are part of its natural appeal. While southern destinations like Arizona and Southern California can often boast hot weather during April and May, Canada's eastern provinces have them beat when it comes to the diversity of climates and verdant terrain.
Most eastern RV destinations, like scenic parks and camping areas, open in May to take the best advantage of warming temps and blooming foliage. For western RV'ers, that means plenty of time for taking in other sights along the way – or enjoying early spring in your backyard. While the night temps can drop to around 0 C/32 F during the first few weeks, daytime temps are generally pleasant (15-18 C/ 59-64). By June the temperatures start to warm up.
All of the following RV parks accept dogs, but they all require dogs to be on a leash, not just for others' comfort but the dog's safety in unfamiliar settings.
RV camping at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
While Manitoba isn't technically an eastern province, it is home to a destination that is often off the list for casual summer RV'ing. That's because it can be quite difficult to secure an RV site at Riding Mountain National Park during the summer if you haven't booked it several months in advance. Thus, the springtime is an ideal time to make a stopover at this 2,969 k2/1,146 sq. mile park, which also opens earlier than most East Coast RV parks. Springtime activities (dependent on weather, of course) are numerous: horseback riding, Nordic skiing (snow dependent), hiking, canoeing and kayaking on nearby Clear Lake. The Friends of Riding Mountain also host activities throughout much of the year. ATVs and snowmobiles aren't allowed in the park.
According to Olivier, the park's front desk attendant, the park's 85 full-service sites will open first this year, on May 3. The rest of the 152 sites will open about a week later. RV, tent and rustic cabin camping are all available.
For those who like to have a meal out on occasion, fine dining is next door at the Elkhorn Resort Spa and Conference Centre.
Blueberry Hill on Ontario's semi-remote Goulais River
Set on the banks of the Goulais River, some 30 minutes northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, ON is Blueberry Hill Motel and Campground. The park offers 100 30-amp sites with varying choices of services and amenities. RV'ers have the choice between wooded sites and those without trees.
The park is open year round, but owner Diane Houle points out that most tourist attractions in the Goulais River area don't open until mid- to late spring, so the optimum time to arrive is in mid- to late-May. A variety of trails and activities are available at Blueberry Hill and lots of attractions beyond its gates.
Lake Superior's 2,000 km/1,243 mile driving tour takes you past a cornucopia of attractions and activities and can be divided up into day trips or longer overnight excursions.
Those driving motorhomes will want to plan ahead when it comes to refilling their propane, says Houle. "[In] the offseason, propane refilling station are far and few in between. Propane cylinders can be obtained more easily, but filling up a motorhome is not available everywhere. It is available in Sault Ste Marie, Monday to Saturday during business hour only."
Blue Fin RV Park, Newfoundland's seaside getaway
Just half-hour's drive from St. John's Newfoundland, overlooking Conception Bay, you will find the small town of Holyrood and Blue Fin RV Park. Home to a wide variety of wildlife, the area, known as Avalon Peninsula, is famous for its many beaches, ecological reserves, and historical attractions.
Blue Fin's owner Dwayne Fry says the park's location is a "perfect distance" from St. John's, the island's largest city. Guests can head to the city, enjoy the museums and restaurants and "20 minutes later you're out in the country."
While he admits that some years there can be a fair amount of rain, there's plenty of all-weather things to do, like taking a whale-watching tour or seeing the nearby icebergs. The Avalon Peninsula also has a large assortment of organized tours, ranging from marine attractions to World War II history. In 1942, Newfoundland was the site of several German U-boat attacks. Experienced divers can survey the WWII wrecks in person, and history buffs can visit Bell Island, which was attacked twice by German U-boats during the war.
Not surprisingly, getting to Newfoundland isn't cheap. The cost of a ferry ride from the shores of Nova Scotia ranges between $150 and $450 one way depending upon the size of your rig. That cost is also proportional to the length of your ferry ride, which, depending upon your destination, ranges from 7 hours to 16. Whichever route you take, booking ahead is advisable, especially if you have a large rig and are planning to head home during the popular summer months.
Essipit on Quebec's St. Lawrence
The Innu Nation's Essipit campgrounds sit on the banks of the St. Lawrence in Quebec's scenic Cote-Nord region. Two distinct campgrounds, the Tipi on the community's grounds, and Tadoussac, about a half-hour further south, boast views of the St. Lawrence River. RV'ers have their pick between three-way service, water and sewer and dry camping at each of the campgrounds.
Essipit's two locations put visitors in easy contact with a variety of activities, including whale watching by zodiac, black bear observation, and fishing. If requested, the park can connect guests with local outfitters to design that all-inclusive fishing trip. Guests can also shop at the local Innu-run store and learn about local Indigenous cultures during their stay.
Contact Information
(Due to spring weather considerations, we recommend you confirm the opening date before planning your arrival)
Wasagaming Campground, Riding Mountain National Park
135 Wasagaming Dr.
Onanole, MB R0J 1N0
(204) 848-7275
(877) RESERVE (Reservations only)
Blueberry Hill Motel and Campgrounds
RR#2, Goulais River, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 705-649-5631
Toll-Free: 1-800-811-4411
Blue Fin RV Park
22-TransCanada Highway
Holyrood, NL A0A 2R0
(709) 229-5500
Tipi and Tadoussac Campgrounds at Essipit
46 De la Réserve Street
Essipit (Québec) G0T 1K0
Canada
(418) 233-3960