With its lush landscapes, diverse wildlife and sweeping scenery, Canada has long been recognized as a nature-lover’s paradise. Canadians certainly take advantage of the beauty at their backdoor, participating en masse in nature-related activities from swimming, to canoeing to sleeping under the stars.
In 1996, some 2 million Canadians enjoyed camping, according to a survey by Statistics Canada. And when it came to choosing accommodations, a 2005 study found that Canadians opted for campgrounds (for a total of 17.3 million nights) over hotels (10.9 million) and motels (3.9 million) between July and September. Camping, however, is a lot of work. The trick is to plan well, and that starts with finding the best place to set up camp.
Sort out the basics
Before reserving a campground, there are a few things to decide. First, who’s going? Young families should make sure a campground has a playground, bike rentals or the like. “It’s always a good idea to keep the kids entertained,” says Catherine Fortin-LeFaivre, spokesperson for Go RVing Canada, who last year participated in a kid-friendly Voyageur canoe trip reenactment at Champlain Park in Northern Ontario. Bringing Fido along? Confirm whether pets are allowed, too.
Secondly, when are you going? Plan your trip around a festival or event, suggests Fortin-LeFaivre, whose family is heading to Quebec this summer for the city’s 400th anniversary.
Third, how are you getting there — by car, by RV? If you like the idea of a home on wheels, choose an RV that suits your family’s needs and keep in mind that campgrounds may have RV size restrictions.
Pick a location
Decide on a region, then head online. Campgrounds Camping Canada is the mecca of camping web directories, allowing you to locate wilderness sites, RV parks, resorts and more. Go RVing Canada provides a list of provincial resources for finding the perfect campground or RV park. Other useful sites include Campsource.ca and Parks Canada. Or, pick up a guidebook, like Camping with Kids: The Best Campgrounds in British Columbia and Alberta, Woodall’s 2007 Canada Campground Guide, A Camper’s Guide to Ontario’s Best Parks or CAA’s CampBook. Don’t forget first-hand reports: check review sites like CampgroundReviews.ca; ask friends and family about their experiences, and; “Go to RV shows,” says Fortin-LeFaivre. “There are exhibitors there representing campgrounds. It makes it a lot easier to speak with owners.”
Determine your needs
Today’s campgrounds range from rustic — water pumps and outhouses — to luxurious – golf course, satellite hookup, and from private chain to national park. “You have to be truthful with yourself,” says Howard Wiseman, an avid camper and father of two in Montreal. “We went camping with a few people who said they didn’t mind roughing it, didn’t mind outhouses. They were so miserable.” Ask about the basics — flush toilets, showers, alcohol, laundry, park store, etc. Then look into activities in or near the site, like swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing, as well as equipment rentals, such as barbecues and tents. In fact, if you’re a first timer, you’ll want to rent or borrow as much as you can to gauge whether your family enjoys the experience. “Camping is a lot of work, it’s a lot of planning and it’s really expensive,” says Wiseman. “Rent before you buy.” Visit Ontario Parks’ park locator to see other amenities to consider.
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