Algonquin Provincial Park - power access
Was checking out Algonquin park and it seems to say that the power pedestals are 30 meters from the site. Is this right? Do people really need nearly 100 feet of power cable and extensions?
Forum Discussion
Virtually all Ontario Provincial Parks hydro (i.e. "electrical") sites are laid-out the same, with one power post between two sites. Algonquin isn't particularly better or worse than any other Ontario Provincial Park.
Its rare that the stock 25' cord on my trailer would stretch to the power post at any Ontario Provincial Park. Generally, I have to use my 50' extension as the post is usually 40-60' from the trailer. Only twice in the last 10 years have I needed to pull out an additional 25' (for a total of 100') to reach the post; and, honestly, I could have moved the trailer on the site and made do with 75'.
Also, remember that there is no on-site water in Ontario Provincial Parks. There are, however, spigots located throughout the campground for communal use. Obviously, you cannot permanently connect to these spigots during your stay. However, you'll have no complaints if you pull off to the side of the road (allowing ample room for others to pass you) and connect for 5 minutes to fill your fresh water tank. Please note: you've got about a 40% chance that the spigots in the campground are threaded; a water thief can be very handy. However, for water fillups, general practice is to fill at the dumpstation on the way in.
Speaking of the dumpstation, Algonquin is a bit unusual in that most of the campgrounds are serviced by a single dumpstation located on the highway. Towing a blueboy for 20 minutes down highway 60 is not a fun experience and is a danger to others. If you don't have a macerator pump to fill your blueboy in the bed of your truck, I'd suggest that you elect to tow your trailer (or drive the RV) to the dumpstation.
Its rare that the stock 25' cord on my trailer would stretch to the power post at any Ontario Provincial Park. Generally, I have to use my 50' extension as the post is usually 40-60' from the trailer. Only twice in the last 10 years have I needed to pull out an additional 25' (for a total of 100') to reach the post; and, honestly, I could have moved the trailer on the site and made do with 75'.
Also, remember that there is no on-site water in Ontario Provincial Parks. There are, however, spigots located throughout the campground for communal use. Obviously, you cannot permanently connect to these spigots during your stay. However, you'll have no complaints if you pull off to the side of the road (allowing ample room for others to pass you) and connect for 5 minutes to fill your fresh water tank. Please note: you've got about a 40% chance that the spigots in the campground are threaded; a water thief can be very handy. However, for water fillups, general practice is to fill at the dumpstation on the way in.
Speaking of the dumpstation, Algonquin is a bit unusual in that most of the campgrounds are serviced by a single dumpstation located on the highway. Towing a blueboy for 20 minutes down highway 60 is not a fun experience and is a danger to others. If you don't have a macerator pump to fill your blueboy in the bed of your truck, I'd suggest that you elect to tow your trailer (or drive the RV) to the dumpstation.
