Hi,I am from the UK and have done a couple RV trips in the past, one from Calgary to Vancouver and another out of Toronto up to Quebec and Vermont. Great fun but that was about 10 years ago.This time myself and my wife will be flying to Toronto to see family and plan to hire an rv from around the 10th to 16th Oct or whatever works best for us and hire company.Previously I used Canadream - any alternatives recommended? Will just be the two of us so will go for smaller vehicle than before.We are thinking of heading generally north and don't want to spend too long driving, maybe 200-300km max in any day? Would also love a chance to fish somewhere enroute!Thinking maybe Toronto - Picton - Algonquin - Collinwood/Owen Sound area - Toronto.But maybe better along Lake Superior? Looking for good scenery, interesting stops. Early days of research but thought I would throw it out there for any comments on nice areas to consider given the time we have, time of year etc.Thanks in advance!Andrew

Mid October can be nasty weather, might want to reconsider. Plus many of the campground close by then

As far as rentals, the only other one I've heard is Cruise Canada but I have no experience with either.As the previous poster stated, you're nearing the end of the camping season but you should be okay. If you are looking at stopping at Ontario Provincial Parks, you can see here (http://www.parkreports.com/openclose/index.php?year=2013)that most of the 'non-winter' campgrounds close on Oct. 14 or Oct. 15th. You should be able to find private campgrounds open around those dates but they'll probably be closing around then as well so you'll probably need to plan the tail of your trip pretty carefully.Last year I did notice that some companies had cheap rentals to 'return' rvs at the end of the season (can't remember if it was East->West or West->East) but that could be an nice option especially if you could extend your trip.

This year Canada's Thanksgiving holiday falls on October 14th. The Thanksgiving weekend normally marks the end of the traditional camping season in pretty much all of Canada and many/most parks will close on this day or shortly after.Having said that - there are a number of Ontario Provincial Parks which stay open for camping longer - even into and through the winter months. You can check out information on each Provincial Park at: www.ontarioparks.com . Specific information on their operating dates can be found within that website at: http://www.parkreports.com/openclose/index.php?year=2013 .Your Southern Ontario route is a good one - you'll see some great countryside - my only question might be to suggest that you include Killarney Provincial Park in your itinerary - this is a particularly beautiful Provincial Park and the adjacent town of Killarney is a gem - you won't have much in the way of services that might be open - but the park has some great day-tripping from the campground.Lake Superior is not a particularly good idea - as you get into Northern Ontario there is no question that all parks and all tourism facilities on that route will be closed and likely gated.As for weather - you can expect some frost - perhaps some fallish type wind/rain - but it is also the time of year when the fall colours can be fantastic - particularly in Southern Ontario - and those still, sunny, warm fall days simply cannot be beaten. For ourselves - fall camping is about as good as it gets.Enjoy your visit.Jay

CanaDream is the most popular RV rental outfit. Although, have a look at OWASCO RV Rentals (on the east side of Toronto in Whitby) too - I've used them before and have been very happy with their service.As most everyone has mentioned, you'll have a limited choice of campgrounds after the October 14th Thanksgiving holiday.Down Picton way, the only campground that comes to mind and will be open after the 14th is Rideau Acres (about 45 minutes further east in Kingston). Its a great park and the area is great for tourism. If you make it there before the 14th, head to Presquile Provincial Park - beautiful sunsets, great hiking and birdwatching.Algonquin will be the highlight of your trip. The Mew Lake campground in Algonquin will be the only one open after the 14th. Its a great location for base camp for exploring the park. Make sure that you've loaded up with groceries and anything else you'll need before you go in the park, because the camp store will be closed and its at least a 2 hour round trip to town.Over towards Collingwood, if you make it there before the 14th, head to Awenda Provincial Park. Its a beautiful place. If you get there after the 14th, Craigleith Provincial Park is open 'till the 27th. Craigleith doesn't really have the scenery, but its close to Collingwood and Owen Sound for doing the tourist thing.If you carry on 90 minutes further south/west, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is open year-round. If you feel like travelling a couple hours a bit further south, the Pinery is also open year-round. Both MacGregor Point and the Pinery are well worth a visit.Valens Conservation Area outside Cambridge is also a great park that's sort of on the way back to Toronto (and will be open after the 14th) and you'll be happy to spend a night or two there. Also, Milton Heights Campground in Milton (also open after the 14th) is out that way and is a clean private park close to the big-box shopping.A couple of cautions:- If you're camping on the weekend of October 11th-14th (including the Sunday night), you will need reservations. Everything will fill up for Thanksgiving weekend. Actually, most of the spots are reserved already, so don't leave this too long.- After the 14th, water spigots will be turned off in most parks. You'll have to visit the comfort station (usually in the laundry room) to fill a container. I suggest that you just ask a camping neighbour if you can borrow their water jugs for a few minutes as opposed to buying one; this is Canada - virtually noone will hesitate to be of assistance.

Excellent, thanks very much for your tips so far! This is invaluable, and I will work on these suggestions. Unfortunately can't move the dates but keen to try and get out and about so will work around any closures etc and do our best. Keep them coming!

Any advice for 6 days hire out of Toronto in early Oct?

15 Replies

bsinmich
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
From Toronto you are very close to Niagra Falls and they are open 24/7, 12 months a year. CGs are never a problem there either. Point Pelee, on Lake Erie, is a great stop for people interested in bird watching. It is on their migration route. Jack Miner bird sanctuary is nearby. The route along Lake Erie is very interesting also.
almcc
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
As another RV rental suggestion, you may want to try Owasco in Whitby, they are located in Whitby Ontario just east of Toronto. They started out as a VW dealer renting the VW campers, they have expanded to other sizes. Looking at their rental website they have some smaller class "C's" that may be suitable.

You may be able to get a shorter duration rental there and it's on the way east to the locations other posters have suggested.

Web link to Owsaco

I provided the link to the main site, click on the rental tag, it takes you to their rental website.
jeroen100
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
I would suggest checking out Fraserway RV rentals. We have rented with, Cruise Canada, Canadream, Ambassador RV and Fraserway and we found Fraserway the best, with Canadream a close second. Of course this was a couple of years ago, so things might have changed. I would contact Fraserway directly to see if there are any other rates available than the standard ones on their websites.
canadafan
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
If you look here: www.ontarioparks.com/english/index.html
It will give you all the info about the Provincial Parks including closing dates.

And HERE
there is a route guide with mileages between places including Provincial and National Parks.

Hope this is useful

Trevor
andrew_muir
Explorer
Jul 10, 2013
Thanks again for the tips, will have another look.
Brynjolf
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
I agree with Tripalot, that'll be a lot of driving - particularly that stretch from 6 mile to MacGregor. And, to be honest, 6 mile never impressed me much.

I'd suggest making Algonquin a 3 night stay, skipping 6 mile and going to Awenda for the nights of the 13th/14th and then heading back to Toronto.

As far as where to stay in Algonquin (and looking at availability), Two Rivers campground has open, smaller sites and is close to the camp store (and closer to the dump station) while Canisbay has large secluded sites but is farther away from everything.
Tripalot
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
My thoughts are you will be doing a lot of driving in a short time and maybe not see as much as you are hoping. I would be inclined to skip Macgregor and spend an extra day at Sandbanks and Algonquin. As others have said, you will be travelling during our Thanksgiving Weekend and availaiblility at the provincial parks is probably NIL. I would look at that and then work our your itinerary.

Don't mean to be negative, but Thanksgiving Weekend is a very busy time around Ontario.
andrew_muir
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
HI folks
Plan forming around 8th - 15th with 8th/9th at Sandbank, 10th/11th somewhere in Algonquin (which park a good choice?), 12th Six Mile Lake, 13th/14th Macgregor Point. All these appear to be open according to the Ontario parks site, haven't checked availability yet. Any comments good/bad on this route/sites most welcome!
thanks
Flyboy320
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Yup....got to do Prince Edward County and Picton area. Lots to see, even in Oct. Plenty of wineries too!!
canadafan
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Hi Andrew,

I agree with most posters here, campgrounds may be difficult.

Regarding motorhomes try Cruise Canada but they do have a minimum rental of 7 days, have a look at this site and special winter deals.

www.cruiseamerica.co.uk/

Good luck
Trevor