We live in Southeastern Michigan and have started planning a trip to The Pinery next year. We've had a 19' jayco hybrid for 2 years and feel comfortable making the trip. We're thinking of making a trip without the trailer to check things out. (We like driving through campgrounds and finding good sites so we're not disappointed. Pics only go so far). I'd appreciate any tips of that area. Excited to make Canada "our place" for camping.Links to websites/articles are good too.

Search this Forum for `Pinery' and read on. If not enough do a Google search for the same subject but note it is in Canada for there seem to be several Pinery's.

The Ontario Parks reservation site has several photos of each campsite, along with a description and relative quality ratings. While everyone's idea of a perfect site varys, the information in the OP reservation system is fairly helpful.My best advice for camping at any Ontario Parks campground is (1) yup, its expensive, but well worth it (2) bring lots of extension cord - at least 50' in addition to your 25' or so stock (3) the sites aren't level - make sure you've brought levellers in one form or another (4) there is no on-site water. fill up at the dumpstation on your way in, or use a bucket at a spiggot located throughout the campground (5) reservations are recommended.

And...Ontario Parks are 'campgrounds' NOT RV parks.Lots of tight corners, overhanging branches etc.

It's a bit old (see the web link), but we have visited Pinery quite a few times in the past an we haven't had any problems with longer RV's, we stayed in Riverside area 1.It's very busy during the summer months, we enjoy the shoulder seasons, much quieter. Macgregor Point is also very nice.Pinery

Brynjolf wrote:The Ontario Parks reservation site has several photos of each campsite, along with a description and relative quality ratings. While everyone's idea of a perfect site varys, the information in the OP reservation system is fairly helpful.My best advice for camping at any Ontario Parks campground is (1) yup, its expensive, but well worth it (2) bring lots of extension cord - at least 50' in addition to your 25' or so stock (3) the sites aren't level - make sure you've brought levellers in one form or another (4) there is no on-site water. fill up at the dumpstation on your way in, or use a bucket at a spiggot located throughout the campground (5) reservations are recommended.Ok. We only do state campgrounds here in Michigan (love big trees overhead) so I'm used to the "Electric Only" sites, filling up and dumping at the dump station, and using a 25' 30amp cord in addition to the trailer's cord. The price was higher ($50/night compared to $20-30/night) but that's ok if sites are nice. We make reservations up to 6 months in advance to make sure we get in.Michigan has been using the same online reservation system for 1-2 years and it's great. The pics and info are helpful but Ontario's is even better with firepit placement and distance to power pole. Some firepits are put in the worst spots, drives me nuts, anyhow...Thanks for the info. Sounds like it's my kind of place.

Tips for the Pinery Provincial Park, Ontario from Michigan?

26 Replies

skrams
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015
The beach being smaller means the water level in the lake has risen which is a good thing. We were in Tobermory in August, and it looks like about 2 feet higher there, so I assume since water finds its level, it's the same at the Pinery.
rickm
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015
Ya, the Bend is busy in the summer..... pretty well shuts down after Labor Day Weekend. The Pinery is large, no doubt about it...... and the reason the roads etc seem so narrow is because they are not allowed to leave a "large footprint". It is classfied as a natural campground. They do a pretty good job of keeping it natural. You wont have any problems with your trailer, especially if you go to Riverside one. Good pictures.... as much as the beach has shrunken, it still is nice, and the Sauble is great for canoing/kayaking.
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 29, 2015
Made it back Sunday night. Seeing the blood moon in Port Huron was a nice treat :)

We took highway 30 to 7 to 21 there and highway 21 back. I didn't know that part of Ontario had so many farms and wind turbines. Very nice drive although we're used to 115kmh speed limits here in Michigan but it would be perfect with a trailer.

We first drove to Grand Bend and drove down the main strip to the beach. Nice area but I can imagine the amount of people in the summer. Since it was Sunday and late September, all the restaurants and shops were closed.

Pinery park:
Gorgeous park. I'd love to go back when the leaves start changing. The park is huge and requires a lot of driving especially with the day use swim area road being a one way. The river looked great for kayaks/canoes.

Beach:
You're right about the high water level. Campground beach is just a bunch of driftwood.

Campground:
I haven't seen a Michigan state campground with roads as narrow as Pinery. Feels like you're off-roading. Very pretty sites but it's very tight for trailers.

Pictures
almcc
Explorer
Sep 26, 2015
adam9280 wrote:
VE3ESN wrote:
The reason you need a l-o-n-g extension cord at Ontario Provincial Parks is because one power pedestal serves two adjacent sites. Sometimes this means that the power cable will be on the "wrong" side of the camper.

I have the trailer's (need to measure it) and a 25ft extension (30amp). Should get one more to be safe. Of course, having a smaller trailer helps get it closer when the site is tight.

I believe that the campsite descriptions for individual sites on the provincial park website gives the length required to get to the electrical pedestal. I've hit provincial park sites where 90 ft. of cord is required, I carry a long 15 amp contractor's electrical cord, better to have some juice than none!

For getting C$, if you have a debit card, hit a Canadian ban with an ATM, your US debit card should work and there are 2 Canadian banks in Grand Bend, close to the park
Jebby14
Explorer
Sep 26, 2015
duty free will work fine. stop at the only one you can (should be before your cross)
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
What's the best way to exchange money? We'd like to have some Canadian for small stuff. We'll be there Sunday so I assume banks are a no-go. I read online the DUTY FREE shop is good but wasn't sure. Do we go to the Canadian side or USA side shop?
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
VE3ESN wrote:
The reason you need a l-o-n-g extension cord at Ontario Provincial Parks is because one power pedestal serves two adjacent sites. Sometimes this means that the power cable will be on the "wrong" side of the camper.

I have the trailer's (need to measure it) and a 25ft extension (30amp). Should get one more to be safe. Of course, having a smaller trailer helps get it closer when the site is tight.
adam9280
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
rickm wrote:
www.campsitepictures.com
I havn't been on there in quite some time ..... WAS a great site until now, they charge to see pics of certain Ontario Parks.... and luck has it, the Pinery is one of them.

Thank you. $5/yr isn't bad. I was expecting more. There's a bunch of pics for each site. Much better than Michigan's 3 so-so ones.

rickm wrote:
www.campsitepictures.com
Enjoy your visit, let us know what you think and which sites top your list. We have a list of most sites in areas 1 and 4, with a 1 to 10 rating and comments!

I definitely will be back to report my findings. 1-10 rating??? I only do GOOD, MEH, and NOPE :)
VE3ESN
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
The reason you need a l-o-n-g extension cord at Ontario Provincial Parks is because one power pedestal serves two adjacent sites. Sometimes this means that the power cable will be on the "wrong" side of the camper.
rickm
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015
www.campsitepictures.com
I havn't been on there in quite some time ..... WAS a great site until now, they charge to see pics of certain Ontario Parks.... and luck has it, the Pinery is one of them. Enjoy your visit, let us know what you think and which sites top your list. We have a list of most sites in areas 1 and 4, with a 1 to 10 rating and comments!