Travel from Chicago to Newfoundland -- big rig campgrounds

Where are planning on visiting while here? I might be able to provide some help based on where you want to go. I included a link below that lists many of the campgrounds here on the Island.

Camp scout

Dan

trailerbikecamper wrote:
Where are planning on visiting while here? I might be able to provide some help based on where you want to go. I included a link below that lists many of the campgrounds here on the Island.

Camp scout

Dan

Thanks Dan.

Good question too! Is there anything like "mile post" for this stretch of road in canada or for NL? We like to plan during the trip but it is nice to have the right tools ready.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance or is it always available? We know approximate dates but like to keep everything open and flexible

So, how much time do you have and what do you want to see.

I can think of 3 directions: Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Quebec City....
2. Chicago, Cleveland, NYC and north. deadly IMHO too much interstate, too little scenery
3. Chicago, west up-along Wisconsin, Michigan UP, Sault Ste. Marie, across to near Ottawa and down various way to the province of Quebec. Then you can go other ways, like near the south Shore of the St. Lawrence via NB, NS, PEI to NL, or on the north Shore of the St. Lawrence up through Labrador and across

Now, my fav way would be the longest and most Canadian way, ie #3 and variations. On my cross continent trip I crossed the big river to The Saguenay and then across to Ontario and stayed on Rte 11 going. Returning I took Rte 17 and the Trans Canada (with Manitoulin thrown in). Of course, I have worked in ON and with people in all those places on my northern route.

I have a truck camper, so boondocking is easy. Mostly, I prefer more rural areas because I have two dogs. It takes longer to find rural boondocking places. Parking lots for churches, etc. can be easier. Some provinces you can park near a hospital. Or there is the eatery parking lot.....

Enjoy

:B

FYI.

Most campgrounds up here don't open till the first long weekend, May 21st this year. In colder regions they could be closed till June 1st.
Do your research.

Howdy!

We booked our ferry crossing before leaving Maine and traveling up to Nova Scotia. Some will advised when booking to unhook your toad and book separate as it will be cheaper. That couple extra plus feet adds up. We had planned on staying in Newfoundland for two months to get our monies worth out of the cost of the ferry. We like it so mouth we extended our time to over three months. We found out Newfoundland is not like Alaska, not many places to boondocks there especially for some folks our size (MDT with 44' 5er). We did find most campgrounds will accommodate your size. We ran into problems getting into campgrounds as they were booked up especially on weekends and full of long term camper that leave their RV's parked. There are a few Walmarts and we made us of them, when asked they stated we could stated as long as we liked. One of the best boondocking places we found was at Stephenville which has and old US deactivated military Air Force base. We found nice boondocking on the shores right on the water their. We drove almost every hard surface road and some of the gravel roads exploring Newfoundland and found that the small harbor towns are some of the greatest and the people are friendly. Enjoy you trip.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

chiefneon wrote:
Howdy!

We found out Newfoundland is not like Alaska, not many places to boondocks there especially for some folks our size (MDT with 44' 5er).
"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

AHEM!!!! I don't know how you are defining boondocking, but my dear souls, NL is about the easiest place to boondock in this hemisphere.

A) rural, B) rural, C) rural. NOT blacktop parking, not that.

There are scads of places where someone, company/municipality got a grant to set up a campground, and quit when the grant only went so far. But the camp sites are set out for more than 40' rig folks.

Gravel roads take you many interesting places, follow them.

I lived in NL from 1984 to 2008, thank you.

Buddy Wasisname - The Gravel Pits

:C

You don't need to book the ferry well in advance, but for a rig of your size it might be good to book a few days ahead. Which ferry are you taking, to Argentia(14hr) or to Port Aux Basques(8hr). Many arrive by one and leave by the other. There is no need but some people do.

There is loads to see and do here. Just about evry small town has its own festival. A huge variation in scenery from the grand mountainous beauty of Gros Morne Park to the traditional seascapes of Fogo and Tilting. We have 1000yr old history at L'Anse Aux Meadows near St. Anthony to more modern history at The Rooms in St. John's detailing the 100yr anniversary of Beaumont Hamel and The Royal Newfoundland Regiment during that battle in WWI. And of course we have icebergs and whales all along the northeast coast.

I included a link to Tourism NL to help plan your trip.

Tourism NL

I love the Rock. Can't wait to get back there some day.

Oldcow

In general, there is a lot less true boondocking available in the east than in the west - much less public land. Most - perhaps until you get to the Maritimes, anyway - will likely be parking lots.

You probably won't need to book ferry going over but coming back with a rig your size and especially if you need to get back by certain date, I would book the return. Marine atlantic told me they are fully booked in July/August.

Last time (we too are going this year shortly) we prebooked the going over, arrived a few days early and went the next day...return was via labrador.

This time we are winging it and will book once we have a better idea of when we will be returning. I like a more relaxed approach and seeing where life takes us.

We will mostly boondock while there but do get their park pass and stay at a few parks as they provide dumping, laundry/some and just some neat locations.

Sandbanks provincial park gets our vote and we will return there (check opening dates for your arrival)...check their amenities (no electric).

Don't drive in the dark...the darn moose dontcha know...too many, too dark.