Niagara Falls

We stayed at the KOA on the Canadian side. Used the shuttle and didn't have to worry about parking. The Canadian side has most of the attractions and, in my opnion, better views of the falls.

I have found that it just depends on the crossing gaurds. If they have had a bad night no you won't be able to get into Canada with a weeks proveisions. If they have had a good night then you could come across with a load of anthrax meat and they wont even bother to ask what the blood is dripping from the truck. So I guess my answer would be are you feeling lucky?

If you want to stay in Canada, you need to remember you have to come home too. So there are different rules crossing into Canada and crossing back into the States.

If you click here you will be taken to the Canada Border Services Agency. It will give you the info about crossing into Canada.

If you click here you will be taken to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

And don't forget you need a full passport or a passport card (Limits destinations but is half price.) Click here for instructions on passports from the U.S. Department of State

I lived in Niagara Falls NY for many years and it saddens me to see how the city has become another rustbelt city. The Canadian side has faired much better than the US side due to the lack of restrictions on development in the tourist areas, and political mismanagement on the US side.

That being said, there are two campgrounds on the US side that are popular with the tourists. The Branches of Niagara for full hookups and Four Mile Creek State Park (electric only)

The rest I will leave for you to discover. Hope this helped.

danpreszler wrote:
We stayed at the KOA on the Canadian side. Used the shuttle and didn't have to worry about parking. The Canadian side has most of the attractions and, in my opnion, better views of the falls.

I agree!! For the full effect, visit both sides.
The Skylon Tower is a wonderful(high) view, too!!!!!
Skylon is similar to Seatle Needle. If you get there when they open up for lunch, they will seat you so you can enjoy the falls while you eat. It is a little pricey. But, what a overview!!!
Also, the restaurant view is better for images than the observation deck (wire screening you have to shoot thru). Do visit the observation deck.

And send me a post card!!
Pat

I have to agree with diazr2. I live about 90 minutes South of Niagara Falls and go there a few times a year. It's always a******shoot when crossing or coming back. Sometimes it's a breeze and other times you get grilled like you are on some threat list. I've seen cars, trucks, campers and motor homes be told to pull over and they rip the whole thing apart. This has never happened to me but I make sure I don't have anything that could even be questioned. No booze, no food, nothing. From my understanding, after they tear your vehicle apart, it's up to you to put it all back. Isn't customs fun!

" Would we be able to cross with a weeks worth of groceries ect on board without much hassle? " It should not be a problem, reasonable amounts for personal use. There are not the restrictions entering Canada as there are for entering USA. Large quantities of alcohol and tobacco products could be questioned. Passports (passport cards) simplify the entry to Canada and are required for re-entry to the US.

When we stay at the Lundys Lane KOA, there are lots of American licence plates in the park, can't be too many problems crossing the border.

The city shuttle bus, available at campground entrance, to the Falls area, and Niagara Parks Wego transit eliminate the need to find street parking or expensive $$$ parking lots at the different attractions.

Beverley and Ken

Find a CG you like and make it work. Members in the CA forum can help. When we stayed in CA one year for a different trip, we grocery shopped over there bc I grew tired of reading can and can'ts online.

For the falls, we stayed on the US side at the state park and made small trips. We liked almost everything on the CA side better but found some things to do on the US side too. There is a cool hike on the US side near the whirlpool, we toured power plant, ate ice cream in Youngstown, and chilled at a pretty nice CG. I'd recommend avoiding the aquarium on the US side - soooo many better ones around.

It's not quantity with food, it's what you bring in. Fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy are regulated with differing degrees of restrictions.

You have to pay duty on alcohol and tobacco products. However there are personal exemptions for each passenger and the longer you stay the greater the exemption.

Also remember, if anyone in your party has had a DUI or any other felony conviction, they won't let them into Canada.

Like other's have said, you might get across scott free, or it might be your lucky day. They don't kid around, especially the agents on the American side. It's not a big deal. Just make sure you declare everything that you are bringing across. They just confiscate the illegal stuff and make you pay the duty on the other stuff. But they do sometimes they do get testy if you withhold info from them.

If you cross over, why not just wait and buy your groceries over there? Eliminates any problems. Just remember to only buy enough so that you don't have a lot to bring back across.

We stayed on the US side at Four Mile State Park on a premium site on the water. We also had great seafood and homemade ice cream in Youngstown. NY. There was a wonderful view of the Toronto skyline at night. You get free parking in Fort Niagara State Park by staying there which was very interesting. I agree with everyone that the actual sightseeing of the falls is better on the Canadian side. We loved the view from the Skylon tower. We also loved going to Niagara on the Lake which is the most stunning town we have every seen. Also, If you like wine, the winery tours around Niagara on the Lake are great.

Yes, the views are better on the CA side. However, we are not far from the falls and go each year. We stay at Four Mile Creek. Park for free at the Niagara Falls State Park area, take the shuttle around the various points at the falls. Then we take our passport and walk across the river to the CA side. Much faster than waiting in the line in a car or MH. We have also crossed with our RV into CA but I was very careful with information on the dog, no fruits, vegetables, potatoes, booze, meat, etc. On the CA side, be sure to get some Piccards peanuts (the Virginia ones are our favorites), make a visit to the Butterfly enclosure and a visit to Niagara on the Lake. Lundy's lane is very, very touristy and we avoid it like the plague.