Algonquin Provincial Park - power access

[BigDaddyHfx]

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?

[shum02]

almcc wrote:


By the way, how is the camping at Bronte 😉

For camping in the middle of one of Canada's highest income cities..........not to bad actually 😉 Wish it was still open for winter camping...but that's another topic 😞

[almcc]

shum02 wrote:

Everyone has their own idea of camping and what you have there is a million miles away from mine. No wonder you don't use Provincial parks or probably even State parks. Camping beside a golf course...........might as well be in my driveway..........

I admit I haven't used a lot of Ontario Provincial Parks, my park count is only 34, that doesn't count multiple campgrounds in Algonquin or Lake Superior or parks that don't exist any more (Serpent Mounds and Ipperwash are two that come to mind).

Similarly, we've hit only 22 US sate parks and right now we are sitting in the middle of the second largest state park in the US (that's a trivia question for you :)) although we aren't boondocking, we are using a private resort.

By the way, how is the camping at Bronte 😉

[shum02]

james65450 wrote:
The government does not give much away for free. Camping on crown land is a great way Canadian residents to experience the outdoors at no cost.

You still have to get there and Ontario is HUGE! not to mention those area's that are available are in Northern Ontario, a very decent drive from the populated area's in the South. No one gives up the secrets of where those spots are either without torture or plied with generous amounts of elixir 😉

[james65450]

shum02 wrote:

james65450 wrote:
As long as you are a Canadian resident you can camp on crown land free of charge. You may only camp on crown land that is designated as general use. You don't have to let anyone know where you are going. Most crown land that is marked as general use in Ontario tends to be in central to northern Ontario. There are lots of boondocking and wilderness camping available but they do tend to be fairly hidden and well kept secrets.

Camping on Crown Land in Ontario

I took a look at that page it is not them most informative available but it does outline what Canadian residents and non Canadian residents may do.

Quoted from at site for Canadian residents:

Camp for free up to 21 days on any one site in a calendar year. This ensures sites are available to others and helps reduce environmental impacts.

Follow rules or restrictions posted on signs.

Do not camp, if camping is prohibited (you could be fined).


For non Canadian residents:

Camp on Crown land, north of the French and Mattawa rivers, with a camping permit.

No camping in designated green zones

You do not need a permit if you:
• rent a camping unit (e.g., tent, trailer, etc.) from a person who conducts business in Ontario
• or your spouse own property in Ontario
• carry out duties as part of employment in Canada
• stay on watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation, anchored over provincial Crown land covered by water (stays are limited to 21 days)
• belong to an eligible charitable or non-profit group

Contact a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office to find out if your group qualifies as a charitable/non-profit organization.

For non-residents who need a permit, you can buy one at:
• participating ServiceOntario centres
• authorized licence issuers in northern Ontario

In early 2015, you will also be able to buy your permit online, here.

Cost = $9.35 + tax (per person, per night)


I just don't want people thinking that they have to pay for something that they have the right to do for free. The government does not give much away for free. Camping on crown land is a great way Canadian residents to experience the outdoors at no cost.

[shum02]

james65450 wrote:
As long as you are a Canadian resident you can camp on crown land free of charge. You may only camp on crown land that is designated as general use. You don't have to let anyone know where you are going. Most crown land that is marked as general use in Ontario tends to be in central to northern Ontario. There are lots of boondocking and wilderness camping available but they do tend to be fairly hidden and well kept secrets.

Camping on Crown Land in Ontario

[shum02]

rickm wrote:

almcc wrote:
We used to carry a 90 ft. HD contractor's power cord with us as we've hit a few campsites in provincial parks with LONG runs. It restricted us to 15 amps but it's better than no amps, especially since you are paying for it.

We have pretty much given up on Ontario provincial parks except for one or two in the north. We got tired of having our RV scratched up by tree branches that they don't seem to want to trim and and by the unreasonable costs compared to private parks. For instance, we are parked right now in a resort where we have 50 amp power, water, sewer and cable. The daily rate is less than in Ontario provincial parks. They also have daily garbage pick up at your site and if you are out of propane, you put your cylinder on the road at your site, they pick it up, fill it and return it! Each site is cleaned and prepped by volunteer hosts prior to being occupied. Yes, it's less "natural" than a provincial park but the view outside the RV back window isn't bad:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g8zmmjxd4n5n311/AAD9gtOe9Phv5tlbJJEOqsJ0a?dl=0

Everyone has their own idea of camping and what you have there is a million miles away from mine. No wonder you don't use Provincial parks or probably even State parks. Camping beside a golf course...........might as well be in my driveway..........

[james65450]

As long as you are a Canadian resident you can camp on crown land free of charge. You may only camp on crown land that is designated as general use. You don't have to let anyone know where you are going. Most crown land that is marked as general use in Ontario tends to be in central to northern Ontario. There are lots of boondocking and wilderness camping available but they do tend to be fairly hidden and well kept secrets.

[rickm]

almcc wrote:
We used to carry a 90 ft. HD contractor's power cord with us as we've hit a few campsites in provincial parks with LONG runs. It restricted us to 15 amps but it's better than no amps, especially since you are paying for it.

We have pretty much given up on Ontario provincial parks except for one or two in the north. We got tired of having our RV scratched up by tree branches that they don't seem to want to trim and and by the unreasonable costs compared to private parks. For instance, we are parked right now in a resort where we have 50 amp power, water, sewer and cable. The daily rate is less than in Ontario provincial parks. They also have daily garbage pick up at your site and if you are out of propane, you put your cylinder on the road at your site, they pick it up, fill it and return it! Each site is cleaned and prepped by volunteer hosts prior to being occupied. Yes, it's less "natural" than a provincial park but the view outside the RV back window isn't bad:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g8zmmjxd4n5n311/AAD9gtOe9Phv5tlbJJEOqsJ0a?dl=0

[Little_Kopit]

Having worked between Sudbury and Hornepayne in the 70s, I know what the roads can be like.

:C

[shum02]

Little Kopit wrote:
I don't for one millionth of second think that there is no boondocking in Ontario.

But you're saying anyone who does boondock could get some kind of a fat fine, right?

:C

Depends. Interior camping on Crown Land and you need to let the MNR know where you are, intend on going and pay the fee. If for some reason they have to come get you they will be less than amused 😞

Boondocking except for interior canoe/hike camping is pretty tough, unless you are VERY aware of logging areas/roads and they can be pretty un-serviced/dangerous. I'd only hike them or take my mountain bike on most any I've seen. Ontario gets pretty rugged real fast in some areas and a logging road out of service for a few years will disappear into the bush real fast!

[bsinmich]

In Algonquin PP was the second time I had to get the heavy ext. cord out to hookup. First time was in FL. That was as close as I could get to the power pedestal.

[Little_Kopit]

Thank you for all answers.

:B

[JaxDad]

As I said, you can't just drive in and park, you need to buy a permit and pay $9.35 plus tax ($10) a night, in advance.

Without that permit, yes, you can face a hefty fine for trespassing and immediate eviction at whatever time of day or night they stop to ask you for your permit.

[RangerJay]

This might help you with understanding the rules around Crown Land Camping in Ontario - note that these rules do not apply to Provincial Parks:

https://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/camping-crown-land

On the Ontario Parks Website you can check this webpage and find information around supported activities and contact information for individual non-operating parks:

http://www.ontarioparks.com/park-locator

Any park campground facility that has been closed and is no longer operated will be gated and posted no camping.


Jay