Manitoulin Island - Ontario - Boondocking?

[VE3ESN]

Just wondering if anyone has successfully boondocked on Manitoulin Island. Parking lots that have no signs prohibiting overnight, crown land, etc. Any suggestions would be welcome. Failing that, any advice on reasonably priced campgrounds would be certainly welcome, and thanks in advance.

[VE3ESN]

Thanks so much Fulltimewanabe! Great resources indeed.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

FWIW: We boondock/dry camp exclusively. On our 120 day trip end April to August 2019 (not one paid CG), we stayed at Espanola the night before crossing the bridge to Manitoulin Island. Stayed at Gore Bay Sat 25th May 2019 (allowed up to 2 nights then), very nice pull ins by rest rooms/restaurant area overlooking water, next to one other MH.

In case it helps for future planning, and of course remember to write up your experience as that's how everyone benefits from these free resources to find camping locations, we use: Freecampsites.net Ioverlander.com and Campendium.com There are a few newer ones in the mix now, but to get full benefits appears you have to subscribe and pay for service: FreeRoam and The Dyrt.

Hope some of the above, mixed in with when you are doing in the US one day again, using BLM, USFS MUVU, Arizona Trust Lands, Wildlife Refuges.

Other things to consider are churches, marinas, as well the usual big box stores, truck stops etc.

Happy Travels, we had an awesome trip last year across from Alberta through Canada to Newfoundland (the rock), hitting the big lakes on the Canadian side and then back through on the south side in the USA. Found the south side USA more boondock friendly near the lakes than the Canadian side again just FWIW.

PS: I haven't checked but have you scanned Boondockers Welcome/Harvest host maps to see if anyone listed on their for the island to O/N?

[VE3ESN]

Thanks JaxDad and Pianotuna for the useful information!

[pianotuna]

VE3ESN wrote:
Pianotuna, thanks for the suggestion. Tobermory's lot is mentioned, but it's on the Bruce Peninsula. The ferry terminal at the south end of the island in South Baymouth isn't listed on any of the "free camping" sites.

I've spend a night at the ferry on the island. Not exactly a wonderful place to boondock.

[JaxDad]

I don’t know if it’s permitted or not, but anytime I’ve gone that way I stay in the west (little) parking lot on the far side of the Baymouth town docks just to the west of the ferry dock.

There are also two ‘turnouts’ just a few km north on the west side of Hwy 6.

[VE3ESN]

Thanks Harley4275 for the link. Nothing on Manitoulin Island except one in Gore Bay, but it's closed until further notice, probably because of Covid-19.

Pianotuna, thanks for the suggestion. Tobermory's lot is mentioned, but it's on the Bruce Peninsula. The ferry terminal at the south end of the island in South Baymouth isn't listed on any of the "free camping" sites.

Lwiddis, we try to look for a sign that lists how long you can stay. We've seen some that say, for example, "Maximum Stay 72 hours".

[pianotuna]

You could probably do one night at the Manitoulin Island ferry terminal to Tobermory. If you are traveling east, it makes a nice break from driving--and there are some pretty campgrounds post south ferry.

Once upon a time, the ferry had an elegant dining room--but that has gone and now it is fast food.

[harley4275]

Try freecampsites.net

[Lwiddis]

Be careful about the lack of signs prohibiting overnight stays. Ordinances could be worded no overnights unless sign permits it.