Travel/Stay on the US or Canadian side of Niagara Falls

You need special paper work signed by a vet to get into Canada looks like you will be staying on the US side

The falls view is best from the Canadian side in my opinion, but both sides are worth seeing. We prefer the 4 Mile Creek State Park on the US side for camping, but there are several pretty nice parks on both sides if price is not a consideration. 4 Mile Creek is about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls State Park, and includes free entry to the falls park (but not the amenities). All you need for the dog is an up to date rabies shot record signed by the vet, although we were never asked for it. Over the years, we've found the Lewiston/Queenston bridge crossing to usually have the shortest wait times in either direction. You will need your passport or passport card (or enhanced drivers license for those from states/provinces that issue them). Lewiston/Queenston connects to I-190 and on to I-90 that will take you east towards Maine.

I recommend Skylon Towers for a great view on the Canadian side. Dinner is decent, too, in the rotating dining room. Kids love it and you can go onto the observation deck afterward and watch them turn the lights on the falls at dusk. Awesome experience for us!

Recommend the Canadian side if possible. We stayed at the Lundy's Lane KOA - not fancy and the sites are a bit on the snug side, but it was a good base from which to tour the area. We used a tour operator that ran excursions right from the CG. It was pricey, but parking alone the Niagara Falls area in very expensive. The tour included things like the Skylon Tower, Maid of the Mist, tour behind the Falls, etc. We also made a side trip to the locks on Welland Canal at St. Catherine's to watch some freighters go through. Very impressive.

1. Is it better to see Niagara Falls from the US or Canadian side? (It seems I've seen some posts that indicate that the Canada side is better.)

2. If Canada is better, any suggestions re: where to cross the border and any issues I should be aware of re: taking the RV and dog into Canada (I do have all her records re: license/shots).

3. Any suggestions of campgrounds for those 2 nights?

1. I think our plan was the best: start with the Canadian side then also visit the US side.

2. We had our dog when we crossed from Port Huron, MI over to Sarnia, Canada. We had all our papers, but were never asked any questions about the dog, who was greeting the officers from the back seat. Just be prepared as has been previously posted. We had the same experience crossing back into the US at Niagara Falls.

3. We found one of our favorite campgrounds at the Fifty Point Conservation Area in Ontario--probably about a half hour from the falls. It was recommended to us by friends from Ontario who met us at the park and took us in their auto to see the falls. I do highly recommend the Fifty Point Conservation Area. We did spend one night on the US side, but that was just an overnight after we had crossed back over.

4. Can't help on number 4, though we have enjoyed visits to Maine a couple of times; the last time in our RV. We stayed near Bethel, Maine.

We have stayed at Lundy Ln KOA and it worked great and was close to everything. As for Maine, from Buffalo, head on the NY through way past Rochester, Syracuse, Albany to the Mass Pike. From the pike, jump on 290 through Worcester, to 495 north which will bring you to 95 through NH and into Maine. Where in Maine do you plan to go?

After just going earlier this year, I can say the view of the falls from the Canadian side is better, but I like the "park" aspect of the US side. On the US side its much more like a national park. On the Canadian side, its much more touristy imo.

If you want to do "maid of the mist" that is the US side. The Canadian side has one as well, but I think its named different (not that it matters lol). I really think our best viewing was while walking across the rainbow bridge into Canada (aside from maid of the mist).

We really liked 4 mile creek campground as well. Its close enough to the falls to not be a burden to get there, right on lake ontario if that matters, had one of the best cleanest campground restrooms/showers that I have been in (again probably doesn't matter when you have a class A). People were nice, and your park pass there can be used at any of the parks on the US side as well. I really didn't see much checking or inspection of those, but maybe they did it when we were out and about.

We drove through Canada at Sarnia, but we live within an hour of there so it didn't make sense to do it any other way. Don't forget the passports! We had no problems getting in through Sarnia or across to NY, but on the way back through Sarnia they boarded the TT to take a peek. Right at the gate though, we didn't have to pull over for inspection.

If you stay at 4 mile creek, Fort Niagara is right nearby. You may or may not have time to visit that, though we ran through there ourselves and found it pretty neat. Pretty much literally ran through (we didn't have much time but wanted to see it, so did the whirlwind tour style lol).

On the Canadian side you can do the walk under the falls tour which is neat. They have a similar one on the US side but we didn't do that. We did climb the stairs up the falls edge there...crows nest I think it might have been called? As well as the observation deck which also was pretty cool.

Oh, if you walk the bridge to the Canadian side and want to walk to the falls you can...but its a long walk, bring good shoes. :)

Thank you everyone for all the feedback. Very helpful in our planning. We appreciate hearing your experience and advice.

Canada is VERY expensive compared to the USA.Prices were so bad, we're not goin back.And the senery is about the same as the USA,it just depends where you go!!!