Boondocking in Canada, Traveling from Kenora to Ottawa before crossing back to US. Options

[MartinStates]

Hello friends,

Janie and I will be in Kenora, Ontario area for a few weeks in August where we have a place to park. When we leave Kenora we'll be driving to Thunder Bay and then on East to Ottawa before crossing into New York State at Ogdensburg. We're in a Class C with a toad. Does anyone have information about the traveling conditions and opportunities to boondock for overnights as we travel. I suspect we'll stop for sleep three times at least on that jaunt. It looks like we'll be predominantly on Highway 11 or 17E for much of that trip. Any advice is appreciated.

happy travels..... Martin and Janie Class of 2010

[Rae]

The Walmarts are good for overnighting--I stayed at the ones in Kapuskasing and Thunderbay. Kapuskasing has a good free dump at the tourist info place.

I didn't do this myself, but several people told me that the boat launches on Crown land are good places to overnight. Look for the little brown boat launch signs.

You can't really boondock around Ottawa. Check in Gatineau across the river if they still allow overnight parking at the Guertin Arena in Hull (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guertin_Centre).

A good campground in Ottawa is in Nepean--the Ottawa Municipal Campground. Best kept secret in the Ottawa area.

[MartinStates]

Thanks Rae, we thought you might have some ideas for us. I don't think we'll need a spot in Ottawa as our destination is my Dad's place about 18 miles from the bridge across the St. Lawrence into Ogdensburg. If we time it correctly, we'll just drive right on past Ottawa. I guess I'll get a Walmart map to try to figure out our stops. Is there a certain restaurant chain, like Cracker Barrel in the U. S. that allows overnight? From Kenora we could have dropped back into the US and then gone back to Canada at Sault St. Marie, but it seems just as well to avoid the two additional crossings. I suspect fuel will be higher, but we've learned to close our eyes when we pump anyways.

[Rae]

You could do Kenora to Thunderbay in one day (500km), then Thunderbay to Kapuskasing (600km), then overnight somewhere between Kapuskasking and Prescott unless you feel like a LONG day (900km). You won't even be going through Ottawa (unless you consider Kanata to be part of Ottawa, which I don't ).

Forget chain restaurants in northern Ontario outside of the big towns! Prepare to feel very isolated! Walmarts are your best bet for dry camping. One trick I've successfully pulled in northwestern Canada but not Ontario is to gas up and then ask for permission to overnight on the gas station property.

I recommend doing northern route 11 over southern route 17 if you're driving anything bigger than a class B. It's flatter and straighter. Same distances, same speed limits, but 11 is definitely easier in an RV than is 17. Personally, I'd avoid crossing the border a bunch of times. The border at Ogdensburg is tiny and easy; I've crossed there a bunch of times to go shopping in Watertown.

Fuel will definitely be higher, but when you take into consideration the aggravation of crossing the border multiple times it's probably worth the extra money!

[MartinStates]

Thanks Rae, We'll take that advice. I was born in Watertown by the way. I've been over the Odgensburg crossing quite a few times in my life. I notice that North Bay is about the right distance from Kapuskasing for an overnight or we may try that LONG Day idea for that one although overnighting in Prescott means we're a little over an hour from home and then would be tempted to push on. I notice on Mapquest that it says that often we're driving on Provincial Route 11E and Provincial Route 17E or 11B/17B. I guess the better route 11 is the one we'll try to stay on. We're pretty excited about our time in Kenora or actually Asubpeeschoseewagong and then our drive across to Prescott and then Canton.

Happy Travels. Martin

[Rae]

You'll be starting on 17 and have the option just after Thunderbay to take 11 or 17. I'd go north to 11. It'll then rejoin with 17. As I said, same mileage, just an easier route, in my opinion.

[COMer's]

Been up that way a couple times in the past month and can tell you that gas is currently about $1. That makes it just under $4 per gallon and don't figure on any significant exchange rate.

What we have found that works for overnight parkng is the grocery stores. They seem to be everywhere and work fine. Any time we ask they are very cooperative. There are also some home improvement stores with big lots.

[MartinStates]

Thanks COMers, Those are also great tips. we're looking forward to our travels. We pull out tomorrow for a short trip with our grandkids, for a Junior Ranger Program at Bents' Old Fort in Colorado.

[bsouthwoods46]

We travelled hwy 11 in May and camped at two Husky fueling stations, with their permission...Nipigon and Cochrane. This might be an option for you. I know there is also a Husky in Hearst that will permit boondocking. Hope this helps...safe trip!

This post has been edited by bsouthwoods46: Aug 1 2010, 12:02 PM

[bobsea43]

We will me heading across the north shore from MN to Sault St Marie in about 2 weeks. Thanx to you all for the information. It is very useful.

[MartinStates]

First leg of the Canada trip, We're near Winnipeg and we just met Neal and Bernice, other skps and wonderful people as expected. We head to Kenora on Saturday.