Ontario Travels

[Parker Buckley]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Michigan's UP in late August. Being somewhat bored with the usual route up through Michigan from Ohio, we're thinking of crossing into Canada and heading up and around Lake Huron. I couldn't help but notice a dotted line on the map that probably indicates a ferry between Bruce Penninsula and Tobermory. And of course, there is Bruce Penninsula National Park for a possible destination for the first night. Anyone camped here and/or taken the ferry? Certainly looks like a great way to go. We would appreciate hearing about any first-hand experiences.

Thanks,
Parker

[Donna & Chris]

We have camped there and have taken the ferry on another occasion. It is a great campground but because it is "National" they are commited to low enviornmental impact. As such they do not have services like showers. There are privatly operated facilitys just outside the gate. We camped for two weeks and during that time I would say that a lot of the campers were only staying one night and then getting on the ferry. Our opinion of the campground is that it is well worth staying several days and hike the trails to the water, join the hikes with the Park Interpretors. There is a lot to see there.
Donna and Chris

[Parker Buckley]

We have camped there and have taken the ferry on another occasion. It is a great campground but because it is "National" they are commited to low enviornmental impact. As such they do not have services like showers. There are privatly operated facilitys just outside the gate. We camped for two weeks and during that time I would say that a lot of the campers were only staying one night and then getting on the ferry. Our opinion of the campground is that it is well worth staying several days and hike the trails to the water, join the hikes with the Park Interpretors. There is a lot to see there.
Donna and Chris

Thank you! It looks like a beautiful area. We'll heed your advice about staying a little longer. It looks like we'll need reservations as well.

Parker

[Alf S.]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Michigan's UP in late August. Being somewhat bored with the usual route up through Michigan from Ohio, we're thinking of crossing into Canada and heading up and around Lake Huron. I couldn't help but notice a dotted line on the map that probably indicates a ferry between Bruce Penninsula and Tobermory. And of course, there is Bruce Penninsula National Park for a possible destination for the first night. Anyone camped here and/or taken the ferry? Certainly looks like a great way to go. We would appreciate hearing about any first-hand experiences.

Thanks,
Parker

Hi: Parker...We have stayed at a private C.G. just south of Tobermory on the lake Huron side of the peninsula called Lands End Park. It is very nice and the Chi Chi Mon "Big Canoe" ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth(Manitoulin Island) is some ship!!! 1-800-265-3163 for reservations...crossing time 1 3/4 hrs.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Parker Buckley]

Hi: Parker...We have stayed at a private C.G. just south of Tobermory on the lake Huron side of the peninsula called Lands End Park. It is very nice and the Chi Chi Mon "Big Canoe" ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth(Manitoulin Island) is some ship!!! 1-800-265-3163 for reservations...crossing time 1 3/4 hrs.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Alf,

Thanks for the info! It looks like the Bruce Penninsula Nat'l Park doesn't have electrical hookups, which may be an issue depending on weather. We're still not quite free of the 110V shackles yet for heating/air conditioning and haven't taken the leap yet to a generator. I'll check out Lands End. Both look like great places to stay.

Parler

[Alf S.]

Hi: Parker... My wife tells me now that the "Toll Ferry" is only using one engine to save fuel...sounds like a plan... but the crossing is twice as long??? Gas prices are dropping but only slightly and go down much slower than up...HMM!!! Have a nice trip either way.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Jim Bago]

The trip on the "Big Canoe" is one of our favorites. Tobemory is also a delightful town with fun shops, art galleries, and cafes. The stroll around the harbor we took a few years back is one of our favorite memories. There are many delightful towns and cities en route to the tip of the Bruce. Grand Bend, Goderich, Bayfield, and Kincardine are some of our favorites. We've already reserved 5 days at The Pinery near Grand Bend for late August. The miles of sandy beaches and dunes rival those on the east shore of Lake Michigan. It's one of those parks we've been staying at for close to thirty years. Have a great trip (although Michigan would love your tourist dollars as well.)

[Steve L.]

Jim, Autumn,

Which of the Pinery campgrounds do you recommend?

[Jim Bago]

Any spot you can get in on a short notice would be a good site. Burley is wonderful and used to be owned by a distant relative (more of a family area with little or no electrical sies.). Dunes is a great place but attracts alot of younger party people, and Riverside is where you would most likely find reservations if you didn't make them 6 months in advance. (And Riverside is nice also depending on your site.) The nice part is you have access to miles of beach and trails just 2 hours away from Detroit.

[Carol Ann in TO]

Echoing Jim and Autumn..... Dunes gets the under 25s camping alone (without family), Burley is very nice and if choosing Riverside go as deep into it as you can for the nicest experience.
It's a great park. Huge. Like a little town of it's own. And for a great Sunday morning breakfast head into Grand Bend to The Colonial.
Colonial Menu link