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A beginner’s guide to RVing in Canada: Everything you need to know

Posted on Last updated: December 13, 2023

A beginner’s guide to exploring Canada by RV motorhome: All the information you need for your first time RVing in Canada, from choosing an RV and route planning to waste disposal and what to pack.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

AD: My trip was hosted by Explore Canada , but all views are my own.

Two sisters, two weeks, 4500km, four provinces and three time zones – my trip across Canada by RV from Calgary to Toronto was epic in more ways than one. Especially considering neither or us had ever been inside an RV (also known as a motorhome) before. How would this self-confessed camping-phobe cope with life on the road?

RVing in Canada

Setting off from Calgary to Toronto felt like being thrown in at the deep end. But it turns out RVing is a world away from camping, and Canada’s the perfect place to try it out. Travelling by RV gives you all the benefits of camping – beautiful landscapes, nights round the campfire, the feeling of being back to nature – but without the actual tent.

But RVing was a new world with its special terminology (pull-throughs, shore lines, grey water…) and new skills to master. So I thought I’d put together a post for first-time RVers like me, or people who want to find out more about travelling around Canada by RV.

Do you have to rough it?

I’m more budget-luxury than five-star traveller, but there are a few things that are a must wherever I’m staying: comfortable bed, toilet, hot showers, space to unpack and somewhere to keep the wine cold. But my nightmares of freezing nights and mornings spent sweltering at 5am in a tent quickly faded. RV life is a lot more like living in a mini mobile apartment.

It’s surprising how much you can pack into a small space. Our RV was a Cruise Canada ‘Standard’ model – which was 25′ long with two double beds, a bathroom with toilet, shower and sink, and a kitchen with gas cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer and sink. 

The kitchen’s well equipped so you don’t need to rely on campfire cooking; we whipped up steaks and stir fries on board, with plenty of storage space in the fridge and cupboards. And there’s both air con and heating to deal with extreme temperatures.

It’s a good tip to get a bigger RV than you think you need. Ours was listed as sleeping five but was perfect for two or three people. Any more and you’d be tripping over each other. Though you probably want to make sure you travel with someone you get on well with.

You’re going to be in pretty close confines and RVing requires lots of teamwork so there’s not much room for personal space. Luckily my sister and I have spent many family holidays to France in the back of a 1970s VW camper van so we’ve got plenty of experience.

Exploring Canada by RV is also a digital detox, away from TVs, computers and phones. Internet addicts can get their fix with a portable wifi device that works off phone signal. But in large parks like Algonquin the signal doesn’t stretch far into the park so you’ll have to have an enforced technology sabbatical. Leaving more time to spend outside.

The evening campfire was one of my favourite trip rituals. Getting the fire going, searching for the perfect marshmallow stick, making s’mores, talking about what we’d seen that day and where we were off to next. And if it rained, we could stay snug inside the RV, watching films on a laptop and toasting marshmallows on the hob – you can’t do that in a tent.

Isn’t RVing just for retirees?

Canada and the US have a real RV culture. People retire, sell up, buy a big RV and drive south for winter and north for summer, travelling as long as they can. So I was expecting that two British women in our 30s would be an unusual sight around the campsites.

But in general the demographic of our fellow RV travellers was a lot more varied than I imagined. There were a mix of couples, families and groups of friends, with international travellers as well as plenty of Canadians exploring their own country.

Even the long-term RVers were a more mixed group than I expected. As well as retirees we also met families who were travelling with their kids before they started school, as well as people who work remotely so don’t need to have a full-time home base.

Long-term RVers are easy to spot though – they’re the ones with doormats, potted plants and array of collapsible gadgets. They’re also the ones who can help if you need a hand or don’t know how something works. When we arrived at Lake Superior and couldn’t park close enough to the electricity hookup to plug in, our neighbours lent us an extension lead.

All the RVers we met were happy to share their expertise with us newbies. And one of the nicest things about visiting Canada by RV is that it’s much more sociable than a hotel. Everyone spends their time outside so it’s easy to get chatting to your neighbours.

We met some really lovely people from all over the world. We toasted Canada Day around the campfire with a neighbour in Regina Beach and were introduced to ‘hobo pies’ (a kind of toasted jam sandwich) by the lady next door in Aaron Provincial Park.

How do I plan my Canada RV itinerary?

Where to start? Coastal drives, cross-country, mountains, National Parks – the choices are endless. It might be tempting to wing it and see where you end up, but the best campsites get booked up, especially at weekends, in popular areas like the Rockies and during the summer months. So it’s a good idea to plan your route and book overnight stays in advance.

We planned to arrive into our campsites around 4pm while it was still light. That gave us time to set up the RV, light a campfire and stretch our legs with a walk around the site. It’s also recommended not to drive at dawn or dusk as moose and deer venture onto the roads.

When planning how long journeys will take, Google Maps tends to underestimate the time it takes to travel in an RV. We downloaded the free  Navmii Canada GPS app which we found was more accurate. It works offline if you don’t have phone data and you can also get it to show you nearest fuel stations – helpful when you’re in the middle of nowhere. A good old-fashioned paper road map is useful too in case you can’t get a phone signal.

The quickest route from A to B is usually via the highway. But if you get off the main roads there’s more to see, so factor in plenty of time in case you spot something interesting along the way – the Roadtrippers website has some good ideas. The joy of RVing in Canada is you can just pull over and stop and make a cup of tea or have lunch when you feel like it.

What facilities do campsites have?

Canadian campsite facilities vary a lot depending on the location and size of the site – our experiences camping in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario ranged from simple pitches in the forest to full holiday complexes. The larger, privately run sites often come with additional facilities like shops, cafés and swimming pools.

You’re also more likely to get a full hookup where you can connect your power, water and sewage lines directly from your pitch. But most of the time we stayed in Provincial Park campgrounds which were more ‘back to nature’. There was usually a reception building where you check in and can stock up on ice and firewood.

Then there were toilet and shower blocks with laundry facilities (keep a supply of ‘loonies’ – aka one dollar coins, the name comes from the birds which are pictured on them). Most had electrical hookups and filling/dumping stations for water and waste.

The facilities might be simple but the location is what makes these campsites so special. We parked up next to lakes, waterfalls and forests. But my favourite spot was at Lake Superior Provincial Park. The campsite ran along the edge of the lakeshore with just two rows of RVs surrounded by tall pine trees. Within 10 metres of our pitch was a huge sandy beach and a lake which stretched as far as you can see, with a bench perfect for a sunset G&T.

You’ve also got wildlife all around you. We had gophers popping up in Regina Beach and a raccoon who raided next door’s cool box for cereal bars in Killarney Provincial Park. Though you need to be careful not to leave food out in areas where there are bears .

Is it hard to drive an RV?

I delegated this question to my sister as she was the designated driver for the trip, but despite never having driven an RV before she had no trouble with it. Like any large vehicle it takes longer to get going and to stop, so leave plenty of space around you.

Canadian roads are generally fairly wide and straight, and outside the towns and cities it’s not too difficult to navigate (we pretty much joined the Trans-Canada Highway in Calgary and got off it two weeks later when we reached Toronto ).

Do make a note of the RV’s width and height just in case you have to go through a small space or low bridge. The gas tank takes a while to fill up (our record was $200 of fuel) and if you’re going faster, like on long straight prairie roads, you get through fuel quicker.

When you arrive into a campsite your pitch will either be ‘pull-through’ – where you can drive straight in – or you’ll have to reverse in. RVs aren’t the easiest things to reverse as visibility is limited in the mirrors, so we found it easier for me to get out of the vehicle and shout directions (seasoned RVers recommend a walkie talkie if you’re doing this a lot).

It can be hard to find somewhere to park up if you’re stopping in towns and cities. It’s a good idea to research parking lots in advance. Some have extra-large spaces for RVs or otherwise be prepared to practice your parallel parking skills if parking on the street.

What about the dreaded RV waste disposal?

The one thing that strikes fear into prospective RVers is emptying the toilet tank. Not something you normally have to do when you’re on holiday! But it’s really not as bad as I imagined. The RV has two separate waste tanks – one for grey water (from the sinks and shower) and one for black water (from the toilet).

Some sites have a hookup for the sewage pipe where you can leave it connected. But on all of our campsites you had to empty the tank at the site’s dumping station. A control panel inside the RV tells you how full the tanks are. You can go for a few days without emptying them, but it does weigh you down and being heavier means you get through more fuel.

So we went for the ‘little and often’ approach and dumped our waste every day or two. An expandable pipe pulls out from the side of the RV and connects securely into a valve in the ground. Then you pull the handle to release the black water first and then the grey to wash it through. There are a couple of things you can do to make it all a bit less unpleasant.

First buy some heavy duty rubber gloves (we kept ours in a plastic bag in the storage compartment under the RV) and second get some tank cleaner/deodoriser tablets to make things smell a bit sweeter. You can also pay a supplement not to have to empty the tank when you return the RV to the depot, which is worth it if you’re in a hurry on the last day.

What do I need to pack?

One of the bonuses of exploring Canada by RV is having plenty of storage space, so you’ve got room to pack the RV or motorhome accessories to help make your trip easier.

We had a wardrobe, two sets of drawers and cupboards above the bed and table. There’s also a storage area underneath the RV for a folding table and chairs plus firewood and suitcases. Once you’ve unpacked, you don’t need to pack up again until the end of your trip.

If you go out for the day and realise you should’ve worn an extra jumper or need a coat or suncream, it’s all there with you. But if you’re flying internationally you’re not going to want to carry pillows, towels, saucepans and crockery with you (the kitchen sink is included!).

Cruise Canada offer a couple of different equipment kits. We had a provisioning kit ($125) which included cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, a kettle, can opener, knives and chopping board, plus extras like a torch and broom. There’s also a personal kit ($75 per person) with towels, a pillow and duvet. It’s a good idea to reserve these kits in advance.

Nights can get cold so you might want to bring or buy a blanket and pack some thermal pyjamas – I kept a fleece and a pair of socks next to the bed so I could add extra layers if I got cold in the middle of the night. The RV does also have heating if it gets really chilly.

Make sure you pack everything in tightly before you set off. Our last campsite in Algonquin Provincial Park was down a six-mile stretch of unsealed road. Within a couple of minutes of rattling along the road the wardrobe door had flown open, water bottles were shooting across the floor and the drawers had thrown half their contents out.

Even bumps and bends along an ordinary road can send things flying, so make sure everything is stowed away before you set off. The RV’s crockery cupboard has dividers to keep plates and cups safe. But things do slide around the food cupboard above the dining table. So it’s a good idea store your groceries in a box so they don’t get shaken about.

Being outside means you’re exposed to a few creepy crawlies. Canadian mosquitoes can be vicious, especially in the summer, so it’s a good idea to pack mosquito repellent * and bite cream, and pick up citronella candles or mosquito coils *. Cover up your arms and legs up at dusk and you can also get clothing impregnated with repellent to keep them away.

Other bits and pieces we found useful to have were a washing line and pegs * (to air towels and dry clothes if you’re doing any hand washing), a grill if you want to cook outside, matches and firelighters (you can buy these along with kindling and logs in most park shops) and plenty of marshmallows for toasting over the campfire.

Where to next?

The thing with RVing in Canada is that it gets addictive. The freedom to go whenever you fancy, the convenience, the chance to dip your toes in the outdoor lifestyle without having to rough it. So the only question left is where to next? Maybe the Rockies , the Cabot Trail through Nova Scotia or the coast of Newfoundland – who knows where the road will take us?

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John Maloney

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Liked your article. We are heading to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon in April 2024. First time renting a conversion van. Looking forward to the experience.

Lucy Dodsworth

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Thanks – and hope you have a fantastic trip!

Shane Devenish

Tuesday 19th of December 2023

I really enjoyed your article Lucy. Are you agreeable if I share it on our website with credit to you?

Wednesday 20th of December 2023

Hi Shane, I don't normally allow reproduction of full articles but very happy for you to publish and extract with a link back to the original for the full post. Thanks!

Monday 24th of July 2023

This article was fantastic. Thank you for sharing

Thanks so much!

Stefania D'Angeli

Tuesday 20th of June 2023

Sounds sooooo cool! We are 3 Italians who would like to travel across Canada from Sept 20th for about a month. We have read that we could find some issues with the antifreeze that would NOT allow us to use any water, because looks like from Oct 1st the rentals empty the water tanks and put some antifreeze. Do you know anything about this? We are not planning to go anywhere (too) cold, except the first days in the National Parks and then towards the Great Lakes up to Toronto and Montreal. But we are wondering how could we travelling for more than a month without any water on board.

Thank you in advance for any help you could give!

Sunday 25th of June 2023

Hi, I'm not hugely familiar with winter hire but it seems that winterizing is normally from mid-October to March so you might be able to avoid it with your dates – and there are some RV companies which hire RVs with heated water tanks that can be used all year. Otherwise you would have to access water at campgrounds. But it's speaking to the RV hire company and find out what they say based on your route as dates vary by region.

Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi, are you able to "wild camp" in Canada in RV's? Eg not book a campsite and just find a nice spot to park for the night? Obviously leaving the area as you found it/if not cleaner?

Thursday 15th of June 2023

Hi Gemma, wild camping is permitted in Canada but the rules do vary by province so you would need to check depending on where you're going, and it's generally not permitted in National Parks or Provincial Parks.

Top RV road trips in Canada

Things to do

There's something special about the freedom of the open road in Canada. You've got the window rolled down, a cool breeze in your face, a ribbon of highway ahead - and countless possibilities on the horizon. Indeed, some 38,000 kilometres of paved pathways External Link Title crisscross the country.

But it's all the more sweet if you're exploring Canada by camper, RV or trailer, checking into campsites External Link Title at the end of the day. You can make your own meals, huddle around a crackling fire, fall asleep to the call of loons, and wake up to the sun rising over a lake. Plus, there's no packing and unpacking between destinations.

To help you make the most of your RV experience in Canada, and guide you through those countless possibilities, here's a province-by-province coast-to-coast top RV road trip list.

1. Coast to the Rockies, British Columbia

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Destination British Columbia (@hellobc) External Link Title on Jun 17, 2019 at 8:28am PDT

It may only take two days to drive, but this seaside-to-peak-side route External Link Title screams for several days of exploration. From hot springs and award-winning wineries to enchanting provincial and national parks, the variety of British Columbia sites along the way will have you stopping often. Hop into your RV or camper rental in Vancouver External Link Title , then head east to Hope External Link Title and Hwy. 3 (also known as the Crowsnest Hwy.). Pull into all-season Manning Provincial Park External Link Title to spot 206 species of birds while canoeing on Lightning Lake. Then sample local fruit and wine in the southern Okanagan External Link Title town of Osoyoos External Link Title and sink into steamy Radium Hot Springs External Link Title before arriving at the bustling mountain town of Banff, Alberta External Link Title .

Starting point : Vancouver

Length : 700 miles

Time : 3-5 days

Essential stops : E-Bike Safaris External Link Title , Christina Lake External Link Title , Kootenay National Park External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

2. Cowboy Trail, Alberta

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Travel Alberta (@travelalberta) External Link Title on Oct 17, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

Catch a glimpse of Alberta 's Wild West and ranching life on the fabled Cowboy Trail External Link Title . Tucked among the Rocky Mountain External Link Title foothills, this gently rolling route is ideal for experiencing Canada by mobile home. After picking up a pair of cowboy kicks at Calgary 's Alberta Boot Company External Link Title , you're all set to explore Bragg Creek's antique shops External Link Title , Millarville's famous farmers' market External Link Title , Turner Valley's Western arts and crafts External Link Title , and Longview's Bar U Ranch National Historic Site External Link Title . And lay down at these campgrounds External Link Title .

Starting point : Calgary

Length : 65 miles

Time : 1-2 days

Essential stops : Calgary Stampede External Link Title , MacKay's Ice Cream External Link Title , Eau Claire Distillery External Link Title , and more. External Link Title

3. Trans-Canada Hwy., Saskatchewan

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Saskatchewan (@tourismsask) External Link Title on Aug 30, 2018 at 10:32am PDT

The Trans-Canada Hwy. External Link Title is an ideal choice for motoring across the country while stopping to enjoy sites lesser known along the way - especially in Saskatchewan where pleasant plains and rolling hills give way to accessible side trips External Link Title and places to pull into for the night External Link Title . Heading east to west, first stop is Moose Mountain Provincial Park External Link Title and its network of forested hiking trails just 36 miles off the highway. Other stops cater to the foodies and nature lovers on board.

Starting point : Whitewood

Length : 963 miles (includes side trips)

Time : 3-6 nights

Essential stops : Indian Head Bakery External Link Title , Little Red Market Caf? External Link Title , Chaplin Nature Centre External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

4. City to Country Circuit, Manitoba

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Travel Manitoba (@travelmanitoba) External Link Title on Sep 7, 2018 at 7:00am PDT

Stock up on locally sourced supplies and goodies at Winnipeg External Link Title 's historic The Forks External Link Title , then head west from the provincial External Link Title capital on the Yellowhead Hwy. External Link Title . Take time to explore the southern Manitoba towns dotting the route, including Neepawa External Link Title and its Margaret Laurence Home External Link Title (a Provincial Heritage Site), and Wasagaming on the sandy shores of Clear Lake External Link Title in Riding Mountain National Park External Link Title . Here , settle into your campsite before embarking on a self-guided bison tour External Link Title through fescue grasslands. Also stay a spell in Spruce Woods Provincial Park External Link Title to the south, where landmarks like Spirit Sands External Link Title and Devil's Punch Bowl External Link Title delight. Swing back east to Winnipeg to complete the circuit.

Starting point: Winnipeg

Length : 372 miles

Time : 2-3 days

Essential stops : Farmery Estate Brewery External Link Title , Lake House Restaurant External Link Title , The Chocolate Fox External Link Title , and more in central Manitoba External Link Title and the Parkland region External Link Title .

5. Georgian Bay, Ontario

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Ontario Travel (@ontariotravel) External Link Title on Oct 25, 2016 at 7:30am PDT

Hit a few of Ontario 's top natural beauties, along with several provincial parks and ample campgrounds, on this RV driving loop External Link Title in the province External Link Title 's vibrant southeast corner. Start with a Journey Behind the Falls Tour External Link Title at Niagara Falls External Link Title , where some 168,000 cubic metres of water plummet every minute on summer days. Then take to the road around lighthouse-lined, clear-blue Georgian Bay, External Link Title hopping the ferry to laidback Manitoulin Island External Link Title on the way. Head west for the return jaunt past canoe-friendly External Link Title French River Provincial Park External Link Title and Killbear Provincial Park External Link Title with its sublime bay sunsets. Explore more Georgian Bay RV road trips External Link Title .

Starting point : Niagara Falls

Length : 720 miles

Time : 1 week

Essential stops : Winery Tours of Niagara External Link Title , The Island Jar External Link Title , Island Queen Cruise External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

6. Summit Drive, Quebec

Leisurely motor up the highest mountains in southern Quebec while cruising past shimmering lakes and 18 lively villages on this Eastern Townships External Link Title journey External Link Title . Panoramic views are guaranteed, including from outlooks in Frontenac National Park External Link Title on the shores of Grand lac Saint-Fran?ois, Mont-Ham National Park External Link Title and Mont-M?gantic National Park External Link Title - the latter boasting a star observatory External Link Title in the world's first International Dark Sky Reserve External Link Title . Pull in for the night at one of these well-serviced campgrounds External Link Title .

Starting point : La Patrie

Length : 120 miles

Time : 1-3 days

Essential stops : Lambton Church and Historical Tour External Link Title , Granite Museum External Link Title , Piopolis External Link Title , and more External Link Title

7. Viking Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Newfoundland Labrador Tourism (@newfoundlandlabrador) External Link Title on Apr 2, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Fossils, Vikings and icebergs, oh my. Discovering Canada by camper External Link Title puts you in touch with the country's natural and human history - especially on western Newfoundland 's storied Viking Trail External Link Title . The route passes not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each celebrated for profound discoveries and captivating landscapes. Fossil-rich Gros Morne National Park External Link Title impresses with fjords, mountains, and beaches just beyond the start of the trail, while L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site External Link Title harbors the remains of a Viking settlement at the northernmost tip of the province. Also here, 12,000-year-old icebergs External Link Title floating off the coast - watch them from your own ride or on a guided boat tour External Link Title .

Starting point : Deer Lake

Length : 327 miles

Essential stops : Gros Morne Theatre Festival External Link Title , Port au Choix National Historic Site External Link Title , Grenfell Historic Properties External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

8. River Valley Ride, New Brunswick

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by New/Nouveau-Brunswick, Canada (@destinationnb) External Link Title on Jun 30, 2017 at 3:01pm PDT

Dip into culture and cuisine along New Brunswick 's St. John River - designated a Canadian Heritage River External Link Title for its First Nations and early explorer history. Capture the waterway at its most spectacular in the city of Grand Falls External Link Title , named for the 23-metre-high waterfalls plunging into a gorge External Link Title - its 401 steps await you. Then visit Potato World External Link Title in Florenceville-Bristol, dubbed the French Fry Capital of the World, and pick up fresh fiddleheads and fruit at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market External Link Title in the provincial capital External Link Title . Tour the artsy Village of Gagetown External Link Title or the twisting Kennebecasis River External Link Title on the southern stretch of the route External Link Title . And choose from this mix of campgrounds External Link Title .

Starting point : Edmundston

Length : 310 miles

Time : 3-4 days

Essential stops : Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault External Link Title , Florenceville-Bristol Outdoor Summer Market External Link Title , Kings Landing External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

9. Central Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

View this post on Instagram External Link Title A post shared by Central Coastal Drive PEI (@centralcoastalpei) External Link Title on Aug 26, 2019 at 3:25pm PDT

Scenic seaside drives abound on Prince Edward Island - making it ideal territory for campers and RV travelers. In particular, the Central Coastal External Link Title circle route serves up two different sides External Link Title of the province that can easily be enjoyed on one trip. The southern Red Sands Shore External Link Title tempts with its namesake rouge-hued beaches External Link Title , cliffs, and clay roads. And while more red landscapes beckon along the Green Gables Shore External Link Title , so do white-sand beaches, 11-plus golf courses External Link Title , and Anne of Green Gables points of interest External Link Title - learn all about Canada's famous fictional redheaded heroine at Green Gables Heritage Place External Link Title .

Starting point : Charlottetown

Length : 157 miles

Essential stops : Victoria-by-the-Sea External Link Title , Indian River Festival External Link Title , Prince Edward Island National Park External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

10. Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia

Adventure on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Nova Scotia 's Eastern Shore External Link Title RV driving route skirts a rocky coastline interspersed with sandy beaches - all within reach of well-kept campsites External Link Title . Surf at Lawrencetown Beach External Link Title and sunbathe at Martinique Beach External Link Title provincial parks, then take a break to browse Canadian folk art at the Black Sheep Gallery External Link Title . Get up close and personal with the province's 100 Wild Islands on a kayak day trip External Link Title before winding down the day - and your Eastern Shore journey - over a refreshing Rare Bird External Link Title IPA in the sleepy seacoast town of Guysborough.

Starting point : Halifax

Length : 249 miles

Essential stops : Murphy's Camping on the Ocean External Link Title , Taylor Head Provincial Park External Link Title , Sherbrooke Village External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

11. Klondike Kluane Loop, Yukon

Fly into the Yukon capital of Whitehorse External Link Title to pick up your RV or camper rental, then make tracks north on the Klondike Highway for a flash of gold rush history. Take a guided walking tour External Link Title along wooden boardwalks in the National Historic Site of Dawson City External Link Title before striking out for the nearby goldfields. Next up, nature. Veer west on the Top of the World Highway with its mountains-forever views, and southeast on the famous Alaska Highway External Link Title along Kluane Lake - watch for grazing Dall's sheep External Link Title on the slopes above. The loop External Link Title 's return stretch passes through the wilderness village of Haines Junction External Link Title at the foot of the massive Saint Elias Mountains. Choose from a variety of campsites External Link Title en route.

Starting point : Whitehorse

Length : 892 miles

Essential stops : Sourdough Saloon External Link Title , Kluane National Park and Reserve External Link Title , Da K? Cultural Centre External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

12. Deh Cho Travel Connection, Northwest Territories

Explore a slice of Canada's vast north External Link Title on this all-encompassing circle trip External Link Title . Starting in either British Columbia or Alberta, the mostly paved route passes by two UNESCO World Heritage Sites External Link Title , three major river systems and seven Insta-worthy waterfalls in the Northwest Territories . Along the way pick up aboriginal arts and crafts in the hamlet of Enterprise External Link Title and supplies in the town of Fort Simpson External Link Title - steeped in First Nations, gold rush and fur trade history. Then roll into comfortable campsites at Sambaa Deh Falls External Link Title , Queen Elizabeth External Link Title and other territorial parks External Link Title .

Starting point : Dawson Creek, B.C., or Grimshaw, Alberta

Length : 1,864 miles

Time : 1-2 weeks

Essential stop s: Nahanni National Park Reserve External Link Title , Wood Buffalo National Park External Link Title , Alexandra Falls External Link Title , and more External Link Title .

Tips for Travelling in Canada by Camper

• Campsites in Canada's parks fill up fast. For national parks, visit https://reservation.pc.gc.ca External Link Title to make reservations and purchase a park pass. For provincial parks, visit individual government websites to reserve. Aim for mid-week stays to avoid the busier weekends.
• Note that many campgrounds and establishments are seasonal or scale back on services and availability from late fall to spring.
• Respect campground quiet times and house rules.
• Check if campfires External Link Title are permitted, and always make sure your fire is completely out before leaving.
• Store all food away to help prevent bear and other wildlife encounters.
• Pack out what you pack in and leave each site as you found it.
• Whenever possible, stay on established hiking and biking trails to reduce erosion.

RV Renting and Driving

• Book your Canadian RV, mobile home, camper or trailer rental well in advance of your trip. And confirm what is and isn't included, such as mileage, insurance and convenience packages (dishes, utensils, cleaning supplies, etc.).
• Make sure you have the proper licence and insurance requirements for driving an RV in Canada (check with individual provinces and your car insurance broker).
• Be courteous on the road by staying in the right-hand lane to let faster vehicles pass on the left.
• Talking on a hand-held device while driving is against the law and subject to distracted driving legislation External Link Title .
• When passing emergency vehicles at work, Slow Down, Move Over External Link Title laws apply.

Visit Go RVing Canada External Link Title for more tips.

Wondering where to experience Canada by mobile home? 

Discover more road trip ideas across Canada External Link Title

Get inspired

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10 RV road trip destinations across Ontario

Auto Insurance , inews

We understand that planning the perfect spring road trip itinerary can be difficult, so we’ve done the research to help you get started. Have the Notes app in your phone ready because these top RV road trip destinations across Ontario will have the kids asking, “Are we there, yet?”

1. Tobermory

You’ll find this quaint, lakeside town at the top of the Bruce Peninsula, just a few hours outside of the busy Toronto city. As you drive through the town, be sure to take in the majestic views of the clear waters and Niagara Escarpment that surround you. Tobermory is home to Flowerpot Island , two national parks and some of the best hiking trails on the Peninsula. Hop in a kayak with the kids, discover a shipwreck or enjoy the tantalizing flavours of local white fish at Fish & Chip Place . The kids will love that there is no shortage of activities in Tobermory—swimming, snorkeling, cave-exploring and watching the sunset should all be on your RV spring bucket list this year.

tobermory.com

If you’re going to experience an RV road trip across Ontario, you must make a pit stop in Ottawa. For those that aren’t aware, Ottawa is Canada’s capital and home to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Roam the grounds of Parliament Hill in a guided tour—you may even have the chance to say hello to the PM and his family! Discover the world of dinosaurs at the Canadian Museum of Nature . Or, fly off to the northern side of town and brush up on your aerodynamic history at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum .

Looking to keep the kids active? Ottawa is known for their cycling, so rent a couple of bikes and get to it. They’ll also enjoy the a-maze-ing attractions at Saunders Farm. Not only do they have North America’s largest collection of hedge mazes, but they also offer pedal cart racing, water spray zones, hayride tours and unique play structures. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, venture off to the Ottawa River . You and the kids can cast out your fishing rods and compete for the biggest catch of the day!

3. Prince Edward County

Although many consider this spot to be one of Ontario’s go-to wine and cheese locations, there are many family-friendly activities you can enjoy in Prince Edward County. Face off to see who can get the best mini putt score at Caddy Shack Miniature Golf . Or take things back to the good ol’ days and catch a flick at the Mustang Drive-In . Park the RV and unplug at The Mariners Park Museum , where the kids can enjoy the awesome playground and lighthouse. They’ll enjoy learning about treasure, shipwrecks and pirates. You won’t want to miss getting up close and personal with the farm animals at Waupoo’s Winery —pigs, chickens, goats, sheep—you name it, they’ve got it!

thecounty.ca

4. niagara falls.

Don’t worry—you and the family won’t have to cross the American border to enjoy one of the most fascinating natural wonders of the world. Suit up in your best rain ponchos and soak up every drop of The Falls aboard the Maid of the Mist . If you prefer swimsuits and water slides, Great Wolf Lodge or Fallsview Indoor Waterpark will provide endless hours of fun for the entire family. If the kiddos want to see The Falls from a bird’s eye view, Niagara Helicopters provides a 12-minute flight with no minimum age required. Make it a weekend getaway with a Fun Pass at Clifton Hill —haunted houses, wax museums, go-karts, arcades and more await. And before you leave to continue on your RV road trip, take a spin on the Niagara SkyWheel . Soar 175-feet above Niagara Falls for the view of a lifetime!

niagarafallstourism.com

5. algonquin provincial park.

We couldn’t share our list of must-see destinations in Ontario without including this well-known camping location for families. Park your RV or travel trailer at one of Algonquin’s designated campsites and stretch your limbs after your long journey. Lace up your comfiest hiking shoes and head over to the Visitor Centre for hours of discovery with games, animals and stories. If you’d rather explore at your own free will, stay up-to-date with their Spring Events calendar or brave one of the many trails that the park has to offer. And don’t forget—there’s plenty of water and recreational activities to choose from! There’s boating, biking, Whitewater canoeing, fishing, wildlife watching and more. Fun fact: Algonquin Provincial Park is 7,630km². For reference, that is larger than Prince Edward Island—Canada’s smallest province!

algonquinpark.on.ca

6. kakabeka provincial park.

Another amazing spot for an RV trip in Ontario is Kakabeka Provincial Park. Approximately 32 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, this provincial park is full of beautiful views and scenery to explore. One of the highlights of Kakabeka are the waterfalls, featuring 40 metres of freshwater falling over a rock face that is millions of years old. The parking lot is the perfect place to set up camp, even with a larger RV, as the park is easily accessible from there. Also referred to as the “Niagara of the North”, Kakabeka is a great spot for the whole family to kick back and relax.

kakabekafalls.com

7. terrace bay.

Located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Terrace Bay is a breathtaking place to take in nature’s beauty. Featuring a 100 foot waterfall and gorge, there is lots to explore while camping out at Terrace Bay. If you have older kids and are looking for a challenge, we recommend trying the Casques Isles trail, a 53 km-intense hike around the bay. The trail also has a direct path to the beach at Terrace Bay, where you can enjoy the white sand and clear waters. There is also a volleyball court for families to enjoy!

terracebay.ca

8. greig’s caves.

Located in the Bruce Peninsula, Greig’s Caves are a fascinating place for families to explore. With 10 unique limestone caves, this destination offers a chance to see different rock formations up close. You can hike through the surrounding forests and travel along a smaller trail where you will see breathtaking views of Georgian Bay. It’s important to know that dogs are not allowed in the caves. So, you may want to take turns exploring without your furry friend. We also recommend wearing hiking shoes!

greigscaves.ca

9. muskoka lakes.

Another great spot for an RV road trip is Muskoka Lakes. Just a few hours outside of Toronto, Muskoka Lakes truly has something for everyone! From hiking trails to lakes and waterfalls, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. For some fun in the sun once the weather gets warmer, visit the High Falls Bay Campground and waterpark. You can enjoy paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, water toys and a long, sandy beach.

muskokalakes.ca

10. Arrowhead Provincial Park

Finally, this provincial park is another great opportunity to reconnect with nature. Located in Huntsville, Ontario, Arrowhead Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and kayaking in the spring and summer. This great escape from city life may be exactly what your family needs on your RV road trip this spring!

arrowheadprovincialpark.com

Now that you and your family are equipped with an adventurous RV road trip itinerary, you need to ensure that your loved ones (and new investment) are protected. Much like your other vehicles, the RV, motorhome or travel trailer that you own requires the proper auto insurance . We never like to plan for the worst, but having the proper auto insurance coverage will give you that peace of mind.

Luckily for you, our isure brokers can provide you with expert advice and the best quotes tailored to your lifestyle. As Ontario’s leading broker, we make sure that you’re not surprised by the fine print in policies because quite simply, you shouldn’t be. You can insure your RV on a stand-alone policy or bundle as an addition to your current insurance policy. Send us an email, communicate via Live Chat or call us (toll-free) at 1-877-514-7873 to inquire today. 

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8 of the Best Ontario Road Trips

March 30, 2021 By Matthew G. Bailey 59 Comments

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With over a million square kilometres of terrain to explore, there’s no shortage of things to do in Ontario . Canada’s second-largest province is home to everything from lakes and rivers, to cities and culture. One of the best ways to see all that Ontario has to offer is to take one of the many incredible Ontario road trips, whether that’s exploring major cities like Toronto and Ottawa, or getting out into the wilderness and exploring one of the millions of lakes around the province.

So without further ado, here are the 8 best Ontario road trips for you to take this summer.

Table of Contents

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake

British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill visited Niagara Falls in 1943 and is quoted as saying that the Niagara Parkway is the “prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.” Now that tells you something!

Niagara Falls is certainly no secret. In fact, it’s one of the top attractions in all of Canada. However, considering its beauty, and the fact that it’s only 30-minutes from Toronto, we couldn’t leave it out as an incredible road trip. To make the most of this Ontario road trip, extend your trip to spend a day (or two or three) in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region as well, taking the Niagara Parkway, which follows the Niagara River through beautiful wineries, parks, historical sites, and more. There’s plenty of places to try delicious food, snacks, and of course, wine! Plus, each season presents new scenery, such as blossoming flowers in the spring, hot weather in the summer, and winter festivals during the colder months. You can even extend your trip down to Fort Erie, which is south of Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Parkway is a short scenic drive running parallel to the Niagara River from Fort Erie at the bottom to Niagara-on-the-Lake at the top. It’s only 55 kilometres (34 miles) in length and takes just over an hour without any stops. Of course, doing the trip without stops would defeat the purpose, as you’d miss all the villages and attractions along the way, such as Old Fort Erie, Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, a variety of wineries, and much more.

This short road trip can easily be made into a full day or a full week depending on what you want to do. For example, you could spend a day learning about the history of the area at Fort Erie, spend a few days in Niagara Falls to enjoy the beautiful views and the variety of attractions, and then spend a couple of days peddle-biking around wineries or catching one of the many performances during the Shaw Festival. After all, biking is so much better after a few glasses of wine.

Popular things to do include:

• Wandering through the Historic District
• Taking a food tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Touring the many wineries
• Watching a performance at the Shaw Festival
• Taking a Hornblower Cruise at Niagara Falls
• Flying over Niagara Falls in a helicopter

Staying in Niagara Falls but wanting to explore the wineries without the worry of driving? The Niagara-on-the-Lake Shuttle offered from May 5th until October 29th is only $7.00 one-way for an adult ($5.00 for a child) and runs every 60 minutes from 10:30 am until 5:30 pm, departing from the Floral Clock.

Ottawa to Toronto via Algonquin Park

When it comes to visiting Canada’s capital city and Canada’s largest city, there’s no shortage of things to do in Toronto and Ottawa . However, far too many people take the major highway that connects both cities instead of opting for the much-more scenic route through Algonquin Park. Known as the Highway 60 Corridor , this road trip cuts through the south end of the park from the east gate to the west gate, taking you through lush forest, while providing many opportunities to explore hiking trails, beautiful lakes, lookout points, campgrounds, and even an art centre.

Think of it like a massive oasis right in-between two of Canada’s most famous cities. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Ottawa, take a few days to get back to nature in Algonquin Park, and then get right back into the action in Toronto. If you still have time, continue down to Niagara Falls and the stunning wine region for even more relaxation and sightseeing.

Algonquin Provincial Park, established in 1893, is the oldest provincial park in Canada and a national historic site. It’s about 7,653 square kilometres (almost 3,000 square miles) and is a great place to spend a few days outdoors. It contains more than 2,400 lakes and more than 1,200 kilometres of streams and rivers. Due to its location, it can be busy but is still a great opportunity to go hiking, canoeing, camping, wildlife viewing, or to simply see where the northern coniferous forest and southern deciduous forest meet.

Hamilton Waterfalls

Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls may have been a hit song but we don’t advise listening to the lyrics when in Hamilton. This is, after all, Ontario’s waterfall capital , and we highly recommend you do go chasing them. Hamilton is only an hour’s drive from Toronto, making it one of the best day trips from Toronto, but also an excellent road trip as well. Rather than a long-distance type of drive, this one is more focused on seeing as many of the 100 waterfalls as you can.

All around the region, there are hiking trails and parks that allow you to see the thundering beauty of many different waterfalls, including the very popular Devils Punchbowl Falls, which is a 37-metre ribbon waterfall. Many of the waterfalls are located around the Bruce Trail Conservancy, but what makes this area unique is that you can easily combine some easy hikes through nature with urban charm as well, such as shopping for antiques on Locke Street, sightseeing at Dundas Peak, or learning about the city’s history at Dundurn Castle or the Steam and Technology Museum. Hamilton is also known for its thriving arts scene and the Supercrawl Festival, which is a great time to taste local food and craft beer.

Thousand Islands National Park

Perhaps one of the most beautiful and unique places in Ontario is Thousand Islands, which is just a short road trip from Ottawa or Toronto. Someone miscounted because there’s actually more than 1,800 islands residing around the St. Lawrence River, but either way, this is a gorgeous place to go for a road trip and then a water trip as well. Not only is it a stunning place to take a boat tour or to go kayaking and canoeing, but it’s also a great place to check out extraordinary lighthouses, historic castles, and learn about the unique history, which includes pirates and smuggling.

This national park straddles the American border and offers a range of things to do on land and on the water. If you had one of those cars that can also float in the water, this would be the trip to take!

Prince Edward County

If you love wine but are looking for something different than Niagara-on-the-Lake, consider visiting charming Prince Edward County in-between Toronto and Ottawa. A favourite amongst wine and cheese lovers, this vacation destination is the home to many passionate winemakers, giving you the chance to drink the province’s best Pinot Noir before walking the white sand beach of Sandbanks Provincial Park. But there’s more than Pinot Noir as well. The region is home to more than three dozen wineries, as well as two local cheese producers. In fact, if you really want to indulge, make your way here in June when the Great Canadian Cheese Festival comes to town. This can easily be a day trip from Toronto or Ottawa, but it’s much better to book a stay at a cottage or a local bed-and-breakfast and just relax.

Oxford County Cheese Trail

Want even more cheese? Then this road trip is for you. In Oxford County, near London, Ontario, you can follow a specific route to explore all 98 cheese factories in the area. Okay, maybe not all of them. That’s a lot of cheese! However, along the Oxford County Cheese Trail , you’ll find eight different companies showcasing their products and teaching you about the agricultural industry of the county. The nice thing about doing your own road trip tour is that you can make it as short or as long as you wish. Go for a few hours or stay for a few days. It’s not like it’s just cheese either. You’ll also find artisans, entertainment, and nature as well.

The entire trail consists of 24 stops featuring cheese, dairy, and other offerings that make for a unique road trip that’s not too far from both Toronto and Niagara Falls. It’s even close to some U.S. cities such as Detroit and Buffalo.

Downtown Toronto to Newmarket

While this 83-kilometre stretch of road may not be your typical road trip, it’s kind of a cool thing to do in Ontario. After all, it’s proclaimed to be the longest road in the world and is in the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s mostly situated on Yonge Street, taking you from the bustling downtown core of Toronto all the way north to Newmarket. You can visit the suburbs of Richmond Hill and North York, enjoy a glass of wine at Holland Marsh Winery, stroll the Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, or learn some history at the Elman W. Campbell Museum. In fact, the road itself is quite historical as it was part of the infrastructure that established Upper Canada in the 1790s and provided access to the Great Lakes in case of invasion from the U.S. after independence. If you want to continue North, you can visit places such as Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay.

Lake Superior Circle Tour

Last but certainly not least, the Lake Superior Circle Tour is by-far the most adventurous Ontario road trip of them all. In fact, it’s on our bucket list of road trips in Canada. We’ve technically done half of the route but only did it to get from point A to point B, missing out on all the beautiful sights in-between. There are essentially two Lake Superior road trips you can do. The full Lake Superior Circle Tour takes you through the Canadian side on the northern half and the American side on the South. You will cross the border twice and should aim to spend a couple of weeks to fully enjoy it. The shorter version is the Lake Superior Half Circle Tour, which sticks only to the Canadian side, comprised of the area in-between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay. This stretch of the road trip is over 700 kilometres in length and can take anywhere from a really rushed-day to a multiple-week adventure. Please keep in mind that if you only do the Canadian version of the road trip, it’s one-way, which means you’ll have to come back the same way or continue on to other provinces such as Manitoba.

Popular places to visit include Thunder Bay, Ruby Lake Provincial Park, the Terry Fox Memorial, Rossport, Terrace Bay, Pukaskwa National Park, White River, Wawa, Lake Superior Provincial Park, and Sault Ste. Marie.

Road Trips in Ontario

While Ontario may not have those classic road trips like the Icefields Parkway or the Viking Trail , it does have a ton of interesting, fun, and beautiful destination that can easily be turned into a fabulous road trip. Whether you’re looking for a day trip from one of the major cities or looking to truly get into some adventure along the shores of Lake Superior, there’s no shortage of cool Ontario road trips for people of all types. We hope this article inspires your next trip and if there’s a road trip we missed, please let us know in the comments!

For more adventures in Ontario and beyond, check out these articles below:

• Things to Do in Winnipeg
• Things to Do in Quebec
• Things to Do in Montreal
• 13 Amazing Canada Road Trips
• The Ultimate 150-Day Road Trip Across Canada

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

Reader Interactions

April 1, 2021 at 10:03 am

Ahh! I can’t wait to move back to Ontario, and get exploring

April 1, 2021 at 3:03 pm

Love Algonquin any time of the year – especially the fall!

May 22, 2022 at 8:47 am

We are planning a fall trip to Ontario and we are taking advantage of the blogs and videos from you guys. I think we will do 2 days in Toronto, 1 to Niagara falls and then 9 days in Muskoka.

May 22, 2022 at 10:09 am

Nice! We’ve never been to Muskoka. Why 9 days? Just lots of relax time?

April 1, 2021 at 5:01 pm

These sound great!

April 2, 2021 at 5:30 am

Hopefully some of these can be done this year if parks are open.

May 13, 2021 at 7:38 am

Awesome! Love this

April 2, 2021 at 6:56 am

Can’t wait to explore!

April 21, 2021 at 1:14 pm

Same! I need to see more things in my home province

April 2, 2021 at 9:01 am

April 2, 2021 at 6:22 pm

April 2, 2021 at 8:54 pm

We are lucky to have so many places to see close to home!

April 3, 2021 at 6:53 am

I took friends from Germany to see Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake on a road trip.They were impressed and enjoyed the excursion.

April 3, 2021 at 11:09 am

Sweet. Here’s a fun fact. Germans love Saskatchewan. It’s one of their top tourism markets

April 3, 2021 at 8:13 am

I’ve always wanted to visit Algonquin!! H0ping to soon!

April 3, 2021 at 9:22 am

Looking forward to finding new things to explore in Ontario!

April 3, 2021 at 10:30 am

Amazing article! @iceyviolet

April 5, 2021 at 9:02 pm

Nice article, time to get some more Manitoba content

April 5, 2021 at 9:48 pm

haha yes, for sure. We really wanna do some road trips there. What are some good ones?

April 3, 2021 at 12:58 pm

Great ideas! I live in Southern Ontario and have always wanted to go to both Algonquin Park and Ottawa. Might have to give this trip some thought.

April 3, 2021 at 8:48 pm

April 3, 2021 at 9:57 pm

This is such a great tool for people who are excited to explore the nooks and crannies of Ontario! Love being in nature!!

April 4, 2021 at 2:59 am

Canada has so much beauty. I love to see everything.

April 4, 2021 at 7:26 am

I cannot wait to start travelling again:)

April 4, 2021 at 7:54 am

Good article. I would love to go on the Viking Trail. Looks like great fun.

April 4, 2021 at 8:27 am

Can’t wait to to one of these trips after the pandemic!

April 4, 2021 at 9:09 am

April 4, 2021 at 10:10 am

There are so many wonderful sights to see in Ontario. I would love to take the Lake Superior Circle Tour.

April 4, 2021 at 11:14 am

I’ve been to northern Ontario to see some friends, but didn’t have time to visit Algonquin. I hope to go back soon in better times and visit! So many beautiful sights!

April 4, 2021 at 12:50 pm

Oxford County cheese tour. 98 cheese factories, who knew!

April 4, 2021 at 1:21 pm

Looking forward to being able to go on road trips again!

April 4, 2021 at 1:46 pm

Sounds like an awesome visit!

April 4, 2021 at 3:04 pm

Enjoyed the article

April 4, 2021 at 4:51 pm

I’ve road tripped around the world and there’s still no place like Ontario for road trips.

April 4, 2021 at 7:59 pm

I’ll have to get on this! Thanks!

April 4, 2021 at 8:04 pm

Niagara Falls is a little further than 30 minutes from Toronto. 🙂 Also Quebec is the a largest province. Ontario 2nd. 🙂

April 5, 2021 at 12:38 pm

Woops. It was supposed to say second-largest. Thanks for catching that

April 5, 2021 at 3:43 am

I love Algonquin. One of my favourite places.

April 5, 2021 at 1:04 pm

I didn’t know about the waterfalls in the Hamilton area I am very familiar with Algonquin Park and Toronto I am somewhat familiar with Ottawa.

April 5, 2021 at 6:51 pm

I’m so happy I live in such an amazing province and country!

April 6, 2021 at 12:32 am

Gotta check out all these places! Putting these on the bucket list for sure!

April 7, 2021 at 3:47 pm

Great place to checkout!

April 9, 2021 at 7:38 am

The Niagara region is simply beautiful in the spring. A road trip is simply spectacular.

April 10, 2021 at 6:38 pm

These are sounding great

April 11, 2021 at 8:44 am

Thanks for sharing all this information, there are many nice places to visit in Ontario.

April 11, 2021 at 1:34 pm

J’adore la route des vins à Niagara-on-the-Lake

April 12, 2021 at 5:50 pm

Thanks! I can’t wait to travel again.

April 14, 2021 at 8:22 am

Great suggestions! Looking forward to exploring more of this province when things are safe to do so 🙂

April 15, 2021 at 1:54 pm

Have to put these on the bucket list!

April 17, 2021 at 1:18 pm

Good road trips!

April 19, 2021 at 9:12 am

Niagara Region is beautiful year round. Can’t wait to get back out there again.

April 23, 2021 at 6:51 am

Great article! Prince Edward wine tours sounds lovely.

April 27, 2021 at 9:26 am

Me mudé con mi esposa a Toronto hace un par de semanas y no podemos esperar para explorar TODO!!!

April 27, 2021 at 10:15 am

aha yes I bet!

May 8, 2021 at 7:48 am

I live in Ontario – and for The past 25 years I have done the road trip to Niagara-on-the-lake at least 25 times. I love it there! Picturesque, shopping, the food etc. And wine country right next door! Perfect road trip for me!

September 1, 2021 at 7:19 am

I’ve lived in Ontario all my life and I just learned about the Oxford County Cheese Trail from this article! I love cheese, so will definitely plan to do this this fall! Thank you for the great, comprehensive list.

September 1, 2021 at 9:36 am

I’m sure we’ll continue to uncover stuff too. COuntry is so big!

March 29, 2022 at 4:25 pm

You should find all the waterfalls in Ontario! Hamilton area, grey Bruce!

May 5, 2022 at 6:29 am

Thanks for these articles. Waterfalls of Ontario sounds like a good future article. Next time we have put of province visitors will definitely do some of these road trips.

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RV & Road Trips

Rv & road trips.

A Northeastern Ontario road trip is like no other — here, you literally can drive for months and never hit the same pavement twice. If you have the time, we have the adventure!

Along with excellent hiking, paddling and a variety of exciting day trips, our region is renowned for breathtaking scenery and spectacular destinations.

Whatever your chosen mode of transportation, we have two tools to help point you in the right direction; a Travel Guide and Motorcycle Touring Map.

You can pick these up at  most Travel Information Centres in Northeastern Ontario, or email us to request mailed copies.

For information about weather in our region, please visit this page .

Discover Our Scenic Drives

Partner Listings

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Elk Lake Wilderness Resort

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Plan Your Trip

Travel the beaten path or carve your own trail. There are five main established routes across the region, ranging from an easy weekend trip to an epic multi-day adventure.

Manitoulin Island is a dream road trip location, with wide open roads, beautiful scenery, and lots of great camping options. Explore rolling farmland, infinite beaches and bays and myriad ice cream shops. Museums, cafes, theatre, art and culture – you can spend a weekend or a whole season uncovering its riches.

For the bold, plan a venture into the northern wilderness — with a side of intriguing mining history and some excellent BBQ — on the Great Legends tour. Or choose the Temiskaming Loop and traverse one lake, two provinces and three cultures — and don’t forget an off-the-map hike to the breathtaking Devil’s Rock. Georgian Bay provides the backdrop for a journey that winds you along the Niagara Escarpment, past the La Cloche Mountains, and leads you to some of the world’s largest freshwater beaches. Or you may choose to circumnavigate the fabulous fishing spots of Lake Nipissing , a magnetic draw for those with a rod and tackle box.

If you want to plot your own route, there is no shortage of interesting destinations to add to your list. From the giant flying saucer in the tiny town of Moonbeam – named by pioneers after the Northern Lights – to polar bears in Cochrane to the wild Boreal forest of the Little Claybelt, there is something on everyone’s bucket list in Northeastern Ontario.

For more planning assistance, Go Tour Ontario provides information on all types of routes across Ontario.

Uplevel your road trip: Bring an RV

For those who are looking for the freedom to move around at will but who enjoy the comfort of a cozy cabin, an RV road trip combines the best of both worlds. An RV adventure sets you up with a cozy home on wheels while you explore the wondrous beauty of Northeastern Ontario’s myriad lakes, beaches, woodland trails and local arts, culture and cuisine. Travel by day; spend the night listening for loon calls outside your window. Wake up to a leisurely breakfast surrounded by towering pine trees before you set off on the next leg of your journey. In an RV, you’ll enjoy all the nature Northeastern Ontario offers, but from the comfort of your own cabin – a cabin you can take with you.

If you don’t have your own or are unable to bring it on your trip, there are multiple operators across our region who provide recreational vehicle rentals.

Where to stay

Northeastern Ontario boasts some of the province’s finest RV camping with plenty of choice at Provincial Parks as well as privately owned resorts and campgrounds. While there are a few amenities necessary to keep your RV running smoothly, it’s also just fine to spend a few nights in a more remote location – just you and your lawn chairs and the starry sky – before your rendezvous with a pump-out. But if the deep wilderness isn’t your thing, you’ll always be able to find hook-ups, a hot shower and a warm smile at RV-friendly campgrounds across the region. Our communities have all the amenities you need to support your road trip – from welcoming campgrounds to exciting arts and cultural activities and delicious dining options.

Read More About RV & Road Trips

An RV Adventure Through Northern Ontario – Part 3

An RV Adventure Through Northern Ontario – Part 1

Not a Winter Person? Take a Chance on Getting Stoked!

Après Your Way to these 5 Ski Hills in Northeastern Ontario

Plan Your Winter Escape on Snowshoes, Skis or Snow Cleats

Winter Lives Here—The Best Snowmobiling is in Northeastern Ontario

Sleeping Among the Trees: New Glamping Domes on Birch Island

4 Group of Seven-Inspired Road Trips

Nine Glampsites in Northeastern Ontario You Need To Book Early

Sledding the North Shore of Lake Huron

Road trips for US travellers

Itineraries and road trips.

One of the best ways to explore the big cities, small towns, family-friendly attractions and vast wilderness of Ontario is by packing all your essentials into your vehicle and hitting the road. Road trips give you the freedom to explore the province at your own pace while pursuing the experiences that best fit your needs and interests. 

Not sure where to start planning? Check out some of our popular itineraries that span across the entire province. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an adrenaline-filled adventure, there’s an ideal trip waiting for you in Ontario.

Whether it’s visiting the famous Niagara Falls, exploring the numerous attractions and touring the lush wine regions, there are plenty of activities for all travellers to the Niagara Region.

Top things to do in Niagara

3-day Ontario road trip: Wine and culinary delights

15-day Ontario family road trip

4-day Ontario road trip: Niagara family fun

Classic Ontario road trip

4-day Black history road trip in Southern Ontario for families

Toronto and gta.

As Canada’s largest populated city, Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area features countless events and landmarks. Experience the CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, Roy Thomson Hall and its many other attractions to see everything this city has to offer.

Toronto to Ottawa road trip

Top things to do in Toronto

3 days in Toronto

5-day Ontario road trip: Adventures, attractions and sports in and around Toronto

6-7-day Ontario road trip: Toronto to Ottawa highlight reel

The capital of Canada since 1857, Ottawa boasts numerous historical sites, landscapes, cultural attractions and natural beauty. It includes popular stops like the Parliament Building, Canadian Museum of Nature, ByWard Market, Rideau Canal and more.

11-day Canadian canoe trip

Top things to do in Ottawa

Northern ontario.

Explore the wilderness in Ontario’s large provincial parks and boreal forests. With urban centres close to nature and numerous outdoors activities available, Northern Ontario is the ideal destination for adventure lovers.

13-day adventure trip: Northern Ontario

5-7-day Ontario road trip: Lake Superior's Ontario coast

4-day Ontario road trip: Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods

4-7-day Ontario road trip: Parry Sound to Northeastern Ontario

Family friendly.

Fun and exciting entertainment across Ontario that will delight adults and kids of all ages.

Georgian Bay Black history road trip

Nature and water routes.

Numerous lakes, rivers and streams can be found across the wilderness of Ontario. From the shores of the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay all the way to the coastline of Lake Superior in the north, explore this province’s rugged outdoor landscapes and beautiful waters.

Lakeside summer getaways in Ontario

• Read more Lakeside summer getaways in Ontario

Georgian Bay highlights tour

5-day Ontario road trip: The Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach, Orillia and Muskoka

Charming small towns.

These small towns in Ontario highlight their old-world charm that’s perfect for culture enthusiasts. Enjoy their local culinary treats, historical museums, architectural heritage sites, classical theatre, unique shopping boutiques and more.

4-day Ontario road trip: Grand River and Stratford explorer

4-day Ontario road trip: European inspiration

6-day road trip: Southwest Ontario

4-day Ontario road trip: Southwest and West Coast sampler

Travelling from the U.S.? Discover all the memorable sights in southern Ontario, from the attraction-filled big cities in and around Toronto to the wondrous outdoor landscapes of the Niagara region.

Enjoy beaches, wine and nature along Canada’s southernmost shores

Windsor to Toronto: Entertainment, sports and dining adventure

Road trip to Ottawa, Kingston and Prince Edward County

Niagara to Toronto: Vineyards vistas to downtown views

Family road trip to theme parks, attractions and summer fun in the Toronto area

Summer family fun in Niagara Falls and beyond

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The west by rv.

From nights under the stars in Rocky Mountain campsites to the beauty of Vancouver Island, come and enjoy a unique experience in the heart of Canadian nature.

Passionate by nature

Drive from the Rockies to Wells Gray Park, soak up Vancouver Island and taste the delights of the Okanagan. Immerse yourself in the nature of Western Canada !

Book your road trip with us and get $100 off! Offer valid for bookings made before April 28th 2024.

The Maritimes by RV

Discover the tides of the Bay of Fundy and Kouchibouguac and the breathtaking scenery of Cape Breton on this road trip that promises rich experiences and a memorable maritime escapade.

From glaciers to geysers

From glaciers to geysers, dense forests to endless meadows, this road trip crosses borders, soaking up the majestic grandeur of the Rockies from country to country.

The New World

Travel through Ontario and Quebec by motorhome. From picturesque villages to the calm of nature and the authenticity of the Gaspe Peninsula. A fascinating mix of scenery across our wide-open spaces.

Back-country roads

Travel the scenic backcountry roads from the comfort of your motorhome. At every turn, the diverse landscapes of the Rockies will leave you in awe!

Nomad spirit

Enjoy a touring adventure through Quebec and Ontario in your motorhome. From Montreal to Niagara, explore the Thousand Islands, Mauricie, Tadoussac and Jacques Cartier National Park.

Wild refinement

Between national parks, towns and unexpected encounters, this mountain epic promises moments of pure emotion and wild adventure.

La Belle Province

Explore La Belle Province. Discover spectacular coastal landscapes, picturesque villages and enjoy an authentic adventure in the heart of Québec maritime.

Canada by Motorhome

Travel the roads of Quebec in a motorhome and discover the diversity of the province, from the charms of Quebec City to the natural beauty of Mauricie and the Saguenay Fjord.

Indian summer by RV

Breathtaking panoramas await you in the jewel of Quebec autumn: from the splendor of the Mauricie region to the colorful valleys of Jacques Cartier Park, you'll be amazed by these majestic sceneries.

The nature of Quebec

Explore the diversity of Québec au naturel with this compendium of varied adventures, from the Jacques Cartier trails to the whales of Tadoussac, from Lac Saint-Jean to Parc de la Mauricie.

Authentic Quebec: gems to visit during indian summer

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The best time to go on a Canadian Rockies road trip or Eastern Canada adventure is during the summer months, between mid-June and mid-October .

The high touristic season is between mid-July and mid-August . There are a lot more travelers and the prices are higher.

From mid-September to mid-October , the trees are adorned with red, orange and yellow to offer quite a spectacle. You can sometimes still get nice temperatures. We call it the Indian Summer.

Whatever option suits your desire, make sure to check out our section " When to visit Canada ? " before booking your travel dates.

Driving in Canada

Before leaving for a road trip aboard your Canada car rental, it is best to be aware of the particularities of the Canadian highway code. We have gathered for you the most important information on our " Driving in Canada " page.

When should I book my Canada tour ?

The best time to book your Quebec road trip or Western Canada tour is to book at least 6 months in advance to ensure availability, especially if you plan to travel in July or August.

Indeed, if you book your Canada road trip at the last minute, you risk limited availability , not to mention that you can expect the most beautiful places to be full.

Finally, the earlier you book, the more money you will save . There is no good reason to wait before booking your trip.

Consult our section " When to book my trip? " to know more.

What is the Authentik roadbook ?

The Authentik roadbook is a fully personalized Canada travel guide tailored to your individual Canada tour . Your Authentik advisor will start preparing your roadbook as soon as you book your trip.

The roadbook can be delivered to your home prior to your departure or given to you upon your arrival in Canada.

See it as your  personal assistant that will help you discover the most beautiful places in the country so that you don't miss a thing on your trip with us.

See our " Roadbook " section for more information.

Which destination to choose between Eastern and Western Canada ?

Are you planning a Canada self-drive holiday  and hesitating between Eastern Canada and its warmhearted Quebec or a Canadian Rockies itinerary  ?

Consult our " East vs West" section to help you see more clearly.

Should I choose a Canada tour by RV or by car ?

You are wondering if you should explore our great outdoors aboard a Canada RV rental or a  car  ?

Both types of travel have their pros and cons.

And contrary to popular belief, it is not always true that an RV trip costs less.

Consult our section " Car or RV " to know more.

See all FAQs on road trips in Canada

Check out our comprehensive road trip FAQs or our practical information FAQs on traveling to Canada in general.

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My 34-Day RV Road Trip to Thunder Bay

When Deb Kelly embarked on an epic 34-day RV trip this fall, we asked her to keep a log of her journey. Here she tells us everything about her Ontario RV adventure.  

Overview: The Stats

• Total Kilometres Driven: 5,560 km
• Breakdown: 3,245 km pulling fifth wheel trailer and 2,315 km day trips
• Total Days:  34 (Sept 8 – Oct 11)      
• Total Driving Time: approx. 42 hrs, excluding day trips.  

Overview: The Route

From Woodstock across country to Shelburne, then Hwy 89 to Hwy 400; Hwy 400 North to Hwy 11; continuing north on Hwy 11 to Timmins; west across Hwy 101 to Wawa; northwest on Hwy 17 to Thunder Bay; southeast on Hwy 17 to Sault Ste Marie, then east on Hwy 17 to Sudbury; south on Hwy 69 to Britt; east on Hwy 522 to Trout Creek; Hwy 11 south to Arrowhead Provincial Park near Huntsville; Hwy 11 south to Hwy 89, then to Shelburne and across country to Woodstock.  

Day 1– 451 km to Callander

We stayed 2 nights at a Boondocker’s Welcome host in Callander, on Lake Nipissing.   

We stopped at a rest stop just north of Huntsville for a picnic lunch. Along our route there were many nice rest stops, with lots of room to park a truck and fifth wheel. 

Day trip to North Bay (the Gateway to Northern Ontario) – strolled around the Downtown and waterfront area (the North Bay Heritage Railway & Carousel was closed for the season.)  We saw the Dionne Quintuplets house  that was moved to the waterfront area and now is a tourist attraction. We didn’t go through it though. We had lunch at Moose’s Cookout where we had the best bruschetta we have ever tasted and tried their famous wings (they have over 100 different sauces).   

Watched a spectacular sunset on the east shore of Lake Nipissing.   

Day 3 – 507 km to Ivanhoe Provincial Park , Foleyet, on Hwy 101.  

Stayed 2 nights.  

Stopped at Gillis Truck Stop in New Liskeard (which is now part of Temiskaming Shores). Best feature was the cool truck décor. Food was good, with pleasant and fast service.  If I were younger, I would have explored the options of a fly-in and canoe trip to Lady-Evelyn Park/Lake.  Maple Mountain is one of Ontario’s highest points. Also in this area is the Ishpatina Ridge, which is Ontario’s highest point of land.  

Ivanhoe Provincial Park is now one of my favourite parks to visit – it was quiet and serene (with the sound of small airplanes at Air Ivanhoe , taking people on air tours—and to several lodges for the best fly-in fishing on remote Northern Ontario lakes. On my next visit there, an Air Tour will be on my agenda! The drive into the campground goes over a small dam and around the lake. Our site was right across the road from the lake. 

In the morning I took my chair and coffee down to the beach and listened to the sound of the Loons. Experienced another beautiful sunset on the shore of Ivanhoe Lake. 

Saw two deer and a bear on the park road. 

Day 5 – 230 km to Wawa. 

Stayed 1 night, at a Harvest Host location – Algoma Highlands Wild Blueberry Farm . 

Wawa is known for its 8.5-metre statue of a Canada goose . A drive through the downtown district offers beautiful views of Wawa Lake. Stopped at the Bangin’ Burger and Chicken Shack for poutine (heard it was the best here). At the Blueberry Farm tried some unique wine, bought blueberry wine and blueberry jam–both awesome! We didn’t have time for the wine tour.  

Saw a family of partridges crossing the road.  

Day 6 – 205 km to Neys Provincial Park , between Marathon and Terrace Bay.   

We had a site across the road from the beach, on with a spectacular view of Lake Superior and Pic Island as it was immortalized on canvas by Lawren Harris of the famous Canadian painting team, The Group of Seven.   

Spectacular sunset. I wish we had more time here to explore the model of former Neys Camp 100—the park was once a POW camp. 

Day 7 – 260 km to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park , Sibley Peninsula, east of Thunder Bay.

Stayed 5 nights. 

Spectacular views of mountains, cliffs and Lake Superior from Wawa to Nipigon.  The Nipigon River Bridge is a very unique structure – the first cable-stayed bridge ever built in Ontario. 

Sleeping Giant PP is known for its challenging hikes along the rugged shoreline, towering cliffs and spectacular views. We are not great hikers so we took the Thunder Bay Lookout Road – a 9.2 km gravel road with several steep hills, leads you to an incredible scenic lookout. It is a safe lookout for seniors and children to view the spectacular scenery of Lake Superior. It was very foggy when we visited, but we still saw a breathtaking view.  We would have liked to take some of the other less difficult trails, however, we had heavy rains for the 5 days we stayed here, which limited our activities.   

Saw 2 deer at the comfort station and a fox crossing the road. 

Day Trips from sleeping giant

Kakabeka Falls – 30km west of Thunder Bay. Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario – 40 metres high. There is a boardwalk that wraps around the falls, that provides excellent views of the falls and gorge. Kakabeka Falls also is a provincial campground, so our current provincial park pass allowed us free entry.  

Silver Islet – past Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is a little community known as Silver Islet.  At the Iconic Silver Islet General Store and Tea Room we enjoyed the best cinnamon buns, coffee, and tea. The 100-year-old store was closed for several years and was re-opened again in 2021. There is a plaque outside the store that tells the story of the discovery and mining of the “World’s Richest Silver Mine” in the mid-1800s, and how the mine finally flooded in 1884. We didn’t have time for the Lightkeeper Tour to Porphyry Island. It would have been great to spend more time discovering more about this historic little village. I discovered that a best-selling book The Lightkeeper’s Daughters  by Jean Pendziwol, tells a story about Porphyry Island. 

Terry Fox National Historic Monument and Lookout – located on Hwy 11/17 east of Thunder Bay. The monument is nine ft tall and provides the legacy of this courageous young hero who in 1977 lost his leg to cancer at the age of 18. He started the Marathon of Hope in 1980, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and sadly halted his run after 143 days just outside of Thunder Bay, eventually succumbing to the disease at the age of 22. 

Diamond Amethyst Mine – picked a bucket of stones with amethyst – bucket cost $30. 

Day 12 – 345 km to White Lake Provincial Park , between Terrace Bay and White River. 

Stayed 2 nights.   

Day Trip to White River – home of Winnie the Pooh. There is a statue in the park, right on Hwy 17 as you drive into town. You can read the story of the beginnings of Winnie the Pooh. The real Winnie was a female black bear cub, adopted by an army veterinarian heading to war in Europe. Winnie was given to the zoo in London, England. This is where Christopher Robin Milne met her. Christopher’s father A.A. Milne published many stories of Winne the Pooh which children of all ages still enjoy.  

Day 15 – 280 km to Pancake Bay Provincial Park , Batchawana Bay. 

Stayed here 5 nights.   

Along the way we stopped at a beautiful rest stop – Old Woman Bay. Walked down to the long sandy beach, looking left you see cliffs that look like the face of an Old Woman.   

Pancake Bay - the beautiful sand beach and awesome views of Lake Superior and beautiful sunsets makes this park a wonderful place to visit. 

Although the noise from traffic on Hwy 17 can be annoying the park still is a favourite of mine.  Sitting on the beach (where I didn’t hear any traffic) in the morning with my coffee was one of the best moments of our trip.  

Day Trips from batchawana Bay

Agawa Crafts & the Canadian Carver  (only 10 minutes away) has an LCBO outlet, a camper’s grocery store, and many local crafts, woodcarvings, native crafts, moccasins, and much more.  

Voyageur Cookhouse , Batchawana Bay – famous for their Apple Fritters. They are huge, and very delicious (I could not eat it all at one time).  There is a small store, gift shop and liquor outlet.  

Sault Ste. Marie – only had 1 day to visit the Soo and it consisted of stocking up on supplies, laundry and propane.  We did enjoy a nice dinner at Swiss Chalet.  It was very good, was very busy – you must have lots of time to go here on a Saturday! 

Day 20 – 285 km to Chutes Provincial Park , Massey. 

Stayed here 3 nights.  

Although the Park is close to the little town (only 1 km down the side road), it was very quiet. And the lovely waterfalls were a surprising treat. At the Falls Lookout you can see the water cascading over the falls, and the beach below, where the Aux Sable River meets the falls.  Here we saw an amazing Salmon Run – watching this mystifying site of nature, where the salmon travel toward gravel beds to spawn, was one of the highlights of visiting this park. 

Day 23 – 190 km to Britt, visiting family.  

Stayed here 6 nights.  

Britt is a small community south of Sudbury, just off Hwy 69, on the shore of the Magnetawan River, which flows into Georgian Bay. 

Day 29 – 160 km to Arrowhead Provincial Park , Huntsville. 

Stayed here 5 nights.  

Met up with family for a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner at the campsite. We stayed in the Trailer Section. 

Arrowhead is one of the most visited parks in the fall. Here you will see stunning fall colours. Being only 2 hours north of Toronto, be prepared for many day visitors to the park. It is very busy, and I feel that this may be the reason for some negative reviews, as the staff must get overwhelmed with all the visitors, (although we never had any issues.)

Day 34 – Arrived back in Woodstock.    

Our trip to Northern Ontario overall was amazing.  The drive along Lake Superior from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay offers many stunning and spectacular views of the rugged shoreline, breathtaking cliffs, amazing rock cuts and steep hills.  We only ‘touched’ on the awesome places that are available to camp, eat and view the amazing landscape.   

Next time, I would like to do the entire Lake Superior Circle Tour . 

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Deb Kelly is an RV and camping enthusiast who loves exploring Ontario with her family and friends.

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