Camp – She Collects Campsites

For The Outdoorsy Urbanite: 5 Parks Worth the Drive

It takes 3.5 hours to drive from Paris to Brussels. 7 hours from Edinburgh to London. In Toronto, getting from one side of the GTA to the other can be a 2 – 3 hour drive, depending on traffic. Our perception of time and distance is a little skewed. That means that sometimes, staying ‘closeContinue reading “For The Outdoorsy Urbanite: 5 Parks Worth the Drive”

Provincial Park #8: Ferris

General Info: – 2 hours and 20 minutes Toronto – seasonal camping: May – October – 2 campgrounds: Valleyview Bedrock – some sites along the Trent River – pedestrian suspension bridge with views of Ranney Falls– 10km of hiking trails: Drumlin (3 interconnecting loops: 1.2km+2.5km+2.5km) Ranney Falls (1k)River Gorge (3.5km)– no swimming area at theContinue reading “Provincial Park #8: Ferris”

Provincial Park #7: Presqu’ile

General Info:– 1 hour and 45 minutes from Toronto – seasonal camping: April-October – 8 campgrounds:High Bluffs PinesMaplesLakeside Trails End – sandy beaches – paved roads and bike lanes– 16km of hiking/walking trails:Pioneer and Newcastle (8.1 km)Marsh Trails (1.2 km)Owen Point (2 km) Jobes’ Woods (1 km)– second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario – migrationContinue reading “Provincial Park #7: Presqu’ile”

Provincial Park #4: Earl Rowe

General Info:– 1 hour northwest of Toronto– seasonal camping: May – October – car camping in 2 campgrounds:1. Westside: only open from June-September. 2, Riverside: open the whole season and accessible through a separate gated entrance on the opposite side of Concession Road 7 from the main Registration– canoe and paddleboats available for rent –Continue reading “Provincial Park #4: Earl Rowe”

There’s A War Raging. And It’s On ontarioparks.com

There’s been an influx of reservations this year and the Ontario Parks website is being flooded with fresh campsite seekers. More than double the activity than previous years, the site has forewarned visitors of a slower technical response. And honestly, besides those IT woes, it’s cut-throat out there. And not all those that book seekContinue reading “There’s A War Raging. And It’s On ontarioparks.com”

Gear 101: The Necessities

I’ve been that person who forgot a spatula, an extra tank of stove fuel and the ever-important towel. I’ve suffered through the arduous task of lighting a fire without precious dry kindling or the magically efficient aide of newspaper. Camping isn’t always the most forgiving to the forgetful but with the skills, one can definitelyContinue reading “Gear 101: The Necessities”

Provincial Park #1: Balsam Lake

General Info:– 2 hours north east of Toronto – seasonal: open from May – November – 8 campgrounds– sandy beach– canoe rentals available – 2 hiking trails: Lookout (2.6 km) Plantation (4.2 km)– waterfront sites available Directions:https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Toronto,+ON/Balsam+Lake+Provincial+Park,+2238+Kawartha+Lakes+County+Rd+48,+Kirkfield,+ON+K0M+2B0/@44.2004365,-79.7232493,9z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89d4cb90d7c63ba5:0x323555502ab4c477!2m2!1d-79.3831843!2d43.653226!1m5!1m1!1s0x4cd5398a929a41c7:0x48d66a5bcecaed47!2m2!1d-78.8752853!2d44.6359353 The Good Stuff: Rating and Review Balsam is definitely a well-rounded park. Plenty of campgrounds to suit personalContinue reading “Provincial Park #1: Balsam Lake”

Balsam Lake – A Reluctant Dog and A Tiny Tent

Park #1 done! What a learning experience!~First time solo camping with my dog.~First time trying out a good amount of my equipment in the field.~First time sleeping in a “2-person” tent. The past two nights I holed up in a tiny tent in -2°C weather with a less than impressed dog. We stayed warm enoughContinue reading “Balsam Lake – A Reluctant Dog and A Tiny Tent”