7 Camping Grounds to Discover in Canada

The adventure begins with a trailer rental

It was also pretty easy. We rented a gently used 17–foot trailer from RVezy on our way to a quaint and private campground in the Cherry Valley of Prince Edward County. We towed it with our SUV, parked it on the campsite for a week and had ourselves a practical two–“bedroom” dwelling on an idyllic lake within driving distance to the treasured beaches and wineries in the area.

It wasn’t exactly the nomadic cross–country road trip I have always aspired to – nor was it in the decked–out Airstream or converted school bus of my dreams – but it was adventurous enough for RV newbies like us, which is to say not without its challenges and a glimpse of the realities of #vanlife beyond the social media highlight reel.

There were mechanical failures and other unpleasantness. A critical jack that connected the trailer to the car snapped and broke. There was no storage for things like clothing, which made me regret packing a week’s worth of multiple changes for all four of us instead of three outfits per person total. And the stench of the waste dump–outs every couple of days was no joke.

RV camping creates lifelong memories

But for every unsavoury whiff of sewage or clogged toilet (because our water tank was unbelievably “compact”), we made many more of the good kind of lasting memories. Our four– and six–year–old girls got to live in their very own hobbit house that was practically made for them, including teeny bunk beds and windows that they could poke their heads out of to watch the sunset and stars. We cooked three meals a day on a charcoal BBQ in the open air and witnessed a snapping turtle lay eggs outside our trailer. We also befriended several retirees in the welcoming community of seasonal residents on the campground.

If the object of the trip was to forget for a fleeting week that the novel coronavirus existed, spend more quality time together and soak up the beautiful country we live in, we got that in spades.

RV and camping grounds to explore in Canada

It was also our first experience in a private campground that offers full–service RV sites (including water, power and sewer hookups) and tent–camping options. Many come with extra amenities, such as swimming pools, playgrounds, access to canoes and kayaks, Wi–Fi, showers and laundry  – and are definitely worth checking out when national and provincial parks are booked up. So, go on: explore locally or let these seven destinations inspire you further afield.