Southeast Canada suggestions

[CruizinKim]

Hi all!

Thinking DH would love to take TT to Canada versus our southern states. Looking for a southeast CG destination. We live 40 miles north of Cincinnati, OH and will drive up to 15 hours, over 2 days. We have 9 or 10 days and hoping for full week at our destination. I've been to Niagara Falls years ago and would like to try another place.

Also, what are requirements to cross and re-cross border? Birth Certificates or Passports?

Thanks,

Kim

[Salsa03]

Not sure for US to Canada crossing, but even since 9/11, the US requires a passport for Canadians entering the US by road...so I would suspect the same applies if USers want to come to Canada!

[mgoodwin]

Passport.
Before you plan to cross you may also want to check the food restrictions.
I think some meats, fruits, veggies etc can not be imported.
Also, NO GUNS. Not trying to start anything, just pointing out that this is an issue where border guards are VERY strict and you don't want to even think of the hassle.

As for destinations check out http://www.ontarioparks.com/ for a list of some great Provincial Parks.
As for city destinations, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto (Bronte Creek PP close by).
If you are interested in going North you could look at Algonquin PP or any number of other parks in the (Near North) from the website.

[Seann45]

Passports needed... be ready for some steep fuel prices in Canada. Right now I am paying $5.30 for a US gallon.

[Seann45]

Yes leave your guns at home.. self defense with a firearm is NOT legal in Canada.

[owenssailor]

Passport is required for entry to US. That applies to US and Canadian citizens.

also - to restate - NO guns into Canada.

[oobedoob]

I hear they don't want you to bring your guns to Canada! Almost as dangerous is beef and firewood.

[David472]

Besides Algonquin Park (which is north of Toronto), and if you want to experience a different section of Northern Ontario, I suggest Neys Provincial Park. It's on the north shore of lake Superior, right on the shore. A very scenic area. For you to get there, take I-75 north and cross at Sault Ste Marie, then hwy 17 from there. Mid-July to late August would be good weather wise.

[David472]

If you want to try Southwestern Ontario (closer for you) I have 3 suggestions. The Pinery Provincial Park, Inverhuron Provincial Park and MacGregor Provincial Park. Pinery has lots of bike trails, a nice beach for swimming and many other activities including canoe rentals, Inverhuron has a beautiful beach for swimming, but not a lot else, and MacGregor has bike trails and nature walks, but the beach is only so-so for swimming. All these parks are along the Lake Huron shoreline.

I should add, to get to these, you would cross over at Port Huron Mich.

[David472]

You may want to explore and camp in the Bruce Peninsula. Your best bet there is a private CG called Summer House Park. There is a National Park in the Bruce Peninsula that is boondocking only, and I think 25 feet is about the longest TT they can accommodate.

http://www.summerhousepark.ca/

https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/

[mgoodwin]

This is great David472. I'm adding these reco's to my list too.
Thanks!

[David472]

North of Algonquin, I have two other favorite spots, near the towns of Timmins and Kirkland Lake. They are Esker lakes and Kettle Lakes Provincial Parks. If you like to canoe and portage, these are good spots for that.

And....to get to these from Ohio, take I-75 north and cross at Sault Ste Marie, then head east from there. You'll avoid the Toronto mess that way.

[CruizinKim]

Maybe we'll just go to Wisconsin, instead. Lol! I don't think DH has patience for all these restrictions. Or, if I have time to get a passport for my 8 year old. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[David472]

Yeah, prior to 911, no passport was required. They sure took the fun out of it. The food thing is not that big a deal really. Not as restrictive as some people make it out to be.

I know you would enjoy visiting our country

Maybe some of my suggestions were too far for you. The suggestions about Pinery, Inverhuron, MacGregor and Bruce Peninsula range from a 6 hour to a 10 hour drive from your home in Ohio. There are a couple nice private CG's along that section also, depending on what you're looking for.

[CruizinKim]

No, not too far. Currently we have a trip booked for Amelia Island, FL and Savannah, GA that is over 800 miles for us. Just worried how DH is going to take the heat of these 2 places. We've been vacationing north of us in Michigan and they have wonderful weather in August. Not sure I want to worry about crossing borders in a camper. They could keep us there awhile.

[David472]

Okay, perhaps I can shed some light on what to expect when crossing.
We have crossed the border 8 to 10 times in the last 3 summers, granted going from Canada into USA. We have always got thru just as quick as any of those with cars only. We get more scrutiny from the USA border agents than from the Canadian. They ask the usual questions of where we are going, for how long, the food question, and what our citizenships are, and look at the passports. They ask to go into the TT without us. They do this right at the customs booth, no pulling into a parking lot. I think they open the fridge, and look in closets, but are only in there a couple minutes. Then we are on our way. Crossing back into Canada, they ask us the questions, but have never asked to look in the TT. One Canadian border agent did ask us if we had any guns or weapons. They probably ask that question more frequently for US citizens. All in all, I find it easier than what a person experiences when traveling by air.