Camping from TO to BC Help??
Question:
> Forgot to mention…. There is a G-8 Summit (meeting of the world Leaders) > that is going to be held in BC this summer. What dates to they fall on as I > sure as hell wouldn’t want to get caught up in that on a holiday. Gonna be > protestors….security……media……road closures ..I would certainly > want to cut a wide path around that garbage. Will be a real mess . > Anybody know of the particulars of that? Where exactly is it and on > what dates? > Regards…Jim Morris
http://www.g8.gc.ca/menu-e.asp
Response:
>DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the >Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny >gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s >absolutely overrun with kids.
While you’re at it, you might tell everyone to stay away from ANY commercial campground here in the Okanagan. You’ll find the same situation at every one of them. It’s not limited to a single KOA, or a single commercial campground. tim
Response:
> DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the > Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny > gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s > absolutely overrun with kids.
If you are talking about the one in Oliver BC, it has two sections with the smaller spots closer to the water and in the summer there are many children, the biggest thing with KOA is all the nickel and diming they do, they charge extra for everything. Wade
Response:
> >DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the >Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny >gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s >absolutely overrun with kids. > While you’re at it, you might tell everyone to stay away from ANY > commercial campground here in the Okanagan. You’ll find the same > situation at every one of them. It’s not limited to a single KOA, or > a single commercial campground.
That particular campground (in Oliver, as someone else mentioned) was absolutely the worse place we’ve ever stayed at. And we were basically stuck there for 2 nights, because we had planned on that particular weekend to "do" the Okanagan region, and we didn’t know the Peach Festival was going on 
We started looking for someplace to stop by around noon on Friday, and everything (except for the KOA…) was full. (Note to the original poster – try, if possible, to get schedules of local weekend "events" along your route so you can plan on attending/avoiding them.) We stayed at a couple of other private campgrounds, including a rather neat farm just outside Port Alberni, and they were lovely. I swear KOA is camping’s answer to WalMart. Jo Anne
Response:
Yes. But now we are adults, and some of us prefer vacations where we are not situated fifteen feet away from a family with *5* kids under the age of 10, 6 bicycles, a baby wagon, and the septic system in their trailor apparently on the fritz. <"MOM!! It SMELLS in here!!" "Tell your goddam father about it!"> I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with kids, or that kids should be segregated. I’m just saying that I prefer a peaceful environment when I’m camping. There are lots of places where this is possible. KOA is not one of them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Correct me if I am wrong but were we not all kids at one time ? > >DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the > >Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny > >gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s > >absolutely overrun with kids. > While you’re at it, you might tell everyone to stay away from ANY > commercial campground here in the Okanagan. You’ll find the same > situation at every one of them. It’s not limited to a single KOA, or > a single commercial campground. > tim
Response:
Correct me if I am wrong but were we not all kids at one time ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the >Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny >gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s >absolutely overrun with kids. > While you’re at it, you might tell everyone to stay away from ANY > commercial campground here in the Okanagan. You’ll find the same > situation at every one of them. It’s not limited to a single KOA, or > a single commercial campground. > tim
Response:
>That particular campground (in Oliver, as someone else mentioned) was >absolutely the worse place we’ve ever stayed at. And we were basically >stuck there for 2 nights, because we had planned on that particular >weekend to "do" the Okanagan region, and we didn’t know the Peach >Festival was going on We started looking for someplace to stop by >around noon on Friday, and everything (except for the KOA…) was full.
Yup I know the place, just a couple of miles from me. I’m surprised to hear you say it was the worst place you ever stayed. I know the people who run it, and some of their guests who return each year. I’ve never heard of any problems. But then different people expect different things. You might count yourself lucky that you didn’t find a place in Penticton on that weekend. Children running wild would be the least of your worries 
tim
Response:
> Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help.
We did that last summer! Best vacation I’ve ever been on! We camped the first night at Lake Superior Provincial Park (Agawa Bay). Lovely spot, but try to get a campsite away from the highway. Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario is also very, very nice. As you cross into each province, stop at the tourist info center. They all have free camping guides listing just about every park/private campground in the province, with rates, facilities, phone numbers, etc detailed. When we passed through Saskatchewan, we stayed at a motel We were impressed with all of the BC provincial parks (the regular ones – we didn’t camp at any of the forestry ones). Many of them are very small and quiet. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stay at the KOA campground in the Okanagan region of British Columbia! It’s expensive, you get a tiny gravel square to camp on, no fires or radios allowed, and it’s absolutely overrun with kids. Have a great time. You will love it. Jo Anne
Response:
The G8 meeting is weekend of 26 June. We’ve been advising Alaska-bound to take the Crowsnest Pass Route (3) or head north from Missoula into Lake Louise. There is a G8 web site. Rodg Found www.karo-ent.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Forgot to mention…. There is a G-8 Summit (meeting of the world Leaders) > that is going to be held in BC this summer. What dates to they fall on as I > sure as hell wouldn’t want to get caught up in that on a holiday. Gonna be > protestors….security……media……road closures ..I would certainly > want to cut a wide path around that garbage. Will be a real mess . > Anybody know of the particulars of that? Where exactly is it and on > what dates? > Regards…Jim Morris > Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Response:
> Forgot to mention…. There is a G-8 Summit (meeting of the world Leaders) > that is going to be held in BC this summer. What dates to they fall on as I > sure as hell wouldn’t want to get caught up in that on a holiday. Gonna be > protestors….security……media……road closures ..I would certainly > want to cut a wide path around that garbage. Will be a real mess . > Anybody know of the particulars of that? Where exactly is it and on > what dates? >That’s in Kananaskis lodge in Alberta.
Wade
Response:
Forgot to mention…. There is a G-8 Summit (meeting of the world Leaders) that is going to be held in BC this summer. What dates to they fall on as I sure as hell wouldn’t want to get caught up in that on a holiday. Gonna be protestors….security……media……road closures ..I would certainly want to cut a wide path around that garbage. Will be a real mess . Anybody know of the particulars of that? Where exactly is it and on what dates? Regards…Jim Morris
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Response:
>> > Help… > > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > > along the way would help. > > Big V >Look into BC’s camping pass for the numerous small rustic CGs run by >the provincial forest service (not the prov parks system).
Unfortunately, with the cutbacks the provincial government announced on Thursday, Jan. 17, many/all of these campgrounds will be closed. Sad really, as my family and I made full use of them. They were the best deal in camping at $27 a year. tim
Response:
> Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
I’ve done this trip twice, camping all the way. Assume you plan to do it starting no earlier than end of May, since the campgrounds, provincial at least open after the Victoria day long wk. end. I also assume you want to stay at provincial/federal campgrounds. If you are interested, I can give you recommendations where to stay and where not to, also depending on how much travel you want to do in a day. One more thing. Again I assume you want to tent, since I have no experience across Canada in a motorhome. If you want further info/discussion on this, I suggest we take it out of the newsgroup, you can email me. I find that much more convenient. Fred
Response:
> Have to mention Rushing River near Kenora. That’s a "must stay" before that > long trek across the praries, very beautiful.. > Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Look into BC’s camping pass for the numerous small rustic CGs run by the provincial forest service (not the prov parks system). Dunno the cyberworld address; in the realityworld I stopped at a forest service office when I saw a sign. Pete
Response:
Found the adress… http://www.shawspointresort.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If I can give you a camping favourite of mine…. I certainly would > like to > mention a spot that my wife and I go to for holidays and fishing every year. > In fact we spend around 4-6 weeks there the fishing and campground is so > darned good. This place is North of Edmonton on Lesser Slave Lake (North > West Corner of the Lake). It’s called Shaw’s Point. Walleye fishing is > second to none. Especially between the months you have mentioned. Has large > Northern Pike in the shallow water, and my wife and I are presently having > taxidermied two perch over 15 inches long. Wardens are there "three deep" > usually and will help you take your fish out of the boat when you get back > (fishing is TOO good there and the temptation to "fill the boat" is very > real…not uncommon to catch and release 100 walleye in two or three hours). > They want to see fishing licenses and will measure your fish to ensure you > have caught fish within legal lenghts etc etc… I think this is great to > see as I have witnesses lots of "over fishing" there. We keep what we plan > on eating that day. > Shaws Point is a family run campground. It has all services…Hydro, > water, dumping stations. Very private , roomy tree’d lots ..Sewer hook ups. > They also have a sewer truck that will come and pump you out for ten bucks > to save you from breaking camp to go dump . They permit open fires, has an > inland marina ( with a very strict speed limit) and an excellent resteraunt > with a deck overlooking the boats. They have boat rentals and Cabin rentals. > Miniature Golf course and a six hole course. Beautiful sandy beach > there…..(no life guard) offers jet skiing and other watersports. > Remarkably, this spot is generally not that busy except on > long weekends. … the marina can be hecktic on long weekends. > Mosquitoes can be not too bad depending on the weather. If the > season has been relatively dry…no worries….if the season has been > wet….well…they’re so big and nasty they’ll be raping the ducks! Have > seen the odd black bear there…lots of whitetail deer wandering around > through the campsite too. (early in the mornings) > A lot with full hook ups including the marina use will run you > about 15 bucks a day. The grocery store they have there is pricy. We > generally go to the nearest town every few days to get the staples of life > though (about 10 miles away).. > They have a sign where you enter that says "no tents allowed". This > sign they kind of "Fall back on" to keep the kids that want to party and > raise hell out, however we do see lots of "tenters" that come in that are > older quieter folks and RV units that have kids that want to tent beside Mom > and Dad in the same campsite … (Those who want to flame me about the "no > tenters" ….just remember…it’s not MY campground and I didn’t put up the > sign..lol) > My wife and I drive 14 hours to get there and the drive is certainly > worth it. They have a web page….damned if I can find it….but a search > under Shaws Point I’m sure will find it. If you are interested in looking at > their web page…E:mail me directly and I will search harder for their > adress…I’m sure I have a brochure laying around here somewhere. I have > their phone number if you want to call. > To reply directly…please take out the
"Nospam"….regards….Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Morris > Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Response:
If I can give you a camping favourite of mine…. I certainly would like to mention a spot that my wife and I go to for holidays and fishing every year. In fact we spend around 4-6 weeks there the fishing and campground is so darned good. This place is North of Edmonton on Lesser Slave Lake (North West Corner of the Lake). It’s called Shaw’s Point. Walleye fishing is second to none. Especially between the months you have mentioned. Has large Northern Pike in the shallow water, and my wife and I are presently having taxidermied two perch over 15 inches long. Wardens are there "three deep" usually and will help you take your fish out of the boat when you get back (fishing is TOO good there and the temptation to "fill the boat" is very real…not uncommon to catch and release 100 walleye in two or three hours). They want to see fishing licenses and will measure your fish to ensure you have caught fish within legal lenghts etc etc… I think this is great to see as I have witnesses lots of "over fishing" there. We keep what we plan on eating that day. Shaws Point is a family run campground. It has all services…Hydro, water, dumping stations. Very private , roomy tree’d lots ..Sewer hook ups. They also have a sewer truck that will come and pump you out for ten bucks to save you from breaking camp to go dump . They permit open fires, has an inland marina ( with a very strict speed limit) and an excellent resteraunt with a deck overlooking the boats. They have boat rentals and Cabin rentals. Miniature Golf course and a six hole course. Beautiful sandy beach there…..(no life guard) offers jet skiing and other watersports. Remarkably, this spot is generally not that busy except on long weekends. … the marina can be hecktic on long weekends. Mosquitoes can be not too bad depending on the weather. If the season has been relatively dry…no worries….if the season has been wet….well…they’re so big and nasty they’ll be raping the ducks! Have seen the odd black bear there…lots of whitetail deer wandering around through the campsite too. (early in the mornings) A lot with full hook ups including the marina use will run you about 15 bucks a day. The grocery store they have there is pricy. We generally go to the nearest town every few days to get the staples of life though (about 10 miles away).. They have a sign where you enter that says "no tents allowed". This sign they kind of "Fall back on" to keep the kids that want to party and raise hell out, however we do see lots of "tenters" that come in that are older quieter folks and RV units that have kids that want to tent beside Mom and Dad in the same campsite … (Those who want to flame me about the "no tenters" ….just remember…it’s not MY campground and I didn’t put up the sign..lol) My wife and I drive 14 hours to get there and the drive is certainly worth it. They have a web page….damned if I can find it….but a search under Shaws Point I’m sure will find it. If you are interested in looking at their web page…E:mail me directly and I will search harder for their adress…I’m sure I have a brochure laying around here somewhere. I have their phone number if you want to call. To reply directly…please take out the "Nospam"….regards….Jim Morris
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Response:
Have to mention Rushing River near Kenora. That’s a "must stay" before that long trek across the praries, very beautiful..
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Help… > Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds > along the way would help. > Big V
Response:
Help… Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds along the way would help. Big V
Response:
>Help… >Starting in Toronto and ending up in BC. Any suggestions on camp grounds >along the way would help.
Woodall’s has a campground guide for North America including Canada which has been quite helpful for the US. They have consistent ratings, as well as detailed info on what is available at and nearby a campground, costs, contact numbers, etc http://www.woodalls.com/shop/display.cfm?productid=DW-NCD2-800 Probably available in outdoor and camping shops near you as well. Costs less than the aspirin it will save you. http://www.woodalls.com also has an online database. HTH, Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom
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