I love living in L&A for the ample outdoor experiences it provides. I enjoy a good hike, or getting out on the water in a kayak or boat.

But at night, when it's time for bed, I like... what's that word? Ah, yes - a bed. A soft bed with two pillows, comfy sheets and warm blankets.

Needless to say, I've never been a big fan of camping.

That's why I surprised myself back in 2015 when I didn't totally balk at the notion of spending a couple of days and 'nights' at Bon Echo Provincial Park with my kids. We packed up the truck with sleeping bags, coolers and the dreaded ‘tent’ and headed out on our first camping adventure.

During our stay at Bon Echo we spent a lot of time at the main beach and had a chance to explore some of the trails. We also took the Mugwump Ferry to complete the Cliff Top Trail to the top of Bon Echo Rock. It was a pretty challenging hike, especially for the short legs of a 4 and 7 year old, but once we reached the top and saw the spectacular view, it was well worth it. You could see the life of the park from this angle, with children playing at the beach, boaters and kayakers enjoying the water, and vast untouched beauty of the park and surrounding area.

After packing up the campsite my only regret was that we only booked for two nights. My lifelong dislike of camping ended on this trip. Since then we've purchased a tent trailer and have camped all over Ontario, and into Northern New York as well. 

Bon Echo is still by far our favourite camping destination, and is the only park we visit every year.

 


Back to Stories Home