Moto Camping in the Highlands
Picture this. You and your buddies just finished a day of riding 350km of epic twisties throughout Ontario’s Highlands. You roll into your final destination for the night, quickly set up your tent, grab your bathing suit and jump into the lake to cool off from your ride. You then start a fire for cooking dinner and crack open a beer you picked up from one of the local craft breweries. You finish the night around the fire, checking out the night sky and recapping the day you spent with your crew riding some of Ontario’s best roads.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, you are motorcycle camping, an experience every rider should try. It creates a next level comradery with your riding buddies; and what better way to pay homage to the road builders of the past than by camping on the land they once camped on themselves?
Ontario’s Highlands is dotted with motorcycle friendly campgrounds, many of which are located on our Ride the Highlands routes. To help you plan your upcoming moto camping adventure, we’ve created a list of motorcycle friendly campgrounds to choose from.
Black Donald Tent & Trailer Park
If you’re looking for a destination to set up camp for a few days and explore the Highlands with your crew, Black Donald Tent & Trailer Park is an excellent location for your hub and spoke ride. This motorcycle friendly campground is known to the motorcycle community, and located just off the Highlands Loop and one of our Top 10 Roads, Centennial Lake Road. This campground spans over a mile of shoreline with two swimming locations to cool off after those hot days of riding, and offers spacious campsites for your tent and bikes.
Other Highlands Loop Motorcycle Friendly Campgrounds:
- Bon Echo Provincial Park
- Bon Echo Family Campground
- Bonnechere Provincial Park
- Calabogie’s Lakeside Camping & RV Park
- Covered Bridge Park
- Lake St Peter Provincial Parks
- Moonlight Bay Tent & Trailer Park
- O’Reilly Lake Family Campground
- Harmony Resorts – South Algonquin
- Sharbot Lake Provincial Park
- Silent Lake Provincial Park
- West Pines Park Resort
If you’re wanting to do a camping trip with your family, but plan to get away for some riding day trips, then Golden Lake Park Campground is your spot. This campground is situated right on Highway 60, and touches multiple routes in Ontario’s Highlands including Deep Valley Run and our local rides. It is also located on the shores of Golden Lake and close to the mouth of the Bonnechere river, allowing those hanging back at the campground to explore by kayak, canoe or paddle board which are available for rent. Take a day off from riding and enjoy these fun attractions nearby with your camping crew including, Bonnechere Caves, Owl Rafting and Wilderness Tours.
Other Deep Valley Run Motorcycle Friendly Campgrounds:
Located just off Dynamite Alley on the shores of Lake St. Peter, West Pines Park Resort is the perfect stop to drop your kickstand for the night. This campground is also a great fall destination as it is located on our Fall Loop and a quick ride from Algonquin Park. If ADV riding is more your style, there are lots of great trails to rip around on in the surrounding area. West Pines Park Resort also has waterfront sites available, so make sure you book early. Finally, we can’t forget to mention their on-site ice cream parlour, The Scooped Moose, for your post ride treat.
Other Dynamite Alley Motorcycle Friendly Campgrounds:
O’Reilly Lake Family Campground
For riders looking to get off the beaten path for a quieter camping excursion, O’Reilly Family Campground is situated seven kilometres from Highway 7 along a gravel road. Don’t worry, the road is in good condition, and there is a hose and rags available upon request if you would like to give your bike a wash when you arrive. Be sure to grab your groceries in one of the nearby towns; there is a camp store located onsite for your ice, firewood and snack needs, and a small grocery section for anything you might have forgotten.
Other Rideau Ridge Motorcycle Friendly Campgrounds:
Make this year the year you give moto camping a try. We suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment, as most campgrounds open their reservation systems in the winter months. Also, be prepared and don’t go overboard when packing. Here’s our suggested packing list (for a weekend ride):
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Bug spray
- Lighter/matches
- Camp stove
- Camp pot
- Coffee mug
- Coffee
- Mini espresso maker
- Headlamp
- Freeze dried meals
- 1 pair of undies
- 2 pairs of socks
- Swim suit
- Towel
- Knife
- Tooth brush
- Towel
- Deodorant
- Long underwear (for spring and fall camping)
Happy camping and enjoy the ride!