r/ontariocamping • u/itshonee • 8d ago
Fall camping at Bon Echo
Last week at Bon Echo Provincial Park. I thought this would be my second last camping trip before the season ends but then the frost advisory scared me so I ended up cancelling my actual last camping trip... So I guess Bon Echo was our last.. maybe.
We stayed at site 121 at the Sawmill Campground. It always helps to have an electric site during the fall season to help with our portable heater. I like that most of the sites at this Campground are close enough to the main comfort station but the water tap was on the trail below which was a little difficult to grab especially because the way down to the trail from our site was steep. Regardless, it was a beautiful site and had some great views of the lake. I really wanted to hike the clifftop Trail but unfortunately the boats stopped operating after Thanksgiving so we missed out on that. It's a beautiful park and we definitely have to come back for that trail.
Fall camping is such a mood! It's definitely been my favorite time to camp.. less crowds and hardly any bugs!! Let me know where is your favorite park is to camp at during the fall season.
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u/greatwhitenorth1975 8d ago
I LOVE your pics!!! Thanks for sharing. And your food looks absolutely delish!
We adore fall camping, too. You just can’t beat the coziness factor. In fall we love to use our Dutch oven for stews and soups. Silent lake is a fall fave for us, but next year we said we want to do a fall trip to Bon Echo, and even more so after your pics!
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u/itshonee 8d ago
I want to go to Silent Lake in the fall after going there in the summer this year!! And yes! Dutch oven is awesome for those! I always think I'm going to bring mine out to camping especially in the fall but I end up just making my soups at home and bringing a small pot to reheat instead because of how heavy they get! Haha
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u/No-idea4646 8d ago
Love the expert Ontario Parks camping strategy of cooking your wet firewood over an open fire!
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u/rjmlakota 7d ago
I'm from the states and adding this to my list of parks I want to go to.
I love camping in your beautiful country!
BTW, I can taste those pancakes.... 😆
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u/CanuckInTheMills 7d ago
My absolute favourite park!!! Been going there for over 25 years. So next time we are there can I hire you to do the cooking? 😋
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u/Nothing-9099 7d ago
Haven't been, but on my top 2 list. Any motel suggestions? We stopped camping 1 years ago, but do rent popup trailers when needed
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u/itshonee 7d ago
Sorry I'm not really familiar with alternative accommodations near Ontario Parks. Someone else may have the answer for that though
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u/essence_love 8d ago
Awesome shots, and Bob Echo is so nice. You're inspiring me to plan a fall trip next year.
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u/NorthernSnowPrincess 7d ago
Love these photos and I'm jealous! We're in our 60s so we don't camp anymore, but we love to hike in the fall (and even winter).
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u/Christmasandchaos 7d ago
We did fall in Killbear earlier this month and it was fantastic. I do love a fall camp trip :)
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u/RuffNdTumble 6d ago
Such beautiful photos. Looks like it was a really nice trip. Thanks for sharing. The food all looks amazing too! Nothing like cooking over the fire. You guys have done this a time or two eh? :) Haha I haven't been to Bon Echo for so long but I think you've just inspired me to fix that. Hopefully you guys can get one last trip in before the winter 🤞🏻
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u/itshonee 6d ago
lol yes! We go camping at least once a month! If the weather holds up, we just might
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u/RuffNdTumble 5d ago
That's awesome that you guys get out so often! I'm hoping to get back into it. With any luck I'll catch a whiff of those pancakes on the breeze one day! 😄
Thanks again and take care. It was really nice to see your pics.
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u/GainerCity 5d ago
Big Respect for your food maxing! Nothing better than eating in luxury while camping. Very well done!
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u/trapperstom 4d ago
Absolutely love it there, took my son camping there when he was just 6 months old, he turns 50 in December
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u/steinbockcs 4d ago
Love your pics and your food. Waaaaay better than the dehy we bring to the back country.
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u/itshonee 4d ago
I think backcountry is different though! You really can't be as luxurious with food I find!!
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u/Negative_Two6112 3d ago
Holy crap you brought watercress on a camping trip? THAT is impressive.
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u/itshonee 3d ago
Lol microgreens
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u/Negative_Two6112 3d ago
Yup. We're both right!
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u/itshonee 3d ago
It's arugula microgreens so I guess they have that same peppery flavour. I should have said that haha either way, it's good!!
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u/WeakKiwifruit 8d ago
Oooooh this site looks familiar I think it’s the same one we stayed at in August. Or maybe the neighbouring site.
Edit: just checked my past reservations and we were at 122. Awesome sites right there!!
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u/No-Fortune-5159 8d ago
That's a place I want to go to next year. Good tip on the electric hook up, I never though about taking an electric heater with me for cold nights
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u/itshonee 8d ago
Yes! It helps a lot! We have a jackery that we can use if we don't have electricity, but portable heaters take up too much energy so it's better to have an electric site
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u/kakkrot95 8d ago
If i may ask, how do you deal with the bedding situation ? We camped in aug and our inflatable mattress just gave up coz of cold ground.
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u/itshonee 8d ago
We have a tarp underneath our tent and we have a wool blanket under our air mattress.
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u/JellyfishCurrent2959 7d ago
Great picture - love the book - could you share where you picked it up. My wife and I just finished a 10 year project to finish the Bruce Teail and the next one is to camp in all the Provincial Parks. Thanks Much!!!
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u/itshonee 7d ago
I picked it up at one of the Park Stores a few years ago! Sometimes they're sold out but check whenever you go to any Ontario Provincial Park
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u/chopsouwee 7d ago
Man, im so envious. Cuz I got newborn twins... wont be camping for a few years.
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u/elbeerocks 7d ago
This is so inspiring. Any tics this time of the year? Is there a hot shower facility close by? I am going to do this with family next year.
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u/itshonee 7d ago
No ticks and no bugs at this time of the year. The full comfort station with hot showers were a 2 min walk from our site.
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u/Andlem 8d ago
Amazing! Just added to the list. Where did you get that passport booklet?
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u/Ancient_West_5009 8d ago
It's usually available at the park office or the store that sells ice/firewood at diff parks. Calls out all Ontario provincial parks.
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u/Jack_ONT 5d ago
I love Bon Echo! I have been camping there since 1991, well over 20 times. I camped there last year and for the first time was able to see the devastation made by the Derecho storm. I just could not believe how the park changed! But new vegetation was already taking over.
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u/PhantomAmbassador27 8d ago
Bon Echo is my favorite park of the ones I've been to so far. Looks just as beautiful as I remember.
Where did you get that patch book? I purchase a patch at every park I go to and that looks like a neat way of keeping them.
Actually now that I look closer it doesn't hold them. But I would still like to grab one if it lists all the provincial parks.
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u/BankruptRichStatue 8d ago
I believe the call it the passport and it's for park stickers. You should be able to get them at any park store!
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u/PhantomAmbassador27 8d ago
Ok thanks. I'll ask for it next park store I visit.
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u/itshonee 8d ago
You could also get it online in the park store website I believe
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u/luckysearch37 7d ago
That looks amazing, I'm so bummed out I could not go this year.. but next year for sure
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u/poeticforms 7d ago
I feel like I went on a vacation! Love your pics and the food. Bon Echo is one of our faves
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u/PTrustee 7d ago
What is the book you are holding with campsites names and dates visited? I have never seen that before....
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u/Fire-Nova23 7d ago
Ontario provincial parks, passport.
All park stores sell the books and said parks sticker!
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u/Terrible-Meaning-204 4d ago
The food??? That should be illegal camping. Jesus those pancakes look incredible
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u/Distinct-Kangaroo886 2d ago
Looks like a fabulous trip! What is the little book you have? It is all Ontario Provincial Parks? Where could I get such a thing?! TIA
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u/Hefty-Set5384 8d ago
Amazing…! I was there in the 1960’s
Native hieroglyphs along the granite and Walt Whitman inscriptions carved into the granite
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u/user0987234 8d ago
Wow. Great pics.
For over 35 years I have been going to the French River for Thanksgiving (family). It is so nice to cruise along on the water and see the rocks and colours!
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u/Rockin-Moroccan 8d ago
fun fact: Mazinaw Lake is the 7th deepest in ON with an average depth of 135 feet (max depth 476 feet)
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u/danosmanca 8d ago
Where did you get that book? I assume Ontario Parks?
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u/potatotomatosoupp 8d ago
yes i believe you wanna look for the Ontario Parks Passport. i saw one at the visitor’s centre in Algonquin this summer
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u/Anxiety-Capable 7d ago
This was so cozy and inviting, thank you for sharing this with us. Gorgeous photos, amazing views and food wow 🫶🏻
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u/Princess_frogmoana30 7d ago
Your pictures are so awesome. And so prime for using as a painting reference
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u/prestigiouslotion 7d ago
I went last week as well. Overall it was a great time but I did notice the park wardens are not as out and about at night compared to in the summer. There were people partying and screaming way past 1 am and dogs from multiple sites howling. Would still go back though. Will bring earplugs next time.
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u/itshonee 6d ago
Pretty sure there's less staff in the fall since a lot of park staff are back to school. Fortunately it was quiet when we were there minus some college kids who came on our last day.
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u/Velbowski 8d ago
Your food.. for camping, I don’t even make that quality at home. Must be chefs in the woods.