Take the interior camping experience.
BY TIM CARROLL
Crisp cool air in the early morning and the mist rising off a mirror-flat lake: these are some of the things you’ll experience when camping in Ontario Parks.
Many times, my camping excursions were done by car, which meant that I’d grab my gear, toss it in the car and head out—really simple. But car camping isn’t my favorite type of camping. Car camping is the holiday-tour vacation of camping. You have the comfort of your car, which can easily be of help when problems arise—bad weather or needed supplies.
But, interior camping, is just like backpacking across Europe. You’re not living out of a car, but living out of a canoe—or just your backpack alone. Interior camping empowers you to venture out into the park’s interior, relying on nothing but your backpack and survival skills (without technology nearby). Interior camping also allows you to discover new places, and cook over an open fire (sometimes). As you progress from access points, the more wild the park will become, and it is possible to spend several days in the interior with little or no sight of other campers.
PACK LIGHT
Like I said earlier, interior camping takes away the convenience of a car, so you have to make sure you have all that you need. But, packing has to be light and it has done before the trip. You have to make sure that everything can fit into a waterproof before getting out there. You have to make sure that you can carry everything. And again, make it as light as possible.
EXPERIENCES
Interior camping can provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. The eerie call of the common loon can be heard from every campground and loons can be seen on almost every lake. Moose, deer, and beaver can often be seen, especially along waterways. Black bears, although present in the parks, are seldom seen, especially if appropriate precautions to avoid attracting them are taken. Wolves may be heard, but will likely remain distant from campers.
KNOW THE RISK
There’s always an element of risk with any backcountry adventure. Before you embark on your interior camping adventure, it’s always best to contact the pack you’re intending to visit—whether you’re a novice or an experienced wanderer. Ontario Parks Canada says that park staff can help you plan your trip including mapping out your route that will match your abilities and length of stay. iT!
(With files from www.ontarioparks.com)
Tim Carroll is an avid camper who became a lifetime wanderer just a little less than a month ago after his first travel experience overseas.
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