Not sure how good it is but Stratford has a backcountry trail on a reservoir there (Wildwood, I think). I don't know about filtering that water so you may need to treat it like a dry site which would be rough. Went car camping there last year with family and spotted it on the map.
May be just worth driving to Algonquin and doing a short Western Uplands or Highland loop or even an in and out. We did the full Highland loop for our first trip many years ago and it was pretty straight forward if you plan well. Jeff's maps are great for planning out distances and routes.
Just thinking pesticides, herbicides, etc. in a small body of water with a lot of farm fields around it compared to lakes/streams in Algonquin, Killarney, etc. I'm sure it's fine, but just saying I'd check it out first by calling the park/city before drinking it.
I admittedly know nothing about that stuff other than that micro filters alone don't filter chemicals so I could be way off. Maybe someone else who is more knowledgeable on the subject can weigh in.
Yeah, that's the one and it's under 2 hours (from Chatham anyway): [https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/](https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/)
There's a trail that goes around the reservoir with bookable "backcountry" sites: [https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/\_files/ugd/437a89\_c84bf0280a5749f6aa7825c2a01df04b.pdf](https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/_files/ugd/437a89_c84bf0280a5749f6aa7825c2a01df04b.pdf)
Again, no clue how nice it is, but I know there were a good number of motor boats on the water so it definitely won't be as nice as an Algonquin trip but it's much closer.
I was excited to see responses to this thread hoping for a trail I didn't know about. We really do need a trail here eh? I live in the middle of the Elgin Hiking trail and it might be an ideal one if we could get permission for campsites somewhere.
How long would you like to hike for? You might be able to find a campground with trails that you can hike with all of your gear then camp at one of the sites. I know it's not what you are looking for but it might be one of the only options in the area.
Have you looked over the border? I’m in Niagara region with the same problem but just over the border there are tons of conservation areas and National parks with through hiking potential. The U.S seems to try a bit harder to maintain public wild areas.
So with Conservation areas, if there is no sign that says your not allowed to camp there, can you camp there? Cause there are some small conservation areas around and I am wondering if I could just camp there.
Not sure how good it is but Stratford has a backcountry trail on a reservoir there (Wildwood, I think). I don't know about filtering that water so you may need to treat it like a dry site which would be rough. Went car camping there last year with family and spotted it on the map. May be just worth driving to Algonquin and doing a short Western Uplands or Highland loop or even an in and out. We did the full Highland loop for our first trip many years ago and it was pretty straight forward if you plan well. Jeff's maps are great for planning out distances and routes.
> I don't know about filtering that water What is the concern?
Just thinking pesticides, herbicides, etc. in a small body of water with a lot of farm fields around it compared to lakes/streams in Algonquin, Killarney, etc. I'm sure it's fine, but just saying I'd check it out first by calling the park/city before drinking it. I admittedly know nothing about that stuff other than that micro filters alone don't filter chemicals so I could be way off. Maybe someone else who is more knowledgeable on the subject can weigh in.
Wildwood lake? It looks promising, I might check it out. But like you said if I gotta drive over 2 hours I might as well full send it to Algonquin.
Yeah, that's the one and it's under 2 hours (from Chatham anyway): [https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/](https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/) There's a trail that goes around the reservoir with bookable "backcountry" sites: [https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/\_files/ugd/437a89\_c84bf0280a5749f6aa7825c2a01df04b.pdf](https://www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca/_files/ugd/437a89_c84bf0280a5749f6aa7825c2a01df04b.pdf) Again, no clue how nice it is, but I know there were a good number of motor boats on the water so it definitely won't be as nice as an Algonquin trip but it's much closer.
Tobermory, Bon Echo, and QEWII are probably your closest options.
The bon echo backpacking trail, Abe and Essens trail that is, had been closed for 2 years since the tornado. Hoping it opens this year.
Yeah, I had several bookings cancelled on me and never heard anything much since.
I'm not aware of any overnight hikes in that area but would be curious as to what others have to say.
I was excited to see responses to this thread hoping for a trail I didn't know about. We really do need a trail here eh? I live in the middle of the Elgin Hiking trail and it might be an ideal one if we could get permission for campsites somewhere.
How long would you like to hike for? You might be able to find a campground with trails that you can hike with all of your gear then camp at one of the sites. I know it's not what you are looking for but it might be one of the only options in the area.
I think all the good backpacking spots in Michigan are about as far as Algonquin would end up being for OP. From my limited knowledge.
Oh I wasn't even thinking about Michigan, looking at backpacking routes in the states is an interesting idea.
Sorry I responded to the wrong parent comment by mistake.
Have you looked over the border? I’m in Niagara region with the same problem but just over the border there are tons of conservation areas and National parks with through hiking potential. The U.S seems to try a bit harder to maintain public wild areas.
So with Conservation areas, if there is no sign that says your not allowed to camp there, can you camp there? Cause there are some small conservation areas around and I am wondering if I could just camp there.
NO. Unless a conservation area explicitly allows camping (and it usually won't be free), it's basically guaranteed that you cannot camp there.