7 Unique Ontario RV Travel Destinations.

Someone asked if you could go anywhere in Ontario for an interesting and enjoyable tour. Where would you go? Oh, that is hard! Ontario is vast, and each place has its own special qualities. I have travelled Ontario extensively for work and pleasure, and enjoyed it all. I narrowed it down to 7 of the most unique Ontario RV travel destinations to share to make your Ontario travel one to remember.

Panorama Amethyst Mine, Shuniah, Ontario

This was both enjoyable and nothing I thought it would be. It is a great place to go if you are solo, like me or have a family. It is also pet-friendly, which is a big plus for people who travel with pets.

Just east of Thunder Bay lies a gem of a place. Amethyst has always been my favourite gem, and I was excited to see and hear how it was mined.

Panorama Amethyst Mine not only gives the option of purchasing the gem in all its beautiful creations, but also allows you to pick your own. A wonderful tour is given of the processes to retrieve Ontario’s official gemstone from the ground. Read all about this exciting RV travel destination here. If you are in the area, make that turn. An Ontario RV travel destination that sparkles!

Screaming Heads, Burk’s Falls

Let’s talk about strange and intriguing. Screaming Heads is a creation of sculptures by artist Peter Camini. A myriad of sculptures are throughout his 300-acre property. As you drive in, you are greeted by sculptures that look like you are going to have a screaming good time. Park in the lot beside the Midlothian Castle and get ready to be amazed.

As you walk through the sculpture garden, you will be awestruck at the giant sculptures around every corner. Screaming Heads in all shapes and sizes. You can even jump through some of them they are so large! Check out my Youtube video and see for yourself. One group of sculptures looked like they were gathered around a campfire.

It really is something you have to see to believe. Check out this blog for a little more info and some more pictures. Hopefully, when you go, the castle is open for viewing. What a fascinating and intriguing RV travel destination. 

Kingston Penitentiary, Kingston Ontario

A working prison until 2013, this historical building has many stories. Opened in 1835, some of the most infamous criminals have stayed here. Now you can take tours of this expansive historical landmark.

As you walk in the large iron gates, you can sense the darkness that dwells here. The sound of those gates closing behind the men and women who walked through them to serve their sentence must have been frightening.

The tours are given by employees of the prison. The stories they relate will both thrill you and terrify you. I was so impressed with the history and the buildings that I gave it its own blog and have been back twice. Once for another tour with friends and the other for Pumpkinferno. It’s an amazing tour every time. I highly recommend, when in Kingston, to tour Kingston Penitentiary, and while you are there, check out the Warden’s House across the road.

The Diefenbunker Bunker, Carp, Ontario

This blast from the past takes you back to the sixties and the Cold War era. Commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1953, this wartime nuclear fallout shelter was built to house 531 people to keep the country running if a nuclear war were to break out.

Built underground, you would never know there were four floors of industrious engineering beneath the earth. The tunnel you walk down to enter the bunker gives you an eerie feeling of entering the past. Time-travelling to a place that is time-locked in the 60s. 

As you moved through the bunker, the big black phones on the desks, not to mention the ashtrays that you would definitely not find anywhere today. Computers the size of a small room that can now be held in our hands. All the workings of a small city are contained in four floors. Check out all the juicy details in this blog.

The Diefenbunker Bunker is a trip to the past that can not be missed!

Niagara Falls

I do not think you can talk about unique Ontario attractions without mentioning Niagara Falls. One of the seven wonders of the world, it is a fascinating source of power. With 2.6 million litres (700,000 US Gallons) of water flowing over the falls every second, it is a force you can feel even standing beside it. The best place to feel that power is Table Rock. A journey under the falls to a rock platform puts right beside all that power.

The city of Niagara Falls has its own uniqueness that I really have not felt anywhere else. Walk down or up Lundys Lane to experience wax museums, arcades and even a giant Ferris Wheel that gives you an amazing view of the falls and the city. Make sure you stop in for Beaver Tail while you are there. They are delicious!

Known as the Honeymoon capital of the world, it brings romance, beauty, and entertainment altogether in one place.

Make sure to include a trip to “the falls” is one of your Ontario RV travel destinations.

Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Preserve

This privately owned forest in central Ontario has so many unique attractions to offer. Logging in the area began in the late 1800s. In 1940, the forest was bought by Hay and Company. They built a large sawmill and continued to strip the land of its wealth. Eventually, the forest was decimated by the logging industry and the sawmill burned down. 

By the mid-1900s, the forest was completely demoralized. In 1960, the forest was purchased by the Schiefenbalm family. They had a very different concept of the land than the previous owners. They saw the land as a wonderful opportunity to provide a beautiful natural habitat.

This forest provides many things to do and see. Camping in the wilderness, learning about their own wolf pack, as well as being mesmerized by the beauty and uniqueness of the sculpture forest. 

The Haliburton Wolf Pack

Deep in the forest is a place where you can experience and learn about the Haliburton Wolf Pack. In this beautiful building is a story of how the wolves came to be here, and many learning opportunities about wolves. The building provides one-way glass for you to observe the wolves in their 7-acre enclosure. You are not guaranteed to see them, but you likely will.

While I was there, I watched as these beautiful animals as they lounged in complete tranquillity in their own private space. There was even a young cub who bounced around annoying the others until he finally lay down, tuckered from his play, and napped. I really could have stood there and watched them for hours as they interacted with each other.

The Wolf Center has wonderful staff who are willing and able to answer any questions you have. What a wonderful opportunity to watch such beautiful creatures that you often hear but do not see in the wild.

Check out their website for events throughout the year, you will not want to miss out on these adventures.

The Haliburton Sculpture Forest

I actually came upon this by accident. Driving towards the Wolf Center, I saw a sign for the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. I had to check it out, and I am so glad I did.

Located in Glebe Park near the village of Haliburton, this unique artistic forest stroll will have you pointing and shooting your camera in every direction. Sculptures made from different materials, created by both Canadian and international artists, line the forest trails. Pick up a map at the beginning of the trail and see if you can find all 44 of them. Take a seat on some unusual benches and stop at the art huts as you stroll through the large Maple trees.

It is truly an amazing experience you do not want to miss while visiting the Haliburton Forest.

Long Sault Parkway, Long Sault, Ontario

Exploring eastern Ontario along the St. Lawrence River is something I never knew existed. Long Sault Parkway connects 11 small islands over 10 kilometres of the Parkway. With three campgrounds, sun, sand, and trails, there is plenty to do for everyone.

The drive along Long Sault Parkway takes over the causeway and small islands as you wind alongside the mighty St. Lawrence. Stop and take in the intriguing history of Long Sault and how its creation was man-made.

In 1950, when we now see small islands, there were several small communities. When the seaways were built to handle large vessels coming into Lake Ontario, these communities were bought out and flooded. Entire villages were moved. Some moved their homes with them, and some left them to flood. For more on the lost villages, you can visit the Lost Villages Museum in Ault Park, about 3 kilometres from Long Sault.

The story is fascinating and the camping divine. A beautiful drive just off Hwy 401 that is worth a deviation.

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There are so many wonderful Ontario RV travel destinations. Do you have a favourite? Leave me a comment on where and why you loved visiting there.

Thanks for coming along on my Chipmunk Adventure. See you next time.

Chipmunk

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