How to Camp in Leamington, Ontario
Leamington, on the southeastern tip of Ontario on Lake Erie, is a camper's dream destination, offering several areas to accommodate a trailer, tent, RV or boat; cabin and B&B rentals are also available. Though some people consider camping to include a stay in a rustic motel, hotel or lodge, this article assumes something a bit closer to nature. When planning your camping in Canada, keep in mind that border crossing from the United States requires passports for adults and children alike.
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Things You'll Need
- Tent, or trailer, RV, mobile camper, boat with sleeping facilities
- Sleeping bags and camping equipment
- Fishing equipment
- Butterfly net
- Binoculars
- Passports
Instructions
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Pick a campground that best fits your needs and budget. Several options are available including: Sturgeon Woods campground and marina, on the most southern part of Canada's mainland only a short ferry boat ride from Pelee Island; Campers Cove, where the Gerrish Family offers a "real" camping experience at great value; and Lakeside Village, which has both campsites and a motel that meet the rigorous standards of the Canada Select Accommodations Rating Program.
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Pack the essentials, including extra water and gas, chewing gum to "pop" your ears when going up or down the mountains, travel games for the kids, a good first-aid kit, repellents for mosquitoes and black flies, a snake bite kit (as a precaution), a pair of heavy-duty wire cutters for removing fish hook barbs from clothing, water purification tablets, prescription medications including a general antibiotic and several pairs of dry socks in plastic bags. Most importantly, don't forget a warm sleeping bag, as the nights can be cool in Leamington.
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Once you arrive, pitch your tent, anchor your boat or park your RV or camper, and let the vacation begin.
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Be sure to visit Point Pelee National Park. Only a few minutes by boat or ferry from the Leamington marina, the park is world famous for bird and butterfly watching, and walleye and bass fishing. The Point Pelee Passage, a mecca for Ontario camping and scuba diving, is also close by, as are many vacation activities like golfing, swimming, shopping and go-carting.
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Hit the beaches and scuba dive to search for sunken ships; or go for a refreshing swim, and relax on the warm sand in the sun.
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Sport fishermen can fish for a prize walleye or bass, or simply catch the daily limit and fry up beer-battered walleye fillets (best served with fresh-baked Canadian French bread) for dinner.
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Tips & Warnings
Make reservations well in advance. Many campsites are booked at least a year out.
Be careful of sun exposure, especially for the kids. Watch out for poison ivy, oak and sumac. Avoid them. Keep shoes and boots filled, so spiders (who like dark places) do not crawl in and surprise you.
