Travel tips: Getting Ready for Your RV Trip
What to pack, when to book, and sample 3-4 days getaways for every kind of traveler
Planning an RV trip might seem overwhelming at first—but with a bit of preparation and a few smart choices, it becomes one of the most flexible, rewarding, and family-friendly ways to explore Canada.
Whether you're a young family, a group of friends, or a couple enjoying retirement, this guide covers everything you need to know: from packing and timelines to easy 2–4 day itineraries starting right from Toronto.
🧭 Planning Ahead: Your RV Trip Timeline
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 6-4 months before | Choose destination and dates; reserve RV and campgrounds |
| 4–2 months before | Plan activities, map driving routes, confirm reservations |
| 1–2 weeks before | Pack, check RV supplies, review weather and road conditions |
| 2–3 days before | Grocery shop, prep meals, print or download offline maps |
🚐 6-4 Months Before: Book everything you need
Find your RV
Book early for long weekends and summer holidays.
If you own an RV, then no need to find one, but, be sure to schedule its annual maintenance early to avoid long waiting times during the traveling season. Always check the tires, fluids, brakes, propane, batteries, A/C unit, heater, etc... well, all the necessities and accessories you use during your trips really.
Additionally, in spring, when getting your RV out of winter storage, you’ll need to de-winterize it. This crucial step includes: sanitize the potable water systems, inspect all mechanical systems (slides, doors, windows, etc...), and verify and test, if required, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc... Some safety gears like fire extinguishers may need professional servicing or replacement.
If you'd rather not take care of all of this yourself on a regular basis, renting an RV is the solution.
For great rental options, use platforms like RVezy, Outdoorsy, or Cruise Canada. Make sure to confirm the RV you are interested in is in great condition and fits all your needs, and that the owners/hosts are trust worthy and reply reliably to all of your questions. Tip: Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions!
Interested in seeing what we mean by being trust worthy and reliable hosts, take a look at our listings and the reviews we received:
Choose the Right Campsite for Your RV Adventure
When it’s time to book your campsite, here are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure your stay is comfortable and hassle-free:
🔹 Site Size & Equipment:
Our RV is 30 feet long, but what about yours? Make sure the campsite can accommodate your RV’s length, plus any extra gear you’re bringing along—like bikes or a picnic setup.
🔌 Electricity:
Do you need power on site? Most sites offer 15 or 30 amp 110V service. If you’re planning to go off-grid, it’s good to know that our RV is outfitted with upgraded batteries that let us run for a few days without hookups—perfect for more remote stays.
🚰 Water:
Some sites include water hookups, while others don’t. No worries though—most campgrounds have a fresh water fill station where you can top up your tank before settling in.
🚽 Sewer:
The dream setup is a full-service site with electricity, water, and sewer. But many campgrounds have centralized dump stations you can use when it’s time to empty your grey and black water tanks.
📅 Booking Tips:
Most provincial and national parks open their reservation systems in winter or early spring. If you have a must-see destination or a favourite site type, be ready to book the moment reservations open—it gets competitive!
If your travel dates are set but you’re open to different locations, search for availability across multiple parks. Many booking platforms let you set up alerts so you’ll get notified when a spot becomes available—super handy for last-minute plans.
Popular options:
- Parks Canada (tent & RV camping)
- Ontario Parks (watch for cancellations lists)
- Harvest Hosts membership (not campsites per se, but great alternative. See below for details)
- FreeCampsites.net community map
- Guides like “17 Ways to Find a Campsite in Ontario”, “6 Tips for Booking Ontario Parks”—great resources if you want more ideas.
Harvest Hosts is a membership program that lets RVers stay overnight at unique locations like farms, wineries, breweries, and museums—usually for free, in exchange for supporting the host (buy a bottle of wine, book a tour, purchase your veggies at the farmer's market, etc.).
You’ll need a self-contained RV (with your own toilet) and an annual membership. It’s a fantastic way to add variety to your trip, support local businesses, and enjoy unforgettable settings.
Harvest Host has partnered with Boon Docking to offer individuals with space to park the option to host RVs for a night (sometimes more). This is a great option to get to know other RV travellers and share your respective adventures.
We have personally used this service a few times every year and always had a good time (our kids too).
🔗 You can join Harvest Host now using our referral link!
🧳 What to Pack for a Comfortable Trip
We'll be sharing dedicated posts with detailed checklists soon, but in the meantime, here's a quick overview of essentials to consider as your trip approaches. Many of these can be packed in advance, leaving only daily-use items for the final day or two.
- Bedding, towels, cookware, reusable dishes and cutlery
- First aid kit, bug spray, sunscreen
- Headlamps or lanterns, power bank
- Toilet paper, garbage bags, cleaning supplies
- Charging cables, reusable water bottles
- Folding table and chairs
- Printed directions or offline GPS maps
For families: books, games, bikes, beach toys
For everyone: swimwear, rain gear, snacks
🍁 Looking for ideas? Here are some Sample 2–4 Day Trips from Toronto
Short drives, great for a weekend or mini-vacation.
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🐚 Georgian Bay Coastal Circle
Best for: Families, nature lovers, photographers
Loop through Tobermory, ferry to Manitoulin Island, return via Sudbury. Great mix of beach, hiking, and cultural sites.
We wrote a complete post about just that trip!
That Parkdale RV
🌲 Killarney & French River
Best for: Active families with older kids, adventurous couples, nature photographers
Total drive time: ~5h (Toronto → Killarney)
| Day | 📍 Sample Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Killarney Provincial Park | Arrive mid-afternoon, set up at George Lake campground, relax at the beach |
| Day 2 | Hike “The Crack” | Challenging but iconic hike with panoramic views; older kids will love the challenge |
| Day 3 | French River & Canoeing | Visit the French River Visitor Centre, paddle the historic waterway, spot birds & wildlife |
| Day 4 | Scenic drive back with picnic stop in Parry Sound | Grab a butter tart and enjoy Georgian Bay views |
⚠️ Tips: Hike early to avoid heat and crowds. “The Crack” hike is strenuous — best for fit kids 10+ or adults.
🏞 Bon Echo + Mazinaw Rock
Best for: Families with school-aged children (5–12), nature lovers, first-time RVers
Total drive time: ~3.5h (Toronto → Bon Echo)
| Day | 📍 Sample Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Bon Echo Provincial Park | Easy drive, set up at Mazinaw Lake campground, swim or bike around |
| Day 2 | Explore Mazinaw Rock | Take the ferry to see Indigenous pictographs, hike the Cliff Top Trail |
| Day 3 | Canoe rental + nature scavenger hunt | Flat water = great for families; kids can spot turtles, frogs, and herons |
| Day 4 | Drive back via Bancroft | Short hikes or stop for treats along Highway 28 |
🧒 Why it’s great for families: Flat trails, shallow beach, interpretive programs, easy logistics.
🍇 Niagara Wine Country & Nature Loop
Best for: Families, couples, or retirees
While Niagara Falls itself is busy and not RV-friendly, the region around it is perfect for relaxed camping, nature, and wine tasting.
Stay near Jordan Station or Vineland. Avoid downtown Niagara Falls with its RV restrictions.
| Day | 📍 Sample StopsStop | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Jordan Valley Campground | Quiet campground near vineyards |
| Day 2 | Niagara Falls via shuttle | Falls, Clifton Hill, Butterfly Conservatory |
| Day 3 | Ball’s Falls & farm stops | Hiking, local produce, waterfalls |
| Day 4 | Niagara-on-the-Lake | Winery tastings, quaint shopping |
⚠️ RVs are not allowed to park near Niagara Falls overnight. Stay at RV parks outside the city and use shuttles or bikes.
🏕 Arrowhead Provincial Park
Best for: Families with young kids, weekenders, first-timers
Total drive time: ~2.5h (Toronto → Huntsville)
| Day | 📍 Sample Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Arrowhead | Check in early, swim at Beaver Meadow Beach, visit the waterfall trail |
| Day 2 | Canoe or paddleboard on Arrowhead Lake | Rentals available, or bring your own |
| Day 3 | Bike or hike the Stubb’s Falls Trail, then drive home | Option to stop in Huntsville for lunch and a local market |
👨👩👧👦 Why families love it: Short drive, small park = less stress. The waterfall and tubing are fun and safe for all ages.
🌅 Sandbanks & Prince Edward County
Best for: Couples, friend groups, foodies, photographers
Total drive time: ~3h (Toronto → Sandbanks)
| Day | 📍 Sample Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Sandbanks Provincial Park | Beach time, set up at Outlet River or Cedars campground |
| Day 2 | Winery & brewery tour | Visit local wineries like Norman Hardie, Hinterland, or breweries in Wellington |
| Day 3 | Farmers' market + lake paddle | Morning stop at the Picton market, paddle at Lake on the Mountain or West Lake |
| Day 4 | Scenic drive back with lavender or sunflower field stops (seasonal) | Great photo ops & souvenirs |
💡 Vibe: Romantic, relaxing, and indulgent — but with space for bikes, kayaks, and sunset views.
🚣 Rideau Lakes & Conservation Parks
Best for: Retired couples, friends, slower-paced travel
Total drive time: ~4.5h (Toronto → Chaffey’s Lock area)
| Day | 📍 Sample Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Toronto → Rideau Lakes area | Camp near Chaffey’s Lock, Westport, or Murphy’s Point Provincial Park |
| Day 2 | Paddle the Rideau Canal + heritage stop | Canoe or kayak along the canal; visit the lockstation and local museum |
| Day 3 | Westport winery & shopping | Check out Westport Brewing Co., or Scheuermann Winery; relax at Foley Mountain |
| Day 4 | Return via Perth | Grab a bite or wander the quaint downtown before heading home |
🛶 Why it works: Quiet, scenic, historic — perfect for slower mornings, gentle paddles, and local charm.
✅ Final Tips
- Book popular parks early
- Pack light, but smart
- Always have a rain and backup activity plan
- Mix parks, private sites, and Harvest Hosts for variety
- Keep driving segments short with kids—ideally 3–5 hours per day
👋 Ready to Hit the Road?
Whether you're heading for a beach weekend, forest retreat, or vineyard stopover, there's an RV trip for everyone. These trips are all doable in 2–4 days, great for families, couples, or friends—and all within reach from Toronto.
Have a favourite trip or stop to suggest?
Don't hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help you plan the perfect RV adventure! We've also compile a little FAQ hoping to answer these most usual questions.
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