In the remote northwestern portion of Ontario, about 160 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, lies Quetico Provincial Park.

This is the place to come if you’re looking for an incredible paddling experience. Quetico offers a much different experience than the parks in Southern Ontario. There is a vast, open wilderness with far fewer visitors. Wildlife is plentiful, fishing is excellent, and the backcountry experience here is true backcountry. There are over 450,000 hectares of protected land. Thousands of interconnected lakes, rivers and streams make the variety of canoe routes limitless.

Quetico Provincial Park has RV camping at the Dawson Trail campground. 

Site Review:

The Dawson Trail campground is located on French Lake in the northeast section of the park. There are over 100 campsites located in 2 campground loops:

• Chippewa (22 sites)
• Ojibwa (84 sites)

We stayed on site #40 in the Ojibwa campground loop. It is a large electric pull-thru site.

Both campground loops have electric sites and some in the Chippewa loop have water access like site #7 (which I think is the best site in the park).

The sites in both camping loops are wooded and fairly level though some minor adjusting might be required.

There is a comfort station for each campground loop with flush toilets and free showers.

The Ojibwa camping loop has its own beach area and direct access to some of the hiking trails.

Activities:

Swimming:

There are beaches at the Day Use area and at the Ojibwa campground suitable for swimming.

Hiking:

Campers at the Dawson Trail Campground can explore 35 km of hiking trails, ranging from barrier-free to strenuous levels of difficulty.

The Teaching Trail 3.2 km, 2 hours, strenuous


Rough topography and steep slopes are features of this trail as it weaves its way through a variety of forest habitat. The trail winds through a beaver meadow and along the east shore of French Lake.

French Falls Trail 2.4 km, 1hour, strenuous

This trail is not long but has some steep climbs as it leads you to the cascades of the French River. This is a picturesque, photogenic trail.

French Portage Trail 5 km, 2 hours, strenuous

This hike into the past traces a portage first established by First Nations and later used by European explorers and fur traders.  The low-lying terrain is sometimes difficult.

Pickerel Point Trail 1.6 km, return, 30 minutes, moderate

Sometimes difficult and steep, this trail follows the Pickerel River and offers a view of French Lake. 

Pickerel River Trail 0.8 km, 30 minutes, barrier-free

The Sheila Hainey Boardwalk along the Pickerel River links the Quetico Information Pavilion to the French Lake Day-Use area.

Pines Hiking Trail 10 km return, 3.5 hours, moderate

An extension of the Whiskey Jack Trail, Pines Trail includes moderate to steep climbs.

Whiskey Jack Trail 2.5 km, 1 hour, moderate

This trail begins on a boardwalk that winds through the forest. The boardwalk then gives way to a footpath that meanders through various forest habitats. (Caution: the terrain is slippery when wet.)

Baptism Creek Trail 1.1 km, 0.5 hours, moderate

This trail links the Whiskey Jack and Camp 111 trails. The hilly terrain finishes at a clearing along the banks of Baptism Creek.

Camp 111 Trail 4.4 km, 2hours, moderate

The Camp 111 trail is the remnants of an old logging road that runs adjacent to the French River. The route travels through a variety of forest types and completes the Dawson Trail System circuit by connecting to the French Falls Trail.

Link to trail map:

https://www.ontarioparks.com/pdf/maps/quetico/Hiking-Trails.pdf

Biking:

There are no designated bike trails at the park nor can you take your bike on any of the hiking trails. Biking, however, is permitted on the campground roads but since the vast majority of Quetico Provincial Park is accessed only via the water there really aren’t very many roads you can use to explore the park by bike.

Canoeing/Kayaking:

Stretching 60 miles from east to west and 40 miles from north to south, Quetico Provincial Park is among the best wilderness canoeing in the world.

As an RV camper, you may not be inclined to embark on a multi-day excursion deep into the park but you should try and get on the water at least on French Lake for a couple of hours or maybe do a day trip. It is what this park is all about.

You can rent canoes by the hour, day or week. Rental information can be obtained at the Visitor Centre located at the park entrance.

Visitor Centre:

There is a visitor centre located at the park entrance where you will find some displays and artifacts. There is a small gift shop.  Also there you will find a staffed information desk. Campfire wood can be purchased here as well.

Things to Know:

1. There are no motorized boats allowed in the park so there is no boat launch.
2. Pets are permitted.
3. There is no park store for any forgotten items but 4km west of the park on highway 11 is the community of Quetico North where you will find groceries, gas, camping supplies, canoe rentals, restaurants and an LCBO.
4. With the exception of the roads immediately around the Visitor Centre which are paved- all the rest of the roads are dirt. These become heavily rutted after a hard rain and are very muddy.

IMO:

I had read some outstanding reviews of Quetico Provincial Park and was keen to add it to my Ontario Parks bucket list. I have been on many multi-day canoe trips in the past, mostly at Algonquin Park, and I love the remoteness of wilderness camping. The idea of having the RV and enjoying a nature experience afforded at a place like Quetico was intriguing.

I, however, was not wowed. The RV camping here is nothing special. The campsites are average. They are large but close together. Not private. Not quiet. With the exception of a few sites in the Chippewa camping loop, the sites are not even located on the water which Quetico is known for. There is no wilderness feel to the RV camping experience.

The 100 or so RV/car camping sites in the Dawson Trail Campground do not reflect the beauty and backcountry adventure that is the rest of Quetico. 

I am torn as to whether to recommend Quetico Provincial Park as an RV Place to Go. It is a beautiful park; the canoeing is outstanding; the hikes peaceful, however, considering the distance you would likely have to travel to get here you could probably have the same RV camping experience at pretty much every other Ontario Park. I am glad we went but I doubt we will make the effort to come back.