The Ultimate Northern Ontario RV Road Trip Through 7 Ontario Provincial Parks

Plan the ultimate Northern Ontario RV road trip with this 15-day itinerary through Ontario’s most beautiful provincial parks. From quiet inland lakes to the rugged shores of Lake Superior, this scenic loop is designed for RV travelers seeking short driving days, well-equipped campgrounds, and unforgettable landscapes.

Northern Ontario RV Road Trip Itinerary Overview

Starting point: Central or Southern Ontario
Direction: Clockwise loop through Northern Ontario. 

Clockwise loop through Northern Ontario. 

Grundy Lake Provincial Park →
Chutes Provincial Park →
Lake Superior Provincial Park →
Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park →
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park →
Marten River Provincial Park →
Restoule Provincial Park

Total distance: roughly 1,250–1,450 km

Recommended trip length: 14–16 

This route works especially well for RV travelers because each park offers car-accessible campsites with amenities such as electrical hookups, comfort stations, and trailer dump stations. Many of the campgrounds also have larger sites that accommodate motorhomes and travel trailers.

Park	Big Rig Friendly (30–45 ft)	Electrical Sites	Ease of Access	Notes
Grundy Lake Provincial Park	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Larger loops, some tighter turns
Chutes Provincial Park	⚠️ Limited	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Smaller campground, book early
Lake Superior Provincial Park	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Best options at Agawa Bay
Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Easy layout, great for big rigs
Kettle Lakes Provincial Park	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Multiple loops, check site size
Marten River Provincial Park	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Very RV-friendly overall
Restoule Provincial Park	⚠️ Some sites	⚠️ Limited	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Better for mid-size rigs

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Approximate Driving Legs

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Stop 1: Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Stay: 2 nights

Classic Canadian Shield Landscapes

Your road trip begins at one of Ontario’s most beloved parks — Grundy Lake Provincial Park. Located between Georgian Bay and Lake Nipissing, the park showcases classic Canadian Shield scenery: smooth granite ridges, towering pines, and sparkling inland lakes. 

Highlights

• Crystal-clear lakes

• Easy paddling routes

• Scenic shoreline views

• Must-do hikes like the Swan Lake Trail.
• Spot wildlife like loons, turtles, and occasionally moose

RV Camping

• Electrical sites available

• Large, accessible campground loops

• Good for big rigs

Grundy Lake is well equipped for RV travelers. It has more than 200 campsites spread across 9 campground areas  with many of the sites serviced with electricity and located within a short walk of beaches or lakeshore access. The park has a trailer sanitation station and modern comfort stations with free showers.

DON’T MISS

Take an early morning paddle—the lakes are incredibly calm at sunrise.

After two nights relaxing among the lakes and pine forests, it’s time to continue west.

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Stop 2: Chutes Provincial Park

Stay: 2 nights

Waterfalls & Riverside Views

A short drive brings you to Chutes Provincial Park, located near the small northern town of Massey.

The park protects a stretch of the Aux Sables River where powerful rapids and waterfalls carve through the forest. The constant roar of rushing water gives this park a lively energy compared with the calm lakes of Grundy.

RV Campground

Chutes Campground – shaded sites among tall red pines with space for RVs and trailers.

Must-See Hikes & Viewpoints

Twin Bridges Trail (6 km) – crosses two suspension bridges and follows the river past dramatic waterfalls and rapids.

Things to Do

• Photograph the waterfalls and river gorge

• Relax at the sandy river beach

This stop is short but memorable — a scenic pause before the journey north to Lake Superior.

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Stop 3: Lake Superior Provincial Park

Stay: 3 nights

The Most Dramatic Stop on the Route

Driving north along Highway 17, the scenery becomes more dramatic with every kilometre. Eventually the highway hugs the rocky coastline of Lake Superior Provincial Park, where the Canadian Shield plunges directly into the largest freshwater lake in the world.This park is enormous and incredibly diverse, featuring cliffs, waterfalls, hidden beaches, and one of Ontario’s best hiking networks.

Two major campgrounds welcome RV travelers.

Agawa Bay Campground (lakefront sites!)

• Located directly on a 3-km sandy beach along Lake Superior
• Over 150 campsites, many with lake views
• Comfort stations, showers, and trailer dump station

Rabbit Blanket Lake Campground

• Smaller and quieter

• Forested inland campground beside a lake

• 60 sites including electrical hookups

• Sites are smaller, not as good for large RVs, but perfect for tents, and pop-up campers

Highlights

• Agawa Rock pictographs

• Coastal hiking trails

• Lake Superior shoreline and beaches

After three nights here, you’ll understand why many travelers consider Lake Superior Provincial Park one of Ontario’s most spectacular wilderness destinations.

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Stop 4: Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park

A Quiet Reset Stop

After the intensity of Lake Superior, Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park offers calm, space, and simplicity.

Highlights

• Sandy beach

• Warm, shallow swimming

• Relaxed camping atmosphere

RV Camping

• Spacious sites

• Electrical hookups

• Easy navigation for larger RVs

SLOW TRAVEL MOMENT

Spend an evening by the lake watching the light change—it’s one of the most peaceful stops on the trip.

Stop 5: Kettle Lakes Provincial Park

Stay: 2 nights

From Ivanhoe Lake, the road continues deep into Northern Ontario’s boreal forest until you reach Kettle Lakes Provincial Park.

The park gets its name from dozens of “kettle lakes” formed when melting glacial ice blocks created round depressions in the earth thousands of years ago.

These lakes are small, peaceful, and perfect for canoeing/kayaking.

RV Campgrounds

• The Pines Campground – large sites and electrical hookups

• Island Lake Campground – next to the park’s main beach and swimming area

Both campgrounds offer comfort stations with showers and facilities suitable for large trailers and motorhomes.

Must-See Hikes & Viewpoints

• Ridge Trail – views across kettle lakes and boreal forest

• Island Lake Loop – easy scenic walk near the beach

Things to Do

• Rent a bike and ride 14 km of bike trails

• Swim at Island Lake beach

• Fish for northern pike or perch

The peaceful atmosphere here makes it a perfect mid-trip rest stop.

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Stop 6: Marten River Provincial Park

Stay: 2 nights

Heading south from Kettle Lakes brings you into the Temagami region and Marten River Provincial Park.

This park blends outdoor recreation with regional history.

Best RV Campgrounds

• Chicot Campground

• Assinika CampgroundTogether these two campgrounds offer 193 campsites, with more than 100 electrical sites suitable for RVs.

Must-See Attractions

• Marten River Logging Museum – one of the best logging history exhibits in Ontario.

Things to Do

• Canoe/ kayak  Marten River. The current is easy to manage. Look for beaver lodges and wildlife.

• Fish for walleye or northern pike

• Explore Temagami’s pine forests

This stop adds a cultural dimension to the trip while still offering beautiful wilderness scenery.

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Stop 7: Restoule Provincial Park

Stay: 2–3 nights

The final stop is Restoule Provincial Park, a quiet park nestled between Stormy Lake and Restoule Lake.

The park offers more than 200 campsites, many with electrical hookups for RVs and trailers.

Best RV Campgrounds

• Kettle Point Campground – scenic lakeside sites

• Stormy Lake Campground – forested sites with great privacy

Must-See Hikes & Viewpoints

Fire Tower Trail (4 km)
This trail climbs through mature forest to a historic fire tower overlooking Stormy Lake from a 100-meter bluff.

River Trail (1.2 km)
Short scenic walk along the Restoule River.

Things to Do

• Paddle Stormy Lake

• Fish for bass, walleye, or musky

• Relax at the beach

• Watch sunset over the lakes

Things to Know:

1. Fuel up frequently. Gas stations become less frequent north of Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. 
2.  Book campsites early. Ontario Parks reservations open five months in advance, and popular RV sites book quickly.
3. Expect limited cell service. Many parks have little or no signal. Download maps before you go.
4.  Prepare for bugs. Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense in early summer. Many campers report bringing Thermacell (which actually does work) or strong bug spray with deet during peak bug season. 
5. Watch for wildlife on highways. Moose frequently cross northern highways at dusk and dawn.
6.  Leave extra time for scenic stops. Highway 17 along Lake Superior is one of Canada’s most beautiful drives. Plan time for beaches, waterfalls, and lookouts.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Northern Ontario RV Road Trip

How long does a Northern Ontario RV road trip take?
Most travelers plan 10–16 days. This itinerary is designed as a relaxed 15-day route.

Is Northern Ontario good for RV travel?
Yes—many provincial parks offer electrical sites, large campsites, and easy access for motorhomes.

What is the best time for a Northern Ontario RV trip?
Late June to early September offers the best weather, with fewer bugs later in the season.

Do you need to book Ontario Parks in advance?
Yes—reservations open 5 months ahead and popular parks fill quickly. Book campsites through Ontario Parks.

IMO:

This Northern Ontario RV loop is one of the best ways to experience the province’s wilderness.

This route is ideal for RV travel because it balances:

✔ Short driving days
✔ Well-equipped campgrounds
✔ Diverse landscapes
✔ Built-in rest stops like Ivanhoe Lake

It’s not rushed, and that’s what makes it memorable.

In just two weeks you’ll see:

• Canadian Shield landscapes
• Lake Superior’s rugged coastline
• Glacial kettle lakes
• Historic logging culture

Each park has its own character, yet together they create an unforgettable road trip filled with lakes, forests, wildlife, and some of the best RV camping in Canada.