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Old 11-06-2014, 02:30 PM   #1
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Route input requested

OK. So I'm scheduled to pick up my 5.0TA in early June and will hit Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Devil's Tower, and the Black Hills on the trek homeward. But we are making a side trip to Parry Sound to visit a couple we met at Scamp Camp last February in Sebring.
I have two choices. I can detour to Duluth and go around the northern shore of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay, or we can head for Detroit and cross into Canada there. My question is whether the natural beauty of the northern route is worth what I believe would be many extra miles/km, and the quality and quantity of campgrounds. Not looking to boondock. While I have seen much of Quebec and eastern Ontario, I've never been west of Toronto. I am familiar with Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan so I could go that way. I'm leaning toward the Canadian route, but don't want to regret my choice after I travel a couple hundred miles. Whatever input any of you can offer will be appreciated.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:50 PM   #2
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Well, come the last weekend in May, an partake in the fun at the Rally.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:53 PM   #3
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Well, come the last weekend in May, an partake in the fun at the Rally.
Don't think so. Having spent years in the Army, I will never spend any more time sleeping in tents.
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:08 PM   #4
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In 2011 I took MN61 from Duluth to Thunder Bay along the West end of Lake Superior, then 11 & 17 along the North side of the lake, crossing back into the US at Niagara Falls then Home to Oswego, NY.

Lots of interesting stops along the way for lighthouses & waterfalls. I stayed at Grand Marais Recreation Area campground (had a great pizza!), then a mix of commercial & Provincial campgrounds alone the way. If you are interested, there are lots of amethyst mines all along the north shore of Lake Superior; either hit the gift shops or dig your own.

I have a journal of that part of the trip starting here.
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:19 PM   #5
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Some folks that have come out without a trailer, have stayed in a local motel. Just a thought.....
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:32 PM   #6
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You may never pass this way again... at least when the rest of us are there
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:36 PM   #7
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nk'mip has yurts and cabins, if interested.

https://www.campingosoyoos.com/campsites-cabins/cabins/
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:48 PM   #8
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You may never pass this way again... at least when the rest of us are there
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Some folks that have come out without a trailer, have stayed in a local motel. Just a thought.....
That's true, Donna. Only potential problem is I may have to go to an on-again, off-again wedding in Tennessee on the 29th. Currently off. Actually, I would like to meet everyone. I would probably qualify as the person who came the furthest distance for the rally!

And Jim, not knowing the area are there motel rooms enough that I wouldn't need to make a reservations ahead of time? Any close to the campground?
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:52 PM   #9
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And Jim, not knowing the area are there motel rooms enough that I wouldn't need to make a reservations ahead of time? Any close to the campground?
The townsite, with lots of motels, is just minutes from the campground.

I had forgot about the yurts at the campground, until Bruce mentioned them.
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Old 11-06-2014, 03:57 PM   #10
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OK. So I'm scheduled to pick up my 5.0TA in early June and will hit Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Devil's Tower, and the Black Hills on the trek homeward. But we are making a side trip to Parry Sound to visit a couple we met at Scamp Camp last February in Sebring.
I have two choices. I can detour to Duluth and go around the northern shore of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay, or we can head for Detroit and cross into Canada there. My question is whether the natural beauty of the northern route is worth what I believe would be many extra miles/km, and the quality and quantity of campgrounds. Not looking to boondock. While I have seen much of Quebec and eastern Ontario, I've never been west of Toronto. I am familiar with Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan so I could go that way. I'm leaning toward the Canadian route, but don't want to regret my choice after I travel a couple hundred miles. Whatever input any of you can offer will be appreciated.
Hi: C&G in FL... We did the I 94 east to Fargo then HWY 10& 210 to Duluth and 2 across the UP of Mich. to I 75 south. If you cross into Canada at Detroit and head east through South Western Ontario along the 401 We could offer you an overnight at our place. Lots of room for two 5.0TA's with water and electric hook ups. I could show you the central Ontario RV route north to Parry Sound. Alf
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Old 11-06-2014, 04:30 PM   #11
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Ohhhh, good stuff to know. I really want to go and meet everyone! And since I don't have to have my build sheet until 8.15, would be able to get a good idea of the different options! Yurt sounds cool - will also check the motels.
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Old 11-06-2014, 06:06 PM   #12
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So.........
Getting back to my original question, if I do choose to go through Duluth and Thunder Bay to get to Parry Sound will it be more like driving across Kansas/Nebraska or more like driving through Brittish Columbia? If it's going to be a non-memorable drive, I will plan on the shorter route.
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Old 11-06-2014, 06:59 PM   #13
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The shortest route to Party Sound is still through Duluth then Michigan UP and cross into Canada at Sault St. Marie.. same lake just opposite shore. Straight eastward shot.. US route 2 is a relatively quiet 2 lane road in good shape, still plenty of Northern Ontario from the Sault around Georgian Bay to Parry Sound.
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Old 11-06-2014, 07:17 PM   #14
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So.........
Getting back to my original question, if I do choose to go through Duluth and Thunder Bay to get to Parry Sound will it be more like driving across Kansas/Nebraska or more like driving through Brittish Columbia? If it's going to be a non-memorable drive, I will plan on the shorter route.
Not necessarily BC but definitely not KS/NE. I have not been past Thunder Bay. The North Shore is a favorite for canoeists and kayakers. Many tiny towns with no or few services but nice scenery. Been to Duluth? Great (big)town, Canal Park area with museum, Jay Cooke SP some distance but others closer. Grand Marais which Jon mentioned, great(small) town. Naniboujou Lodge north of there worth a visit to see the fantastic dining room with good food too and nice lake sitting area. Grand Portage Indian reservation has campground if not much, casino and hotel, but nice area, right before Canada.
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Old 11-06-2014, 10:25 PM   #15
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The shortest route to Party Sound is still through Duluth then Michigan UP and cross into Canada at Sault St. Marie.. same lake just opposite shore. Straight eastward shot.. US route 2 is a relatively quiet 2 lane road in good shape, still plenty of Northern Ontario from the Sault around Georgian Bay to Parry Sound.
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Getting back to my original question, if I do choose to go through Duluth and Thunder Bay to get to Parry Sound will it be more like driving across Kansas/Nebraska or more like driving through Brittish Columbia? If it's going to be a non-memorable drive, I will plan on the shorter route.
HI Carl;
I agree with the previous response in that it may not be BC, but it is very scenic. The route would add miles and time to your trip, but there are many excellent provincial parks along the way with good camping facilities, often in very interesting and unique settings. These can be researched here at Park Locator and you can determine amenities and local attractions. We have camped at many Ontario provincial parks and have consistently found them to be clean, well maintained, and many offering interesting and unique natural settings. Lake Superior Provincial Park on the eastern Shore of Lake Superior consistently receives favourable reviews, and is on our to do list. The drive from Wawa Ontario to Sault St Marie, in the same area, is a road that follows the coastline very closely and offers some amazing views of Lake Superior while you are driving.
While many of the small communities along the North Shore have limited services, it is a well travelled route and you will have no problem getting fuel or food. One word of caution, in June there probably will be mosquitoes and black flies along Lake Superior as well as in Parry Sound. We are in Central Southwestern Ontario, and also have lots of room to park with water and electricity, if you are looking for a stopover on your way.
Enjoy the journey whichever one you choose!!

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Old 11-06-2014, 10:40 PM   #16
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I have also been to Sault Ste. Marie but from a different direction. One of the biggest shipping points in the world with lock tours. I, too, have been told about the Lake Superior Provincial Park and that it is a must-do. There is actually a book on circling Lake Superior and many have.
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Old 11-07-2014, 07:35 AM   #17
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Jim brings up an interesting point. Mosquitoes and BLACK FLIES! I had almost forgotten about them. Have the mosquitoes in Florida. But black flies. Haven't danced with those babies since the year I migrated from New Hampshire (1985). Good opportunity to get reacquainted with what are the absolute worst insects in North America, at least in my humble opinion!
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Old 11-07-2014, 08:28 AM   #18
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Also keep in mind that Ontario Provincial Parks tend to be expensive. You typically get more for your dollar south of the border. I'm of the mindset that's will to pay to see stuff I haven't seen before, but if high prices annoy you, prepare to be annoyed.
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Old 11-07-2014, 12:00 PM   #19
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We did the Lake Superior Circle Tour 2 years ago . It is a nice drive on good roads . We went up through Duluth ,and Thunder Bay. There are many campsites on the Canadian side that are right on the shore of Lake Superior or on small lakes close to the highway . The UP of Michigan is also beautiful and the Michigan SP' s are really nice ..There are as couple of private campgrounds near Parry Sound that have full hookups but they are not inexpensive
($50 + /night) .We also found private campgrounds in Canada often were cheaper than the Canadian Provincial Parks and offered more ammenities. There is a lot of info on the internet for the Circle Tour and many of the sites will mail you pamphlets listing what their area has to offer
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Old 11-07-2014, 05:30 PM   #20
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We're in North Bay, just a bit east of Parry Sound. We lived in Winnipeg for years, but always had a cottage here in North Bay, so we've driven #11 and #17 about 50 times. It, in my opinion, is all beautiful - but the stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa is not to be missed. There are lots of private campgrounds as well as Provincial and even National Parks to choose from so that won't be a problem.
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