Quote:
Originally Posted by hrewer
We’re driving between Thunder Bay and Kingston in late June. We are looking for a scenic drive with camp spots along the way. Should we go on 11 to North Bay and on to 41?
Or take 17 to Sault Ste. Marie and around Georgian Bay, going through Toronto and across Lake Ontario?
We have done the drive from Toronto to Kingston many times so it would not be new for us.
Any ideas are welcome!
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I live near Kingston and have driven quite a bit in the area and there are some very scenic roads. And also endless vistas of granite outcrops and cedar/pine trees. Not sure how leisurely a drive you want to do.
I haven't done 11 across northern Ontario but drove across the top on 17 from Sault Ste Marie in '22, and the scenery is spectacular so I would recommend that be the superior Superior route.
From there, there are lots of very scenic routes depending how long you want to spend. If you're in a semi rush, take the Trans Canada to Ottawa and explore there, then down the 417 to the 401. I like Fitzroy Provincial Park. It's a pretty route on a good two-lane highway until you get to Arnprior. I would not suggest highway 11 from North Bay (I think you had a 41 typo there). Lots of trucks and traffic on this 4-lane expressway. However, if you're nt interested in Ottawa, you might consider the real 41 south from Pembroke.
I also really like the drive through Manitoulin, down the Bruce peninsula. You can then camp at Craigleith Provincial Park and explore the fossils on the beach. From there, you might drive east to Peterborough, and down highway 30 to Brighton. Or head south on 6 and follow the Niagara escarpment (ancient geologic fault) to Buffalo and take US20 across to Syracuse and then up the I81 to Kingston. Lots of very interesting stops on that route - wine country in Niagara, Niagara Falls of course, Finger Lakes, Erie Canal. You might also consider following the eastern shore of Lake Huron, then the endless sand beaches of the north shore of Lake Erie. All very pretty with lots of campgrounds (McGregor, Pinery, Rondeau, Port Burwell, Long Point are a few examples)
Or from North Bay, head south on 11 to Huntsville, and across 60 through our beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park, then south from Whitney to Bancroft and then a boring-ish 62 to the #2. Highway 2 parallels the 401 and is much more scenic than the 401, although mostly 2-lane if that's a factor for you.
As you suggested, highway 41 is nice and has the very popular Bon Echo provincial park. I would cut the corner and head south from Barry's Bay to Denbeigh.
One final suggestion is a bit more windy, but still pretty well maintained - Huntville to Baysville on country road 2, 117 to Dorset, 35 to Carnarvon, 118 to Haliburton, and stay on it to Paudash, 28 to Bancroft, then 62 south or across to 41. We have family in Huntsville and this is our preferred sightseeing route.
I know there's lots of blather here, but something to think about as you do your research. Please PM me if you would like more TMI. :-)
Alf
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