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Newsstand: November 23, 2009
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Occasionally Torontoist gets bitten by the camping bug. Unfortunately, we don’t always have the extra vacation days or access to a vehicle required for a Kawartha Lakes getaway. Then, of course, there’s the environmental irony of loading the minivan full of camping gear and burning dozens of litres of gas in order to enjoy nature.
Luckily, there’s a quick camping fix right here in town. The Glen Rouge Campground is accessible by bicycle (about two to three hours from downtown, depending on your route and speed), and is a quick jaunt from the TTC or GO Transit. Oh, and it’s an easy drive, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The campground is a good place for a change of pace, whether you’re looking to spend a few days exploring Rouge Park, or are just looking for a day away from the condo construction across the street. It’s also close to the zoo and the beach, so there’s plenty to keep the kids busy. If you’re cycling, Glen Rouge is a good first stop on a trip east along the Waterfront Trail.
It’s hardly an idyllic backwoods camping spot, but if you’re the type of camper that likes to have flush toilets and laundry facilities as part of your outdoor experience, Glen Rouge is for you. Shopping is nearby as well, so you can travel light and buy your food when you get there. So pack up your tent, bring some marshmallows for toasting, and enjoy Toronto’s campground this summer.
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There's also the Toronto Zoo's Serengeti Bush Camp. It doesn't even descend to the tame roughing-it level of car camping, though. You'll need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow, but they'll provide the safari tents, buffet breakfast and dinner, and a lot of (mostly kid-oriented) junk to do in the zoo after dark. You'll get to hear the lions contact calling as you go to sleep, which is cool. But then you'll get woken up with loud, vaguely Lion King-like drumming in the morning. Which is not as cool.
That's funny, just last night I was asking, jokingly, if there is any place you can camp around here that is transit accessible!
If you take your bike on the GO Train, there are several other campgrounds that are easily accessible, even on a Friday after work.
Darlington Provincial park just outside of Oshawa is a quick ride from the GO station, and a beautiful place to ride (heading east of the park). Perfect for a weekend getaway, especially now that the GO train services Oshawa all weekend.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is close enough to the Bronte GO station that you could probably even walk there.
And if you take the GO train to Burlington or Hamilton, it's not that far to ride to Confederation Park. Do it on a Friday after work, and you're well on your way to Niagara. Fifty Point Conservation Area is only 10km further too.
Have fun.
I'm going camping in my backyard this weekend. It's conveniently located close to home and it's reasonably priced. Sadly, it's not too close to water...unless the bathtub counts. I may even build a sandbox which would make for a nice private beach (sans water).