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The Joy of Camping – A Closer Look at Rushing River

Mar 27, 2022 Play
The Joy of Camping – A Closer Look at Rushing River

Folks have asked for some more details about camping at Rushing River after my first post on Rushing River. Great! Hear are some more details and really hope folks are inspired to visit!

Rushing River: The Park

Rushing River is about 20-25 minutes from the town of Kenora – a very cute and pretty town in the northwest edge of Ontario. The park wraps itself around the western edge of Dogtooth Lake, and has some of the most beautiful camping sites on either edge of the lake. Tall pines and rocky shores along with sandy beaches, are common features.

It has 2 large boat docks, for the boating fans and if you know the lake well, you can be on the lake for hours and can enjoy lunch on many islands. If you don’t like boats, then you can canoe, kayak or paddle-board or just float, on the lake.

There is a point where the lake pours into a smaller lake/river and creates some majestic falls. It’s the drawing card and name sake of this park “Rushing River”.

The park is perfect for families or singles or couples without kids. It is extremely well maintained and they are very good at keeping the park quiet so that everyone can enjoy it. You will find modern showers and also modern bathroom facilities. You will also find outhouses peppered throughout the campground and running potable water.

There is a campground store nearby (about 3 minutes by car outside of the park gates) and a small coffee shop in the park that serves coffee and some light snacks. You can rent canoes at the store and if you forget something “big”, the town of Kenora will have everything you need!

Campgrounds

More about the campgrounds. The campgrounds are divided into about 4 zones. There is a 5th Group Camping zone, but I’ll focus on the individual campsites for now.

I’ve been going here for over a decade, and have stayed in all 4 zones. Of course I have my favourites zones – the north west and south east zones. No matter the zone, I have always enjoyed this park.

There are many sites on the water and why I pick the north west and south east zones – for easy access to the lake. (There are also many sites not on the water, and perfect for campers and RVs). If you are interested in these sites, check out the following sites. While there aren’t the only sites but some of the ones I’ve used.

67, 105, 106, 104, 110, and 225-231

You have sites that are flat and level and perfect for RVs). On other sites you will park on the hill, and then walk all your gear down. Although this may feel like a pain, these are some of the most beautiful sites! My friends and I gripe each time about the haul down the hill. The minute we are done and sipping a nice wine, and staring at the lake, the griping is over!!!!!!

The Lake

The lake is the drawing card. I will have more to say about the lake, but for this post, I will share some of the highlights.

If you want to have a relaxing paddle or just float slowly down the lake, this lake is for you. The Dogtooth Lake is the centre of this park, literally. Some folks jet ski, others bring their motorboats and head out for some fishing. Others spend their day at the beach, where its shallow and go for a swim.I like to paddle-board up and down the lake. There are a few sites where you can access the lake right from your site.

Whatever water sport is a fit for you, chances are you can enjoy it on this lake.

Hiking

Rushing River also has 4 hiking trails near by. I’ve attached a copy of the trails map, courtesy of Ontario Parks. All various lengths. Some are short and one that can last a few hours but has some beautiful scenery. All of the trails are accessible from the park and all have parking lots near by.

The Area

Rushing River is located in an area that features other campgrounds, and towns. There is a lot to explore. If you leave the park and go south, you will head down to places like Nestor Falls and Sioux Narrows. Perfect afternoon trips and lots to see. If you go down to the US border, you will be able to visit Fort Frances. From there, you can cross the border and spend time at the International Falls.

If You Decide to Go

Like many campsites today, you can reserve online. One hint: this park is very popular in the summer and if you want to get a lake side site, you will have to book it 6 months in advance. If you don’t care about a water site, then you can book those a few weeks or a few days ahead (with the exception on long weekends).

Is it Time Yet? Counting Down the Days to Camping!

Mar 7, 2022 Play
Is it Time Yet? Counting Down the Days to Camping!

I’m not sure where you live but this white fluffy stuff gets a little old in February. Wait – maybe that’s not it. Maybe knowing that my friends and I can go camping very soon, makes us anxious to get through the last few weeks of winter. I have now lived through more than 20 cycles of “camping season is almost here”, to ”camping is here”, to ”can’t believe its over” to ”camping season is almost here”. We have tent-camped for many many years and have many favourite places. 

Editorial Note – Some Details about Rushing River

One of our favourite places (we have many including Birds Hill) is Rushing River in Ontario. Rushing River is about two and a half hours from Winnipeg, or about 20 minutes outside of Kenora.

Rushing River is a provincial park (so day passes are required) that sits on the Dogtooth Lake, and that leads to miles of canoe and fishing trips. The shore is a mix of large rock faces, pine trees and gentle ponds (depending on where your site it is.)

It has a wealth of campsites and has group, tent and RV sites. (For those that want to know, yes, it does have modern washrooms and showers.) There are the primo sites that line the lake (and usually require being booked six months before you go) and lots of rolling hills for those that like to go for iron man walks or runs.

Of course, the main show is the beach and lake, which flows into the Rushing River that is always a picturesque site to see. It’s great place to have a picnic – that’s if you can hear one another over the ”rushing water” nearby.

There’s plenty to do especially on the water, and folks can rent canoes and other water toys at the local store just a minute outside of the park gate. (Just want to say a shout out to all the staff at the Rushing River General Store and especially Donna who has always greeted us with a smile and looks for us each year.)

Bliss Reflection #9

Camping season feels too short, but it’s a ‘fifth’ season that brings me a lot of joy. Whether it’s sitting by the fire, enjoying a warm cup of coffee on a rock as the sun rises, or floating aimlessly with no destination on the Dogtooth Lake, camping is just good for the soul. 

That moment when you get to sit down after unpacking your car and setting up your site set up and the lake suddenly appears is priceless. I feel my blood pressure drop, just like that. And I can sit and stare for hours (and I am an extrovert). But when the lake is in front of you, you almost go into a trance. Talk about meditation! Peppered throughout those trances are bouts of laughter among my friends when we recall all the dumb things we’ve done in our lives. 

But it’s the water – that water – that draws us in. For brief moments, all is fine at work, at home and in the world. You marvel at how beautiful nature is and how this all just works together and creates ”this”. And somehow, you long to be floating on top of it, with nowhere to go and nothing else to do. 

Bliss Finds and Facts

  • Obviously, one of the resources I will share is the Ontario Parks Reservations website where you can book a campsite or RV site at Rushing River.
  • Want to better understand the science of being by a body of water and its impact on your mental health? Check out an article from the Huffington Post.
  • And to learn more about camping (if you’ve never been), there are several sites that talk about the basics. Here is one, but there are a ton out there.
Rushing River: My Blood Pressure Cure