Welcome Harvest Host Guests & Boondockers

Campsites & Boondocking

We’re RV’ers too, so it’s always fun to welcome Harvest Host and Boondocking guests.

We offer a clean, safe and easy-access boondocking site near Algonquin Park. Stretch your legs on our private scenic trails, take a shower in our complimentary guest shower house, scoot to Maynooth or Bancroft to top up on groceries, or head out to explore three nearby beaches and other local attractions.

Follow the self-check-in directions below — late check-ins are just fine. Pull in, get settled, dig out the chairs and relax around your own fire ring (firewood is available on site). And be sure to take a stroll behind the barn to visit our gorgeous foals!

Pull in. Unwind. Stay awhile.

There’s plenty of room for boondocking here. Set on 134 acres of farm and forest, our property gives RV travelers plenty of space to pull in, get comfortable and enjoy the countryside — without squeezing into a row of campground sites.

Our campsites and boondocking sites are just three hours from both Ottawa and Toronto, in the heart of one of Ontario’s often-overlooked vacation destinations. Here, you’ll find the lakes, forests and ‘wow’ wilderness scenery people love about Muskoka, but without the crowds. Explore charming small towns, quiet beaches and endless lakes, all on the doorstep of Algonquin Park. Don’t forget the fall colors!

Self-Check-In directions...

FIND US — Google Highland Wilderness Tours
ADDRESS — 239 East Lake Road, Maynooth.
LOOK FOR — Our sign has festive sparkly lights.
ENTER — Drive through the gates marked STOP HERE.
TAKE IT SLOW — Follow the driveway toward the barn.
SITE — See the cones on the right? That’s your spot.
PARK YOUR WAY — any angle unless we come see you.
FIREWOOD — Self serve at barn, signs give details.

Pull in. Get comfy. You have arrived!

Directions to our Farm from Ottawa, Toronto, Barrie, etc.

Local dining, activities and sites to visit while you’re here.

Guest Shower House

Our new off-grid camp
shower house for guests!

Plenty of space for you to
freshen up after a fun day.

There’s a rain shower head
for that nice touch.

WOOD

The wood is inside the door of the big wooden barn beside the indoor arena. Help yourself as needed. The red box on the outside of the barn is for wood money and/or Harvest Host guest donations. Envelopes and a pen for money details are available beside the red box.

GARBAGE

The garbage shed is just before the kennel/shop and HAS A SIGN. Please leave your garbage INSIDE AND LATCH the door to reduce bear activity. Thank you in advance for your diligence and understanding in keeping things clean and wildlife-safe.

SHOWERS

The showers are for our guests, the most important thing is that it is kept clean so be sure and leave it in good condition. There is no charge for showers. The water is considered non-potable even though it comes from our house well via potable lines. It is not tested.

WATER

There is a NON-POTABLE water spigot at the shower house from May – Oct. Drinking water is available at the Maynooth General store, or grab a 15 L jug from NO FRILLS in Bancroft. See below for off-season or cold weather water/bathing options.

Staying over? We have some amazing local swim spots!

DIRECTIONS TO CARDWELL LAKE

(5 minutes)

Turn left from our laneway onto East Lake road. Turn left at the first road (Cardwell Lake Road) and follow that past the dump. You will come to a ‘T’ junction. Ahead will be blue sign #202, which is the entrance to the public boat launch. Follow that lane to the junction and park off to the left side to allow the cottagers on the right to get through to their property. People also use the launch (middle trail) so don’t block things up. The swim hole is down the trail on your very left, about a hundred yards. It’s a lovely spot in the pine plantation and has a nice gravel/sand walk-in for swimming.

DIRECTIONS TO PAPINEAU LAKE

(15 minutes)

Google this beach for a map, or, from the farm, drive back to Maynooth and turn left onto Hwy 62. Head north until you see a sign for Papineau Lake Road South. Turn left and follow until the junction, jog right, then you see the entrance to the beach on your left. It’s very clearly marked.

Papineau beach allows leashed dogs if you stoop/scoop & be respectful.

It is perfect for families as you can wade out for quite a distance before being hip-deep. It has a nice sandy bottom, parking spaces, and an outdoor toilet.

This is a lovely, quiet, must see beach. It can get crowded on holiday weekends but is generally peaceful.

DIRECTIONS TO DOG POINT LAUNCH

(10 minutes)

This is primarily a boat launch but it is enormous and everyone swims there as it is huge and a nice sandy area that has plenty of room for all.

To get there, turn right from our laneway, then turn right onto HWY 127. Follow that to Lake St. Peter, where you will see a sign for Center Road on your right. Follow that down past the campground until you see the road curve to your left. Don’t curve, enter the laneway you see dead ahead – you can see the lake clearly down the trail. There is plenty of parking and room to spread out. Enjoy, this is a really great spot.

Looking to swim with your dog?

Google McPhee Bay Road near Palmer Rapids (Madawaska Valley). Follow the gravel road nearly to the end. Straight ahead there is a boat launch that is rarely used, great for dog swimming but not great for people swimming. If you have a dog with good recall, and are respectful to the locals, you can also drive down the trail to the right. It’s a bit bumpy but I do it in my Town and Country (carefully) There are several places to swim that are exceptionally sandy, great for humans and dogs, and spread apart, which is helpful if there are others there with pets. This is a popular spot but is a good place away from the crowds to swim with your dog in relative safety.

Have a canoe or kayak, or want to rent one? This is a great area for paddlers! Be sure and check out the house manual for the best places! We recommend the Paddler’s Coop in Palmer Rapids, or head north to the park to Opeongo Outfitters.