Canada,Podcasts,Trip Guides

Bronte Creek Provincial Park | Ep. 34

posted on : June 23, 2021 posted by : Melina 0 Comment

Cagtegory: Provincial Park

Location: Oakville, Ontario

Area: 6.4 km²

Year Established: 1971

Address: (NOTE: There are two different street addresses for this park!)

CAMPGROUND: 3201 Upper Middle Rd W, Oakville, ON L6M 4G5

DAY USE: 1219 Burloak Dr, Oakville, ON L6M 4J7

Seasonal Opening Dates:

May to Labour Day for Day Use
June to Labour Day for Campground
*check site for exact opening dates.

How to Book: reservations.ontarioparks.com

*reservation window opens 5 months to the day prior to your trip*

Total Campground sites: 144 + 4 group sites + 3 Yurts

Nightly Site Rates (not including HST) *regular rates* – please see ontarioparks.com for Ontario Seniors and persons with disabilities rates:

*PLEASE NOTE* Ontario Provincial parks have three rate categories which are dependant on popularity of a campsite and availability of amenities and programs

HIGH

Electric: $47.50

Non-electric: $42.00

MIDDLE

Electric: $43.75

Non-electric: $31.00

LOW

Electric: $37.75

Non-electric: $34.25

Campground Description:

Located in the heart of the GTA, Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located on the western border of Oakville, Ontario, bordering the nearby city of Burlington. This 6.4 square-kilometre park packs a punch in terms of amenities including a children’s farm, turn of the century house/museum with costumed interpreters, over 10km in woodland and ravine hiking trails and one of Canada’s biggest pools. There is an abundance of scheduled programming (though some are interrupted in 2020, due to covid-19) but Bronte Creek Provincial Park remains an oasis in the city as well as the perfect home base when visiting Toronto or Niagara Falls both within an easy hour by car.

RV Canucks Campground Review

SITES

I think it’s important to mention our biggest concern when booking this park: Potential road noise. Bronte Creek is located just off Highway 403 and we were concerned about road noise during our stay – not that we would throw a fit, but it does sort of take away from the natural ambiance!

In short – THERE WAS NO ROAD NOISE AT ALL from the campground, and only a very small amount of noise in the day use area being right beside the highway. Careful planning and strategically placed berms take care of that, so if this is a concern for you – it doesn’t need to be!

Sites were spacious and camp roads were easy to navigate and back in. Melina backed into our site in one try (which almost never happens) so thank you Park planners!

As mentioned in the podcast, there are several sites that back onto the ravine trail -beautiful view, but something to keep in mind if camping with little ones or pets.

There are two comfort stations in the campground and nine in the day use area. All other toilets are flush toilets. I do not believe there are any drop toilets on site.

You definitely have your pick of sites depending on how much size, privacy and shade you want, but if you are travelling in 2020 – note that several sites are closed to allow for physical distancing between sites.

ACTIVITIES

In our opinion, the trails is where this park shines. In one afternoon, we went from golden fields to dark woods, deep ravines and lush greens – all without leaving the park. The trails are fairly level and well-manacured, making it easy access to bicycles and people of all mobility levels. Some caution should be exercised on the Half-Moon trails in Section F of the Day-use area as those are a little steep. Overall, here’s what we found impressive about Bronte Creek in terms of Activities:

5 Different Trails
Children’s Farm and Activity Centre
Spruce Lane Farmhouse (1899)
18-Hole Disc-Golf Course
1.8 acre pool
Part of the Coleman Learn to Camp Program

AMENITIES

There are 2 comfort stations with showers, laundry and washrooms. We saw a couple of well-equipped parks to keep kids busy wile the laundry is being done, but note that showers and laundry facilities are closed during covid-19.

There is one sanitation station available for dumping and one freshwater filling station. Given the size of the park we would anticipate a long wait time to dump at the end of a long weekend. (all the more reason to invest in a portable dump tank, and complete the task at your own leisure!) During our 6 day trip we required several dumps of our grey-water due to shower facilities being closed, and using the trailer—the “honey wagon” was a lifesaver for us.

Camco Rhino Heavy Duty 21 Gallon Portable Waste Holding Hose and Accessories-Durable Leak Free and Odorless RV Tote Tank (39002)

Note that, as you enter the park, you will need to u-turn and exit to get to the fresh water filling station and make another tight turn to return to the gate. It’s a bit tight but not impassable even with a large rig, so take your time if towing is new and you will be golden!

The park store was stocked with important basics but there are many grocery and big-box stores easily accessible by car or bike.