What's fun about having to save dates, book time off at work, and worst of all pay fees on government websites? What's fun about having to be at a certain place, at a certain time? What's fun about camping in a trodden hole devoid of firewood? Or having to see people in tilley hats everywhere you go?
In my opinion not much. Don't get me wrong, the parks systems in Canada are certainly better than most, but let's be honest, government regulation is just a big wet blanket. The fun has never quite been sucked, as it has been sucked, by our government.
As for myself, I prefer solitude, and being able to camp when I wish, where I wish.
In order to do this I camp on Crown Land -that's what we call public land in Canada, eh-.
Surprisingly this is an area where the government of Ontario has really produced the goods. I present to you the Crown land use policy atlas -what an exciting name-.
Surprisingly this is an area where the government of Ontario has really produced the goods. I present to you the Crown land use policy atlas -what an exciting name-.
The atlas will allow you to:
Once you've used the atlas to select an area of Crown land that interests you. You must now use other resources to determine possible routes and points of interest i.e. water sources. To do this I use satellite imagery and topographical maps. For this, I recommend the MNR make a map and Google maps.
Some notes to folks who haven't camped on Crown land before:
As usual, remember,
- Locate Crown Land
- Determine land use restrictions
- Determine boundaries of protected areas and private land
- Determine coordinates to use in the field
Once you've used the atlas to select an area of Crown land that interests you. You must now use other resources to determine possible routes and points of interest i.e. water sources. To do this I use satellite imagery and topographical maps. For this, I recommend the MNR make a map and Google maps.
Some notes to folks who haven't camped on Crown land before:
- You are entitled to stay in one spot for a maximum of 21 days before being required to move.
- Crownland is often used by hunters. So know when the season is on, and wear high visibility clothing.
- Just because its public land doesn't mean no one lives there. Respect the land you are entering, you are a guest of all those calling it home.
- Bushwacking is fun, but you won't make it very far. Try using features to aid your adventure i.e. logging roads, hydro lines, pipelines, railroads, and rivers.
- Respect fire bans.
- For God's sake, learn how to use a compass, read a map, and estimate distance. Otherwise, don't go, please!
As usual, remember,
Nature is our salvation.
So get out there and find some peace.
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