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Atlantic Canada is Ideal for Long Road Tours
By Shelley Cameron-McCarron

Visitors who tour Atlantic Canada in their RVs love being rocked to sleep by the sound of waves clapping almost against the bedside. "The Atlantic provinces are such a laid back and unhurried area of Canada that a visit easily fits into the relaxed style of RV travel," says Peggi McDonald. She and husband John sold their family home 22 years ago and hit the road in a motorhome. They've been living that way ever since. They have posted notes since 2000 about their travel adventures on their website, www.rvliving.net, along with advice and information for fellow RVers. Peggi has written several books as well. Her advice is to not rush the visit. Allow a week or two for each province and relax while exploring.

"For the most part, Atlantic Canada is a 'rubber-tire destination,' attracting road traffic of all shapes and sizes," says RÈal Robichaud, a former campground manager, avid family RVer, and now executive director of the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick. "Most parking areas throughout the region are built to accommodate buses and RVs." RVs can easily manoeuvre through smaller villages and towns in Atlantic Canada, he says. Although low bridges or overpasses may pose problems, those are generally well indicated. Getting to Digby, NS, where the Princess of Acadia ferry leaves for New Brunswick, and to Caribou, NS, where travelers can catch the Northumberland ferry to PEI, is no problem. RVers will also find that most Atlantic Canadian campgrounds have full hookups, with up to 60 amps for big rigs.

New Brunswick

With 155 campgrounds for all sizes, rigs, tastes, and budgets, New Brunswick offers a wealth of destinations, says Robichaud. New Brunswick roads are in excellent condition.

Robichaud encourages travelers to take the scenic routes through New Brunswick: the Appalachian Route, Acadian Route, Saint John River Valley, Fundy Scenic Drive, and Miramichi River Valley. "One of the great places to go is Sugarloaf Provincial Park in Campbellton, which offers top-notch facilities and is renowned for its hiking trails, wildlife and bird observation." He also recommends Hartt Island Campground outside Fredericton ("the best of the best") and Fundy National Park.

Newfoundland

Avid RVers Linda Reeves and husband David, both retirees from St. John's, offer plenty of reasons to visit Newfoundland: the air quality is great, the parks and roadways are safe, there's very little crime, and the highway systems are excellent for RVers.

With 10,500 miles of coastline, with fjords, inlets, coves, guts, and bays, nature viewing comes on a grand scale. There are 31 provincial parks to choose from, some with wilderness camping and others with three-way hookups, as well as many privately owned parks. Campground reservations are recommended: with so many caravans touring the island, sites fill up fast.

An added attraction: September's annual Targa Road Race draws spectators from around the world. "Many rent one of our RVs because they can follow the race and use them as accommodations," says Gwen Bannister, rental manager at St. John's Islander RV Sales and Rentals. "They find a nice spot to stay for the evening, overlooking sea stacks and a picturesque village, with an ocean view."

Prince Edward Island

RVing in PEI provides endless opportunities to enjoy beaches, trails, campgrounds, and day-use parks, says Kevin MacLaren, program and operations supervisor with PEI Provincial Parks. The day-use parks make great picnic and rest areas, and the campgrounds, many of which boast spectacular beaches, outdoor recreational facilities and interpretive programs, offer a variety of RV sites.

PEI has approximately 50 campgrounds, 30 of which easily handle RVs. Generally they offer a camp store, laundromat, hot showers, firewood, dumping station, ice, a playground, and shelters.

It's not a problem for any size of RV to travel through smaller villages. All the major malls have more than ample parking, as do provincial information centres, national parks and provincial day-use parks. A key element of the PEI Parks family is the Confederation Trail, a province-wide trail system that covers the island tip-to-tip and is accessible to anyone who wants to walk or bike the trail.

Traveling to PEI is hassle free. The Confederation Bridge, the world's longest bridge over ice, joins PEI and New Brunswick. Northumberland Ferries provides service between PEI and Nova Scotia with departures several times a day. RVs are easily accommodated and the voyage is absolutely breathtaking.

Nova Scotia

In neighbouring Nova Scotia, RVers will find 126 privately owned campgrounds, 20 provincial parks and two federal parks. "RVs shouldn't have any problems manoeuvring around smaller village or towns," says Ronald van der Weegen, managing director of Camping Select Nova Scotia. The road out of Yarmouth, home of The CAT terminal, is imminently suitable for RVs. "The only place I could think of that might pose some problems is Meat Cove." To reach this small Cape Breton village, at the northern tip of Inverness County, visitors must travel a dirt road almost to the cliff's edge. But the views are worthwhile and, yes, there is a campground.

Tourist sites across the province have ample parking for RVs, and though maintenance of roads is an ongoing issue, in the past five years the highways and byways have vastly improved.

"Rustic provincial parks, unique campgrounds with mesmerizing vistas: a visit to Nova Scotia is a highlight of every trip to the Maritimes," said Peggi McDonald.