Motorcycle-Camping and Wilderness Itinerary in Ontario’s Highlands: An Unforgettable Adventure

If you’ve been following Chicks and Machines for a few years, you might remember the trip our contributors took through Ontario’s Highlands. Following one of the amazing routes carefully designed and suggested on the Ride the Highlands website, they enjoyed the famous winding roads that attract motorcyclists from all over.

They stayed at the Best Western Plus in Perth and, over the following days, explored the beautiful surrounding region to showcase its treasures, including must-try foodie stops… and even a motorcycle graveyard! I strongly encourage you to check out their video here: 4 Women, 3 days, 2 routes, 1 Ontario. Motorcycling in Ride the Highlands.

The way I see it, there are two main ways to enjoy this region: the comfort-and-gastronomy approach, and the backcountry, no-frills approach.

Don’t get me wrong: I love good food and luxury as much as the next person…but it was really the landscapes and natural settings that were calling my name. With the fall colours starting to peek through, the forest was calling to me.

So I decided to visit the same area my friends had explored, but in motorcycle camping and outdoors mode. In other words: I went for the backcountry approach!

On this page, I’m sharing a “wilderness adventure” version of the 1,000 kilometre Ontario Highlands Loop, peppered with outdoor activities and camping spots.

This plug-and-play itinerary lets you paste each day’s route into Google Maps and ride without the hassle of detailed planning. That said, I encourage you to visit the Ride the Highlands site and order a printed map to take along on your trip; it’s free!

Day 1: Departure (From Montreal)

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The first day is all about leaving the big city and reaching our first stop on the longest Highlands Loop. As much as we’d all like to avoid highways, the reality is: if you’re leaving from Montreal, you’re going to deal with some traffic. So make sure to head out early!

Today’s destination: the stunning Bon Echo Provincial Park. I suggest stopping in the little village of Northbrook on the way to pick up some groceries jus before reaching the park.

If you’re looking for a quiet, wooded spot, book a site in the Hardwood Hills area. I walked the campground to find the prettiest ones and recommend 488, 491, 493 or 498.

Note: there’s a gravel road to the campground that takes about 10 minutes to reach from the park entrance, but it’s manageable for all kinds of motorcycles. If you’re more into glamping, several rustic cabins are available in the Camp Cabins area.

Set up your tent, light a comforting campfire, and enjoy your first victory: you’ve made it to the Highlands Loop!

Day 2: Exploring Bon Echo Park

I recommend dedicating your first full day to Bon Echo: this park really deserves to be thoroughly enjoyed, without any sense of rush. There are plenty of gorgeous hiking trails and activities to choose from.

Be aware, however, that there is a strong bear presence in the area, so prepare well in advance and adopt safe behaviors.

Personally, I decided to rent a canoe to admire the famous Mazinaw Rock from the water.

There’s even a dock where you can leave your rental canoe and hike a trail leading to the top of the rock for breathtaking, picture-perfect views.

Day 3: Riding the Highlands!

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This is where the real riding fun begins. Today covers a 332 km stretch of the Highlands Loop. I highly recommend stopping in Tweed for lunch at Oakley’s Pub and Patio: a charming little spot with a lovely lakeside terrace.

Fair warning: it’s a bit tricky to find. Go around the hotel to the left, and you’ll see it tucked behind the building. Their braised beef sandwich is worth the detour!

Today, you’ll also get to ride one of my absolute favourite roads of the whole trip: Highway 504. Enjoy!

Tonight’s stop: set up camp at Granite Ridge Campground in Silent Lake Provincial Park. Once your tent is up, follow the short trail to the beach and watch the sunset in this peaceful and unforgettable spot.

Day 4: A Breathtaking Hike Before Hitting the Road

This morning, pack up your camping gear and ride over to the Bonnie’s Pond trailhead, just a few minutes from the campground.

It’s a lovely 3 km hiking loop and the perfect way to say goodbye to this park. About halfway through, a small dock leads to a rock overlooking the pond.

I felt a real attachment to this magical place: deeply peaceful and quiet, with only the forest and the wind gently soothing my soul. I didn’t want to leave!

But alas, eventually, you have to leave… Luckily, the road ahead quickly makes you forget the sadness of leaving such a majestic spot.

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Right out of the park, you’ll hit Dyno Road and Loop Road: two of the best roads of the entire route. Have fun with the incredible curves!

After that, the ride takes you through Algonquin Park, with stunning forest landscapes. Ride carefully and stay alert: wildlife is abundant and very active in this area.

Tonight’s stop is a little “cheat” I like to include in my itineraries: a night in a real bed, indoors!

Over the years, I’ve learned that when you’re moto-camping, a night under a roof every third or fourth day makes a world of difference — a chance to dry out your gear, take a hot shower, and sleep comfortably.

With years of motorcycle camping under my belt, I started booking accommodation every three or four nights.

Barry’s Bay doesn’t have a ton of options, so book early!

After a long day of riding, a stroll through the old town is a treat. Take time to read the heritage signs on historic buildings — they’re fascinating. If you head down to the lake and the sky is clear, you can even see the Milky Way. Absolutely magical.

Day 5: More Great Riding

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Day five takes you East to Petawawa before looping back South. You’ll finish the day in the friendly little town of Calabogie.

I strongly recommend checking out the local microbrewery Calabogie Brewing and grabbing dinner across the street at Redneck Bistro. Their jalapeño appetizer is excellent, and we loved their salmon-and-goat-cheese salad as well as the shrimp tacos.

Heads up: everything closes early around here, so don’t arrive too late in the day or you might be disappointed!

For camping, I suggest Calabogie Campground — but be careful! Avoid sites in the walking trail section (T3–T23) unless you’re riding a dirt bike; the access trail is really difficult to drive on. Go for site T1 instead — it’s well located and much easier to reach.

Day 6: Closing the Loop

Sadly, it’s already time to finish the incredible 1,000 km Ontario Highlands circuit.

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The good news is that today’s roads include some of the most beautiful of the entire trip, especially around Calabogie. Savour them, because soon you’ll be back on those infamous Quebec roads!

Tonight’s stop is one of my favourite campgrounds that I often return to: the Parks of the St.Lawrence camping. It’s spread out across a series of islands connected by a scenic road that’s fun to ride on a motorcycle or even a bicycle. There are tons of rest areas and beaches sprinkled throughout the islands; there’s really so much to explore!

For camping, I really like the Woodlands area — especially sites 66A, 18A, and 19. They’re a bit more private and wooded than the others.

Don’t miss the birdlife here: a migratory bird sanctuary is just steps away, and in the summer months you’ll hear a true wilderness orchestra all day and night. With a bit of luck, you might even spot bald eagles or osprey.

Turn off your music, close your eyes, and let the sounds of nature recharge your batteries before coming back to reality tomorrow.

A Memorable Journey

Before I knew about the Ride the Highlands route, I’ll admit I had never really considered Ontario as a riding destination. Now that I’ve experienced this region, I can guarantee I’ll be back… I might even do the exact same loop over and over again.

Looking back at all the beautiful and memorable things I saw and experienced, it honestly feels like the trip lasted much longer than just six days.

I hope you’ll enjoy this ready-made moto-camping itinerary I’ve put together, and that you, too, will create memories you’ll cherish forever.

EM