S05E03 Darlington Provincial Park Review

We camped at Darlington Provincial Park from June 1st to the 5th, 2023. The was our first time visiting this park. Admittedly, we had some low expectations prior to going to Darlington but we were pleasantly surprised during our time there. Along with exploring the park we explored nearby attractions, tasting hard apple cider, some wine and an amazing wood fired pizza. Join us as we explore Darlington and the nearby area.
00:00 Intro
01:50 Arriving at the park
02:05 Dump/Fill stations
02:28 Arriving at our campsite
03:49 Park overview
05:52 Campsites
08:22 Group sites
08:55 Day Use Areas
10:56 Campers Beach
12:20 Cheryl's Loo Review
13:29 Park Store
13:48 Paddling McLaughlin Bay
14:40 Archibald's Orchards and Estate Winery
15:22 Tyrone Mills
16:28 1840 Farmhouse & Vinyard
17:20 Courtice Flea Market
17:40 The trails
21:28 McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
22:30 Cell service
23:24 Coles Notes
29:16 Park Rating
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This KZbin channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not camping or RV experts. We simply share our opinions and what works for us. As always you should do your own research and make your own decisions.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Cell Phone Service: Bell, Telus, Koodo & Virgin Mobile - cell service was poor. Lots of buffering. We could text and we made a phone call. Very unreliable. If you've been to this park please let us know your experience with cell service, especially if your with a service provider different from the ones mentioned.

[@daniellehunter5057]

We just arrived home from Darlington tonight. We have Rogers. I did change my phone to 5G Auto. It was slow at times, but I was able to watch Netflix this morning (there were less people in the park since it is Monday). I was able to upload lots of instagram stories with no issue.

[@Dave-he7js]

I have camped at Darlington Provincial Park many times and I'm glad that you already gave the review that covers all my experience there 🥰🏖

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Great to hear!

[@scottanderson2980]

Kill bear is the park i love water is so clean and beach is the best

[@ontariogs4445]

Met you folks at Emily P.P. last year, thinking of heading out for a drive this afternoon to check out Darlington P.P. and found your review. Thanks for your efforts in putting this all encompassing review together. It's most inspiring!

[@mattacameron]

I live and grew up in Courtice/ Oshawa so Darlington is almost never thought as a destination for us. I didn't even know they had hiking trails 😂. Great review though. Cool to see how it is viewed from a different lens. Nice to see you enjoy some great spots in the area, specifically Tyrone Mills

[@supergoodcamping]

And kids, this is what's called a phone booth. Lol! Thomas & I camped at Darlington a couple of times when he was still wee - we lived about 20 minutes away. Fair review and very informative as always. Thanks. Tim

[@marigoro]

We followed your footsteps, thank you! My husband starts to sing "Cheril's Loo Review" nowadays when we stop for the loo, lol. And I continue "this is ... a Wilted Flower!". We hope we will bump into you guys some day. Park; we had a hard time to pay for the entrance ticket at the park, there was QR code everywhere but not actual staff, and after finally meeting them, they made us follow the QR code ... took over 30 min to register. Trail was ok, but the Mclaughlin Bay WIld Conservancy was beautiful, like you showed us. Enjoyed Archibold's and Tyrone Mills (beautiful scenery and great baked goods, especially fresh donuts). We forgot to check out 1840 Farm house, it will be on our list for the next time. After browsing Flea market, we went back to the park for the beach. Water was still quite cold to swim, but the lake was calm, and was perfect to relax with cool breeze.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Sounds like you had a good time. The Loo Review song is stuck in our heads too LOL. It sounds like you had an awful time registering. I hope they get that sorted out to make it more user friendly. Hopefully your next camping adventure goes a little more smoothly.

[@xxgg]

i have done quick 1 overnight camping during late summer when i decided to stop by very last minute. I think about 95% sites were empty. My only memory from this park was having my car and tarp getting so many tree sap drops. :( I think I used almost 500ml worth of hand sanitizer to clean them all up. As always, thank you for all the great videos. Extremely useful!

[@samscrapalot]

Thanks for the great reviews. The electric pedestal issue happened to us at Driftwood this year. It took some maneuvering and our extension but we were able to make it work.

[@Don-sx5xv]

Wow this will be be a fun channel...I remember collecting the Provincial Park Maps like most kids collected comic books. Great memories...here we go again...TY

[@douglizcarr4864]

I'd love to know what that game was. We love to play games while camping but card games can have obvious problems at the picnic table. Thanks for another great review. Darlington looked like a stop over park but you've shown it's nicer than we expected

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We were playing Dice Poker. We got it from www.michaudtoys.org/ we got a few games from them. We have Rummoli and Dice Baseball.

[@theRVexperienceON]

Great question! I hit pause to see if someone asked!

[@douglizcarr4864]

@@CampingwiththeColes thanks! We have their baseball game. Thanks for giving us great videos

[@JanerAndArchibald]

Glad someone asked! Cool. I always enjoy odd and/or vintage games.

[@donlyn492]

@@CampingwiththeColes I just ordered a couple of games, you guys are always enjoying different games I thought we would try some out. Safe travels to Texas!

[@alisonlee6800]

Thank you for another great video! The pay phone made me laugh, my son was stunned such a thing existed 🤣.

[@rockerdad2]

This is a great review of a park not too far from us. I really enjoyed your coverage of local spots that we have visited coming from your perspective. Darlington is a good park to visit and has that old time feel to it. I am a new sub an really enjoyed this one. This park is a gem thats easy to get to. Good job and all the best!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Welcome to our channel. We're glad you liked this one. Everyone has a different perspective and feeling for a park. We try to show the positive. Happy camping!

[@mikeyc181]

I live like 20 minutes from here ...who knew it was so nice in there, thanks for the video.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

You should check it out being so close.

[@donmcconnery5080]

Another great review. Traveled the 401 for 25 years and remember when there were only 2 lanes in each direction. This park probably wasn't too bad before they built Darlington nuclear and everything grew around it. Looking forward to your Texas trip video Thanks again for the review

[@mrsladybird]

It's so interesting, I grew up in Bowmanville less than 10 minutes from Darlington PP and I've never camped there. I definitely need to make it a priority after seeing your adventures there! I went to high school with the Archibald girls from the winery you visited as well. So much nostalgia for me! I'd love to know what the game is you were playing with the poker chips and the pictures of the dice on the wooden board. I've never seen anything like that before, and have seen it in a few of your videos. It looks like lots of fun! Thanks for everything you do!! Love the channel, your perspective and you both!!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Glad you got to relive some memories. Thanks for your kind words. The game we were playing is dice poker. It's a lot of fun. A family in Jarvis Ontario has a company called Michaud Toys and they make them. We aren't affiliated with them at all but we love their games. We also have Dice Baseball and Rummoli. Here is the website www.michaudtoys.org/

[@stacys447]

Thanks for the fun review.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelarrowsmith6906]

A nice cup of tea, cookie and Camping with the Coles. Nice way to start our morning. Off to Presquile tomorrow.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Sounds great!

[@robertjordan7323]

Thanks for posting. We're heading there on the July long weekend.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

That's going to be a super busy time. Hope all goes well. Happy camping!

[@robertjordan7323]

@@CampingwiththeColes , you were right, super busy but we still had fun. However, we camped in the Hill top section. The trainsssssss!!!!!! Oh my, every hour almost they go by and blow that whistle so many times.

[@fromnorthtoneverland]

Darlington is nice at times for a quick getaway. It can get very loud and crowded. Nice shaded sites. I kind of like the sound of the train! Jax looks like he is really enjoying camping!!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We feel the same way about it. Jax is turning into a great camping dog.

[@valerielessard9525]

Enjoyed watching your review on Darlington PP😎 Safe travels and enjoy Texas!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks so much!

[@FranksDIY]

We have stayed there a few times and we love it. For a campsite that is close to toronto and for a weekend getaway is perfect.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Yep, it's perfect for those that live close.

[@garyward1111]

Agree totally with the review. An interesting tidbit about Darlington is that periodically there are Piping Plovers that nest in the natural beach area of the Park. The birds are endangered so the park plays a key role in their protection toward and contributes to a continent wide preservation and conservation effort. If the Plovers are present this year, visitors please give them space and no dogs.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for the info!

[@andrewtaylor5421]

Thank you

[@johnbaxter6313]

Wow Jax has learned to be a passenger really quickly. Good job. Cute park for a weekend.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Jax is doing better than we could have hoped for. He's such a good camping boy!

[@radio_voice_royce]

Appreciate you reviewing our local park! We go to Darlington once a year to dewinterize our trailer or if we just want a night with a real fire. The highway noise can be a bit too much sometimes. However, to compare with some camp grounds in Algonquin near hwy 60, I found those to be a bit more disturbing since it's so far north. Either way, a bad day camping is better than a good day anywhere else!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We completely agree, a bad day camping beats a good day at work. That's why we always have a good time no matter what park we're at. It's all about the attitude.

[@ridanindustries2975]

I am going to hilltop this weekend. We got 2 sites side by side for a big group. Any pointers?

[@wilmabosgraaf9706]

thanx for this review....confirms my decision to not put on my list.....here is a request...would you be able to add " 0ne picnic table or two"(not all parks are the same) to your reviews...it makes a difference for me as to how I pack....thanx in advance....

[@daniellehunter5057]

Definitely one picnic table here. I am trying to think of the last time we had an Ontario Park with two tables at our site. We have been to Pinery, Inverhuron, Selkirk, and Earl Rowe this year so far. Just came from Darlington, and headed to Sauble Falls next month.

[@madelyncrowther7922]

Hey Ben and Cheryl! A suggestion that would be a neat add-on for your videos - What if you were to circle some of the nicest sites in the parks to let us know which one's are the best to choose, or the nicest area to camp? It's hard to always tell on the website with the pictures. I would love that! Thanks.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We're actually trying to stay away from that because it really ticks some people off. They don't want us giving away the best sites and making them harder to get. Plus, what makes a site good or bad is very subjective so something we might like about a site might be something that somebody else doesn't care about at all. We try to show a few sites from each campground just to give you an idea of what they generally look like.

[@jennekekroesbergen530]

Thank-you! I have spent many trips and hours of walking parks to find the best sites! We all really need to find them for ourselves 😊

[@erinvanvliet4420]

We stayed their once one night on our way to Sandbanks.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

It seems like a good park for that.

[@kevin8274]

Drove to darlington from sarnia area, i could deal with the train and highway but it was the parties until 3am that made it unenjoyable.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We were fortunate that it was pretty quiet during our stay. I imagine it would get pretty busy on the weekends in the summer, especially on long weekends. That's why we went in June, not July or August.

[@cboo64]

Enjoy your trip to Texas. I'm guessing your gear review will be on bullet proof vests!!

[@theRVexperienceON]

I don't know how happy Jax really was giving up his cup! :)😃

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Yeah, Jax isn't real fond of giving it up. But when he does he's happy to be on the hunt for his next new prize to carry.

[@ashleycosta5076]

That one camping section, closer to the 401, is horrible with the train if you’re sleeping in a tent, vs a hard trailer with the AC running. The train runs allllll night. Honking it’s horn, too.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

I get that. It wasn't too bad where we were.

[@andreamcrae77]

A question unrelated to this video…do you have a transmission cooler on your truck? I know you’ve done long trip down South and was wondering how that was? We’re heading to SC this summer and it was suggested to me to have one installed in our 2019 F150. Thanks!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We have a transmission cooler as part of the tow package with our F150. No issues with overheating at all and the temperature was 37C with a humidex of 47C. We'd drive 10 hours a day in that heat.

[@thercguy]

I noticed you were pre registered at gate.. We are pre registered at Rock Lake and this is a first for us.. They are paperless etc.. so we get that part.. Do you just drive up to the booth and tell them your Site and continue on or do we still park and go into office to check in

[@CampingwiththeColes]

You have your reservation and usually about a week before you go OP sends you an email saying it's time to camp. They give you the link to check in. You can check in then confirming your license plate and the occupants of your site. That's it. When you show up at Rock Lake skip the office and head into the campground.

[@meaghanmorris8194]

If you're in Texas enjoy it

[@marilyndekker1541]

What do you with your puppy when you are going into wineys or stores? Especially when some parks say not to leave your puppy in your trailer unattended.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Some wineries and stores allow you to bring your dog. When we can't bring Jax we sometimes take turns going in. Sometimes we leave him in the truck for short periods of time if the temperature is fine. Other times we leave him in the trailer. Since getting him we've tested leaving him in the trailer. The first two times we left a camera running while we were at a neighborhood site with friends. In each case he just laid on the bed looking out the window. We then did some hikes with our friends at neighbouring sites keeping an ear open for him while we were gone. Never had any issues. We are very lucky that he's good that way. If it's hot requiring AC we don't go far in case of a power outage. If it's cool enough that AC isn't required we will leave him for longer periods.

[@mikestephenson2887]

Q. Camping next week with 5 mth pup. Not sure worth brining our bikes. Thoughts? Leave the bikes at home?

[@CampingwiththeColes]

You're probably not going to want to leave the pup while you go biking so it's probably not worth bringing them.

[@pattiaulsebrook1126]

❤what game were you playing ?

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Cheryl and Sue were playing Dice Poker, then they were playing Connect 4.

[@pattiaulsebrook1126]

Thanks I check other comments! What a great website for games ! And Canadian ! ❤

[@scottanderson2980]

i duck hunted there they offer 10 blinds first come first serve

[@LorriePrince]

What do you do for a living

[@CampingwiththeColes]

@@LorriePrince retired police officer. I started when I was 19 so I was able to retire with pension at 50. Now I'm living the good life. 😁

[@jessicahamblin5678]

What dice game are you playing?

[@CampingwiththeColes]

That's Dice Poker. We got it from www.michaudtoys.org/ . They have a lot of cool board games.

[@meaghanmorris8194]

Are you going to Marten river

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Not this year. Maybe next year.

[@meaghanmorris8194]

ok are you going to north bay

[@CampingwiththeColes]

@@meaghanmorris8194 we're going close to North Bay on our way to Samuel de Champlain PP.

[@meaghanmorris8194]

Ok

[@daniellehunter5057]

@@meaghanmorris8194 They just posted a review of Restoule.