How to find CROWN LAND in Ontario.

this is repost of the popular video on how to find crown land. I FINALLY fixed the audio levels. hopefully this will now help even more people.
After a lot of interest in how we go about planning our adventures I've decided to put together a small series on how we do it. In this first video ill show you how to go about finding crown land using the crown land atlas ( www.ontario.ca/page/crown-lan... )
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[@thebackroadadventurer]

Looking for better options to find crown land in 2024? Check out this video. The BEST options for FINDING Crown Land in 2024 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH3JZYSeoNuWhpI

[@carlagusek1844]

Ah thank you so much!!!! Yeah his is exactly what I was looking for. I was overwhelmed with how to use the atlas and where to start. So glad I came across your channel

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Your very welcome, glad you found it helpful!

[@dwaynerobertson383]

I was searching crown land, and maps, when I found this video. Then I watched your e-scouting (or internet something), video...and subscribed. Excellent job on both videos. Very, very informative and straight forward. Thanks for sharing both of those videos. Much appreciated!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Thanks! 🍻

[@denispommainville2141]

Amazing!!! I have been trying to figure out how to do this. Just bought a Chevy Trail Boss and want to get out. Thanks for the video

[@craigjames7215]

The Province should link their crown land map to your video - I couldn't figure that site out until I watched this. Thanks!

[@kevinthomson6324]

Thank you for the help navigating the minutia of the Ontario website and the rules that they involve

[@lindseymccutcheon9580]

this video was super helpful thank you for the lesson!

[@thatdude8454]

Just bought my first truck, this will come in handy so I thank you!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad I could help!

[@eugenegreen9295]

The best explanation!

[@HaltonLax44]

Got my rig all sorted out and all of my camping gear ready to go. The wife and I are planning some trips for the fall in our Tacoma. Thanks for all the help, this had made it so much easier!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Sounds great! i hope you have a great adventure!

[@useryggfdcc]

Getting my 2021 Tacoma TRD 4X4 OFFROAD Premium in April 2021 and can't wait to see these crown land locations. Now hopefully the restrictions about traveling will be lifted by then...

[@Cutlass_Rudd]

@@useryggfdcc Restrictions lol - its a 24 hour drive from Toronto to Thunder bay (same to Florida) and its all crown land. No "ranger" will find you. Enjoy the lake you find all to yourself all summer long.

[@useryggfdcc]

@@Cutlass_Rudd I did a two daytrip to Mattawa going the WMAT trails....saw nobody. Awesome time...no bugs too.😀

[@Cutlass_Rudd]

@@useryggfdcc Yes perfect time of year, warm enough and no bugs

[@offroad_adventures2934]

Awesome video. So much information. Thanks for sharing.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BartMolenda]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@Calypso.Entertainment]

Amazing channel just what we needed

[@fruitsicles]

Amazing! I watched the other video and couldn't make it all the way through because of the audio :( Hoping to plan a crown land trip next summer and I'm not sure where to start so this helps a tonne. Great work 🔥💯

[@thebackroadadventurer]

i should have did this sooner, hopefully now it reaches and helps more people!

[@kingdomoverlanding]

Very good info ! Sweet video

[@kevinmoreira86]

Man liked and subscribed. Very valuable information. Thank you

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you found it helpful 🍻

[@dreadseeds5439]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It was very helpful. Cant wait to get out camping post covid

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you enjoyed it, have a great adventure 🍻

[@killuminati5767]

Why post covid? That will be years.

[@user-dw9fg8tn2s]

Amazing! many thanks! We are newcomers and are living in Hamilton))) For me it was always unclear))) where these faimous wild Canadian forests and crown land! Now we know, Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Thanks! Glad you found use of it 🍻

[@shakyhandpictures2185]

Really well done, super helpful!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ilana0507]

Thank you, this was so helpful!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

You're so welcome!

[@jimkrug2586]

That's very helpful. Thank you. 👍

[@thebackroadadventurer]

You're welcome!

[@sallylizard2800]

Very helpful. Great video

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you found it helpful 🍻

[@jenniferconron2268]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@dan519dan]

Thanks for the knowledge

[@raptor0768]

Great video! thanks so much!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad to be of service 🍻

[@cesarantonio7thst]

great video! very informative

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomaszbrucelee1820]

Great info. Thanks

[@thebackroadadventurer]

No problem! Glad it was helpful!

[@Tom-pe3zf]

I know of Crown Land in Southern Ontario around the kawarthas and Bancroft. I think that's the closest we'll get to if you live in Toronto area

[@thewayforward3735]

Good info!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Thanks!

[@pkabzik]

thank you so much sir!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Most welcome!

[@collinwall5169]

There is some near London, Norfolk has a bunch of small bushes. Nothing that couldn’t be walked through in a couple hours though unfortunately

[@zhongruili3936]

super helpful!

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you found it helpful 🍻

[@rjstewart]

Not sure if you know but if you click get land use information then the circle you can click on the map to get the info instead of looking for the area number and typing it in.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

I too noticed that after playing around with the atlas after I did put together the video. It’s a help tip I plan on addressing in a future video

[@ukr4ever]

great tutorial, thanks

[@thebackroadadventurer]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@FEESHIKINS]

where can we find more info on offroading? where are some good spots for first time drive-in crown land camping? thanks

[@nuwanperera5221]

Thank you.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

You're welcome!

[@aramosvizcarra]

Map is very painful but the key here for me was the "general area use" legend, and I don't think he mentioned but the areaID will always start with "G" for general area use. The legend color is pretty useless as well since they overlap and the color is impossible to recognize.

[@GurpreetSingh-he9cq]

Thanks

[@chrishope8379]

G2625 seems to be everywhere I look in the area.. Policy report says crown land camping will be discouraged because of limited resources, conflicts with adjacent land uses and the availability of commercial camping facilities... I don't want to commercial camp though... So where can I camp? When I know for a fact many places get camped on in the area in the past? This is a bit frustrating I need a good few days to myself with just the wilderness and fishing.

[@jiveturrky55]

Awesome man - thanks so much. I’m from Ohio but have a cottage in McGregor Bay…been curious for years about driving as far north as I can and just started planning it for May/June. This site is a huge help I assume. Appreciate it!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

The Ontario system is complex, thx for giving guidance on using crown land. Larry

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Glad you found it helpful 🍻

[@danfrussell]

Should note that the CLUPA viewer also has satellite imagery, which is typically much better resolution than anything in GE/GMaps. Under Map Layers, go to the bottom (Background Map) and turn on the Ontario Imagery later. Turn off or fade the topo layer as well as the thematic layers above. The imagery is quite good, and typically fall or spring, so very little leaf cover.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

That’s a great tip! I’ll incorporate this information into an updated video I’m working on. Thanks 🍻

[@franw51]

I find GAIA difficult to follow and navigate. Is there a better way to navigate it?

[@user-ze6er6dx9x]

For those planning to hunt crown land, you will usually find others already hunting it! Just cuz its crown doesn't mean you should go and hunt it as well! This is how people get hurt! Make sure other " gangs" are not hunting the area first!

[@FEESHIKINS]

how can we find a spot where we can drive in to a campsite by water

[@Alien2799]

Satellite and Google Earth are the same things, aren't they? I am asking because I noticed that Satellite has some roads that GE does not. Does someone know why?

[@SBuchan]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! @1:30 mark that spot looks incredible... my wife and I are looking to take our 4Runner/roof top tent camping this summer. Are you able to share the general area where you found that spot? We're new to Crown Land camping (we live in the Barrie area). Thanks

[@FrankBullitt390]

If you're in Barrie you have crown land just up the 400 starting around the Mactier area.

[@j.a.8970]

Would you recommend something like Gaia GPS to supplement this method? Or does it replace the need for Gaia GPS altogether, in your opinion?

[@thebackroadadventurer]

I still use GaiaGPS a lot when planning trips and traveling. I’m unfortunately there is no layer on Gaia that actually shows crown land (yet) I’ve years that the folks are working on one 🤞. There’s also an app call ihunt, it dose have a crown land overlay, but it’s behind yet another annual subscription. I’ve yet to play around with it, but I’m looking forward to play around with it.

[@adam_mawz_maas]

@@thebackroadadventurer Don't the BRMB layers show crown land?

[@TURBOINTEGRATYPER]

If you find a crown land area that's good to go can you make a small fire pit.? Or does it already have to have one there.?

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Keeping with the tread lightly & leave no trace principles. It’s best to use an existing fire pit if possible, if there no fire pit available you can make your own. Ideally just a rock ring, that way you can spread the rocks off again when you’re leaving. Alternatively you can carry a portable fire pit. That’s what I’ve been doing that last few years. I like to cook on my fires and…well, you never know what might have been burned perviously in existing fire pit.

[@TURBOINTEGRATYPER]

@@thebackroadadventurer Thank you

[@cometravelwithus1696]

does permitted mean you need a permit or if your Canadian you can use it you don't need a permit?

[@melanielankin1738]

Permitted means you can camp there for free if you are an Ontario resident. If not a resident, you must purchase a Crown land camping permit from MNRF.

[@Greenhead24]

So i was looking at crownland G4404 scugog and it says commercial activities,land and resources management activities and recreation activities. Under land and resources management activities it says “private recreation camp,New”, and says no, but under recreation activities where it says “crown land recreation “ it says yes and access to crownland may be controlled,restricted by or limited for various reasons, Does this mean i can camp at certain spots? Because i dont understand what “private recreation camp” means. Are those 2 separate things? Thanks if you can help me.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

This is a great question. I see this come up a lot on various social media groups and as well as in the KZbin comments. I’m thinking I should do a short video to clarify the confusion between the two. In the policy report provided by the MNRF, the “private recreation camp” refers to if you’re allowed to build a permanent or semi permanent structure on leased land like a hunt camp. Now you still can get leased crownland from the ministry for the purpose of hunting minor mining, and timber operations. On crownland camping falls under “general recreation” so when you’re looking at the policy report, if it says that general recreation is allowed than camping is allowed.

[@Greenhead24]

@@thebackroadadventurer right on thanks man,thats great you got back to me so soon after making the video 3 years ago. Much appreciated.

[@DrPastah]

I really wish there was a mobile app for CLUPA.

[@thebackroadadventurer]

IHunter is a great alternative to the atlas, it also allows you to view the policy reports. Unfortunately, I don’t see the MNRF giving us anything better then what we currently have.

[@objection_your_honor]

Do you happen to know a crown land I could camp for free near Ottawa area in Ontario?

[@GTAMuslims]

Where is the thumbnail image from please?

[@thebackroadadventurer]

I believe it was somewhere south Ramsay, along the west branch road.

[@agrojester1156]

I just went to the page and "camping" isn't there anymore :(

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Thanks for pointing this out! it appears that everything has been condensed to a "recreational activities on crown land" page. www.ontario.ca/page/recreational-activities-on-crown-land

[@balbinooller2119]

👍🏻

[@raczyk]

If a area is " General Use Area", and report says "Crown Land Recreation - Yes", does that mean one can have camp fires on this land?

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Normally yes. However, depending on the time of year be mindful of fire bans in the area.

[@obliviousmaximus666]

It's difficult in SW Ontario but I've found many tracts of crown/public land using the online atlas that are designated public general use areas.. signs often indicate that hunting is permitted, sometimes target shooting is not.. it depends on the township or region and sometimes you may need to purchas a permit in addition to tags/license issued by the Ministry.. I'd love to not have to drive many hours to shoot/hunt in full compliance & respect for conservation because the laws are somewhat unclear.. ANY SW ONTARIO HUNTERS HAVE ANY PRACTICAL INPUT??

[@thebackroadadventurer]

Like you already know finding the right crown land in Southern Ontario can be a challenge. The majority of public land that is available in the south is conservation managed land and county forests. The majority of these are viable option for hunting, but not target shooting (there are a few outliers, but those are rare). The iHunter app gives you a clear idea of which properties allow for hunting and also will give you the details and restrictions for each property. Typically target shooting with NON-RESTRICTED rifles and shotguns is allowed on the majority of crown land with the exception of Crown Game Preserves (you can not even be in possession of a firearm on those parcels), but these will be clearly marked on the crown land atlas. The best advice I can give is that when your looking at the policy report is to make sure hunting is allow on that parcel, these crown land parcels will typically be ok for finding a SAFE location to target shoot. Keep in mind that south of the French and Mattawa rivers some municipalities still have “no Sunday gun hunting” laws in effect, my understanding is that this also applies to discharging a firearm in general. Unfortunately it seems that a small number of municipalities are also adding “no targeting shooting bylaws” but that seems to mainly be in response to residential areas being built near some very small parcels of crown land in Southern Ontario. It is probably going to take a bit of trial and error to find a parcel that’s actually going to be suitable and safe for target shooting.

[@obliviousmaximus666]

@@thebackroadadventurer Much appreciated.

[@sylfix2680]

Cheers from french river. if anyone wants a good spot too camp in my area i'll give a few tips ;D (Judge lake, mercer lake, and otter's bay) otter's bay isn't crown land but a beautiful campsite

[@thebackroadadventurer]

If you have found any of my videos helpful please consider supporting the channel by hitting the super tanks button, or check out memberships for some extra bonuses.

[@npain3755]

Thank you for this video I am confused on where you are able to park though. Do you just find a spot on the side of the highway and portage to the lake? How do you trust leaving your car alone for days. Thanks for the information!

[@npain3755]

Also when you are saying ‘campsites’ do you mean just a good spot to set up a tent? Because I thought you can set up a tent absolutely anywhere so if somebody were to beat you to the ‘campsite’ are you not able to just walk another 15minutes deeper in to the forest to find any other spot to set up camp?

[@thebackroadadventurer]

The correct on the campsites term. The video (and the series) is geared towards vehicle based exploration, so I’m mainly talking about drive in campsites. As I’m sure most people know, the easier it is to access, the quicker it fills up. In terms of parking, There’s a couple things to consider. On logging/Forest access roads Finding a place safe place to park is definitely a challenge. In most circumstances, leaving your vehicle on the side of the road is perfectly acceptable assuming that you take all precautions to make sure the vehicle is not blocking the possible flow of traffic, or or visibility around a blind corner. When it comes to parking on a maintained road, you still need to account for the Highway Traffic Act regarding parking. The HTA states the following. * Not be parked at the crest of a hill, or curve where you don't have a 125m line of sight in both directions. * Not park to block an existing road, trail, sidewalk or crossing. * Not park within 100m of a bridge. * Not park anywhere explicitly prohibited (eg. by signage) In some circumstances where the crownland parcel is within a municipality wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out the municipalities website to see if they have any parking bylaws especially during the winter time

[@npain3755]

@@thebackroadadventurer Thank you so much you’ve given amazing tips

[@christianb8228]

No crown land in southern Ontario? There’s a bunch of crown land around lake simcoe

[@kevins8825]

really?? where would the closest area be to look up? i am from southern ontario and am looking to get into some crown land camping

[@christianb8228]

@@kevins8825 use the governments website it’s not very good but it’s the quickest and easiest if you don’t have any backcountry books. However that’s an option too lookup backcountry Ontario books they sell them at Cabelas and probably other outdoor stores as well

[@kevins8825]

@@christianb8228 thanks! yeah the government website isn’t to friendly on iphones since i don’t have a desktop to try

[@ivanwigmore]

@@christianb8228 just remember things change over time Printed materials r a great 1st step But … Always confirm locations from any book with, a real-time source Or ur camping experience might b a bust when u get to ur location & find out it’s Not Crown land anymore, or Specific regulations or Zoning have taken place since the date of that book u were using was printed Always check print dates when using printed sources

[@Yqquest]

Step 1 drive 5 hours away from Toronto. Step 2. Fuck this move to states.

[@Yqquest]

It's a joke

[@collinwall5169]

Even as a joke it’s a tempting solution

[@ivanwigmore]

Ur National Parks rules r like our Provincial Parks, no thanks

[@melanielankin1738]

Very little public land in the states

[@onlymyself7225]

I am near Toronto and sad that there is no safe crown land near a town for inexperienced campers to pop a tent up at , light a fire for a few nights or more and enjoy the peace of nature and the Lord our GOD .

[@raczyk]

How do you determine if you can have a camp fire on crown land?

[@FrankBullitt390]

There is, its by Parry sound, Mactier etc. Search for a spot on the atlas as he shows

[@whoispriest]

that crown land map is absolutely garbage

[@drewpackman2929]

How so? We are planning a trip there sometime soon from Indiana and are trying to learn what is acceptable to do. Driving through Alberta, B.C. and Yukon Territory and camping wherever we could find sure seemed easier.

[@icweiner7506]

@@drewpackman2929 if you are planning on visiting Ontario for camping stick to the north Perry sound ON is as far south as I would recommend

[@notmuchtime33OUTDOORS]

Thanks