S04E18 Algonquin Park - Mew Lake Campground Review - The one we almost didn't make it to!

We planned for a 5 night camping trip at Algonquin Provincial Park, Mew Lake Campground, during prime leaf peeping season. We almost didn't make it. First, our truck broke down 2 minutes after pulling out of the driveway. We couldn't get a replacement part until the next day. The next day we finally hit the road at 4:45 pm. Not ideal as that meant we would arrive to set up camp well past daylight hours. Second, our trailer got a flat, on Hwy 11, in the dark. Luckily we were able to pull into a lit Tim Horton's lot to replace the tire. We finally arrived at our site at 11:00 pm for the first night of our now 4 night camping trip.
The rest of the camping trip went much better. Algonquin never disappoints. This trip was September 30th to October 4th and the weather was beautiful. The colour of the leaves were amazing and during the weekend, I think the park hosted half of the province's population to see the spectacular colours.
We kayaked in Mew Lake. We hiked a few trails. We visited the Logging Museum, Visitor Center, Opeongo Store, Lake of Two Rivers Store and Pog Lake Campground. We had a blast!
In our next Park Review we go for the first time to Bronte Creek Provincial Park. A provincial park in the middle of a city. We have family and friends join us for Thanksgiving. If you thought the colours were spectacular at Algonquin, you have to check out Bronte Creek....AMAZING!! We'll be sharing that video on December 31st, 2022.
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00:00 Intro
01:07 Truck break down
05:38 Flat tire on our trailer
11:00 Arriving at the park
12:06 Checking out the campsites
15:13 Campground facilities
17:11 Lake of Two Rivers store
18:24 Cheryl's Loo Review
19:07 Hiking the Madawaska Rapids - Mew Lake Loop
22:50 Cycling on the Old Railway Trail
24:20 Visitor Center
25:53 The Opeongo Store
26:46 East Beach and Amphitheatre at Lake of Two Rivers
27:44 Whitefish Group Camping Campground
28:00 The Logging Museum
29.29 Hiking the Lookout Trail
30:54 Dumping our tanks at Arrowhead Provincial Park
33:01 Coles Notes
40:09 Rating
41:04 Blooper
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#campingwiththecoles #FindYourselfHere #ExploreOP #algonquinpark

[@autumnsweeney62]

Love your videos thank you

[@timewellwasted3341]

Keep the great videos coming through the winter. It inspires us to plan for the 2023 camp year and it makes it feel like summer!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks. Lots more videos coming throughout the winter. I like putting them together because it keeps me in the camping spirit.

[@shawnsprague7401]

Thanks to Camping with the Coles, we went to back to Algonquin Pog Lake this summers it’s been several years and we realized how great Algonquin Parks are and how much we miss them. If you’ve never been to Algonquin it’s worth the trip.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jimmylieb5225]

was there at Mew Lake CG in July 1970 on a family trip with my parents and brothers. It was very nice. remember waking up at dawn looking out the screening and seeing a black bear walking down the access road. I went snorkeling in Mew Lake having taken SCUBA lessons that spring. The water was tea colored and so I couldn't see very far. one of my favorite memories is hoing to the wolf howel a couple nights on the road up to Lake Opeongo

[@jimmylieb5225]

Late in the afternoon when we got up there to Algonquin we stayed at the group camp on Whitefish Lake as my brother was going with his Boy scout troop on a back country canoe trip. there was a raft made of pine poles there which I, my brother, and some of the scouts paddled across to the other side. We waded in the muck at the shore on the other side a while. when we got back we all looked at our feet. We were all shocked to have small black leeches between our toes.

[@mikestephenson2887]

Will stop to say Hi if we ever see your sign post when we’re camping!

[@HarleysDinersRides]

Algonquin Park is our favourite. cheers

[@mikestephenson2887]

Love your camping vids! Very helpful for newbies.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks! Glad you find them helpful.

[@alisonlee6800]

Wow! What a journey. Algonquin has been on my to do list but have been wanting for the kids to get a bit older. Thank you so much for the video. Look forward to hearing the plans for next season

[@CampingwiththeColes]

It was definitely a journey to get there! You just have to make the best of it. Cheryl suggested we record the problems as they came up as our way of making the best of a bad situation. We turned a couple of negatives into some positive by getting some good video content and perhaps helping others with some something simple like changing a tire or showing the benefit of having a TPMS.

[@karlmopete]

Your videos keep me centred over the cold winter. Managed to book my first campsite for the 2023 season this morning so looking forward to getting back to nature. Might get lucky and run into you guys sometime at one of the campgrounds.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We just booked our second trip this morning. Only 5 months to go!

[@kamkeg4]

Your videography and editing are outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks so much!

[@gracespace1]

Another great video! I am glad that things worked out that you were both safe and no permanent damage to your vehicle or trailer. Algonquin is on my bucket list as well. This past summer was all repeat parks for me. Hoping for all new parks in 2023. Looking forward to your next park review. Keep them coming!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks. Happy camping!

[@Ultrafrozen]

Another great review, thanks Coles! This is our go-to winter camping spot for Mew Years Eve and also Family Day weekend. The little falls are beautiful covered in snow and ice.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Sounds great! We'd love to check it out in the winter.

[@cmarion1544]

Love your videos! Winter has barely started and already we can hardly wait for the spring to come. We are picking up our new trailer in the spring and plan on going to Valens for her maiden run after watching your review. We are also from Kitchener. We are looking forward to utilizing our kayaks and bikes on our trips and now know where to go based on your excellent reviews. Good job on giving details and tips re fill/dump stations and loo reviews!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Wow, a new trailer is so exciting! Good plan, going to Valens. It's always a good idea to go someplace close on the maiden voyage to work out all the bugs and discover what you forgot or didn't realize until then that you needed. Glad you're finding our videos helpful. Maybe we'll see you out there sometime. Happy camping!

[@TheAverageTourist]

I'm going to try for Mew Lake next season, we loved it up in Algonquin. What a journey you had trying to get there!! Great overview of the campground.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

You can't go wrong with Algonquin. It's been our favourite since we first learned about the Hwy 60 campgrounds about 12 years ago.

[@campkayakadventures]

Glad you finally made it. Lucky Canadian Tire could get your part so fast. My Highlander has been parked for two weeks waiting for a part that controls the heat and defrost. We are only a few days away from our May long weekend booking, a foot of snow on the ground, and we get to watch you at Mew. I have to say I'm jealous. We had waterfront sites two years in a row at Mew Lake and both got canceled due to covid. Have a great Christmas and good luck with your bookings.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We just booked May two four this morning. Going from Wednesday to Tuesday. It's our second reservation so far for 2023.

[@microtechmachineshop]

I miss doing trips like these I need to start again great videos

[@mariakrabbe283]

Thank you for your thorough covering of the parks this past season. Glad that you had a safe one even though you had some issues in your last trip to Algonquin. Looking forward to next year. We have already booked our first camping trip, and the park that we are going to is already mostly full. This is for May!!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We love making the videos and we appreciate that people like to watch them. We booked for the May two four and we seemed to do ok. It was pretty good. So far, so good. We hope the rest of our attempts at bookings work out the same way. Good luck to you for getting the parks you want. Happy camping!

[@olliemcintyre]

I have also been to Mew Lake too, I have also been to the river there. I have been there a lot. It was so much fun!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Nice! Happy camping.

[@vickibrenner2295]

Thank you Coles! You are endlessly inspiring - your hard work documenting your adventures is so appreciated. We intend to return to Mew - Autumn 2023. Shhhhh…not booking at Cannisbay, Cheryl 😎

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JustpissTrudeau69]

Alberta here . Man is Ontario beautiful !! actually unbelievable . The water at Lake Huron in your previous videos & Lake Superior , stunning . Love your show . Keep up the great work you two.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks so much. I didn't think Ontario would even compare to Alberta! We've never been there but would love to in the future.

[@thewillys7230]

Ben&Cheryl - this is definitely the story of perseverance. A good lesson for everyone to stay on maintenance issues, especially those items that are integral for towing; tires&axle, hitch and electrical etc. Another great video, we haven't camped in the Park yet - but we stay at Killarney Lodge frequently to enjoy the park. We just got our first booking in for 2023 and will be visiting Charleston Lake PP over the May long weekend. Thanks for the great content, happy holidays and hope to run into you at a PP sometime soon!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks. I didn't plan on recording any of the issues but Cheryl thought it would be a good idea as it might help others. For us, it made some negative experiences into a positive one as we were able to get some content for our video. It's reservation time! Here comes the stress! We hope you get the reservations you're trying for! Thanks for watching and Happy Holidays.

[@thewillys7230]

@@CampingwiththeColes Ben, I think that filming and high lighting issues has great value for other RV'ers. Cheers.

[@camper69]

Canisbay Lake is my favourite campground along highway 60. The walk in sites are just awesome! You're only 25-50 from your car but you can't see it. You're surrounded by trees!

[@beatnpotatoes]

I absolutely love your reviews. I recommend when you go to the visitor centre, bring some good binoculars. The last time we went there we saw a family of bears and a moose in the distance. No one else could see it. We ended up sharing with a few people so they could see too. Love Algonquin. Keep up the great reviews.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for the tip! We got completely skunked this year. No bears and no moose! Very disappointing. We keep binoculars in the trailer but rarely think of bringing them out.

[@brucedawson2033]

Watching your videos is one of our favorite ways to pick provincial Parks. Today by coincidence you mentioned Canadian Tire in Kitchener on Victoria. Lol we live just down from there and got new tires the other day. Keep the videos coming, really well thought out.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We're glad you're finding our videos helpful. Always trying to improve on them. Lots coming out this year.

[@ianlindsey3616]

Quite the adventure!!!! Mew is on the list and possibly a water site would be nice for us. THX CHEERS!!!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for watching.

[@patriciadelorme9006]

Another great video!!! I’m glad you both enjoyed Mew Lake. I was there in 2018. The goal is to go back at least once during the winter. The other goal is to camp at one of the other campgrounds inside Algonquin.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Those are some good goals. We've never been there in the winter. We might have to make that a goal too.

[@ronj555]

Thanks for all your videos. I’m a solo tent camper, hiker, and a Birder and a picture taker. My last camping trip was to Wheatley and I attended the Festival of Birds at Point Peele National Park. There are some other birding spots like Rondeau and MacGregor. Hiking at Bruce Peninsula National Park is always great. I have watched your videos and I know what to expect if I go there to camp. I know when it’s practical to take a bike. I like your new sign. I’ve learned so much about these camping spots just by watching your videos. I will always remember the video of the walk on the log and the slip and fall. Thanks again and I hope one day that I’ll actually see your sign and be able say Hi, take your photo and enter you in my birding book. Have another fun year camping. I watched your rules of camping. I feed the Blue Jays and chipmunks at Wheatley. I never go anywhere without birdseed. Take care.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We're glad that you're finding our videos helpful. We're learning more about birding and getting into it. We could certainly learn from some real birders such as yourself. If you see us at a park don't hesitate to say hi. Happy camping!

[@willymueller4587]

Another great video, sorry for all the trouble you had getting(great campsite stories):Mew Lake is our go to spot, except for highway 60, was better before when is wasn’t such a through fare, I can remember going to a Wolf Howl along 60 when they shut the highway down totally for 10-15 minutes , so much to see & do in Algonquin, Cheers

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks for the history lesson. We had been camping for 15 years before we even knew about the campgrounds along Hwy 60. All our Algonquin camping prior to that was back country canoe trips up along the north western edge of the park.

[@jennifereast7220]

Was up and ready at 6:45 am to book Algonquin mew at 7 am(spring forward last night) AND IT FELT LIKE I FINALLY HIT THE JACKPOT I GOT IT! later tonight watched your mew lake video and was shocked we got the same site that you had. Crazy odds. Eh? Thanks for all your videos also purchased bug jackets !

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Congratulations! Algonquin never disappoints. Hopefully going in mid August you won't have much need for the bug jackets but they are good to bring, just in case. Happy camping!

[@janicebelliveau5458]

Hahaha! We did the same (5.7 km) hike to the falls in the Spring. It was worth it though.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Yeah, even a wrong turn is ok when the hiking is that nice.

[@dannixon144]

wow you had a rough trip. between tire and tranny line, then dump station, , I like it so much in the area, so much so i bought 13 acers. in Dorset. put hydro and water system in to enjoy it more. anytime you're in the area. stop in. and visit. or stay over. Dorset is 45 min south from the park east gates.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Yeah it was an eventful trip alright. It's a beautiful area up there. You're lucky to get some land in God's country. Happy camping!

[@happycamper8354]

Had the exact same thing happen on a friends truck last year in Grundy had to make a make shift a hose and a couple hose clamps to get it home. We love mew lake I believe we had site 51 last time (waterfront)

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Oh wow! I wouldn't have the know-how to do something like that. The waterfront sites at Mew looked great. Ya can't go wrong with waterfront!

[@happycamper8354]

@@CampingwiththeColes it was trial and error lol we love mew lake lake !

[@angelahall6461]

Great video. Glad you finally got there. I’ve never heard of the rapids trail and Can’t wait to do the Madawaska hike. Where did you find it? Also, thanks for introducing me to the beautiful song by Giant Ember. Love it!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

The Madawaska Rapids hike is accessed from Mew Lake campground right next to the garbage and recycling. There is a small parking lot there for about 8 cars. "Last Days of September" seemed like a good song for an autumn camping trip. Glad you liked it.

[@robertforget6369]

great video i thinking i camped in the early seventies nice spot ,hat tire pressure dodad for the trailer i a great idea

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Thanks 👍

[@ashleyodonnell3815]

Have you guys done all of the campgrounds at algonquin? I think it would be great if you guys did a video comparing the different sites. I love your guys channel!!!!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We've only camped at 3 of the 11 Algonquin campgrounds. We've driven through all the ones on the Hwy 60 Corridor to get an idea of what they're like and of the Hwy 60 ones I think we've stayed at the best with Pog, Canisbay and Mew. We'd like to check out the three campground in the northern area of the park.

[@wilmabosgraaf9706]

Better to have this happen early on than mid way your travels

[@CampingwiththeColes]

True, we were really lucky that the transmission went so close to home.

[@FranksDIY]

Sucks when shit breaks down lol. But it looks like you made the best of it

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Gotta role with the punches and make the best of it. It was Cheryl's idea to record it all as our way of making the best of it. We got some good footage that might help others, so some good can come of it.

[@lauraleemillard-smith2043]

Wondering how the internet service was at this campsite? We are looking forward to Mew Lake in August 2023

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Great cell coverage for Telus, Koodo, Bell and Virgin Mobile. I don't know about the rest.

[@LisaArnold-qc9qs]

Great videos.Very helpful. I have a question. I am new to camping and I was going to go to Bonnechere provincial park for 7 days but I want to go visit Algonquin park as well to hike, bike and kayak. Do I need a pass to get into Algonquin park or does my permit for Bonnechere cover Algonquin park as well?

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Your pass for Bonnechere is good for all Provincial Parks so you can have fun on Algonquin without paying extra. That's the beauty of the Parks close to Algonquin, like Arrowhead, Bonnechere and Lake St. Peter. You can explore Algonquin along with the park you're staying at.

[@ottawa875]

What brand of TPMS do you have / recommend? Glad you finally made it to the site! A couple of years ago, our leaf spring broke on our tent trailer. What an ordeal!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

TireMinder Solar Powered Trailer TPMS, 4 tire kit: amzn.to/3WIsNdp. I did a review of it that you can see here if you want to check it out kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYmQgJWZotB7Y5I. We're not sponsored by them. We just think it's a great product.

[@jacquicardillo4537]

We love your videos. I have to ask, what is the board game you are playing? I think we've seen it pop up a couple of times. Looks like some sort of variation on Yahtzee with poker chips.

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We were playing Dice Poker. It's a lot of fun. Our friends introduced to the game on this years May two four weekend, camping at Inverhuron. We ended up buying one, along with Dice Baseball and Rummoli, all from the same company. It's a family run company from Jarvis Ontario. We're not sponsored by them, we just love the quality of their games. www.michaudtoys.org

[@mattlong1667]

i can see how the tpms would give you great piece of mind. is there one that you would recommend? great videos btw

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We've been using the Tireminder Solar Powered Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System since 2020 and we're very happy with it. If you want more details about it, I did a review of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYmQgJWZotB7Y5I.

[@mattlong1667]

@@CampingwiththeColes thank you so much. looking forward to the new season

[@pv510]

Odd question where did you get your tires aligned

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We ended up getting a new rear axle at Sauders Camping just outside of Waterloo

[@mrp6674]

What was the board game you were playing with the dice ?

[@CampingwiththeColes]

That was Dice Poker. Michaud Toys from Jarvis Ontario makes them. www.michaudtoys.org. They don't sponsor us or anything, we just like the quality of their games. For Christmas we bought the Dice Poker and Rummoli.

[@andrewsnow766]

I'm born and rise in kitchener and live around the corner from that canadian tire I'm assuming your local too by the comment being 1km out if this is true what a small world, been Watching you guys for a few years now. Knew you were this part of ontario but not that close lol

[@CampingwiththeColes]

Yep, we're close. Right by the Krug St Plaza.

[@andrewsnow766]

@Camping with the Coles what a even smaller world I currently live on Bruce st close to the corner of Fredrick and Bruce and I grew up at Krug and east Ave area where my grandma currently still lives ... you are very close lol Hope you guys have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new years and hope one day to bump into you camping or locally for a hello :)

[@CampingwiththeColes]

@@andrewsnow766 if you walk down to the end of your street and look right you'll see our truck with the Camping with the Coles logo on the cap, in our driveway. We walk by your house most days with our dog. Hahaha, it IS a small world.

[@andrewsnow766]

@Camping with the Coles thanks for the timbit, I know where you speak of and will be keeping a eye out for the sticker on the truck or you walking the dogs, come nicer weather good chance you'll see us walking our short hair black chihuahua he's super small still a puppy and stands out so not hard to miss. It all makes sense now I believe it was your Selkirk video u said how long it took to get down there and in my head I thought that's what it takes roughly for us to get down there I went to wheatly I believe weeks apart from when you went and I believe their was another park we came close to being at same time so it's mind blowing you were 30 seconds down the road this whole time lol I'm in the apartments at the corner where I had previous mention the 5 story's high one Thanks for the great convo and look forward to perhaps shaking your hand one day!!

[@cmarion1544]

How ironic! Another Kitchener fan here. Love your videos. My hubby and I camped for years with our children in tents before moving to a tent trailer. So many happy memories. We stopped when getting a reservation to our favourite parks was nearly impossible. Now that we have retired, we purchased a small travel trailer in the fall and will take delivery in the spring and hope to camp in those parks and many of the new ones you have introduced us to. We have been devouring your videos and have learned so much. One thing I wonder is when you go to the Algonquin parks, do you travel via 401/400 or go the back roads to avoid Toronto before joining up 400/11? Going through Toronto can be daunting when the traffic gets crazy.

[@unclelala4216]

Great video.... Being only a one season newbie with a fifth wheel I'm not getting why on earth Ontario Parks would put a device on the hoses to prevent people doing a black tank flush. With no water or sewer at ones site the likely hood of black tank build up is much greater. Its a needed maintenance function for black tanks IMO. If we were to only camp at electrical sites how would we ever do a blank tank flush. I tip my hat to the people who tape over that evil device put into the hoses at the dumping stations and I will be carrying my own tape from now on. I think Parks Ontario should get a reality grip. Do I sound bitter...maybe a little.🤪

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We've heard varying reasons such as public health issue, reduce the amount of liquid going into the tanks, speeding up dumping etc. We're not exactly sure what the true reason is.

[@ralphprice5136]

Your tires look pretty bald!

[@CampingwiththeColes]

We just got our trailer out from the shop this morning and finally put it into storage. New rear axle, bearings repacked and brakes lubed. Mechanic said all good with the tires. Maybe they look worse in the video than they actually are. The flat one was obviously very bald on the outer edge, right down to the steel belt.