Late Fall Camping at SILENT LAKE Provincial Park | Someone was on our site!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Our first time arriving at a site and having someone else set up in our spot...as it ever happened to you?

[@rebeccad5201]

Lucky it was a trailer!! Man if I set up my tent in the wrong spot, it would take me 2 hours to pack up lol

[@TheAverageTourist]

I know! Our full take down is about 45 minutes or longer even if we have all our gear out.

[@HuplesCat]

No but on Kash Lake I had 12 girl guides show up and demand I get off my island. I showed them the permit and asked to see theirs. They had none. I offered to share but they said no. I pointed out another island was not occupied. So dont trust anyone!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Pretty bad you can't even trust the Girl Guides!! 🤣

[@katanaguttman4063]

That's what I was thinking too. ​@@rebeccad5201

[@Travelsheesh]

Fall is our favorite season to visit and explore the amazing colors of nature. Your night arrival looks spooky😀 Its good that you got the set up already. We never been to camping yet but I think we should explore

[@TravelingAtoZ]

The late fall camping looks so nice. I love the fall leaves. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheAverageTourist]

It was so cozy and relaxing

[@AmaiwanTraveler]

Really enjoyed this camping adventure at Silent Lake-thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see more of your outdoor adventures!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Thanks for watching! Coming up will be all my cruise content :)

[@MisfitTravelers]

Wow at least you got someone who was cooperative and willing to move! That's so fun though and a beautiful area!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Yes we were thankful for that!

[@patriciadelorme9006]

Thank you for this video. I’ve been to Silent Lake a few years ago and enjoyed my time despite the mostly rainy week. I do want to return. I agree with late fall camping. I can imagine how peaceful it is.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Hopefully you get better weather on your next trip there! It's such a nice park, and in the fall it's my favourite.

[@MrSujano]

I think Silent Lake might be my favourite park. So awesome!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Mine too!

[@Migratory-Nerds]

Even with a few mishaps, looks like a great way to close out the camping season. Great fall camping tips!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Yes it all worked out in the end!

[@TripsCultureTC]

Very beautiful park, it's true that with the limitations you might miss out on a lot of comfort, but the place is stunning and deserves to be visited for a while. It's perfect for hiking, though with caution.😉

[@garthtraceysoverlandandonw6994]

We just got back from Mew Lake in Algonquin Park and arrived at night so when we tried to fill our water tank we found out the well went dry. It was snowing on our entrance to the park so we just left it on the hitch for the night and cozied up in a warm trailer. We had to funnel in enough water just to be able to do simple chores but it worked. Silent lake is on our list for next season. Thanks for sharing it, looks awesome.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Oh no! Not a good surprise for your arrival night. I think going forward I'm going to carry an extra jug of water just in case and maybe even an empty container for water. Glad you were able to make it work. Silent Lake is beautiful, definitely recommend 👌

[@wolfgangspits_fire9783]

Perfect video to close out the 2024 camping season. Beautiful site.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Thanks so much! We really liked this site, I'd book it again next time if we can get it.

[@DirtyJakTheDustyBean]

Gorgeous campground, loved the town and brewery! Great trip!

[@TheAverageTourist]

It's such a beautiful park - one of my faves.

[@willymueller4587]

Just a little tip about water siphon effect, we put a wine rabbit (silicone) to plug. water overflow till we get to campsite, be sure to take it out as you can collapse water tank

[@TheAverageTourist]

Oh good tip - I'll pass that along to my husband. Thanks!

[@KitatheExplorer]

That is such a great tip to make sure you bring your own water. I know during the colder months, I shut off my outdoor water to prevent from ruining my pipes. But I would forget to think about that when going camping late fall. Thanks for the camping tips.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Yes we learn something new every time we go camping it seems!

[@carlandre8610]

Hey Sarah and Allan. Tent camping. Winter and Fall. At least a four season tent. Some go camping with a hot tent, so that is a bit different. And if you have that gear you likely are already invested in winter camping. We use a smallish tent with a vestuable. We use a Mr. Buddy heater. Most times., We have camped in the electrical section as well. If that is the case we will use an electric heater. So it depends. On what we are doing. As for sleeping we use a thermal small air matress. A large emergency blanket. And some cushiony type roll mats. Of corse you will need winter sleeping bags. Kiln dried wood is awesome. Pine cones are great fire starters. If we car camp we will bring a cooler. Otherwise a bear barrel. We eat slightly differently depending on what we have decided to do. . Camping near the Bonnie trail is somewhat of a hybrid You can be 1 km away from where you have paarked. Seeing we are getting older I will be 62 in Dec. We tend to do either one of these options instead of real backwoods camping. Also my wife had a brain tumor removed at the end of December last year. Recovery is coming along. We did camp at Murphy's point over the Thanksgiving weekend. Tent area no electricity. Night time temps were 2c days between 6 and 8. We used our coleman twi burner stove. Hope this helps

[@carlandre8610]

Most times we use he mr.buddy that is. But there are some advantages to having the car on sight. It is usually quite warm in the tent. One of the most important thing about camping in the winter is staying g dry.

[@TheAverageTourist]

@@carlandre8610 now that I'm getting more into camping, I keep seeing posts about tent camping and using the yurts in the winter and it makes me want to try winter camping again. We did a cabin at MacGregor last year in the winter and overall it was a great experience even with the -20 weather! I don't think I could do camping with no electricity though - that might be a little to advanced for us right now. Maybe one day we could work up to it though.

[@carlandre8610]

I think what you are doing is fun. And you have a beautiful camper. I think camping in a trailer in the winter is pretty good. Algonquin Park may be a good first try. They have a rink and sometimes you can skate on the lake. There is a lot of different trails you can ski or snow shoe.

[@carlandre8610]

Hi again so happy you found Silent Lake. Winter camping there is awesome. You will have to go back in February or March. Snow shoeing and the cross country skiing is awesome. If you like fishing Ice fishing is good. Near the Bonnie trail in the winter it is only tent or yurts.you need to take your stuff in by sled. We see some people come with trailers in the winter.

[@TheAverageTourist]

The yurts look like a potential in the future if we are able to actually reserve one - they definitely go quickly!

[@carlandre8610]

Not so much near the Bonnie trail because you can not drive to them, you need to walk in with a sled, they provide for your gear.

[@katanaguttman4063]

That's too bad someone was on your site when you arrived. Though sounds like it was an honest mistake and they were nice about switching 6o the site they actually had. I was there two years ago with a friend during the last week of October tent camping(it was summer like weather during the days that year with good sleeping temps at night). Its beautiful there in the fall even with the leaves down. We did the Bonnie pond trail and like you guys spent time looking on the ground, moving leaves with our treking poles to avoid roots, rocks and divots the leaves hide! Also staying on any trail without leaves on the trees is much harder because without leaves on the trees and other foliage, tails are much less defined.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Yes in the dark it could really happen to anyone - plus they said they were on that site last year. The Bonnie Pond trail was lovely but those leaves on the ground made it a tricky one for sure. It's such a nice park we can't wait to go back in the summer time to experience the beaches properly.

[@katanaguttman4063]

@TheAverageTourist yes I can see how it can be an honest mistake, as it appeared that it was and they were nice about it. As someone else mentioned, good thing they had a trailer for quicker pack up/move along to the other site. If I was the one making that mistake, it would have taken much longer as I have a tent.

[@ChrisandCourt]

It looks so peaceful in the fall!

[@TheAverageTourist]

Definitely is! We weren't as adventurous as you two to try the full 15km trail though 😅

[@jontooke846]

Love your videos thanks so much

[@TheAverageTourist]

Thanks for watching!

[@ronarempel9081]

That was a great video!

[@TheAverageTourist]

thanks so much!

[@carlandre8610]

Fall camping is the best, no bugs not too many campers. Nature is quite beatiful at different times of the year. I want to encourage you and Allan to go back in the winter. The roads have packed down snow , you can even ski on the roads not that therei not enough trails they are beautiful. You can get to the trail in a few minutes. Also i would suggest getting Kiln dried wood at Canadian Tire.

[@TheAverageTourist]

Great tips! I'm definitely going to look into it. :) Thanks!

[@carlandre8610]

Yep that stuff they sell at the park is often wet

[@alexkoeslag5699]

I love fall camping...best time of year ❤❤😂😂

[@TheAverageTourist]

It really is - I wish the season lasted a bit longer here in Ontario.

[@shawnsprague7401]

Kind of scary having someone on your spot, never seen that before. A little disappointed with Bancroft brewing. Looked like a great fall camping weekend!

[@TheAverageTourist]

It was definitely nothing we've experienced before! We were just happy they weren't difficult about it and tried to make us take their other site or something. The experience at Bancroft Brewing was odd - most breweries do flights and we thought it was weird that even with the brew pub right beside the brewery they didn't have hardly anything on tap from their own brewery!

[@glpirate37]

Great video thank you for sharing your experience..

[@TheAverageTourist]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@wrxs1781]

I always enjoy your videos, and the fall is a great time of year if the weather cooperates, no bugs and less people is always a plus. The people in your site probably thought no one had booked it, poor excuse because the park web page indicates reserved spots, something I would never consider doing "nervy".

[@TheAverageTourist]

Thank you! Ha, yes, we wondered too if they just thought no one was going to show up... we drove up after work, so it wasn't too late. We had a great time despite the short setback.

[@ibrahim_im]

Thank you

[@HopeLaFleur1975]

Well, apart from those people on your site, everything was sooo beautiful, how do you go back to the City from there. I think I would make a nice permanent spot there. Truly breathtaking! arrivederci and see you two in the next. This was truly breathtaking, love the fries at that restaurant....! 🌳🍔🏕

[@TheAverageTourist]

It was such a beautiful weekend and so peaceful in the fall. I think I prefer the late season camping because the scenery is lovely and less people - except for the few that were on out site! But they moved quickly :)

[@HopeLaFleur1975]

@@TheAverageTourist❤

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

I thought for a second your opening was gonna be another Blair witch project. What a beautiful lake. This camp site looks really nice and well kept. The trails are fantastic. Bancroft looks quaint. How cold is it up there nowadays?

[@AdventuresOfATravelingDon]

What's the next trip?

[@TheAverageTourist]

Haha omg Blair witch brings back some creepy memories. Definitely don't want to do that. It wasn't too cold that weekend only -5 or -10°C at night. It's been warmer here lately though. Next trip is Mexico!!

[@hangingwiththehunters149]

Wonderful job with the video, the filming, editing, and audio are spot on. I will be following your adventures. Do you have a video of the equipment that you use? I'm always looking for better audio

[@TheAverageTourist]

Oh thank you so much! I appreciate it. It's definitely been a work in progress. I use a DJI Pocket 3 for the most part and then a GoPro 11 and my cell phone and our dashcam. TH Pocket 3 has an external mic that has been great for me.

[@hangingwiththehunters149]

@TheAverageTourist Adio has been a struggle for us. We bought a cheap wireless mic, but it was hit and miss if it turned on or not. I lost a LOT of audio on a video and never used it again lol. I guess that you just gotta pay for the good stuff on some things.

[@michaelferguson7880]

Smoke on the water is always breathtaking. I love that yellow mug! Where can i get it too :) ?

[@TheAverageTourist]

Always so pretty to see. The mug was a Canadian Superstore buy a couple of years ago.

[@michaelferguson7880]

@@TheAverageTourist they always have surprisingly good mugs! Thx!

[@kephillips99]

Silent Lake is one of my favourite parks. It’s interesting to see your review of site #150, thanks! Similar to your experience, in our last two fall trips in October after Thanksgiving (to Arrowhead) the park shut off the water without any kind of warning, due to the onset of cold weather. We were prepared the second time … I don’t know if Silent Lake provided you with a heads up, but I believe it’s better to warn people. What do you think?

[@TheAverageTourist]

It's one of my faves too. The site was great, I'd definitely book it again. No there was no warning and my husband even called ahead to ask and they said they had no plans to turn it off that weekend. Maybe weather changed their plans last minute. I think a warning would be beneficial 👌

[@kephillips99]

@ Yes, I would think a small sign when people are checking in (and/or email alert) makes sense.

[@TheAverageTourist]

@kephillips99 absolutely agree 👍

[@daniellehunter5057]

We keep one of these in the trailer just in case we need a top off :) How was the dump station lineup leaving? Do you guys have a blackwater flush?

[@TheAverageTourist]

I think we'll be keeping some extras in future too. There was no line at all, which was amazing. Alan did a full tank rinse since we were getting ready to winterize, and in that time, no one else came through. It's a great park, one of my top 5.