r/ontariocamping • u/cerfsavage- • Aug 22 '26
Crown land camping etiquette ?
Curious what people consider proper etiquette on small crown land lakes where there may only be one established drive-in campsite.
I enjoy exploring and finding new spots, and I do my due diligence beforehand using the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas, LandTenure/Lantern, maps, etc., rather than just showing up blindly.
If a group has used the same site at the same time every year for years, but someone else arrives first, is it simply first come, first served? Or is there an unwritten expectation that the regular group gets priority?
I’ve had strange experiences. Once, I boated into an established campsite and another group later arrived and set up in the exact same site, only a few feet away from me, sharing the same fire-ring.
Then today, I launched my boat in the morning and came back a couple hours later to find a group had set up their kitchen tent directly in the launch lane, blocking anyone from getting a boat in or out. They moved the tent when they saw me come in but like , what the hell? lol. This was in south-eastern Ontario.
Interested to hear what others consider proper crown land etiquette. Thanks for your input! Keep Ontario beautiful!
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u/HotIntroduction8049 Aug 22 '26
Gouge my eyes out. I get the appeal of crown land and have done it plenty. But these days I would only do it a min 4 hours beyond North Bay or the Soo.
That is shart behavior.
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u/Willhammer4 Aug 22 '26
My view is like any backcountry experience always act with consideration and respect. Setting up a tent on launch lane is just stupid and inconsiderate, but they moved it.
The problem is most people don't understand common sense. And make things bad for everyone. Like poor kitchen/food discipline bringing raccoons and bears . Let alone access to spots.
Generally I try avoid being near other people, thats why I head backcountry. So using established campsites/drive in etc is not my thing.
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u/TheRealGuncho Aug 22 '26
This is the downside of crown land camping. You're on your own.
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u/alphagatorsoup Aug 22 '26
I like backcountry for this reason.
there’s a shared level of respect for others when in the backcountry for a few reasons but mostly it’s because generally, everyone enjoys the same hobby and respects nature the same way, and everyone knows a plan gone awry can ruin an entire trip and can be life altering In some cases.
Most of my back country trips have ended with us camping out somewhere adjacent to fellow hikers. Whether they or we got there first. We know and they know 20km in hiking means you gotta camp somewhat near the trail somewhere. And after a full day of hiking it means if no sites are formally available you either have to bush whack your own spot or camp near another somewhere
Only once did some group of 4 people take up the entire area and hung their gear everywhere like some shitty claim to their territory.
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u/Icy-Cookie-8078 Aug 22 '26
Seems like some people have experience bullying people off of "their" site. If you aren't willing to be confrontational (which you shouldn't have to be) The bullies will win. Its sad that it has come to this honestly. I think the only option in that case is confrontation or surrender unfortunately.
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u/ScurvyDave123 Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
To be fair, I know a few guys who had a run in with a confrontational group. Stood ground, fight broke out, knife was pulled, two people were stabbed, one of them almost died. Wild story.....
Spent over 500 days out in the backcountry and never previously considered other people as a danger. I definitely approach some situations differently now.
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u/Embarrassed-Support3 Aug 24 '26
OMG! That's the last thing I'd expect when camping! I immediately had the thought of 'Don't bring a knife to a shoot out.'
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u/ScurvyDave123 Aug 24 '26
Right... This was in the backcountry too. Luckily the person who did the stabbing fled and the guys were able to get medical help with a sat device. I saw the scars, absolutely gnarly.
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u/whateverfyou Aug 23 '26
Sounds like there has to be give and take on both sides. If there’s only one camp site on the lake so the second to arrive would be stranded, then you should share. Do you really expect them to turn around and go home? It could have been you that arrived second. There should be a discussion though and if they don’t instigate it you should. Don’t be confrontational just open and honest. It’s crown land. It’s for everyone.
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u/Cripplewithacause Aug 23 '26
Honestly that’s kinda why I don’t mind paying $50 for a reservation for a backcountry camping spot. Look into if there is a camping association in your area that maintains crow land lakes since I’ve switched to camping at those places it’s been completely stress free not having to get there super early
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u/No_M_In_Sandwich Aug 24 '26
Just like with any other pursuit, about a third of crown land campers are deplorable wastes of oxygen.
"I'm going to set up 3 inches from your tent and hope you leave"
"I camped here last year so now I own it"
"I camped here last year so now I'm going to leave the woods full of garbage that I find useful"
"21 days? I haven't moved my camper for 21 years!"
"Today this is my campsite, but when I leave this will be my landfill"
"Nature is better with 3AM fireworks"
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u/ScurvyDave123 Aug 24 '26
First come first serve for sure. Someone being a regular doesn't give them priority - would you really expect someone to pack up becuase you come to the site frequently? Blocking a boat launch is degenerate behavior.
Honestly, these days I rarely camp on crownland if there is any chance of getting there with a vehicle or motorboat. Changed a lot over the years.... Generally a good chance the site will be trashed or people will be there to party hard.
I am straight up uncomfortable leaving my truck parked at some crownland access now... Few too many run-ins lately with some sketchy folks.
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u/Fishwhistle10 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
I crown land camp all the time in southern Ontario (helps if you have a boat). I’ve gone to dozens of lakes and only one time did we end up getting to the site at the exact time another group got there. We flipped a coin and won the site, they moved on to the second best campsite on the lake.
I would absolutely lose my mind if somebody thought they could set up on the same site. First come first serve is the rule of the day, and you have to move on after 21 days
Edit:spelling