Rushing River Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Beautifully located on the shore of Dogtooth Lake and a series of rapids on Rushing River is Rushing River Provincial Park, a scenic destination for RV camping trips. Located 20 km (12 miles) southeast of Kenora, along Trans-Canada Highway 71, Ontario, this 3.4 sq. km (1.3 sq. mile) provincial park cascades over rocks grooved by glacial action in the past. The park is a premier RV camping destination that offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, birding, biking, canoeing, swimming, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and many more.
Facilities and amenities at Rushing River Provincial Park include four campgrounds with RV campsites, amphitheater, boat launches, beaches, interpretive programs, playgrounds, hiking trails, dump station, Visitor Center, restrooms and showers, pit/vault toilets, canoe/kayak rental facilities, picnic shelters, museum, laundry facilities, historic building, food concessions and barbecues, and a fish cleaning station.
Rushing River Provincial is the gateway to Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park’s five canoe routes which offer campers endless recreational paddling opportunities.
The park was established in 1958, and is situated on moderately broken granite bedrock featuring little soil cover, with tree canopy of jack pine and aspen.
RV Rentals in Rushing River Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
Located 20 km (12 miles) southeast of Kenora, along Trans-Canada Highway 71, Ontario, Rushing River Provincial Park is a simple drive-in park easily accessible by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. The roads within the park are paved and graveled, linking the various parts of the park. There are no driving restrictions within Rushing River Provincial Park.
Parking
There are no designated parking areas in Rushing River Provincial Park for RVs, trailers, and cars. However, vacationers can park their rigs at their respective campsites within the various campgrounds in the park. Overnight parking is allowed for RV campers in the park.
Public Transportation
Kasper Transportation provides bus services from Winnipeg to the park, while VIA Rail also operates a rail service to the park from Winnipeg.
Campgrounds and parking in Rushing River Provincial Park
Campsites in Rushing River Provincial Park
Reservations camping
Southeast Campground
Southeast Campground in Rushing River Provincial Park features 58 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents, including one trailer-equipped site. 15 campsites in the campground are equipped with electric RV hookups, while the remaining do not have RV hookups. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m). Amenities in the campground include water taps, pit/vault toilets, fish cleaning station, access to swimming beach, waterfront and trailhead.
Southwest Campground
Southwest Campground in Rushing River Provincial Park features 50 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents, including two trailer-equipped sites. All the campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities in the campground include pit/vault toilets, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, playground, amphitheater, water taps, dump station, and Visitor Center. Firewood, pay phone and Park Office are available nearby.
Alternate camping
Northwest Campground
Northwest Campground in Rushing River Provincial Park features 25 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs. None of the campsites in the campground is equipped with RV hookups. RV length limit at the campground is 25 feet (8 m). Amenities at the campground include water taps, pit/vault toilets, access to waterfront.
20 campsites in the campground are available on first-come first-served basis, while the rest are reservable.
Northeast Campground
Northeast Campground in Rushing River Provincial Park features 68 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents, including one trailer-equipped site. 20 campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs, while the remaining campsites do not have any RV hookups. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities at the campground include pit/vault toilets, water taps, showers and restrooms, playgrounds, firewood, access to swimming beaches, boat launches, and wheelchair accessible areas.
12 campsites in the campground are available on first-come first-served basis, while the rest are reservable.
Seasonal activities in Rushing River Provincial Park
Off-Season
Winter Activities
Winter is an exciting time to visit Rushing River Provincial Park, as the snow enhances the beauty of the park. The park bubbles with activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and dog walking. The cross-country ski trails in the park are groomed, add up to 16 km (10 miles), and range in difficulty from easy skiing to difficult.
Swimming
Swimming is a popular activity that RV campers love to enjoy at Rushing River Provincial Park. Campers are offered options for taking a dip in the water as there are four sandy beaches that offer excellent swimming opportunities. Furthermore, all the beaches in the park have a shallow roped-off section which is ideal for children’s swimming.
Biking
RV campers get around Rushing River Provincial Park quite easily by cycling and the activity allows them explore the park and appreciate its scenic natural features. There are no dedicated biking trails in the park, hence, biking is only allowed on roads and is open to all campers. Cyclists 18 years and younger are required to wear helmets.
In-Season
Boating/Canoeing
Excellent boating opportunities are offered at Rushing River Provincial Park, thanks to the two boat ramps available in the park that allow RV campers to launch their boats conveniently on to the lake. The channel on the lake is a posted no wake zone, hence campers are advised to be exercise caution while boating. Canoe routes are also accessible from the park for campers to enjoy paddling. The canoe routes range from 32 km (20 miles) in length to 103 km (64 miles). Canoe rentals are available at the General Store, just 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the park.
Fishing
Rushing River Provincial Park is a popular destination for fishing, and RV campers enjoy angling in the park, with its abundant walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and lake trout in Dogtooth Lake. Fishing on the lake is further enhanced by two boat launches and three docks available in the park. All campers who wish to engage in angling at Rushing River Provincial Park are required to possess an appropriate fishing licence and this is available at the General Store outside the park.
Hiking
There are four exciting hiking trails for RV campers to enjoy while on vacation at Rushing River Provincial Park. These trails range from 500 m (1640 ft) in length to 2.7 km (1.7 miles). The 1.1 km (0.7 mile) Beaver Pond Trail is easy to hike, and takes campers to a quiet beaver pond where they can see Great Blue Herons, forest songbirds, flowering plants, and beautiful wildlife. Granite Knoll Trail, the longest trail in the park, is moderately difficult to hike and meanders along Dogtooth Lake’s shoreline and open Jack Pine forest. The other two trails in the park, Lower Rapid Trail and Pine Ridge Trail, offer memorable hiking experiences to RV campers.
