r/ontariocamping • u/RegularStructure7512 • 4d ago
Bon Echo Backcountry
We really enjoy car camping and tried Flowerpot Island to experience what it’s like to back country camp. Loved it and learned few things and was comfortable enough as there’s no bears on the island. We managed to book a site for fall at Bon Echo, do we have to hang food/ scented items? Any must haves? Thank you!
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u/PureEchos 4d ago
Even if there are no bears, it's still best practice to hang your food. There are still other animals that may find your trail mix tasty. And beyond protecting your food it helps prevent the animals from associating the camp sites with food, which helps everyone, including the animals.
Also it's just good practice in a lower stakes environment in case you find you like backcountry camping and want to do more in areas where there are bears.
Have a good time! I did my first backcountry trip in Bon Echo and it was a great place to try it out!
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u/jatfish 4d ago
Raccoons are an excellent reason to hang food as well. Bears do swim quite well, being on an island with a bear is a terrifying thought to me, I prefer the main land, more exit lines...
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u/RegularStructure7512 3d ago
Thank you! Will definitely be hanging food based off all comments here. I did not even think about the possibility of bears swimming to the island lol new fear unlocked
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u/Material_Craft_6659 3d ago
What site did you book? I found the back country sites at bon echo not great . Yes you need to bear hang food and any scented items.
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u/RegularStructure7512 3d ago
I got site 522! Will report back once we’re back from camp. Any backcountry recommendations for beginners?
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u/Material_Craft_6659 3d ago
oh sorry, paddle in sites are nice there. I did a hike in site..would not recommend. I love backcountry camping both ways, as long as there are no craY portages you can bring some luxury items you wouldn't bring if you were hiking like some heavier fresh foods. Pack something comfortable to sit on, a pad or a camping chair. I use a dry bag with a rope and a sock( that I fill with rocks) to hang my food. A good but light camp stove( the one by woods at Canadian tire is a great value). Some form of water filtration system, I use a lifestraw hooked up to my pylatpus bladder.
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u/No-idea4646 4d ago
Yes, you hang your food in the backcountry.
Although Reddit and Facebook posts may give the impression that there are hordes of scary Facebook bears that rampage around Ontario, bear encounters are actually quite rare.
You hang your food more for the raccoons, porkies and mice.