Living full-time in an RV across Canada for a few years has taught us a thing or two beyond just finding pretty places to park. It’s a lifestyle that comes with its own rhythm and set of practicalities, transforming everyday tasks into unique RV life challenges and triumphs. This way of living on wheels offers unparalleled freedom, but also demands a new approach to everything from chores to unexpected hiccups.

This section aims to share some of that hard-won wisdom we’ve gathered from countless miles on the road. We’ll delve into the nitty-gritty details of daily living, from managing groceries and laundry to handling mail and residency, which all take on new dimensions when your home is mobile. We’ll also explore the joys and intricacies of boondocking, offer essential tips for wildlife safety in Canada’s vast wilderness, and discuss the importance of RV maintenance to keep your home rolling smoothly.

These everyday chores take on a new dimension when your home is on wheels.

• Groceries: Availability and price can vary wildly. Big cities and towns? No problem. Remote stretches in the North or even some parts of the Maritimes? Stock up when you can! We learned to plan meals around what’s available and to embrace local farmers’ markets in season – a fantastic way to get fresh produce and support local communities. Expect to pay more for groceries in very remote areas.
• Laundry: Most larger private RV parks and many national/provincial park campgrounds offer laundry facilities. If not, town laundromats are your friend. We budget around $100 a month for laundry, but this can vary. A good supply of quarters (or a reloadable laundry card where available) is always handy.
• Mail & Residency: This is a big one for full-timers. You still need a physical address for things like health care, vehicle registration, and banking. Options include:
  • Using a trusted friend or family member’s address.
  • Some long-term campgrounds may allow you to use their address if you’re staying for an extended period.
  • Mail forwarding services: These services receive your mail and then forward it to you at pre-arranged locations (e.g., specific campgrounds or post offices). For example, if you have a UPS mailing address in your home town, you can have your mail forwarded to another UPS store for a fee.
  • General Delivery: You can often have mail sent to “General Delivery” at Canada Post offices in towns you’ll be passing through, but always check with that specific post office beforehand for their policies. Maintaining provincial health care coverage requires you to meet residency requirements for that province, which usually means having a primary address there and spending a certain amount of time in the province each year. This is something to research thoroughly based on your chosen “home” province.

Ah, boondocking – the art of camping for free without hookups, often in stunning, secluded spots. It’s one of the great joys of RVing, but in Canada, the rules can be a bit of a patchwork quilt.

• Crown Land: This is publicly owned land, and in many provinces, Canadian citizens are permitted to camp on Crown Land for free, often for up to 21 days in one spot. However, and this is a big “however,” the rules vary significantly by province and even by region within a province. Non-residents (e.g., US visitors) may require permits or may not be allowed to camp on certain Crown Lands.
• Provincial Specifics for Crown Land Camping:
  • British Columbia: Generally quite boondocking-friendly on Crown Land. BC also has an excellent network of “Recreation Sites,” which are often free or low-cost, offering basic amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and outhouses. Many are in beautiful, remote locations, often on logging roads.
  • Alberta: Boondocking is permitted in designated Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs), but you’ll need a Public Land Camping Pass. Be very careful not to camp in protected park areas where it’s not allowed.
  • Ontario: Canadian residents can generally camp for free on eligible Crown Land for up to 21 days per site per year. However, there are restrictions, and not all Crown Land is open for camping. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in Ontario has maps and information.
  • Quebec & New Brunswick: These provinces tend to have more stringent regulations. Boondocking on Crown Land is often restricted to designated areas, or may not be widely permitted outside of them. Thorough research is essential.
  • Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island: Opportunities for Crown Land boondocking are more limited due to less Crown Land availability and different land use patterns.
• Finding Spots & Etiquette:
  • Research is Your Best Friend: Provincial government websites are your starting point for Crown Land maps and regulations.
  • Apps & Communities: Apps like iOverlander, Campendium, and Wikiloc can be invaluable for finding potential boondocking spots shared by other RVers. Online forums and Facebook groups dedicated to Canadian RVing or boondocking can also yield hidden gems.
  • Leave No Trace: This is non-negotiable. Pack out everything you pack in (including toilet paper!). Minimize your impact. Stay on durable surfaces. Respect wildlife. Leave the site better than you found it.
  • National Parks: Boondocking is generally prohibited within National Park boundaries, except in designated backcountry sites (which usually aren’t RV-accessible).
  • Private Land: Never assume you can camp on private land without explicit permission from the owner.
  • Parking Lots (Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc.): Some businesses may allow overnight RV parking, but it’s always essential to ask for permission from store management. This is not true boondocking but can be a convenient overnight stop in a pinch. Policies vary by location and municipality.

Canada is wild, and that’s a huge part of its appeal. But it also means sharing the space with its original inhabitants. Respect and awareness are key.

• The Golden Rules:
  • NEVER Feed Wildlife: It’s illegal in national parks and incredibly harmful to the animals. It teaches them to associate humans with food, which can lead to aggressive behavior and ultimately, often, the animal’s demise.
  • Keep Your Dog on a Leash AT ALL TIMES: This is law in national parks and good practice everywhere. Off-leash dogs can provoke wildlife or get into dangerous situations.
  • Maintain a “Bare Campsite”: This is crucial, especially in bear country (which is most of Canada’s natural areas!). All food, coolers (empty or full), garbage, toiletries, pet food, and anything with a scent must be stored securely in your hard-sided vehicle or RV, or in designated bear-proof lockers when not in immediate use. This includes when you’re sleeping or away from your site. Many parks like Pacific Rim, Jasper, Riding Mountain, Bruce Peninsula, Wood Buffalo, and Kluane have strict “Bare Campsite” policies.
  • Hike Smart: Hike during daylight hours, make noise (talk, sing – bear bells are not considered very effective), and travel in groups if possible. Be aware of your surroundings; don’t wear headphones.
  • Roadside Wildlife: If you see wildlife on or near the road, SLOW DOWN, stay in your vehicle, and move on when safe. Do not stop for extended periods, and never get out of your vehicle to approach wildlife. This creates dangerous “wildlife jams” and habituates animals to humans and roads.
  • Give Them Space: This is critical. Use binoculars or a zoom lens for photos. Recommended safe distances are at least 30 meters (about 3 bus lengths) from large animals like deer, elk, and moose, and at least 100 meters (10 bus lengths) from predators like bears, wolves, coyotes, and cougars.
• Bear Specifics:
  • Know the Signs: Look for fresh tracks, scat, overturned rocks, or claw marks on trees. If signs are fresh, consider leaving the area.
  • Carry Bear Spray (and know how to use it): Especially important when hiking in BC, Alberta, Yukon, NWT, and other bear-active regions. Keep it accessible, not buried in your backpack.
  • If You Encounter a Bear: Stay calm. Speak to the bear in a calm, firm voice. Back away slowly; never run. Make yourself look big. Do not drop your pack. If a bear approaches or charges, use your bear spray. Understand the difference between a defensive attack (surprised bear) and a predatory one (rare).
• Moose Safety: Moose may not seem as threatening as bears, but they are huge and can be very dangerous if they feel threatened, especially cows with calves or bulls during the rut (fall). Give them plenty of space. Never get between a cow and her calf.

Your RV is your home and your vehicle, and keeping it in good shape is paramount, especially when you’re covering the vast distances of Canada.

• Preventative Maintenance is Key: Regular checks of tires (pressure and wear), fluid levels, batteries, seals (roof, windows, slides), and appliances can prevent major headaches down the road.
• Leaks: The RVer’s nemesis! Slides are common culprits, but roofs and window seals also need regular inspection and re-sealing, especially if you’re moving frequently, as the flexing of the RV body can stress seals. RV insurance often doesn’t cover damage from slow leaks due to lack of maintenance, so be diligent!
• DIY Skills & Toolkit: Learn how to do basic troubleshooting and minor repairs yourself. Carry a good toolkit with essentials for RV systems (plumbing, electrical, general repairs).
• Finding Service on the Road: This can be a challenge in remote areas.
  • RV Dealership Networks: If your RV is from a major manufacturer, their dealer network can be a resource. The RV Care network in Canada is a group of independent dealers who offer reciprocal service.
  • Mobile RV Techs: These can be lifesavers, but availability varies.
  • Plan Ahead: If you know you’ll need a specific service, try to schedule it when you’ll be in a larger center.
• Budget for It: As mentioned, set aside a monthly amount for maintenance and be prepared for unexpected repairs
• Propane: Know where to get your tanks refilled. Many gas stations, hardware stores, and dedicated propane dealers offer this service. Apps can help locate them.

Embracing the Journey: Making the Most of Vast Distances & Regional Flavours

Canada is mind-bogglingly big. Trying to “see it all” in one go is a recipe for burnout.

• Slow Down: The beauty of RVing is the freedom to linger. Don’t overschedule your driving days. Allow time for spontaneous stops, scenic detours, and just soaking in the local atmosphere. Some of my best memories are from unplanned discoveries. Consider following the “3-3-3” (American style) or “3-4-5” (Canadian style) rule to make your RVing journey more enjoyable. “3” hours driving, or “3” (300) miles traveled, or arrive at “3” PM to your destination. The 3-4-5 rule is similar – “3” hours driving, arrive at your destination by “4” PM, or have driven “5” (500) kilometers.
• Embrace Regionality: From the seafood chowders of the Maritimes to the French cuisine of Quebec, the beef of Alberta, and the wild salmon of BC – every region has its culinary specialties and cultural quirks. Dive in! Visit local markets, attend community festivals, chat with locals.
• Plan Realistic Distances: It might look doable on a map, but driving 800 km in a day in an RV is exhausting and leaves no time for enjoyment. Break up long hauls. Focus on a specific region for each major trip rather than trying to cross the entire country unless you have months to dedicate. When we travel we plan to drive about 400 km per day – with stops this can take up to 6 hours, which is a long day’s drive in a motorhome.

Living on the road in Canada is an incredible privilege. It requires a bit more planning and self-reliance than a weekend camping trip, but the rewards – the freedom, the landscapes, the people you meet – are immeasurable.

Well, there you have it – a whirlwind tour of what we consider some of the best places to explore on your RV adventures across this incredible land, sprinkled with a healthy dose of hard-earned wisdom from our years on the Canadian road. From the rugged shores of Newfoundland to the majestic peaks of the Yukon, and all the diverse beauty in between, Canada truly is an RVer’s paradise.

The journey will undoubtedly have its challenges – unpredictable weather, the occasional mechanical hiccup, or the quest for that perfect, elusive Wi-Fi signal. But as we’ve seen, with thoughtful preparation, a spirit of adaptability, and a respect for the wild heart of this country, these are all just part of the grand adventure.¹ The freedom to wake up to a new breathtaking vista each day, to follow a winding road just to see where it leads, and to connect with nature and diverse cultures in such an intimate way is an experience unlike any other.

So, whether you’re planning your first big Canadian RV trip or you’re a seasoned snowbird looking for new horizons, I hope this guide has sparked your imagination and equipped you with the confidence to hit the road. Canada’s highways and byways are calling.

See you on the road!