Kicking off Year 3 :Camping at Driftwood Provincial Park

This year, we spent the May long weekend camping at Driftwood Provincial Park, and honestly, it was the perfect way to kick off camping season.

What made this trip feel even more special for me was realizing that this blog has now been part of my life for three years. 🎉🎉

It’s honestly wild to think about how far Fitness Adventures with Liz has come since I first started sharing little pieces of my adventures online. What began as a small passion project has turned into something I’m genuinely so proud of, and it feels fitting that the very first park review of 2026 is Driftwood Provincial Park — a quiet little gem that ended up completely stealing our hearts.

Like most Ontario campers know, May long weekend weather is always a gamble, and this trip was the perfect example of that. During the day, temperatures climbed to around 22°C, giving us beautiful sunny afternoons by the water, but at night it dropped all the way down to about 5°C. One minute we were sitting in t-shirts enjoying the sunshine, and the next we were bundled in hoodies beside the campfire trying to stay warm. Classic Canadian camping.

Tucked along the Ottawa River near Stonecliffe, Ontario, Driftwood feels like one of those underrated parks that people almost don’t want to talk about too loudly because they want to keep it a secret. It’s roughly a 4-hour drive from Toronto and about 2.5 hours from Ottawa, making it a perfect getaway for campers coming from either direction.

The moment we pulled into the park, we knew we had lucked out with our site. We had an incredible waterfront campsite right on the Ottawa River, and honestly, it felt like our own little slice of northern Ontario paradise. Morning coffees overlooking the water, sunsets reflecting off the river, and the sound of waves gently rolling in at night made it hard to remember real life existed outside the campground.

One of the best surprises of the trip was how quiet everything was. During our stay, the electrical sites were closed due to campground renovations and expansion, which meant the entire park felt extra peaceful. No constant humming from trailers or air conditioners — just campfires crackling, birds in the trees, and the occasional loon call echoing across the water. It gave the whole campground a calm, laid-back vibe that’s getting harder to find at busier Ontario Parks.

One thing that made the location even cooler was how close Quebec was. On Saturday afternoon, the weather was grey and overcast, so we decided to hop in the car and take the short drive across the border into Quebec just because we could. There was something fun about casually crossing into another province during a camping trip just to say we did it. It ended up being the perfect little rainy-day adventure before heading back to camp for another cozy night by the fire.

Of course, we couldn’t go camping without taking Rosie on a hike along for the. We decided to tackle the Riverview Trail, and while it’s considered a shorter hike, it definitely wasn’t an easy stroll. The trail was surprisingly rocky with several decent inclines that had us working a little harder than expected — especially with a bulldog in tow. Rosie took her role as trail supervisor very seriously, stopping every few minutes to sniff absolutely everything in sight.

One of the coolest parts of the hike was stumbling across a massive beaver dam hidden along the trail. It felt like one of those classic Canadian camping moments — standing quietly in the woods, listening to the water flow while admiring how impressive these little engineers really are. Between the river views, rugged trail terrain, and wildlife, the Riverview Trail ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.

Fishing is also a huge draw at Driftwood. The Ottawa River is known for excellent fishing opportunities, especially for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Nearby waters also offer trout fishing, making this a great destination for anglers looking to spend long relaxing days out on the water. Even watching the boats head out early each morning added to the northern Ontario camping atmosphere.

One thing we tried for the first time on this trip was Camp Kitchen freeze-dried meals, and honestly… I was impressed. Camping meals have come a long way from the questionable powdered noodles I remember years ago. After a full day outside, having a hot meal ready in minutes without a mountain of dishes to clean was a total game changer. Sitting by the fire eating surprisingly good food while watching the sun go down over the river? That’s peak camping season right there.

What I loved most about Driftwood was how simple the trip felt. No packed beaches, no rushing around trying to hit a million activities, no loud campground chaos. Just quiet waterfront camping, rocky hiking trails, campfires, chilly May nights, and time to completely unplug for a few days.

Sometimes those are the trips that end up being the most memorable. Make sure you follow along on Instagram and TikTok to see where year 3 takes me!

Happy Camping 🏕️