Chatham-Kent is the southernmost city in Canada, three hours southwest of Toronto and only one hour east of Detroit. The term “Chatham-Kent” is quite new, made up of nearly two dozen municipalities that were incorporated in 1998. But the history of the area plays a significant role here. The first municipalities were founded in the late 18th century, mainly around the lumber trade and strategic location of naval dockyards. The area of Chatham-Kent played a significant role in the War of 1812, and a lot of that history is on display all over. A few decades later, Chatham-Kent was vital to the Underground Railroad and was one of the main entry points on the move to free slaves.
The land making up Chatham-Kent is almost entirely farmland, broken by a few roads and the occasional barn. The main population center lies in the middle of all of this farmland, with the Thames River bisecting all of it. Chatham-Kent has a moderately humid climate thanks to its proximity to several large lakes. Lake Erie borders it on the south and Lake St. Clair to the west. High temperatures are pleasurable in the summer, but the humidity can make it appear hotter, while the winters are marked by cold, snowy days. There are activities in Chatham-Kent year-round; however, most campgrounds are seasonal. Search for an RV rental in Chatham-Kent to start an exciting tour of Ontario.
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The greater Chatham-Kent area has close to 200 green spaces that can be enjoyed year-round. Rondeau Provincial Park is home to the largest Carolinian forest in Canada, dominated by dense deciduous trees. There are six trails for hiking and mountain biking, and you’re sure to see plenty of wildlife and birds. Because Rondeau is on the shores of Lake Erie, it’s also prime for kayaking, sailing, and enjoying the beach.
Wheatley Provincial Park is another beautiful park near Chatham-Kent, featuring nearly 600 acres of forested land also on the shores of Lake Erie. Many birders come to this park for excellent bird-watching opportunities. Like Rondeau, Wheatley is also an excellent location for fishing and boating. Two hiking trails take you on a tour of all of Wheatley’s sights, along the creeks, beaches, and through the forests. This is a good place to find campsites for your rental RV in Chatham-Kent.
Anglers have no shortage of opportunities in Chatham-Kent. Fishing in both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair is fun and easy, where you’ll find salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Fishing in the Thames River is also year-round, notably for walleye and bass. Several fishing guides can serve at your pleasure to show you the hidden spots, and there are many fishing tournaments throughout the year. All anglers, fishing competitively or for fun, will need a proper license.
Campers Cove Campground is a large, seasonal campground on the shores of Lake Erie. There are 324 total sites at this campground for your camper rental in Chatham-Kent. Sites feature 30-amp and 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer, with plenty of spacing and shade. The maximum RV length is 40 feet, and pull-through sites are also available. Campers Cove Campground offers a quarter-mile-long beach, playgrounds, and is also pet-friendly. Amenities include Wi-Fi, laundry, showers, and a dump station. Each site also includes a fire pit and picnic table. Campers Cove is next to Wheatley Provincial Park, with easy access to more beaches, fishing, boating, and hiking trails.
Clearville Park is another seasonal campground good for your RV rental in Chatham-Kent. This, too, is on the shores of Lake Erie, next to Clear Creek Forest. Clearville Park offers 110 sites with a mix of both serviced and non-serviced sites. Some of the sites are along Lake Erie while others are tucked away in a wooded area, with a mix of pull-through and back-in sites. Campground amenities include showers, laundry, and a dump station. The campground itself is a great natural reserve, where you’ll find easy access to walking trails, a beach, and a boat ramp. Pets are allowed, and each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
There’s no shortage of museums here, and there’s enough to spend a few days exploring when you just want to park your motorhome rental in Chatham-Kent for a little while. You’ll find a fantastic collection of artifacts from the early European days at the Wallaceburg & District Museum. To see exhibits on the area’s military history, head over to the Chatham-Kent Museum and Blenheim War Museum. And you can’t visit Chatham-Kent without visiting the area’s many Underground Railroad sites, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site on the north side of Chatham-Kent. You can find additional Underground Railroad sites in nearby Windsor and Lakeshore.
Chatham Kent has a fantastic, colorful art community with numerous art galleries. See what emerging artists of all mediums have created at ARTspace in their rotating exhibits and events. The Thames Art Gallery has both permanent and rotating exhibits, some of which date back to the early days of Chatham-Kent. For live performances, check out the Kiwanis Theatre, featuring a variety of live music shows. Countless other venues throughout the area feature live music.
There are many festivals year-round, including several large car shows (Chatham-Kent is known as the “Classic Car Capital of Canada”), a cherry festival, and cookoffs. The nearby farms take pride in providing farm-to-table restaurants with fresh, organic food for great rotating, seasonal dishes you won’t forget. You’ll find plenty of shopping opportunities here, whether it’s for gifts, souvenirs, or supplies for your camper rental in Ontario.
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November, 2024
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