Super Good Camping Podcast

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You do not need a tent to have a real outdoor day. We’re talking about Ontario Parks day use, the easiest way to get beaches, trails, and that “we went on an adventure” feeling without sleeping on the ground, hauling heavy gear, or stressing about camp cooking. If you’ve ever thought camping sounds fun but the overnight part sounds like work, this is your on ramp.

We walk through what day use looks like in provincial parks in Ontario, including how day use hours and seasonal closures can affect your plans in the fall and shoulder seasons. We also share why day trips are perfect for scouting a park before you commit to a full week of camping. From checking out the layout to testing out activities with the kids, a day visit can save you from booking the wrong spot for your family. We also talk fall colours, including why Algonquin can get wild during peak foliage and how planning ahead makes the experience smoother.

Then we get practical about Ontario Parks permits: daily vehicle permits, how “per vehicle” pricing works, and the value of longer options like an annual vehicle permit, plus summer and winter permits. We cover discounts and free access for groups like seniors and Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans, and we highlight how reserving up to five days in advance can be the difference between an easy entry and a frustrating turnaround at a busy gate.

Finally, we run through the day use perks that make these trips worth repeating: hiking and mountain bike trails, swimming beaches, canoe and kayak rentals, life jacket lending programs, learn to fish programs, guided nature walks, picnic shelters, and group areas for bigger family outings. If you’re ready for more fresh air and less hassle, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.
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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

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Your paddle is the one piece of canoe gear you use thousands of times a day, so when it changes, everything changes. We’ve been running a RippleFX carbon fibre bent shaft paddle in the backcountry, and the difference isn’t subtle: it feels so light you almost forget you’re holding it, and the canoe responds faster with the same effort. 

We talk through what stood out on the water, including the very real caution that carbon fibre and rocks don’t always mix in low water. That led us to swap back to an old wooden paddle for the sketchier sections, and that moment became the clearest “before and after” test possible. The wooden paddle suddenly feels heavy and dead, while the bent shaft delivers more efficient power through the stroke and a noticeable boost in thrust even without an oversized blade. 

We also get into paddling technique and comfort, especially for stern paddlers relying on a J-stroke. With the bent shaft, you can keep straighter lines with fewer corrections once you dial in wrist angle and timing. And because bodies are different, we share why a custom shaft length matters if you’ve got back issues or need more reach to get outside the boat without strain. We first met Chris from RippleFX at the Hamilton Outdoor Adventure Show, and we point you to more places to see the paddle up close on our YouTube channel. 

If you enjoy practical canoe tripping gear reviews and honest field notes, subscribe, share this with a paddling buddy, and leave us a review. What paddle are you using right now, and what do you love or hate about it?
https://www.ripplefxpaddles.com/
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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Day three hits different when the noise finally drops out. We’re camped on Brigham Lake during an eight-day canoe trip through Algonquin Provincial Park, tucked into a secluded site near the Barron Canyon area, and you can hear the trip settling into our bones. The goal is simple: trade screens for water, trees, and the kind of quiet that makes you notice fish jumping and the shape of the shoreline under your boots.

We walk through the real on-the-ground details that make or break a backcountry canoe trip in Ontario: portage choices, why map distances don’t always match the park signage, and what it means to look at rapids and still choose the carry when your canoe is loaded with serious weight. We also talk shoulder-season camping strategy, from warm afternoons in the low 20s Celsius to near-freezing nights, plus how we think about sleeping bag ratings, layers, and comfort when the temperature swings hard.

Then the conversation widens to what we’re travelling through. We share the payoff sights, including massive cliff faces linked to Tom Thomson painting sites and a couple of tall, skinny waterfalls, and we grapple with the logging history that still shows up in the landscape and even in the water. To round out camp life, we get into food and gear, including why a reflector oven is a game-changer for camp pizza and how small tweaks and tougher storage can make well-used equipment last.

If you like Triplog style stories, Algonquin canoe route talk, and practical backcountry camping tips, subscribe, share this with a paddling buddy, and leave a review so more folks can find the show. What’s your favourite way to decompress outside?
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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Eleven days solo in a canoe sounds peaceful until the wind decides it doesn’t follow the rules. We sit down with Sean Rowley from Paddling Adventures Radio to relive his 11-day solo canoe trip around Manicouagan Reservoir in Quebec, the massive circular “Eye of Quebec” formed by an ancient meteor impact. Sean shares what big, exposed water really demands: patient decision-making, smart timing for finding campsites on rocky shorelines, and the ability to change plans fast when waves start wrapping around points.

From there, we zoom out into trip planning and paddling travel, especially when you’re heading somewhere that doesn’t work like Ontario. Sean walks us through his research process using Google, maps, photos, and the kind of rabbit holes that turn a simple idea into a full-on “dossier.” If you’ve ever worried you’re asking a dumb question while planning a remote route, this chat will make you feel seen and better prepared.

Japan becomes our main example of how different outdoor culture can be. Sean describes historic gorge rafting, the challenge of finding canoe rentals without a guide, and why “day camping” exists in places like Hokkaido where bear safety is a real factor. We also talk about guided paddling done well, building community through canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, and experiencing Indigenous Ainu dugout canoe traditions on the Saru River.

If you love canoe tripping, paddling safety, and practical trip planning, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more campers find the show.
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
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A sleeping pad can look great on a spec sheet and still ruin your night with cold spots, awkward valves, or that maddening squeak every time you roll over. We put the Nivora X inflatable sleeping pad through a real first-night test at camp, starting with full disclosure about receiving it for review and what that means for how we judge it.

We walk through the numbers that backpackers actually care about: the claimed R-value of 6.4, the listed weight of 432 grams (about 15 to 16 ounces), the inflated size (183 cm by 51 cm by 10 cm), and the compact pack size. Then we get practical, because comfort is not a spreadsheet. You’ll hear how the pad feels once it is down, why it seems to “stretch” a bit like a frontcountry air mattress, and how a quick top-up before bed can matter for firmness.

The valve design is a standout. We talk about how easy it is to open, how fast it is to dump air when packing up, and how well a FlexTail pump fits for quick inflation. Most importantly, we share the part you cannot learn from product photos: sleep quality. The Nivora X feels soft, supportive, and it does not squeak, which is a big deal if you move around at night or share a tent. We also flag what we cannot confirm yet: whether that 6.4 R-value holds up once colder weather arrives.

If you care about lightweight camping gear, inflatable sleeping pads, and getting better sleep outdoors, press play and hear our early verdict. Subscribe for more field-tested reviews, share this with a camping buddy, and leave a rating or review with the one feature you refuse to compromise on in a sleeping pad.
Support the show
CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping
Support the show