Radio Free

[Dale_Traveling]

We're planning a summer vacation trip thru Ontario and would like to stay a few nights in two state parks. Want to be a good neighbor from south of the boarder would like to know what is expected concerning Radio Free camp sites. Is it just more than no electronic noise beyond the walls of my camper? Is it frowned upon to watch a movie or two in the evening inside my coach with the windows closed and AC running?

[Mootpoint]

If my neighbor can hear my radio, it's too loud.

[super_camper]

Brynjolf wrote:
Radio-free campgrounds in Ontario are also almost always dog-free campgrounds; that's an indication of the amount of tolerance for noise in these areas. Campers want to sit outside, enjoy a campfire and the sounds of the night. They do not want to hear air conditioners or furnaces blasting, and they most certainly don't want to hear the mumbled tv noises coming from inside your camper.

Ontario Parks is very clear that only personal devices using headphones are allowed in radio-free campgrounds.

There are plenty of campsites that are not radio-free. Noise and behaviour rules apply in those sites as well - its not party central; these are quiet, family-friendly sites. If you like to sit inside and watch a movie at night, the radio-allowed sites are where you want to be.

This has not been our experience at all, radio free does NOT mean dog free and does not guarantee a quite camping experience.

Radio free areas are not much different than any other area until a complaint is lodged as there is much less tolerance in a radio free area.

According to the provincial park site Radio Free means the Operation of an audio device (such as a radio, stereo, TV, etc.) in a radio free area is prohibited. Using such a device in a restricted area is subject to a $75 fine.

[Brynjolf]

Radio-free campgrounds in Ontario are also almost always dog-free campgrounds; that's an indication of the amount of tolerance for noise in these areas. Campers want to sit outside, enjoy a campfire and the sounds of the night. They do not want to hear air conditioners or furnaces blasting, and they most certainly don't want to hear the mumbled tv noises coming from inside your camper.

Ontario Parks is very clear that only personal devices using headphones are allowed in radio-free campgrounds.

There are plenty of campsites that are not radio-free. Noise and behaviour rules apply in those sites as well - its not party central; these are quiet, family-friendly sites. If you like to sit inside and watch a movie at night, the radio-allowed sites are where you want to be.

[hone_eagle]

06Fargo wrote:

hone eagle wrote:
Its a Ontario thing. 🙂

Great idea - you Ontarioinites have all the neat stuff 🙂

I prefer the rumble of a barely mufflered Dodge 413 vintage 1972 Winnie bago idling through the campsite, Holley 4 barrel, and toilet paper roll auxiliary oil filter, to the endless drivel on radio myself...

You should see the looks I get.
People get off their chairs when they hear the truck -What The Heck? - I can't resist sometimes and roll down the window and ask -which way to the 401 ????.
Gets a laugh.

[profdant139]

Someone asked if folks in the USA play music outside their RVs in campgrounds. The answer is "sometimes." The closer you are to a major urban area, the more likely you are to have neighboring campers who do not understand that camping is about getting away from urban noise, including radios.

[noteven]

hone eagle wrote:
Its a Ontario thing. 🙂

Great idea - you Ontarioinites have all the neat stuff 🙂

I prefer the rumble of a barely mufflered Dodge 413 vintage 1972 Winnie bago idling through the campsite, Holley 4 barrel, and toilet paper roll auxiliary oil filter, to the endless drivel on radio myself...

[atreis]

Camped next to a traveling minstrel last summer (Pukaskwa NP). It was very pleasant. Much more so than radios, which always end up sounding tinny and unpleasant from far away.

[dieharder]

Wow, this is the first I hear of this. Mind you, I don't camp in Provincial parks anymore.

[Bumpyroad]

Shadow Catcher wrote:
We stayed in Lake Superior Provincial Park for eight days this summer in a radio free site which meant it was ONLY inside our teardrop that we listened to the radio and TV. If you want music out side bring your guitar...

on second thought, bring on the radios.
bumpy 🙂

[Shadow_Catcher]

We stayed in Lake Superior Provincial Park for eight days this summer in a radio free site which meant it was ONLY inside our teardrop that we listened to the radio and TV. If you want music out side bring your guitar...

[Yeti_plus]

Most Provincial parks have radio free and radio "okay" sites. Radio free is usually quieter. As said by another poster it keeps the partiers out.

[RCWannabe]

Personally I wish they all were. I love music, but will almost never play a radio outside. We have neighbours at both family cottages that play music and everyone has no choice but to hear it, truely inconsiderate.

Is it common in the US parks to have radios playing outside? I hope not, we are planning a 5 1/2 month trip with 4 months in the South West and Western States and I would hate to be hearing a radio all the time.

I believe most Provincial Parks in Ontario are radio free, but the private campgrounds will vary. Some don't allow alcohol, bottles or cans either, but that is mostly for interior camping from a canoe or hiking.

[hone_eagle]

Its a Ontario thing. 🙂

[SideHillSoup]

PackerBacker wrote:
I learned something new! :E I've never heard of a Radio Free camp sites. :C

Ditto,,,,,
Soup