[AUTUMN 2023] Next time you’re driving Ontario Hwy 17 between Sault Ste Marie and Espanola/Sudbury, when you get to the junction of 548 (about 45 minutes east of the Sault) take a 5 minute detour to find a lovely roadside rest stop on its own little island at the north end of the bridge to St Joseph Island.

You will be treated to awesome views out into the Wilson Channel of the St Marys River and classic “Canadian Shield” landscape featuring scraggly conifers and pink granite rock meeting the water. The Bamford Island picnic area has a small loop, easily navigable for Teardrop trailers, with multiple spots to pull in, open the galley hatch and take a break. Toilets are available during tourist travel season (no running water). No overnight parking.

This is the second in what will be an ongoing series of “Primo Picnic Areas”, worthwhile roadside rest stops, I happen upon during Teardrop travels around Ontario. If you have found a great one yourself, please let me know!