Crafting the Perfect Camping Wardrobe for Canada

If you’re planning a holiday in Canada that involves camping or staying in an RV in one of Canada’s scenic national parks, you might want some tips on what clothing will work best for your trip. When dressing for outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and canoeing, it’s important to choose clothes that are comfortable, functional, and stylish.

I recently spent two weeks with my husband Guy touring Ontario and Quebec in Canada, staying mainly at campgrounds and national parks with our cozy RV from Cruise Canada – our home on the road. For the trip, I teamed up with Columbia Sportswear, which specializes in outdoor clothing, to try out some items from their range. Based on my experience, here’s what you need to pack for a camping trip to Canada.

For hiking or evenings around the campfire, I recommend quick-drying walking trousers like Columbia’s women’s Silver Ridge Convertible Trousers. They feel like lightweight cotton but are made from 100% nylon technical fabric that wicks away sweat, protects against UV rays, and dries quickly when you get caught in a downpour.

For outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, avoid jeans or heavier cotton trousers that weigh you down and soak up moisture at the first sign of rain. Look for trousers with a neat leg pocket to tuck in your guidebook, map, or phone. I also like styles with zip-off legs to convert into shorts for maximum versatility. These walking trousers will be useful for future hiking trips.

For outdoor activities, I tried a t-shirt from the Columbia range made of 100% polyester fabric, designed to wick away sweat and keep me cool, like their women’s Zero Rules Short Sleeve shirt. This fabric was silky, comfortable, and not at all sweaty – ideal for hiking and other activities around the Canadian national parks. This t-shirt was easy to wash by hand or machine, quick to dry, and hardly creased at all. I also packed other short sleeve and sleeveless tops in fabrics that were less likely to crease.

While sleeveless vest tops are great for sunny weather to stay cool and get a tan, I like to alternate them with tops that cover my shoulders to avoid sunburn. I’m looking forward to using this t-shirt on future hiking trips and for jogging at home.

In the warm Canadian summer, shorts are worn by all, and Canadians seem to prefer shorter shorts. In bars and restaurants, the waitress uniform often includes very short shorts, and even older ladies seemed to favor them. You can save your longer Bermuda shorts for city sightseeing. My quick-dry walking trousers from Columbia, with a zip-off leg, allowed me to convert long trousers into shorts depending on the weather. The quick-dry fabric made them cool and easily washable, ideal for activities like cycling or hiking. If you love short shorts, don’t forget your sunscreen.

For this trip, I was looking for a hybrid trail shoe, a cross between a trainer and a boot. I wanted a supportive shoe for hiking in Canada’s national parks but wasn’t planning any hardcore hiking for hours and days on end. The women’s Grand Canyon Outdry Hiking Shoes from Columbia were perfect, with a low ankle so they weren’t too hot and a waterproof but breathable construction to keep my feet dry when walking in the wet. These trail shoes are ideal for summer hiking on rough and rocky trails. For serious long-distance hiking, I’ll probably stick to boots with ankle support, but these trail shoes are perfect for a range of outdoor activities.

Although the weather on our July trip to Canada was warm and sunny, we did experience a few showers, so my lightweight waterproof jacket came in handy. For summer wear in Canada, I’d recommend a lightweight jacket that can roll up small to keep in your day sack. If you’re visiting in spring, early summer, or autumn, you might prefer a jacket that’s more substantial or has a removable fleece lining, as mornings and evenings can be cool. I wore my waterproof jacket when canoeing in Algonquin Park as the day was overcast and rain was forecast. The jacket was also ideal for keeping off the midges and flies that hover over the water. Cloudy days can be a bonus in Canada, as our guide told us that wildlife such as moose are more likely to come down to the water’s edge to feed on overcast days.

Sporty three-quarter length trousers are useful for activities like cycling and climbing where you want a bit more protection. My sports leggings made from quick-dry fabric got a lot of use on our Canada trip, and I also wore them for canoeing where they would dry quickly if I got wet. The three-quarter length and close fit were also ideal for cycling if you don’t want sunburnt thighs or trousers that flap around the ankle.

If you are a happy camper, you’ll know to pack a pair of flip-flops or waterproof sandals that are easy to slip on and off. They are handy for early morning trips to the shower block and for hanging out by the lakes that are a feature of most Canadian campgrounds. Choose something made of plastic so you can easily rinse off the sand or pine needles. No harm in having a pedicure and pretty nail polish before your holiday – we like to keep up standards even when camping!

I was pleased that I’d packed a fleece for our Canada trip, as despite the warm sunny days, mornings were often quite cool. For the first hour or so each day, we often needed an extra layer, and then the temperature would warm up, and it would be short sleeves all day and into the evening. It was never really too cold on our July trip, so I’d suggest a mid-weight fleece if you are visiting in the summer, but perhaps something more substantial for spring and autumn.

Due to the limited laundry facilities on the Canadian campgrounds, I’d avoid smarter woolen knitwear in favor of anything that is quick-drying and doesn’t crease unless you have an element of your holiday that requires you to dress more smartly.

Flies and mosquitoes can be persistent in campgrounds or national parks. If you are trying activities like hiking, cycling, or canoeing, a liberal spray of DEET-based insect repellent is recommended. In the evening, it’s best to change into a long-sleeved top and long trousers with socks and shoes to cover your feet. I neglected my own advice on a few occasions and regretted it as I was scratching nasty bites for days afterward.

Most campgrounds we visited had washing machines and dryers, but none seemed to have ironing facilities. I’d recommend packing clothes made of quick-drying technical fabric that are less likely to crumple to look your best, leaving your linen suit at home.

A sunhat is advisable if you’re out on long hikes or canoe trips in the full sun. To fit in with the locals, choose a cotton cap – you can buy them everywhere in Canada.