This was our first camping trip of 2018, and the maiden voyage for our new trailer (2017 KZ Spree S261RK). We chose Sandbanks Provincial park for two reasons, firstly we have often visited but not camped here, and were looking forward to checking out all it has to offer. Secondly, we fully anticipated we would discover some warranty issues (such is the truth with the travel trailer industry – “lightweight” is often a euphemism for “built cheap”) so we chose a location that was close to where we bought our trailer in the event we had to return it.

I had booked site 685 in Woodlands campground, Sandbanks Provincial park five months ago (Sandbanks much like other Provincial campgrounds are nigh on impossible to book unless you are hovering over your computer at exactly 07:00 five months prior to your hopeful camping date – if you have any doubts, try booking a spot at KillBear provincial park for next weekend)

Our drive to the park was a wet one, some very heavy rain. Fortunately it had tapered off to a light drizzle by the time we reached the campground. It turned out that the heavy rain was a blessing, we discovered that both our skylights leak. We received horrific news on arriving at the park reception office. There was a park wide alcohol ban for the entire weekend. I cannot confirm nor deny if Karen and I were forced to drink wine and Port from coffee cups in order to avoid capture from diligent park Rangers. I did feel that this heart wrenching news should have been given to us prior to arrival.

Woodlands campground was very pleasant, our site 685 claimed to have poor privacy, we found it to be one of the nicer sites. It was close to the comfort station, with great showers, and was very easy to back into. The only failing was that the electrical outlet was a little far, requiring the use of an extension cord. (If your main cord is 50 ft, you may be ok) The fire pit was in a great location (and put to good use all three nights – drinking non-alcoholic beverages from coffee cups)

Sandbanks has 5 separate campgrounds within the park, Westlake, Richardson’s, Woodlands, Cedars and Outlet River. There are 874 sites to camp at, all but Cedars have electrical hookups. We were pleasantly surprised with how quiet the campground was, eerily silent after about 19:00, very likely as a result of that nightmarish alcohol ban. We made good use of the trails throughout the park, and even went for a walk along the nearby Millennium trail for some Geocaching (only found one) Had lunch at a great little place called Rock’N Rogers Pizzeria in Wellington. Excellent restaurant highly recommended.

Overall impressions of Sandbanks Provincial park are very favorable, will return again hopefully bring our Grandson down later in the summer and enjoy the amazing beaches here (there are three huge beaches including two smaller areas that allow dogs). On route home we dropped off our trailer at the dealership, not only did we discover our skylights leaked, but our outdoor shower and USB charging station were not working. Despite this we were very happy with the trailer, a huge upgrade from our last one, we are really looking forward to using it extensively once I retire in 343 days 4 hours and 20 minutes from time of writing (not that I am counting). Fortunately we have no plans for the trailer until 12 July when we head to the Finger Lakes region in New York State. Throughout June we will be canoe camping, so they have ample time to make repairs.