The key to success in vanlife is preparation ... but not too much, because you also have to leave room for spontaneity! It’s always a good idea to plan ahead so you have a few reference points, and that’s exactly what our map of Route 148 provides. It lists a number of useful places in the Pontiac to park a van overnight, as well as restaurants and tourist attractions, so you can combine the practical and the recreational. Following the Route 148 is a refreshingly straightforward affair!

One of the big advantages of vanlife is that you literally take your hotel room with you! And the Pontiac has plenty of RV stops to park your mobile refuge for a restful night’s sleep. Between Bristol, Shawville, Campbell’s Bay and Fort-Coulonge, the options are many and varied. For example, Chalets Prunella, Leslie Park, and Camping du Pont Blanc welcome van travellers. The Route 148 map indicates how each location works, the services available, the cost, and relevant information about recommended sites. The campgrounds are scattered throughout the Pontiac, so you can move from one to the next as your activities and interests take you.

Once you’ve decided where you’re going to camp, it’s time to stock up on fuel—for both your trusty van and the gourmet in you. Visiting the local shops is part of the vanlife experience, with their local produce, regional character and friendly welcome! Interested in sampling local flavours? Consider the restaurant suggestions on the Pontiac tourist map. There’s something for everyone: Little Red Wagon Winery, Brauwerk Hoffman microbrewery, and Pontiac Home Bakery, to name only a few! Or follow the Tap & Cork Route, a self-guided tour of the best wines, beers, ciders and spirits in the Ottawa Valley (ON) and the Pontiac. Meet passionate producers and learn more about the various production methods and their history. Cheers!

Once the overnights and meals are taken care of, it’s time to think about what to do for fun! And the Pontiac has something for every type of vanlifer. Outdoor activities, cultural and heritage discoveries, aerial courses, farm visits, golf—there’s lots going on! The Cyclopark PPJ is great for cyclists, while Rafting Momentum and Chutes Coulonge Adventure Park have plenty of thrills in store. There are several hiking trails, as well as beaches and parks where you can spend a relaxing afternoon. Delve into the Pontiac’s past at the George Bryson Cultural House and admire the longest covered bridge in the province! Have you covered the whole map? Visit the tourist information office in Campbell’s Bay for more information about regional attractions.

Can’t wait to start your vanlife road trip in the Pontiac? The Vanlife Sagas web series will get you even more excited. It’s the perfect way to discover the must-sees along Route 148 from the perspective of vanlifers who’ve travelled it! And since the Route 148 directory is a constantly evolving project, don’t hesitate to send the team your impressions as a van nomad!

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Are you a true vanlife enthusiast? After your Pontiac expedition, take the Les Chemins d'eau- Tourist Route. You'll see a host of attractions well worth the detour, starting with Champlain Lookout or Eco-Odyssée Nature Park in the Collines-de-l'Outaouais, the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau or Parc Omega and the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site in Petite-Nation. These are just a few examples of all there is to discover along this journey of a thousand and one discoveries! For a complete itinerary, see the article on The Grand Chemins d’eau Expedition.