A Memorable Camping Experience with oTENTik Tents #FamilyTravel

My family just enjoyed a weekend away in an amazing oTENTik tent at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.

The minute I heard about oTENTik tents I knew this was a place I wanted to take my kids. The oTENTik tents looked like nothing I had ever seen. They are a perfect mix between a tent and a cabin.

{What to expect when you arrive}

We arrived at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National park after work on Friday. We were greeted by the oTENTik park host Kathy. She showed us where the wheelbarrows were to transport our bedding and food to our oTENTik tent. She gave us a quick tour of the site, explained the features of our oTENTik tent to us and showed us where we could store our cold food and where our plates and utensils were. We were so grateful to have Kathy explain everything to us and were so looking forward to exploring the site and enjoy our super cool tent.

{First impression}

The kids went nuts when they first stepped into the oTENTik tent. They absolutely loved the bunk bed and started climbing up and down the lader.

My husband and I were impressed with the size of the tent. We liked that it has capacity for 6 people, that it had electricity (lights and a heater!), a cupboard and a dish washing kit. Our oTENTik tent had a small balcony with two adirondack chairs, a picnic table and a spot for a fire pit. There is currently a fire ban so Kathy provided us with a propane fire bowl.

 

oTENTik camping review

oTENTik camping experience

What’s included with your oTENTik tent:

  • Mattresses for 6 guests
  • Dining table with 4 chairs
  • A lamp
  • A heater
  • Flashlight
  • Dish Washing basin, soap, dish cloths
  • Picnic table for each tent
  • 2 adirondack chairs
  • One rubbermaid bin to keep dry food secure
  • Access to a fridge for your perishables
  • Access to flushable toilets
  • Dishes, utensils, pots and pans and BBQ utensils
  • BBQ area exclusive for oTENTik tents

oTENTik camping review

{Exploring the site}

It didn’t take long for us to familiarize ourselves with Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. These National Historic Sites will take your breath away. The site is located on the ocean, it has a few fun rocky beaches, large fields to run in and cool historic landmarks to explore.

The best thing about staying in an oTENTik tent means you can explore the site all night. If you’re lucky like we were, the hosts will even take you for a quick tour in their golf cart.

oTENTik camping review

oTENTik camping review

My kids loved Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse. While we were there there was a special Timeline Event on site. A traditional England town was set up and reenactors showed everyone what it was like to live in olden times. My entire family loved this. We learned so much during our stay. We saw blankets being woven, traditional meals being cooked and learnt about daily life in England in the 1371.

There was also great WWII tents set up and a roman display. Staying on site meant that we didn’t have to rush through anything. We could go back for more questions and experience these special displays as many times as we wished.

oTENTik Fort Rodd Hill review

{Xplorer Booklet}

When my kids arrived they were given a Parks Canada Xplorer booklet. My daughter was drawn to the booklet and was determined to complete every page. She brought along the booklet and filled it out throughout the day. She loved learning about Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse with this book. When the booklet was completed she brought it to the main desk and was given a very cool dog tag necklace.

oTENTik camping review

My kids thought this was the coolest souvenir. They have been wearing it since we returned. My daughter even brought the necklace and the booklet to school the next day to tell all her classmates about it.

{Overall}

Our oTENTik camping experience was even better than anticipated. It was very difficult to leave on Sunday morning. I would have been happy to stay for at least 2 more night.

The tents were so comfortable. The site was gorgeous and the fun was non-stop.

Camping in a oTENTik tent is a perfect solution for busy families that want to have a true camping experience but don’t have all the camping gear on hand. Preparing for an oTENTik trip takes half the required time and space then traditional tenting. Unpacking once you arrive on site is also very speedy.

oTENTik camping review

{oTENTik across Canada}

There are oTENTik tents at several Parks Canada locations across Canada.

You will find them at Fort Langley NHS, Jasper National Park, Prince Albert National Park, Banff National Park, Riding Mountain National Park, La Mauricie National Park, St. Lawerence Islands National Park, Fundy National Park, Kejimkujik National Park, Forillon National Park, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve and Gros Morne National Park.

oTENTik camping review

You can reserve your oTENTik tent online now for $120 per night.

To learn more about oTENTik tents check out the Parks Canada website. You can also follow Parks Canada on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

My family loved our oTENTik trip so much. We are already planning on returning early this fall with a few friends.

I’d love to know, have you ever stayed in an oTENTik tent? 

12 Comments

  1. I had no idea that these were out at Fort Rodd Hill! What a blast it would be! Thanks for the info!

  2. LOVE this idea! oTENTik seems like a perfect camping option for families with small kids, more experience, less hassle. I can tell you all had a great time enjoying the surrounding environment and local history! Thanks for the post.

  3. That’s my kind of tent!! How fun! My kids would love that. I am sad on reading this list because there aren’t any near me at all. WAH! I would do this and my family would love Otentik.

  4. I have never been, and we pass by it so often. Would love to have a staycation there. The kids looked like they had such a ball – loved how cozy it was there. Home away from home. 🙂

  5. Love this idea. With 3 young kids under 5 I am not sure I am ready to dive into tent camping with them yet. I think this would be a great “happy medium” for us to get outdoors, but still have some comforts of home.

  6. I love those tents, half-way between tenting and cabining. And those activity booklets are always a bonus!

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