Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Park, the largest park in the Ontario Provincial Parks System, borders Eastern and Central Ontario.

View from the Barron River Canyon Trail

Understand

History

Algonquin Park was formed in 1893. Its original primary purpose was as a timber reserve designed to keep forest-clearing settlers out of valuable timber lands. Preservation was only a secondary purpose. In 1896, lumber baron J.R. Booth completed the Ottawa, Arnprior & Parry Sound railway (OA&PS) through the southern portion of the park. Though designed to haul timber logs out of the park, it allowed the vast expanse of Algonquin to be opened up for tourism. Highway 60 was completed in 1933, further opening the Park to visitors. The OA & PS railway was abandoned in 1947, its Depot Harbour port facilities near Perry Sound abandoned as a ghost town; logging was now becoming a tertiary purpose of the park.

Throughout the 1960s, the number of visitors to the park increased exponentially. Organized campgrounds were created and/or expanded. Today, Algonquin is primarily a nature reserve, although logging, including limited clearcutting, continues.

Landscape

Algonquin's landscape consists of numerous small lakes (with a couple large ones, such as Lake Opeongo), rock outcroppings and rolling hills. Marshes and large swamps are scattered throughout the park, and can provide excellent wildlife viewing.

Flora and fauna

The Algonquin forest is actually not boreal, as most believe, but a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. This means that an increased biodiversity occurs. Though deer were once prominent throughout the park, the moose has largely replaced them. Moose frequently stand by the side of provincial Highway 60, eating swamp grasses in spring and summer, and can be seen licking salt off the roads in winter. Moose are the only large animal most people are likely to encounter. Many people may stumble across a spruce grouse on a trail in the early morning. These birds believe their camouflage is invincible, and you could get as close as 30 centimetres. There are small wolf and lynx populations in the isolated portions of the park. Some bears are known in the park. Algonquin lakes have sizable fish populations, but fishing is regulated in all lakes.

Not all of Algonquin's plants and animals are one you would like to have around you. In the southern reaches of the park (Below Highway 60), poison ivy is widespread. Be careful when bushwacking. From late April to Early June, the dreaded Blackfly is very active. These small insects will bite a chunk of skin off in order to get to the blood. They are known for their tendency to bite around the eyes, and occasionally an unfortunate human has to deal with a blackfly that has gone into the eye. Once the blackflies die off, they are replaced by mosquitoes. Both blackflies and mosquitoes can be easily fended off with DEET insect repellent.

Climate

Algonquin is not quite part of Northern Ontario, but it shares the typical climate for its region. Springtime in Algonquin is likely to be cool and wet. The summer climate of Algonquin is not uniform. Daily highs could range from 16°C to over 30. In summer, it can be humid throughout June and July, yet the humidity tapers off around August. During autumn, it is cool and dry. The winters are guaranteed to be snowy, cold and harsh. Be sure to plan for the weather you are likely to face.

Get in

There are only a few ways to get into Algonquin Park. The most obvious is by vehicle, via Highway 60. There are numerous places where you can leave your car while you enjoy either Algonquin's back country or the Highway 60 corridor.

It is also possible to drive to campsites in the northern parts of the park, taking logging roads or provincial roads from the Trans-Canada Highway: The campsites at Achray (west of Petawawa), Brent (south of Deux-Rivieres) and Kiosk (south-east of North Bay) are all accessible by car during the summer months. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before doing this.

Algonquin can also be accessed by canoe, from various access points around the park. A less common way to get into Algonquin is by aeroplane. The only airfield is in the northern community of Brent, so if you are getting in by air your vehicle will most likely be a float plane capable of landing on water.

Fees and permits

Prices valid until March 31, 2018.)

A permit is required to use the park's facilities. A daily permit costs $14.50-17.90 and it is good for only one day. An Ontario Parks season's pass costs $85 for the winter, $125 for the summer, or $175 for the year, but can be used unlimited times at any provincial park in Ontario.

If you plan on camping, a campsite permit is required. An organized campground costs $42-51 per night, or $97 for a yurt. A backcountry canoe/hike-in campsite permit costs $12 per adult/$6 per child for one day. A backcountry ranger cabin costs $62-135 per night, plus the permit.

For fishing, a fishing permit is required. These are issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. They can be obtained at some locations in Algonquin. Costs for these permits fluctuate.

Get around

If you are exploring the Highway 60 corridor, the best way to get around is by vehicle. Some people use bicycles as well, and some even walk; but this is not recommended. Away from the corridor, the only way to get around most of the time is by canoe. Algonquin has an extensive canoe route system, with many portages and campsites. Be sure to obtain a canoe route map before you depart.

See

There are many natural and historic sites in the park. No trip to Algonquin is complete without seeing the abandoned Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway bed, which is not only fascinating in itself but also passes by some interesting sites (abandoned train stations, logging depots, bridges, even the remains of a train derailment from the 1930s). The Brent Crater and Barron Canyon are both off of provincial Highway 17, which runs north of the park. They will provide a fascinating hike.

Do

• Rent a canoe, and explore the many canoe routes.
• Go on one of the guided trails. You can pick up a booklet at the beginning of each trail, and numerous posts placed throughout will provide fascinating information. These trails range from easy, short and flat to extremely challenging, long and rugged.
• Go to the Algonquin logging museum. There, an easy 1.3-km loops takes you through numerous outdoor exhibits detailing the history of logging in Algonquin Park.
• Algonquin Park Tours Inc., 1023 Cooper Lake Rd., Dwight, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Nature-based adventures for students and travellers from all over the world. All-inclusive guided canoe trips feature multilingual guides. 
• Algonquin Bound Outfitters, toll-free: [phone]. One of Algonquin Park's leading outfitters specializing in trip planning, canoe and gear rentals. Professional guiding available for groups of any size. 

Buy

The Portage, Two Rivers and Opeongo stores provide camping, canoeing and other outfitting equipment. There is a souvenir store and cafeteria in the Visitor's Centre. All stores tend to be overpriced, but you can occasionally find a good deal. There is a grocery store in Killaloe.

• 🌍 The Portage Store, Access Point 5, Canoe Lake (200m N of Route 60 at km 14.1 in Algonquin Park), ☎ [phone] (summer). late April to mid-October (7 days a week). Established 1937 as an outfitter for canoeists; rents canoes, kayaks, camping equipment. Lakeside restaurant seats 100, serving breakfast, beer, burgers and ice cream. Complete backcountry camping packages, store with camping supplies, souvenirs and Canadiana. Algonquin Park T-shirts and polar fleece, handmade pottery, decoys, nature recordings, Group of Seven prints, moccasins and Aboriginal handicrafts. 
• Lake of Two Rivers Store & Café, ☎ [phone] (Oxtongue Lake). South of Highway 60 at km 31.4 between Mew Lake and Lake of Two Rivers campgrounds. Mountain bicycle and trailer rental (helmet included), store with camping, hiking and fishing gear, souvenirs, groceries (fresh produce and fruit, fresh and frozen meats, dairy, drinks and ice). Café & Grill with gourmet coffee, hamburgers, french fries, pulled pork poutine, wraps, salads, Kawartha Ice Cream and milkshakes. 
• Algonquin Outfitters – Lake Opeongo Store, Lake Opeongo, access point #11, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. 7AM-8PM daily (high season), 7AM-6PM (end April-Thanksgiving). At south end of Lake Opeongo, Algonquin Park’s largest body of water. Canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals, outfitter and guided wildlife viewing trips, store with fish tackle, camping supplies, outdoor clothing and footwear, souvenirs, groceries, live bait and ice. Water taxi is $30/person (one way), minimum $90/trip. 

Eat

If staying overnight in Algonquin, it is highly recommended (and often necessary) that you bring your own food. You can cook over a fire (a fire-pit is provided in every campsite) or a lightweight camping stove (which you must provide).

There is a cafeteria in the Visitor's Centre, but the food is expensive and not of amazing quality. The store at Lake of Two Rivers campground offers "fast food" type meals and ice cream. The Portage Store on Canoe Lake has dine-in and take out food, a small convenience store and ice cream retailer.

Three lodges in the park (Arowhon, Killarney, and Bartlett Lodge), all accessible from Route 60, offer expensive but good-quality meals. Reservations suggested.

Drink

As always, remember that glass bottles and cans (soda cans as well) are banned in the park. Should drinks be packaged in such containers, pour them into a re-usable plastic bottle. It is highly recommended that you not drink straight out of the lakes. Bacteria and parasites are present. This is especially true for bogs and rivers. Prior to drinking the water, bring it to a full boil for 5 minutes or pass it through a filter.

Sleep

Camping

In the park, it is most likely that you will be staying on a campsite. Remember, camping requires a permit which can be obtained at any Park office.

Backcountry

Leaving the Frank MacDougall Parkway zone where there is organized development, the chief reason for visiting Algonquin is accessing the park interior. There are 2000 km of canoeing routes in 7725 square kilometers of park. Located on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, there are thousands of lakes and streams. All of the canoe routes involved portaging from lake to lake or stream. Portages range from 2 meters to 2 km, averaging 500 m. There are 29 entry points to interior routes. Portages are well maintained and marked with a yellow sign at each end. Camping is only permitted at designated Interior campsites. Each is marked by an orange sign. There are also 13 historic ranger cabins that can be rented in the interior. Loons and Mergansers are common on most lakes. Moose are occasional seen. Beaver and otters are fairly common. Black bears and wolves live in the interior but are rarely seen. A detailed map of the Canoe Routes of Algonquin Provincial Park is published by the friends of Algonquin Park and widely available. An interior permit is required for camping in the interior. The fee is $11 per person per night. A reservation fee of $9 is also charged. Many of the popular routes are heavily used and should be reserved in advance. When reserving a trip, you will need to specify the entry and exit points and where you plan to camp each night. Each campsite is limited to 9 persons. Reservations may be made 5 months in advance. For trip planning, call the Algonquin Park Information Office at [phone]. For reservations, call [phone].

There are 3 backpacking trails, the Uplands, the Highland and the Eastern Pines backpacking trails, all accessed from Hywy 60. A brochure, Backpacking Trails of Algonquin Provincial Park is available.

Lodges

Three lodges in the park offer resort-type lodging and meals.

• Arowhon Pines, Arowhon Road (Arowhon Rd. leads north from Hwy 60 and ends at the lodge), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Lodge with central log dining room. Little Joe Lake off Hwy 60, km 15. Off-season, phone [phone]. 
• Bartlett Lodge, on Cache Lake, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Or [phone]. Solar power covered pontoon boat available upon request. Lakefront cottages, fine dining on an island, reached by lodge ferry. Early May-mid Oct. $400-500/night, double occupancy. 
• Killarney Lodge, Lake of Two Rivers, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone] km inside the West Gate of Algonquin Park off Hwy 60. Cabins, dining, open May-Oct. Off-season call [phone]. 

Outside the park

There is a hostel in Maynooth (to the south-southeast of the park) and a few motels on Highway 11 in or north of Huntsville (west of the park).

Connect

Stay safe

Proper bears and wildlife attractant storage

All possible attractants (open food, garbage, clothes with food residues on them, etc.) must be stored locked safely (e.g. your vehicle) at all times your site is unattended or while you are sleeping.

There are many potential attractants, including coolers (no matter what stored in them), food (even if cooked, canned, zip-locked, or jarred), beverage containers (even sealed), garbage, recycling, bug spray, sunscreen and other creams, cleaning products, toiletries, and BBQs and stoves (food or oil residues) - all of which must not be stored in the tent.

No food or beverages should be stored in refrigerators.

Avoid bringing into the tent the clothes you cook with.

Do not store any attractants in vehicles with soft covers or roof tops such as convertibles. Do not leave windows open and ensure all doors are shut.

Report all bear sightings in the campground to a Park Warden or at the campground office.

Canoeing

It is imperative that you obtain a canoe map prior to venturing out into Algonquin by canoe. Wandering into the Algonquin wilderness without a map is absolute suicide, unless you are very familiar with the park (i.e., you know Algonquin like the back of your hand), and even the professional guides take maps.

Falling trees

Be sure that when staying on a campsite, there are no dead trees in danger of falling. However, all campsites are dutifully maintained and the risk of being crushed by a falling tree is very, very low.

Backcountry roads

Remember also that logging still occurs in Algonquin. Logging trucks rumble up and down backcountry roads which are not shown on the map. If you come across a road that is not on the map, do not follow it unless you are hopelessly lost. Not only are they private, but they are narrow and a human will give way before a logging truck does.

Go next

• Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley
• Northern Ontario and the Trans-Canada Highway
• Central Ontario
• The Haliburton Highlands are south of Algonquin.

Routes through Algonquin Provincial Park

END at Junction ← Huntsville ←

W  E

→ Barry's Bay → Renfrew