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Algonquin Provincial Park Travel Guide: 296 reviews and 363 photos

Another portage in mid-August, xana-dog in tow

Different ways to see the park

My tips for Algonquin focus on interior canoeing, portaging and camping. While quite strenuous physically, the rewards of your efforts are many. The tips comntained in these pages only scratch the surface of the knowledge I can share with you about this area. If you are planning a trip here from abroad (like many do every year) email me.Many have and... if the timing is right, I might even join you! I'm always looking for a good excuse to partake in the joys of a good trip. ;-o

Algonquin park is about three hours north of Toronto but feels a thousand miles away. There are many different ways to enjoy the park and take advantage of the almost 2000 lakes it has to offer. Below are a few of your choices:

Drive through (bound to see at least one moose);

Rent a provincially owned cabin for a few days for about 60.00 (40 USD) a night from the government;

Car Camp on one of many campgrounds OR;

My favorite - Throw your dog and pack into a canoe and disappear into the interior of the park for 4-5 days; choosing from almost 2000 designated camp sites. A trip deep into the interior requires portaging all of your supplies and canoe from lake-to-lake over varing types of terain. These portages range from a few hundred metres to 3+ Km's. Therefore, these trips are not for the physically or mentally 'unfit'. It's important to note that the further into the interior you go, the more wildlife and less people you will see so, it's worth busting your b*lls for. Trust me!

These trips can be tough but the feeling you get when you re-enter the modern world is hard to explain. Just wish I could feel like that everyday!

Costs

In the winter. Toque, boots, warm gear and dog req

All visitors must pay a small fee to use the park if even for a half day. I believe it 's 9.00 a day. I can't give you pricing for any activities except for interior trekking as this is the only activity I choose to partake in. Any overnight stays in the park require reservations so book in advance. Don't take your chances. Again, my page covers mostly interior camping. VT member "sim1" has some very good information on lodgings and pricing.

Here is a good chart printed by Parks and Recreation that lists sites, fees and actvities:
Pricing Information (PDF)

As of Summer 2003, backcountry trips are priced as follows:
» 9.00 non-refundable reservation fee
» 6.00 for any changes to that reservation
» 9.00 per day
» All gear is extra

More general information regarding the park

Planning an interior canoe trip

Dog, kid, pack and skipper

You'll need to plan a route using this very detailed map of Algonquin Park (6 MB PDF File). I'll be posting a comprehensive packing list when I get some more time. If you have your own gear and rent a canoe you're looking at about $150 (100 USD) per person for a 4 day interior trip.

If you do not own your gear and need to rent it, you can do so at one of the park's outfitting companies. They rent or sell everything you can imagine that relates to camping in the park. Up-to-date pricing for renting canoes and other gear essentials are listed on The Portage Store site

Visit my transportation tip for outfitting yourself with the right canoe.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Too many to list
Cons:Many during the trip, none when completed!
In a nutshell:Backcountry wilderness at its best!

Last visit to Algonquin Provincial Park: May 2003
Intro Updated Nov 18, 2005
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Reviews (19)

The perfect place to stop and relect - Algonquin Provincial Park

Stop and Relax! Favorites (2)

One of the best things about being in the park is the fact that when you're in the middle of nowhere there are no phones... more travel advice

Weird tan, bloody toes, dog paw and engorged leech - Algonquin Provincial Park

Blood Suckers! Warnings Or Dangers (5)

Leaches can also be a problem in Algonquin. Early in the afternoon I took a swim on the other side of the lake across... more travel advice

Maria cooking up a storm in our stylin camp area - Algonquin Provincial Park

Sweden's Best Campground Hotels (2)

I liked the example (the title that VT uses as Title Example when building tips)... well it should actually read... more travel advice

In ontario it might read "Next 1500 Km's" - Algonquin Provincial Park

Moose in the headlights! Transportation (4)

Many fatalities occur every year in Canada from collisions with Moose on the highways. These creatures stand 6-7 feet... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
Mosquito Repellent
Restaurants (1)
EEEKKK!!!
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Comments (21)

Faiza-Ifrah Sep 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM Report Abuse

very nice tips. we canoe a lot, most recently in Boone, NC (august 2009). for Algonquin, we would like to start at the edge and remain at the edges in 2010.
Tourtech Jul 18, 2007 at 7:46 PM Report Abuse

Hey there! thanks for the b-day wishes! BTW, when you gonna head out east? Nice place out here. You should look at Kejimkujik National Park. .. Lovely place to canoe! Safe travels and congrats on graduating!
Bwana_Brown Jul 24, 2006 at 12:25 PM Report Abuse

Excellent tips on some of the do's and don'ts of back-country canoeing!! Your page brought back great memories of past trips in New Brunswick in my 15-ft wood/canvas Chestnut canoe. Ah, those were the days (but not much portaging!!).
windsorgirl May 14, 2006 at 6:55 AM Report Abuse

Great tips, I hope to visit Algonquin this summer. Thanks for the rundown on the different types of canoes to rent.
nebulaflash Apr 12, 2005 at 11:24 PM Report Abuse

Brings back breathless memories. Thank you.
shashasharon Mar 16, 2005 at 12:30 PM Report Abuse

you realize it was a joke. I am coming to Toronto about as fast as you are coming to Montreal. r u still pissed about the bagels, I promise I'll bring you to chex parée. Scouts honour!
mim95 Jun 3, 2004 at 5:33 PM Report Abuse

Great tips on canoe camping...never done it before...should give it a try some day.
ettenaj Mar 5, 2004 at 2:28 PM Report Abuse

wonderfully informative page with great photos
worldtrekker Jan 10, 2004 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

Great wilderness adventure page! It's always nice finding environmentally conscious people on VT! Haven't experienced much of eastern Canada - will need to check this park out one day...
jessicadf Jan 2, 2004 at 4:29 PM Report Abuse

Cool! Moose!!