Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park

Designated in 1893, Algonquin was the first provincial park in Ontario. Its significant size and popularity, cause some visitors to mistakenly refer to it as a National Park. Visitors come from all over the world to pursue the Algonquin experience. Something that many people come to think of as one of the highlights of their travels.

The park is located in the eastern region of Ontario, not far from the Ottawa river. It's world renown as a canoeing park with over 1800 wilderness campsites distributed over 1600 km of canoe routes.

Getting Here

Algonquin is located in the eastern region of Ontario, northeast of Toronto and northwest of Ottawa. It can be reached by car from either centre in a just a few hours and is only a couple of hours further from Montreal.

By Air - Toronto and Ottawa International Airports are the closest ones to the park, Montreal International in Montreal offers another possibility. Car rentals are available at all of the airports.

By Rail - Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal are serviced by Via Rail Canada. Montreal can be accessed from the US through Amtrak.

By Car - Algonquin Park is located in the eastern section of Ontario about 2.5 hours from Ottawa, 4.5 hours from Montreal or 3.5 hours from Toronto.

Montreal and Ottawa - From Montreal follow highway 40 west (Trans-Canada) to the Ontario border where it turns into the 417. Follow the 417 through Ottawa which turns into the 17. At Renfrew, pick up the 60 which will take you all the way to Whitney and the east gate of the park.

Toronto - From Toronto follow the 400 north (from the 401) passed Barrie then follow the 11 to Huntsville. At Huntsville, pick up highway 60 which will take you to the west gate of the park just passed Dwight.

Other access points lie along the 17 north and northeast of the park (including Brent, Achray and Kiosk campgrounds) and off of Highway 11 between North Bay and Huntsville.

For backpackers take a look at the Algonquin Park Bus which will get you here from Toronto

• Algonquin Provincial Park - Official Site (Friends of Algonquin)
• Algonquin Provincial Park - Parks Ontario
• Algonquin Provincial Park - Wikipedia

• Accommodations
• Restaurants

Related Links

• Park Maps and Literature - Must haves especially if your doing some canoe camping. List of Topo maps that cover the park.
• Park Reports - Campground Vacancies, XC Ski Conditions, Fire Bans, Water Advisories, Beach Closures, Fall Colours
• Algonquin Park Map - Wonderful online map created by Jeffrey McMurtrie under Creative Commons - make a contribution to show your appreciation for his work. List of Topo maps that cover the park.
• Ontario Parks Campground Reservations - Includes Algonquin front country campgrounds.
• Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists
• Algonquin Adventures - All things Algonquin
• Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler
• Canoe Guy - Algonquin Adventures
• Algonquin Park Travel Guide - From enthusiasts in the U.K.
• Algonquin Eco Watch
• Algonquin Park Heritage
• Algonquin Art Centre
• Tom Thompson - Canada's Group of Seven
• The Science Behind Algonquin's Animals
• Canadian Canoe Routes - Canada's best canoe route site has over 60 detailed route descriptions for Algonquin

Links of Interest

Canoeing in Canada - From Out-There

• Canoe Ontario
• Ontario Trails Council
• Wilderness Canoe Association
• Canadian Canoe Routes
• Red Canoe - Mason Family, Bill, Becky, Paul
• Paddling Canada
• Canadian Canoe Museum

Tourism & Travel

Algonquin Weather

• Algonquin Park Bus - Bus from Toronto to Algonquin it has several stops along the parks corridor. Next year they are implementing service to Killarney.
• Park Reports - Campground Vacancy Reports, XC Ski Conditions, Fire Bans, Water Advisories, Beach Closures, Fall Colour Reports
  

West of Main Corridor and Western Entrance

Out-There's Central Ontario North

• Bala
• Bracebridge
• Dwight - West gate
• Gravenhurst
• Huntsville - Closest center to the west gate
• Oxtongue Lake - Closest town to the west gate
• Muskoka

Events, Attractions and Festivals

Bala Cranberry Festival
Golf Muskoka
The Kee to Bala
Muskoka Lakes Music Festival
Muskoka Heritage Foundation

Nature and Adventure

Muskoka Trails Council - Over 300km of Trails, Mountain Biking, Hiking, XC Skiing, Snowshoeing, Horseback Riding
Muskoka Field Naturalists

East of Main Corridor and Eastern Entrance

Out-There's Eastern Ontario

• Barry's Bay
• Killaloe
• Madawaska Valley
• Pembroke
• Whitney - Closest town to the east gate

• Algonquin East - Madawaska and Bonnechere Valleys
• Ottawa Valley

Nature and Adventure

Pine Cone Forest Nature Sanctuary - Madawaska Valley

Events, Attractions and Festivals

Renfrew Golf Club

South of Main Corridor

Algonquin South and the surrounding area have a wealth of outdoor opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, canoeists and snow sport enthusiast.

• Bancroft
• Haliburton
• Maynooth

• Bancroft Chamber of Commerce
• Hastings County

  Nature and Adventure

• Haliburton Highlands Trails - Canoeing (Online Reservations), XC Skiing, Snowshoeing, Frost & Poker Lake Area, Route Maps
• Haliburton Trails - Canoeing, Hiking, Snowshoeing, XC Skiing, Mountain Biking, Dog Sledding
• Haliburton Forest - Camping, Mountain Biking, Canopy Tours
• Minden Wild Water Reserve - White Water Paddling
• Haliburton Highlands Field Naturalists

North, East & West of the Park's Exterior

Outside of the main corridor these areas have the majority of the parks canoe access points. These access points are generally less crowded and provide access to the wilder sections of the park.

• Deep River
• Kearney
• Mattawa
• Nipissing Tourism
• North Bay

For current conditions, along with definitive information on the park, contact the park authorities. For regional information check with the local chambers of commerce and tourism offices. Outdoor shops, outfitters and clubs in the vicinity of the park may be other excellent sources of information.

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