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Provincial park in Ontario, Canada

Ontario, Canada

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario's classic canoe wilderness — moose, loons, and 1,500 km of paddling routes.

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Ontario, Canada

Plan a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region
Ontario, Canada
Known for
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Hunting
  • Desert Hiking
  • Canyoneering
  • Hiking
  • Backpacking
  • Wildlife Viewing
Loading live weather & climate for Algonquin Provincial Park…
Park size
About 7,723 km² (Ontario Parks)
Canoe routes
Over 2,000 km of routes and about 1,900 backcountry campsites
Access points
29 entry points (Ontario Parks)
Best window
Ice-out (usually late April) through autumn
Permits
Interior camping permit; reservation letter serves as the permit
Watch for
Black bear, black flies (Jun), moose

Topic summary

Ontario's classic canoe wilderness — moose, loons, and 1,500 km of paddling routes. Algonquin's interior holds maple hills, rocky ridges, old-growth pine stands and more than 2,400 lakes. Ontario Parks describes paddling opportunities ranging from easy paddle-in camping to trips lasting several weeks.

Key takeaways

  • Park size: About 7,723 km² (Ontario Parks)
  • Canoe routes: Over 2,000 km of routes and about 1,900 backcountry campsites
  • Access points: 29 entry points (Ontario Parks)
  • Best window: Ice-out (usually late April) through autumn
  • Permits: Interior camping permit; reservation letter serves as the permit
  • Watch for: Black bear, black flies (Jun), moose

Intended uses

Wilderness trip planning and destination research

Verification notes

Compiled from published show records, regional agencies, and topographical / satellite imagery. Region: Ontario, Canada. Coordinates: 45.830, -78.400.

The country

Algonquin's interior holds maple hills, rocky ridges, old-growth pine stands and more than 2,400 lakes. Ontario Parks describes paddling opportunities ranging from easy paddle-in camping to trips lasting several weeks.

Canoe routes and portages

More than 2,000 kilometres of canoe routes connect the park's lakes, with 29 entry points giving access to maintained portages and campsites. Yellow signs mark portages and their lengths; orange signs mark backcountry campsites, each with a fire pit, box privy and tent area.

Planning and permits

Reservations open five months before arrival and specify a lake or zone for each night; individual campsites within that lake or zone are first-come, first-served. Your reservation letter serves as your camping permit, so there is no need to collect a permit at an access-point office.

Seasons and hazards

Ice-out normally comes in late April but can hold until mid-May, and spring water stays dangerously cold. June brings blackflies and mosquitoes, while August generally offers fewer insects with warm days and cool nights. September nights can be quite cold, and The Friends of Algonquin Park recommends trips after mid-October only for experienced travellers.

Top experiences

The Barron Canyon interior route is the paddle showcase. Highland Backpacking Trail (35 or 55 km loop) is Ontario's best portage-free hike. Wolf howls led by park naturalists in Aug are a unique park program.

Planning essentials

Ontario Parks online reservation system — 5-month rolling window. Motor-restriction zones on the interior lakes. Motor-boat traffic on the Algonquin corridor lakes — plan interior routes for silence.

Field notes

  • Carry your reservation letter offline or on paper: it is your camping permit.
  • Reserve each night's lake or zone, then use any available designated campsite within it.
  • Wear a PFD and account for extremely cold water on spring trips.
  • Use the Algonquin Canoe Routes Map for planning; yellow signs mark portages and orange signs mark campsites.
  • Moose along the corridor road in May are near-guaranteed viewing.
  • The Barron Canyon 100-m sheer walls are the geological highlight of the park.

Frequently asked about Algonquin Provincial Park

Where is Algonquin Provincial Park?
Algonquin Provincial Park is in Ontario, Canada. Ontario's classic canoe wilderness — moose, loons, and 1,500 km of paddling routes.
Provincial park in Ontario, Canada

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