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Algonquin Park - Facts,
Rules & Permits
Algonquin Park is Ontario's oldest provincial
park. It is is also one of the the largest parks in North
America. Easily accessible from major centres in eastern
Canada and the U.S., the park is a true paradise for canoeists,
campers and nature enthusiasts in all seasons. This page
contains a great deal of helpful information and links to
even more. Click on any heading below to jump right to the
start of that section.
Interesting
facts about Algonquin Park
- general information about the park and why it is
a great place to visit.
Learn
more about Algonquin Park! - a link to
the official Algonquin Park web site.
Important
Canoe Trip Regulations - an overview of
the most important rules affecting Algonquin Park canoe
trippers.
Permit
Reservations - a short guide to making
sure you have a camp site on the lake you want to camp on.
Interesting
facts about Algonquin Park
 Imagine
a park bigger than some countries...
Covering approximately 8000 square kilometers (3500 square
miles) of rugged Canadian Shield country, Algonquin Park
is situated on a geologic formation known as the "Algonquin
Dome." The park contains the headwaters of five important
river systems, dramatic granite outcrops and a beautiful
mixed forest ecosystem, including stands of old-growth pines
and beautiful mixed hardwood forests. Algonquin is also
home to an abundant wildlife population, including moose,
wolves and black bears. During late August and into the
fall, people who try howling for wolves are often rewarded
with a mournful response from a nearby pack. Smaller mammals
like otters, fox, chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons are
common sights. Over 250 bird species have been recorded
in Algonquin Park and our favorite wilderness bird, the
common loon, is found nesting on most lakes.
One park with a lifetime
of canoe trip possibilities...
Most of Algonquin Park is only accessible by canoe. With
2000 km of canoe routes following lakes, streams and portage
trails through the vast forested interior, a canoe tripper
could spend a lifetime exploring Algonquin. Campsites and
portages are marked and maintained. Fly-in canoe trips are
prohibited and motorboats are restricted to only a few lakes.
Road access to the park is limited to the Hwy 60 "corridor"
and 29 designated interior access points. Backpacking and
day hiking trails allow travel on foot. In the winter the
park is open to travel by ski, snowshoe and dog sled.
There is more than canoeing
in Algonquin Park...
If you don't feel quite ready to venture into the park interior,
12 drive-in campgrounds offer visitors a slightly different
camping experience. Most of the campgrounds are along the
Hwy 60 corridor, with easy access to park facilities, day
canoe trips, hiking trails and other activities. There are
picnic areas, beautiful sand beaches, day hikes and some
amazing scenery to be seen. The Algonquin Visitor Centre
is a "must see" for any Algonquin visitor. The
Minnesing mountain bike trail is a great ride for fat tire
fans and the Old Rail Line trail offers a more sedate riding
experience (and yes, we rent mountain bikes at both our
Oxtongue Lake and Opeongo stores). You don't have to be
a canoeist, or even a camper, to enjoy Algonquin Park. Many
people stay at lodges and resorts both in and outside the
park and enjoy day trips. Canoe and kayak day rentals are
available at all Algonquin Outfitters locations for shorter
outings.
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 Learn
more about Algonquin Park!
Important
Canoe Trip Regulations
There are many rules and regulations affecting
park users. We have summarized the most important ones below.
Please see the Algonquin Park Canoe
Routes map for complete details.
Canoe Trip Access Points
Interior canoe trips must start from one of the 29
official access points in Algonquin Park. Some are easier
to get to than others but all are accessible by road and
have parking. See the Algonquin Canoe Routes map for details.
Fishing licenses are available at all permit stations and
at the East and West Gates on Hwy 60.
Can and Bottle Ban
All non-burnable, disposable food and beverage containers
and eating containers (e.g. glass) are prohibited in all
interior areas of Algonquin Park. Returnable metal beverage
containers (e.g. cans) are banned, but not containers designed
specifically for repeated use. Containers of medicine, insect
repellent, fuel or other items that are not food or beverages
are permitted.
Party Size
A maximum of nine people are permitted to camp on one interior
campsite. Larger groups may travel together but must split
up to camp. Most lakes offer campsites in close proximity
to each other, so parties travelling with two or three camping
groups can be confident that groups can stay in close proximity
to one another.
Park Permits
All park users must have a valid park permit, for day or
overnight use. Day use permits are available at the East
and West Gates and at access point permit offices. An Interior
camping permit reserves you a site on each lake you intend
to camp on, so each access point has a limited number of
Interior Camping Permits it can issue each day, based on
the number of available campsites. These permits must be
purchased the park permit office servicing the access point
you are starting from. Most permit offices are located at
the access points (for example, at Opeongo Lake); others
are located on the road in (for example, parties driving
to our Brent base should purchase their permits at the permit
office just south of Hwy. 17) and some serve several access
points (e.g. the office at Canoe lake services Canoe, Smoke,
Cache and Source lakes). Camping fees and regulations are
government controlled and subject to change.
For up to date rates visit the official Algonquin
Park web site at www.algonquinpark.on.ca
or the Ontario Parks web site at www.ontarioparks.com
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Permit Reservations
While permit reservations are not absolutely required,
we highly recommend that anyone planning a trip in July,
August or September make them. People planning trips on
holiday weekends or starting at some of the more remote
access points should definitely make a reservation well
in advance. Anglers planning "ice-out" fishing
trips in April and May should also make advance reservations,
as certain lakes are very popular for spring trout fishing.
How to Reserve a Camping Permit
We suggest making camping permit reservations before making
outfitting reservations. The park permit reservation system
has been centralized for all provincial parks in Ontario
and you can make reservation up to five months ahead of
your trip. Reservations for Algonquin Park interior trips
can be made by calling the Ontario Parks toll free reservation
line: 1-888-668-7275. They will want to know which access
point you are starting from and where you intend to camp
each night of your trip (just the name of the lake, not
a specific site location). To check campsite availability
in advance of making a reservation, or to get route advice,
call the Algonquin Park information line at 705-633-5572.
Interior camping permits cannot be booked on-line, although
roadside campground sites can be booked at www.ontarioparks.com.
How AO Can Help You
Complete route planning and permit booking is a service
included with any of our guided trip packages and with our
Ultimate Outfitting package. We don't leave our other customers
in the dark though! The permit booking process is quite
straightforward and Algonquin Outfitters can provide you
with sufficient information to easily make your own reservation.
People not familiar with Algonquin Park canoe routes might
prefer to make a choice of access point and canoe route
after consulting with our route gurus. This will ensure
that the route is appropriate to the abilities, interests
and desires of the group. Call us any time for information
(1-800-469-4948 or 705-635-2243). Please have an Algonquin
Park Canoe Routes Map handy when you call. You can order
the Algonquin Park Canoe Routes Map (along with guide books
and many other useful park publications) on-line at the
Friends
of Algonquin Park Book Store.
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