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Algonquin Seasons
"What is the best time of year to visit Algonquin
Park?", is one of the most frequently asked questions
by people planning canoe trips. There are two simple answers:
1) it depends, and 2) anytime. The long answer, however,
goes into more detail. This page contains an overview of
the four seasons of the year, thoughts on significant events
like ice-out and bug season plus links to weather forecasts
for the Algonquin Park area. Click on any heading below
to jump right to the start of that section.
When does
the ice go out?
- just how early can you start a canoe trip?
Spring
- "bug season" in Algonquin Park is
fairly short and predictable. Don't let insects spoil your
plans for an enjoyable canoe trip.
Ahh,
Summer Holidays!
- wondering whether to visit in July or August?
This information may help.
The
Glorious Autumn
- the often overlooked fall "shoulder season"
is not to be missed.
Winter
in Algonquin
- when you can't paddle in Algonquin, you can
still hike, ski and snowshoe (and even camp!).
Algonquin
Park Weather
- links to more local weather forecasts, radar
and satellite images.
 When
Does The Ice Go Out?
Canoe tripping season starts as soon as lakes are free of
ice. Typically, large lakes like Opeongo and Cedar are impassable
until the end of April. Smaller lakes and rivers may open
earlier. A few seasons ago, our intrepid reporters unearthed
a secret document revealing the results of a 33 year study
of ice-out dates on Opeongo Lake. Opeongo is usually the
last lake to open up in Algonquin Park. "Ice-out"
refers to the day when boat travel from end to end is unimpeded
by ice. Over 33 years of record-keeping, the average ice-out
date was April 30, the earliest was April 12, 1981, and
the latest, May 15, 1972. With such a wide range of potential
dates, you now know why our staff have such difficulty answering
that popular question, "When will the ice go out this
year?" The best strategy for trip planning is to have
a flexible schedule and route plan and to phone us closer
to your trip dates to get a better prediction. Canoe trippers
planning an "ice-out" trip should be prepared
for highly variable weather, wet (possibly washed out) portages,
ice-cold water and rough access roads to some of the more
remote starting points.
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Ice-out Links
For the last few years we have been posting current conditions,
pictures and reports as we get them on our canoe
trip blog. For an informative and up to date report
on Canoe Lake conditions, visit the Canoe Lake ice-out
page. Algonquin Park staff post seasonal updates on
access roads and general ice conditions under "news
bulletins" the Algonquin Park home page.
Spring
Spring is the season time for that first canoe trip, black
flies, outstanding trout fishing and peak moose viewing.
Once the ice is out, the first two weeks of May can be a
perfect time for a canoe trip. Water levels  are
high (but still very cold!), the park is relatively uncrowded,
the weather is generally good, spring is in the air, trout
fishing is at its peak and, best of all, the black flies
are not out yet. Those pesky little critters do not usually
emerge until the third week of May and, when they do, look
out!
Black flies are a notorious biting insect found in the
cold, clean water of northern regions, including Algonquin
Park. They generally hatch a couple of weeks after ice-out,
helped along by warm spring weather, early spring flowers
and dropping water levels. The good news is that  they
don't bite for the first few days, even though they are
quite annoying. Several days later they start looking for
their blood meal. The best defenses against black flies
are physical barriers (like bug hats and bug jackets), potent
repellents (despite the controversy about toxicity, DEET
is still the most effective) and a good sense of humour.
If you don't mind the bugs, late May and early June canoe
trips offer warm days, cool nights, reasonable water levels
and the chance to have Algonquin Park pretty much to yourself.
Late May and June is probably the best time to see moose.
With aquatic plants growing and the bugs driving them out
of the deep woods, moose tend to favour pond and stream
edges, where they are easily seen from a canoe. Visitors
from the U.S. should note that the third weekend in May
is a holiday weekend in Canada.
For more Black Fly information, the Maine
Nature News has some excellent information and FAQs
on black flies. We wholeheartedly agree with the comments
expressed by editor Robin Follette (at the top of the linked
page). Substitute "Algonquin Park" for "Maine"
and the philosophy expressed will work up here.
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 Ahh,
Summer Holidays!
Summer starts with a bang in July, with Canadian and American
holiday weekends back to back in the first week. Black flies
are usually gone by mid-June, so the principal insect to
deal with is the much more tolerable mosquito, which usually
persists until late July. Early July is a good time for
smallmouth bass fishing, with the really hot weather not
hitting until the middle of the month (in 1994, for example,
we recorded a January low temperature of -40°C and a
July high of +41°C - talk about extremes!). The first
week of August is probably the busiest one of the season.
The first weekend is a long one for Ontario residents; so
many holidays are planned for that time. By this time of
the summer, even the mosquitoes have died down, so August
is considered a fairly bug free month. August weather is
very changeable, evenings are pleasantly cool and spectacular
thunderstorms are not uncommon. Water levels can be low
in August, so don't plan trips on small rivers and creeks
(eg. Nipissing and Tim). Nightlife is great in August, too:
it's the best month to watch meteor showers, hear wolf howls
and marvel at the northern lights. Camping permit reservations
are essential during July and August, particularly on holiday
weekends.
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The Glorious Autumn
After the Labor Day weekend in early September, the number
of park visitors drops dramatically. Anyone with time off
in September should be planning an Algonquin Park canoe
trip. You'll find spectacular fall colors (usually peaking
around the third week), no bugs, higher water levels and,
if you're lucky, glorious weather. Early October can still
offer nice canoeing weather; then again, it could snow.
Die-hard canoe trippers will go on trips right up until
the lakes freeze in November. Canoe tripping anytime after
the middle of October is only recommended for experienced,
well-equipped groups. Remember that as fall progresses,
the days get shorter and you have to put a considerable
amount of effort into simply staying warm. Fall is probably
the best time to enjoy Algonquin Park's fine day hiking
and backpacking trails. The weather is ideal for hiking
and the fall colors make every step a scenic view.
 Winter
in Algonquin
After "mud season," in November, winter arrives
quickly. Small lakes are usually frozen by early December
and snow is more frequent. By Christmas, there is usually
enough snow to enjoy Algonquin Park's three excellent cross-country
ski trail systems. Covered with a blanket of snow, the park
is wide open to those on ski and snowshoe. Winter camping
is possible at the Mew Lake campground and in the park interior
and permits are still required. The Algonquin Visitor Centre
is open on weekends. Skiing is usually possible through
the middle of March. The "in-between" time in
late March and April is a good time to head out on the hiking
trails, try to spot signs of spring and think about another
canoe season just ahead. Algonquin Outfitters locations
in Oxtongue Lake, Huntsville, Haliburton and Bracebridge
are open year-round. Our Opeongo and Brent bases are open
seasonally and are not accessible in the winter.
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Algonquin Park
Weather
Weather conditions in Algonquin Park are extremely variable
and should never be taken for granted. Rapid weather changes
can occur and storms develop very quickly. Algonquin is
a place of extreme seasonal variations - temperatures can
be as high as +40 C (over 100 F) in the summer and as low
as -40 C (-40 F) in the winter. Fortunately, both those
extremes are only reached occasionally! The park also covers
a huge land mass, and you'd be surprised how different the
weather can be in different areas. Park visitors in any
season should be prepared for all possible conditions (but
hope for the best!). Check our list of list of "what
to bring on a canoe trip" for a suggestions on
clothing and other essentials.
Advance knowledge of forecasts and general weather patterns
can help you plan a safe and successful trip. Many good
forecasts are available on-line. Here are our favorites.
Weather Links
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