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Planning a Canoe Trip
Algonquin Outfitters Can Help You Plan any canoe trip from
start to finish. 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.
The
Canoe Trip Planning Guide
A comprehensive outline of all the steps to a successful
Algonquin Park trip with Algonquin Outfitters. Those not
using our services will find it useful also!
Personal
Items To Bring On A Canoe Trip
A handy list of necessary items for those using our complete
outfitting services or going on a guided trip. In short,
a list of what is NOT included in a complete outfitting
package.
The Canoe Trip
Planning Guide
Algonquin Outfitters has produced a handy canoe trip planning
guide that will make your vacation planning a little easier.
While the guide is primarily intended as an aid for those
using our outfitting services, especially first-time visitors
to Algonquin Park, youth group leaders and complete outfitting
customers, our hope is that all canoe trippers will find
it useful to some degree.
 The
Canoe Trip Planning Guide Covers The Following Topics
- Major steps in canoe trip planning
- Gathering information and maps
- Getting a group together
- Setting trip dates
- Choosing a route
- Basic park regulations
- Reserving camping permits
- Deciding which Algonquin Outfitters base to use
- Deciding what type of outfitting you require
- Reserving outfitting needs
- Arranging transportation
- Getting to the access point and back again
- Accommodation
- Questions?
- Useful links for trip planning
The planning guide is available by return e-mail or as
a PDF file for easy reading and printing. Please follow
the links below and you will automatically receive an e-mail
version of our planning guide, with clickable links throughout,
or the PDF version of the guide, suitable for printing.
You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat to view the above
PDF files. Most computers have Acrobat but if yours doesn't,
you can get it here:http://get.adobe.com/reader/
 Personal
Items To Bring On A Canoe Trip
An Algonquin Outfitters complete outfitting package provides
all the basic necessities for an Algonquin Park canoe trip,
along with many extras. Our packages include all the camping
and canoeing equipment you need for an enjoyable trip, as
well as a nourishing, delicious menu designed for wilderness
travel. You only need to bring clothing and any personal
items you think are necessary. Keep the list to a minimum
since you must carry everything! Remember the old adage,
"two changes of clothes - one on the back and one in
the pack."
The list of necessary items varies with the type, length
and season of the trip. If you forget something, or aren't
sure what to get, don't forget that Algonquin Outfitters
is also one of the best-stocked outdoor
clothing and equipment stores in Canada. Our
helpful and knowledgeable staff will gladly help you select
the items needed to complete your list.
Weather in the Algonquin Park
area is extremely variable. Summer daytime temperatures
can get as high as 40ºC (over 90ºF) but nights can be cool
- especially in August. Thermal underwear, gloves, warm
hats and extra warm clothing are advisable in the spring
and fall. In May and October, snow is not out of the question!
Footwear is a matter of personal choice. During the spring
and fall, when portages are wet and the water cold, many
canoeists prefer waterproof boots. In the summer, choices
vary from sport sandals to running shoes to light hiking
boots. We recommend hiking shoes or boots for portaging.
Open-toed sport sandals are great for wearing around camp
or wading in for a swim but wearing them on a portage is
an invitation to a "sandal-related injury."
See Algonquin Park live weather here!
These days, we can't emphasize enough the need for sun
protection. At the minimum, you should have good quality
sunglasses (cheap sunglasses can actually cause eye damage),
a wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen (SPF 20 at least).
Fair-skinned folks might consider bringing light cotton
gardening gloves to protect their hands while paddling.
Essential Personal Items For Complete Outfitting
or Guided Trip Customers
- t-shirt (two for longer trips)
- quick-drying shorts and/or swim suit
- small towel (quick dry camping type)
- lightweight long sleeved shirt (cotton/polyester blends
are good)
- sun hat (a full wide brim is better than a ball cap)
- quick-drying long pants (some styles convert to shorts
by zipping off the legs)
- sunglasses
- wool sweater or fleece jacket
- sturdy footwear for portages (preferably well broken
in)
- socks (wool or synthetic)
- campsite footwear (eg. sport sandals, running shoes)
- toilet articles
- extra socks for around the campsite (keep these dry!)
- spare prescription glasses & personal medications
(in waterproof container)
- good quality rain gear (jacket and pants)
- sunscreen
- flashlight or headlamp (we do include flashlights in
our packages but extras are handy)
- pocket knife
Highly Recommended Items
- notebook or journal and pencils
- camera with extra batteries and memory cards (or even
film!) in waterproof container
- binoculars and field guides
- day pack or fanny pack for frequently used items
- fishing rod and tackle (fishing license can be purchased
in the park)
- rainy day entertainment: (book, cards, portable board
game, etc.)
Spring & Fall Extras
- lightweight synthetic or wool long underwear (top &
bottom)
- wool or fleece hat
- wool or fleece gloves or mitts
- extra insulating layers (eg. fleece pants and jacket)
- waterproof foowear
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