Covering approximately 8000 square kilometers (3500 square miles) of rugged Canadian Shield country, the park is home to an abundant wildlife population, including moose, wolves and black bears. While many Algonquin visitors see moose, the latter two creatures are less common sights. 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 everyone's favorite wilderness bird, the common loon, is found nesting on most lakes.
A canoe tripper could spend a lifetime exploring Algonquin Park. Over 1500 km of canoe routes follow lakes, streams and portage trails through the vast forested interior. Campsites and portages are marked and well maintained. Fly-ins are prohibited. Motor boats are restricted to a few lakes and road access to the park is limited to the Hwy. 60 "corridor" and peripheral access points. As a result, most of Algonquin Park is only accessible by canoe. Backpacking and day hiking trails allow travel on foot. In the winter the park is also open to travel by ski and snowshoe.
If you don't feel quite ready for venturing 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.

However, you don't have to be a canoeist, or even a camper, to enjoy Algonquin Park. Many people stay at lodges and resorts outside the park and enjoy day excursions in the park. Canoe and kayak day rentals are available at all four Algonquin Outfitters bases for shorter outings.
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 bases).
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.
Visit the official Algonquin Park web site at www.algonquinpark.on.ca

IMPORTANT CANOE TRIP REGULATIONS
(See the Algonquin Park Canoe Routes map for complete details)
Access Points: Interior 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. Some permit stations are right at the access point and others are on the road in. See the Algonquin Canoe Routes map for details. Fishing licenses are available at permit stations.
Can and Bottle Ban: All non burnable, disposable food and beverage containers and eating containers (eg. glass) are prohibited in all interior areas of Algonquin Park. Returnable metal beverage containers (eg. cans) are banned, but not containers designed specifically for repeated use. Containers of medicine, insect repellant, fuel or other items that are not food or beverages are permitted.
Party Size: A maximum of nine people is permitted to camp on one interior campsite. Larger groups may travel together but must split up to camp.
Interior camping permits: Anyone camping in the interior of Algonquin Park must purchase an interior camping permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Camping fees are paid to the office supervising each park access point. Parties driving to our Brent base should purchase their permits at the Wendigo Lake gate 10 miles (16 km) south of Hwy. 17. Camping fees and regulations are government controlled and subject to change. These are 2001 rates. For up to date rates visit the official Algonquin Park web site at www.algonquinpark.on.ca.
* Adults $8.00 per person per night
* Youths (6 -17) $3.50 per person per night

CAMPING PERMIT QUOTAS & RESERVATIONS
Permits are required for all park use, year round. Each access point has a limited number of Interior Camping Permits it can issue each day, based on the number of available campsites. Your camping permit reserves you a site on each lake you intend to camp on. Reservations can be made 24 hours a day, up to five months ahead of your trip. You must specify your route when reserving.
While permit reservations are not required, we highly recommend that anyone planning a trip in July, August or September have one. Anyone planning a trip on a holiday weekend or starting at some of the more remote access points should definitely have a reservation.
• Ontario Parks toll-free reservation line 1-888-668-7275
• Ontario Parks reservations on the Internet: www.ontarioparks.com (Note: Algonquin park interior camping reservations can not be made on-line)
• Reservation fee $9.00
• Algonquin Park general information, campsite availability info and route suggestions: 705-633-5572
Algonquin Outfitters can make reservations for our complete outfitting customers or provide you with sufficient information to make your own. People not familiar with Algonquin Park canoe routes might prefer to make a choice of access point after consulting with our route planners. This will ensure that the route is appropriate to the abilities, interests and desires of the group. Call for information (705-635-2243). Please have an Algonquin Park Canoe Routes Map handy when you call.