Would you like to truly get away from it all on a solo backcountry canoe trip into Algonquin Park’s interior? We can assist, if you want to literally leave everyone behind after you pack up your gear, and then head off into the wilderness on your own. This modified version of our Lightweight Outfitting package includes lightweight Kevlar solo canoes instead of tandems.
Keep in mind, however, that a solo trip is not everyone’s style – it takes a special type of person to tackle such an adventure. Traveling alone means that you are the paddler, portager, navigator, tent-setter-upper, cook, dishwasher and your only resource for help in an emergency. Another option is to consider is traveling with a companion but using solo canoes. This style of tripping offers the freedom of solo paddling but the security of having a partner to share the load. If you prefer to go by yourself, though, you may want to rent one of our SPOT personal locator devices.
While kayaks are certainly fast and fun to paddle, we generally try to discourage people from using them on trips with longer and/or many portages. Portaging kayaks and gear is tricky and time consuming, using up most of the time you gain by having greater efficiency when paddling. A good compromise might be paddling a solo canoe with a kayak paddle. This offers the ability to travel with close to the speed of kayak but the carrying capacity and ease of portaging of a canoe.
Algonquin Outfitters is one of the few outfitters in North America to rent modern solo and “Pack” canoes. We have a variety of solo canoes, including Swift models like the Shearwater, Keewaydin 15 (standard canoe and Pack version) and Pack 13.6. All are approximately 14 – 16 feet long, weigh 35 – 40 lbs. and come with a detachable carrying yoke, since the seat is in the centre of the boat. Gear space varies with the model. They all tend to be narrower than tandem canoes. For a longer solo trip, we recommend the Shearwater or the Keewaydin 15 since they are the most roomy. For more information on the Keewaydin 15, Shearwater and Pack Boat series, check out swiftcanoe.com.
| Rates are based on a minimum two-day charge. PLEASE NOTE: Prices are based on Per Person Per Day |
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Trip Length |
2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 + days |
| Departing from Oxtongue or Opeongo | $97.50 | $92.00 | $87.50 | $83.00 | add $80 per person per day |
2 day minimum rental required ($97.50 per person x 2 days = $195.00 per trip)
Park permit fees are extra and are paid by the client.
We can assist with the route planning and reservation process – please call for details.
This service is included with Ultimate Outfitting and is an option for all Oxtongue Lake, Complete Outfitting customers who feel they might need a basic course in canoe trip skills. One of our staff will lead you on a three-hour mini-trip and cover skills like camp set-up, food storage, portaging and paddling tips. The charge is $25 per person, with a minimum of two adults. Children in the group are free. Available by advance reservation only at Oxtongue Lake.
You need only bring clothing and personal items. If you forget something, our well-stocked stores carry a full selection of outdoor clothing, footwear, camping accessories and much more. Check the personal gear list on our planning page for more details.
Algonquin Outfitters has produced a handy canoe trip planning guide that will make your vacation planning a little easier. 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. (see our full Canoe Trip Planning Guide here)
We recommend making camping permit reservations with the Ontario Parks reservation service before making outfitting reservations. You can make a reservation up to five months ahead of your trip start date. Reservations for Algonquin Park interior trips can be made by calling toll free: 1-888-668-7275 (outside of North America: 1-519-826-5290). Interior camping reservations can also be made online: https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/
To reserve a camping permit, you will need to know what access point you are starting at and the names of the lakes you intend to camp on each night of your trip. To check campsite availability in advance of making a reservation or get route advice, call the Algonquin Park information line at 1-705-633-5572. We can also assist you with the route planning and reservation process – please call for details, with a map handy.
We offer rustic overnight tent cabins and camping facilities for our canoe trip outfitting customers only at our Oxtongue Lake base. The tent cabins are large canvas wall tents with cots inside. Each one sleeps up to five people. We have six tent cabins and showers and washrooms are available. Reservations are required. This accommodation is handy if you decide to drive up to the area the day before your trip starts. We can also send a list of other local accommodation options if you are interested. Please note that other than paddling to a campsite on Lake Opeongo, there is no overnight accommodation at our Opeongo Store.
The most valuable part of our outfitting service is the training, advice and help that our experienced guides and outfitters can offer when customizing a trip, route and equipment to your abilities and desires. Provided for no extra charge, this service is just one of the things that makes any Algonquin Outfitters complete outfitting package among the finest in North America.
You only need to bring your own clothing and personal items! Check out our Canoe Trip Planning page for a suggested list. And, don’t worry if you don’t have a particular piece of clothing or forgot your toothbrush, our stores are well stocked with camping accessories and some great travel clothing.
Need a little help getting started? Add Greenhorn Service to any of our complete outfitting packages to start your trip off with a short course in the basics of camping and paddling. This is a cost-effective way to get your Algonquin Park adventure off on the right foot!
