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Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

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Name and Status

Location and Access

There is one road through Algonquin, namely Highway 60. This only runs through a relatively small part of the park in the south.

There are a number of other access roads leading to remote areas of the park. None of these are through roads and most of them are lengthy unpaved roads. We haven't explored any of these roads, so this report is restricted to what can be seem along and close to Highway 60.

Access to all other areas of this vast park is by hiking trail or by canoe.

Size

What to See and Do

Compared with the National Parks of the western USA and Canada, the views from Highway 60 cannot really be described as spectacular, but the drive through the forest is certainly interesting and extremely pleasant. For scenery, the Muskoka area is probably equal to or even superior to Algonquin. The difference is that the Muskoka area is not a park - it has towns, houses, etc.

The excellent Algonquin Visitor Centre and the equally excellent Logging Museum, both easily accessible from Highway 60, are each well worth visiting.

The various hiking trails accessible from Highway 60 are well worth exploring and for most visitors taking some of these hikes will form the main part of their stay in the park. The trails range in length from short walks of half an hour or so up to hikes of several days intended for backpackers who camp overnight. Many of the trails form loops. Be sure to obtain the park leaflet which includes a map which details the hiking trails - you should get this leaflet when you pay your entrance fee. Taking even a short walk through the forest will enable you to pick up the real feel of the park - something you cannot do just by driving through.

Amongst several others, two good short hiking trails are as follows:

• Whiskey Rapids Trail, starts about four miles from the west gate, about 1.3 miles long, loop, runs alongside a river in places.

• Hardwood Lookout Trail, starts about eight miles from the west gate, about half a mile long, loop, excellent view near the end.

There are also a number of picnic areas, and there is nothing to stop you walking a short distance along some of the other, longer trails and then returning.

It may well be that the Algonquin backcountry offers far more than is apparent from driving through on Highway 60.

The autumn foliage displays in Algonquin are said to be spectacular. The maple trees are at their best at the end of September or early October. The aspens, tamaracks and red oaks reach their peak in the middle or end of October.

When we have visited Algonquin in June the mosquitoes have been very annoying. If you visit during this time then you are sure to take away plenty of unpleasant but not dangerous memories of your trip in the form of bites.

Although Algonquin should certainly be described as unspoilt, some controlled logging operations do take place within certain areas of the park.

Winter Access

Some Ideas for Places to Stay

• Bracebridge

• Gravenhurst

• Huntsville

In the Area

• Muskoka

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee can be paid at either of the entrance stations on Highway 60 or at the visitor centre. The entrance stations aren't huts on the road as at many American National Parks. Instead you have to pull off the road, park, and enter the entrance station on foot. Since you need to display a permit on your car in order to make use of any of the parking areas (for the hiking trails, etc) it is by far the best policy to obtain a permit at the entrance station.

As in most of the Canadian National Parks, cars driving through the park without stopping do not need a permit.

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Most recently modified 3-Feb-04