Visiting Algonquin Park in Ontario
Camping and Hiking in Northern Ontario
Algonquin Park is a favorite destination for campers, hikers, canoeists and anyone just looking to get away from the city.
Algonquin Park is the oldest provincial park in the country, having been founded in 1893. It's very popular tourist destination for anyone who wants a chance to spend some time in the great outdoors.
The park is mainly woodland, with forests of untouched evergreen and deciduous trees. Much of the area is old-growth forest, filled with rocky outcroppings, hills and marshes. Rugged nature at its very best. There are more than 2000 km of streams and lakes for canoing.
Location of the Park
The park is in the north-central part of Ontario, just south of the Trans-Canada Highway. The closest major town is Huntsville, though big cities like Ottawa and Toronto are just a couple hours away by car. Provincial highway #60 runs through the park, providing the main entry spots when arriving by car.
Camping at Algonquin Park
There are 2 kinds of camp sites, those with easy access by car and interior camping that you have to hike or canoe to. Whichever you choose, you need a reservation, even for the remote interior sites. Their website has a full interactive reservation system that can show you which sites are available on any dates. You pay a camping fee for each night you plan on being in the park.
Other Facilities
The very remote interior camping sites have no amenities or facilities other than a designated fire pit for each camp site. Some of the car-camping locations even have electricity, if you're not fond of “roughing it”. There are picnic areas, as well as many marked and maintained trails for short walks or long hikes. There are 2 large museums in the park, allowing you a chance to learn about the location, history and wildlife of Algonquin park. Restaurants and lodges are located both within the boundaries of the park, and in nearby towns. If you've forgotten some supplies or equipment, check out the Algonquin Outfitters store for gear and maps.
Fees and Permits
The fees to use the park may change, so check with the park's website to get the latest details. A daily use permit for a single car is around $15, and that includes access to trails, museums, beaches and all other facilities for the day. If you want to camp at a drive-in access site, the fees are between $25-$35 per car, depending on the campsite. Interior camping is only $10 per night. Their website is not clear as to whether the camping fees are in addition to the daily use fees or not.
