Part 1 of 4: Algonquin Provincial Park

Probably the most well-known of provincial parks in Ontario, Gully and I consider Algonquin Provincial Park a great ‘primer’ for people new to exploring Northern Ontario’s wilderness. There is a lot of nature, but also … a lot of people.

A secondary highway runs through the park, and there are several campgrounds right off of the highway. The campgrounds vary from fairly private to extremely crowded, so do your research and choose wisely. Of the parks we have visited so far, we recommend Kearney Lake. Without ever having to leave the highway corridor, there are tons of things to do. The first stop should be the slick Algonquin Visitor center, where you can find information on whatever activity you wish to do.

There are many easy hiking trails that can be accessed right from the highway. Many of these trails are ‘interpretive trails’, which means that there are brochures available that give you information about the geography, biology or history of the area around the trail. We are nuts about these trails, and you will find us devotedly stopping at each of the designated points along the trail to read aloud to each other. Yep, we’re a couple of geeks. Our favourite trails are the Big Pines trail and the Beaver Pond trail. Big Pines takes you through a stand of old white pine trees and also past a really old loggers camp. One of the most interesting things about Algonquin Park is the history of the area, such as the logging companies that used to operate in the park, and the loggers who would spend the entire winter in the logging camps, felling the giant white pine trees and sending them down the frozen rivers to the mills to be turned into ship masts. On the Beaver Pond trail, you can learn all about mighty beaver, and probably get to see one or two swimming around the ponds. Believe me, in the thirty minutes or so that it takes to hike the trail, your whole viewpoint on beavers will be altered forever.

Along the highway there are also access points to Algonquin’s backcountry canoe system. These access points are also great places to launch your canoe for a day trip. Try to quickly paddle away from the access points since it is like being stuck in rush hour traffic, only with canoes & kayaks instead of cars. We have never done a backcountry trip in Algonquin, but we have done day trips from the Canoe Lake access point. If you’re interested in canoeing, check out the Portage Store, which is where we rented our canoe. They have tons of information for people looking to explore the park by water. This outfitter, as well as others in the park, can make your life easy if you are planning on doing a backcountry trip. Not only are they supremely knowledgeable, but they can help you by dropping off your canoe at your entry point and picking it up again when you exit. They also rent other supplies besides canoes, such as tents and sleeping bags. Camping supplies are expensive (not to mention a b^#% to store in the off-season) so if you are a novice camper, renting is a great way to go before committing to investing in the necessary supplies. Although, if you make it back alive from your first trip, I can guarantee that you will be hooked for life.

If you’re into art, there is also an art gallery in the park that I love to visit and dream about how I would decorate my (imagined) mansion after I win the lottery. And, as you can probably guess, there is a lot of Group of Seven stuff.