Located within the Canadian Shield, Algonquin Provincial Park is Ontario’s oldest and best known, established in 1893. Algonquin comprises more than 7,600 square kilometres and its topography and geography exhibit extraordinarily rich and diverse plant and animal species. The essence of Algonquin Park is the vast interior of maple and pine-clad hills, rocky ridges and thousands of interconnected lakes, rivers and streams, typical of the Great Lakes forest region. Numerous access points surround the park, allowing for a variety of experiences. Professional outfitters will take care of all details on a guided canoe adventure or can provide equipment and food for a self-guided trip. 

Canoe travel provides the best access to the park and it is possible to paddle both well-traveled and remote routes. Popular access points along the Highway 60 corridor, with its stunning visitors centre, or Opeongo, Canoe or Smoke lakes are well serviced with full or partial outfitting packages available. For ambitious adventurers, the Petawawa River provides thrilling whitewater. Fish for a shore lunch in remote trout streams like the Nipissing River. Try backcountry routes starting at Brent, an historic ghost town from the logging and railway era, situated on spectacular Cedar Lake. Rain and North Tea Lakes, accessible from Highway 11 along Algonquin’s west side almost guarantee moose sightings. 

This is also resort country. With accommodation ranging from grand resorts to small housekeeping cottages, you can explore and stay in comfort. Visitors worldwide come to the park in the fall to see the spectacular colours of the changing leaves. In winter, when trails, lakes and rivers become frozen highways for dog sledders, snowshoers and skiers, parks like Algonquin and Silent Lake offer winter accommodation in yurts, unique six-sided tent-like structures on wooden foundations. 

This landscape was logged extensively in the mid-1800s. You can see historic log chutes and ranger cabins on many canoe routes. The Algonquin Logging Museum and trail illustrates this lively aspect of Ontario’s heritage. There are great biking trails mapped through logging roads in the Bonnechere region. Walks of the Little Bonnechere River allow you to hike to abandoned homesteads, mills and sites that take you back to the time of loggers.

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Article Via Muchmor Canada Magazine - “Discover Your Canada”
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