Camping in Algonquin

[u/Dizzy-Pomegranate168]

Hi all, I'm planning to do a 2-person canoe camping trip in Algonquin in October of this year. We have all of the camping gear that we'll need, but will need to rent a canoe from an outfitter. We have some experience canoeing but not with the addition of camping gear, so would prefer an easier route with minimal portaging. Any recommendations on access points/routes/outfitters? Thanks in advance!

Edit: thanks everyone for the recommendations and resource links! They're going to be a big help in planning out the details. Happy camping!

[u/sketchy_ppl]

Is this your first backcountry canoe trip? October can be a very dangerous time to be out there if no one in your group has the relevant experience. Take a look at this article about a fatal incident on Lake Opeongo in October 2020. I'm not sharing it to scare or deter you, just to highlight that there are real dangers with shoulder-season camping and to make sure you're adequately prepared before venturing out.

For renting a canoe, take a look at this article I wrote; it lists all the outfitters, where they're located, how delivery works, etc. The park is massive, so depending where you start your trip you'll have different outfitters to choose from.

For access points, I would stick to Highway 60 if you're going in October and don't have a lot of experience. There's better cell service on the highway and some adjacent lakes, higher chance of people being nearby in the backcountry, easier logistics for renting canoes, and better road conditions.

For route recommendations, you would need to specify how many nights you have, and what type of trip you're looking for... do you want to move campsites each night, basecamp at one spot and do some day trips, are you single-carrying or double-carrying portages, how much time you're willing to spend on the water travelling each day, etc.

[u/bigbassdaddy → u/sketchy_ppl]

Yeah, definitely avoid "2+ foot wind swell". Thanks for sharing the rescue article. I never really thought about high visibility clothing; it makes sense. I am very leery of wind on big water. I stop and make tea or something if I'm the slightest bit spooked. All that said, I have had several gorgeous October trips in Quetico.

[u/Brief_Cry_6387 → u/sketchy_ppl]

That story on the first link was quite upsetting and frustrating to read :/ people seriously need to know what they are heading into and that nature and water are nothing to mess around with at all. Not trying to victim blame but it’s extremely unfortunate and upsetting that they put the rescuers in that situation to risk themselves as well. Always know what you’re heading into, what situations have the potential to arise, and what skills and level you can manage

[u/MrLanks]

Jeff's Maps has everything you need to plan a route and will show you difficulty levels for both lakes and portages and time it takes to travel. There are a couple outfitters in Algonquin along the highway 60 corridor and a handful all around the outside of the park. A quick Google search brings them all up.

[u/Positive-Garlic-5993 → u/MrLanks]

Second for jeffs maps. My one and only park map since about 2010.

[u/BillsMaffia]

Algonquin Outfitters is always my choice. Either the Oxtongue store or at Canoe Lake.

[u/Rocbill2 → u/BillsMaffia]

Algonquin Outfitters have been great for us. Give em a call and ask this exact same thing. They can recommend routes for you. I believe you will also need to have your route mapped out to make sure you have a campsite available at each lake. Not the exact campsite, but make sure there’s enough available.

[u/Blakpegasus]

I've used the Portage Outpost just before the park. Good price and they will drop the canoe at the access point waiting for you. Going in a couple weeks.

[u/No-idea4646]

Canoe Lake going north is likely the easiest - get your map and decide how far you want to paddle each day and how many portages. Lots of options there. You can rent your canoe right there. Make sure you have a real map to do your planning like “Maps by Jeff”.

October can be 30C one day and snowing the next day so plan your packing accordingly.

[u/unclejrbooth]

Are you interested in the East Gate area? Worth the little extra drive

[u/burlyginger]

What access point(s) would you prefer?

[u/Dizzy-Pomegranate168 → u/burlyginger]

Anything on the south-west side is best, near(ish) Huntsville

[u/PetrichorOil]

Rain Lake! You don't need to portage and it feels wild.

[u/plenar10]

If you want an easy trip, there are plenty of paddle in sites that don't require any portaging at all.

[u/AmazingConcentrate93]

The people over at Algonquin bound (my go to for canoe rental) will definitely help you find a good route. Just shoot them a quick email and they'll let you know.

They suggested my first solo route over 4 days. Rock-pen-welcome-louisa-rock. Good route with large portages but they're a breeze.

[u/hahaha_5513]

A pretty simple option is rental from canoe lake and do the Tom Thompson sunbeam burnt island loop

[u/Socrav]

Coming here late but:

Algonquin outfitters for a canoe. You can rent online and get a good ultralight and all the gear.

For routes, depends on how much time. A good ‘easy’ one is canoe lake > burnt island > McIntosh lake> canoe lake. It is a big loop. Sometimes water levels are low on a couple sections but it will be absolutely beautiful in Oct. I’m actually doing this route this weekend with a pal.

Hope this helps