I had this idea that people who read this site might like some ideas about how to go about planning a trip route within Algonquin Park, so I thought I might lay out of few of the trips I have taken, and also lay out some trips that I'd like to take.

Information on how to get these resources is available in the [Information and Further Reading] section of my webpages.
You might also wish to read [Places to get stuff for camping] and [Related Camping Links] for more information.

• Some words on trip planning.
  • Opeongo Lake - Some words of warning.
  • Portaging - Some suggestions.
  • Reservations- For Algonquin Park
• Longer Routes
  • Long Route 1 - Canoeing - 9 or 16 days
  • Long Route 2 - Canoeing - 16 days
  • Long Route 3 - Canoeing - 9 or 16 days
  • Long Route 4 - Backpacking - 9 or 16 days
  • Long Route 5 - Backpacking - 16 days
• Shorter Routes - Still under construction
  • Short Route 1
  • Short Route 2
  • Short Route 3
  • Short Route 4
  • Short Route 5

This file last updated: July 2000

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Please note that all distances within Algonquin Park are measured in metric (kilometers and meters), although the Canoe Route map does have an imperial (feet and inches) scale as well.

As a general rule;
"1 meter = about 39 inches"
"1 kilometer (1 click) = about 0.62 miles (1094 yards)"

First, a few words:
I prefer to be out in the wilderness as long as I possibly can, so it isn't uncommon for me to take trips from 9 to 16 days whenever I can get away. Some people consider these to be extremely long trips, but it usually takes me 3 or 4 days to get myself relaxed enough so I can begin to actually enjoy myself, and another 1 or 2 days to gear myself to the fact that I have to face civilization again at the end of the trip. I also like to take several "rest days" during my trips so that I might take time out to explore my surroundings, take short side trips or just laze around camp and read a book. Feel free to modify my suggestions to suit your shorter timetables, and personal tastes.

** DISCLAIMER **
Please be advised that I am not a "professional outdoorsman", nor do I have any medical training beyond a St. John's Ambulance Standard First Aid Course. My opinions are my own, based on my experiences in the outdoors and shouldn't be taken as a "final word" on the subject. Furthermore, I can not be held responsible for any personal injury or property damage resulting from anything you take away with you from these pages.

Your BEST tool when in the outdoors is your own common sense!

Before you go, make sure you have an itinerary planned and written down. Include your intended route, any side trips, and the dates and times you intend on being at the various destinations along the way. This doesn't have to be an iron-clad document, minor changes made "on the fly" are fine, but it needs to be fairly complete. Should you become lost or injured, this list could provide important information to rescuers when they have to go looking for you.

Also, make sure you make a copy for your family or friend at home, a copy for the Park staff (they will ask you about your route when you buy your permits), leave a copy in your vehicle, and provide a copy for each member of your group in case you somehow become separated along the way.

Most of my long trips centre around Opeongo Lake, since I do not currently drive this is the most convenient place for me to start my trips. Some comments regarding Opeongo, though;

The MNR allows the use of "unlimited horsepower" motors on Opeongo lake, which means that there is always the added danger of having fast-moving boats and their wakes to contend with while paddling your canoe. Also those people who have motors can easily make their way to the northern end of Opeongo and often occupy the campsites in those areas before canoeists can get there. I have, in the past, paddled all day to get to the top of Opeongo only to find that all the campsites already taken by motorboat campers who've had their camps set up for hours. There is a quota system in place for interior campers to ensure that there is a site for everyone who's entered the "Opeongo Region" for that day (180 people per day according to the info I have), but I have been forced to camp on the beach when I was unable to find a "legal" campsite that wasn't occupied by a motorboat. Sometimes you can find someone who's willing to share their site, and usually the Park Rangers are pretty easy on you if they realize that you couldn't find a campsite for the night and you explain to them that you intend to move on in the morning. Opeongo in a high-use area and has an enforced "one night only" camping policy; meaning you can only stay at a campsite on Opeongo for 1 night, then you must move on.

It should also be noted that Opeongo is probably the largest lake within the Park, and this makes it probably the worst lake for high winds, which usually blow from the north end of the lake right into your face as you try to paddle up the lake. High winds and high waves, combined with the motorboats, makes this one of the more dangerous lakes in the Park. It is always a good idea to stay near the shore (a couple of boat-lengths or so) on Opeongo until you make it through the narrows at either the North Arm or East Arm, after that paddling is usually easier.

** PLEASE NOTE: **
A PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is an essential piece of equipment when you find yourself in a small craft on a large body of water like Opeongo. *Always wear your PFD* when you're on big water, even if you can swim. It takes only a fraction of a second to be swamped or thrown out of your canoe, and a PFD could mean the difference between you living to continue your trip or dying.

I should also mention that Algonquin Outfitters does provide a Water Taxi service on Opeongo Lake, but it can be quite pricey. I believe the rate is something like $22-$25 per person, minimum $60 per trip, for them to make the 25 minute run up the lake to either the North or East Arm, and I think that's one-way. It's expensive, but it will save you a whole day of travel if you can manage to find a couple people who're heading in the same direction you are. Water Taxi trips must be reserved, in advance, with a deposit!

See [Outfitters] for more information.

There are many schools of thought on how one should portage. Opinions vary from those who feel you should take everything, pack and canoe, in one load to those, like myself, who feel that two or three trips is fine. Personally, when I'm packed for a 16-day trip, I'm usually carrying upwards of 100 lbs of gear in my backpack, plus I usually have a daypack, and I don't feel the need to bend my spine trying to lug all that plus a canoe on my back in order to make just one trip over the portage.

Usually, on the shorter portages of less than 1000 meters (approx. 1100 yards) or so, I unload my canoe and pull it off to the side of the portage out of the way in case someone else pulls into the same portage, and then I take my backpack the full length of the portage. This gives me a chance to scout out the trail, find any areas that might prove difficult to someone with a canoe on his head, and sort out any confusing parts of the trail. Then, after I've stowed my backpack someplace safe at the opposite end of the portage, I'll walk back to my canoe empty-handed, free to take in the sights along the portage as I walk. Then, for my third and last trip, I take the canoe, my daypack, and any other bits and pieces I have left over.

For longer portages, I like to break the trip down into smaller sections. You'll usually find canoe rests (a horizontal rail nailed between 2 trees used to take the weight of the canoe while you rest) positioned along the portages at intervals of about 500 meters (550 yards) or so, so you can almost count off the distance you've traveled as you go. Breaking a long portage in half, in essence treating it as two shorter portages, makes it easier on you if you're soloing. If you've got two or more people, you could have person-one take their pack and person-two take the canoe. Person-one would walk the entire length of the portage and walk back to the halfway point empty-handed. Person-two would take the canoe to the halfway point and leave it for person-one to carry the rest of the way, then person-two would go back and get his pack and carry it the entire length of the trail. That way, each person only travels the distance twice instead of three times, plus it gives each person some time alone with their thoughts, which is nice. Remember, it's not a race...RELAX!

I also went out and bought the topographic (1:50,000) maps of the Algonquin regions that I travel most frequently. These maps are especially helpful when you're looking for information on the "lay of the land" or contours of the longer portages. I'll often make myself a little graph of a long portage, plotting altitude versus length, and this gives me a basic cross-sectional view of what to expect. A crude sample follows;

    A 1400 |
    L      +                  @@
    T 1300 |                 @@@@
    I      +                @@@@@@
    T 1200 |      @@       @@@@@@@@
    U      +     @@@@     @@@@@@@@@@@@
    D 1100 |    @@@@@@   @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
    E      +  @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
      1000m|@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
           +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
           0   0.5   1   1.5   2   2.5   3   3.5   4000m  Distance

Obviously my sample is a little radical, but you get the idea. In this example, you could expect to find yourself scaling 2 hills during this portage, the second being fairly steep, and you could plan your carry accordingly. I wouldn't do this for every portage I go on, but some of the portages I've tackled are in excess of 3000 meters (approx. 1.5 miles), and it's always nice to know what's coming up. Someone once told me that a longer portage will probably mean fewer people, and more solitude, so I often schedule at least one long portage during my trips.

Making Reservations:

When you phone, mail or fax to make your reservations (and you will have to make a reservation if you want to be assured of a place for interior camping) they will want to know exactly where you intend on going (which lakes), and how long you intend on staying in each location.

Each entry point to the interior of the Park has a quota limitation, and when these quotas are met, the staff will not issue anyone else an interior camping permit. No permit, no camping. This could really mess your trip up, so you must prepare before you leave home -- I suggest you phone (or mail or fax) your reservations in at least 4-6 weeks before you intend on camping, especially if you plan on being in Algonquin Park during July or August, as this is peak camping season.

When you're ready to make a reservation, you should have the following information ready;
1. Your trip itinerary (plus any alternates you'd accept).
2. Your start and finish dates.
3. Your access point (ie: Opeongo Lake or Canoe Lake or whatever).
4. Your credit card number and expiry date.

For more information on Algonquin Park, call (705) 633-5572
or go to The Official Algonquin Park Home Page.
To make a reservation for Algonquin Park (or any park) call 1-888-ONT-PARKS
or go to The Ontario Parks Home Page.
You can also email for information at; info@algonquinpark.on.ca

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