Through our experiences we have compiled an equipment list that makes our trips to Algonquin all that much more of a success.  Hopefully it can be of some help to you as well!  Just scroll down through the page or select an item from the list below.

Canoe I Backpack I Tent I Tarp I Sleeping Bag I Foam Padding
First Aid Kit I Mess Kit & Accessories I Clothes I Provisions
Water Filter I Fanny Pack I Toiletries I Propane Stove I Flashlight I Firestarter I Insect Repellent\Sunblock I Miscellaneous

Canoe - You won't get far without this!  Canoes can be rented from various locations around and in the Park.  For more information on this, you can go to the outfitter section found on the Algonquin Info page.  For those who don't have any previous canoeing history, camping in the Algonquin Park interior is not a good place to start.  Get some experience from a local lake or the likes, just so you can get the feel of a canoe.  There are various lengths and weights of canoes and the important issue is getting the proper canoe for the total weight it will be carrying.  Most years we use a 17' Kevlar which holds us all nicely including our packs.  Two people wouldn't need one that long.  Trying to fit four adults (with or without their gear) is not an idea we would recommend.  Of course, along with the canoe, you'll need paddles.  A properly sized paddle should have the end of the handle come just under the users chin.  Life jackets are not only a good idea but it is also the law.  Be sure to get the proper sized life jacket for all those who will be in the canoe.  Most places will include the life jackets and paddles in with the cost of the rental.  Only once did we have to pay for all items separately.

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Backpack - A necessity for interior camping.  The size of the backpack depends on how much stuff you want to take!  In Canada, you can find a decent backpack at Canadian Tire without paying an enormous price for it.  Dave uses an old army backpack that he got from a surplus store and seems to like it.  Jeff uses a pack with a "rack" for added support.

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Tent - We don't recommend taking a tent that sleeps more than 2 people only because they tend to get big and heavier to carry.  A one man tent is perfect, unless you're claustrophobic or a restless sleeper, then you may want a two man tent.  Two man tents are relatively cheap to purchase.  Remember, a new tent is not waterproof!  There are a wide assortment of waterproofing products on the market.  You may want to look into that!  Although the fiberglass tent poles can get brittle and break, older canvas tents with metal poles just aren't gonna cut it here.

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Tarp - A tarp is a good idea for extra protection against the rain.  Regardless if you've waterproofed your tent or not, you're gonna want a way to detour rain from constantly beating down on it.  Tarps are also good if the rain is continuous and you can't stand sitting in your tent for one more minute (which is probable, especially if it's a one man tent).  The trick with setting up a tarp is to position it on a angle to allow for proper water drainage.  On the other hand, allowing the water to pool in the tarp is a good way to collect water if needed, just don't leave it like that if you go to sleep or you'll wake up under a waterfall.  The accessory that goes hand in hand with tarps is rope.  Bring a fair amount with you as you'll need it for other things besides hanging tarps.

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Sleeping Bag - A good sleeping bag is also an essential item for camping in Algonquin.  The nights tend to be chilly, particularly in the fall.  You don't have to go out and spend huge amounts of money on a sleeping bag but you will want a lightweight, compact bag with a thermal rating good to about 0 ^o C (32 ^o F) and that weighs less than 2 lbs.  Most sleeping bags come with their own "carrying case" that protects them from rips or tears while traveling.  It is possible to carry your sleeping bag inside your pack (as Paul has and Dave does) but it will take up quite a bit of space.  In the off season, it is better to leave your sleeping bag "unrolled" as it will prolong it's life.

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Clothes - The amount of clothes you take is a personal preference but keep in mind that they will take up a lot of space in your pack.  The minimum requirements would include a change of everything and a heavier type of sweater.  A extra couple pairs of socks and underwear would be advisable if you happen to get wet.  If you are so inclined, you can pack your clothes in a garbage bag inside your pack for extra protection.  You can pretty much count on getting a soaker at some point of the trip whether it be accidental or otherwise.  A good reliable footwear is also preferable, although that doesn't necessarily mean an expensive pair of hiking boots.  Paul prefers boots, Dave prefers shoes.  Jeff had shoes but has recently tried boots, so the choice is yours, but make sure they have a good thick soul.  Some of the portages can be rough so you may want some sort of ankle support.

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Provisions - When camping the food isn't necessarily top of the line, but that doesn't mean you're stuck without good tasting options.  One thing to remember is that cans and glass are prohibited in the park, and you must bring all garbage which can't be burned back with you.  Now you could run out and buy those freeze dried meals found at your local camping store, but they're gonna run ya a pretty penny.  Here are some ideas which have worked well for us in the past.

Water Filter - This is a very important piece of equipment. It is possible to drink the water in Algonquin (or maybe we're just big risk takers) but as a rule you should filter the water, especially if you are in a bog or near a beaver dam. Contaminated water may possibly lead to "beaver fever" by consuming the Giardia lamblia bacteria.  Some people choose to boil the water before drinking it, however, we recommend that you use a water filter that is capable of filtering to 0.3 microns.  Most of our filtered water then usually ends up being boiled after that, although we do not boil it to mix with fruit crystals.  Any water should be obtained from the middle of the lake and from as deep as the filter or your arm will allow you.  Ideally, the best place to obtain drinking water is from the runoff of a moving stream or brook. This is the only water we would drink without filtering. It has been our experience that water purification tablets should be used as a last resort or in a emergency situation.  Many times, they are not able to purify the water effectively.  Water filters can be expensive and filters need to be replaced but in the long run, are very worth it.  With our equipment, we have never acquired or even experienced the symptoms of "beaver fever".

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Fanny Pack - This is very useful for easy access to frequently used items which you care not to go digging for in your pack, especially if your pack is on your back and you're carrying a canoe! It's also a good place to store "fragile" items that you wish to keep an eye on, such as a camera.  Some come with a water bottle which is good for the portages (assuming you've filled it with something refreshing!).  Other items that can be carried or we have  carried in a fanny pack include a wallet, cigarettes, map, telescope, keys, and film.  One thing to remember though is that since the fanny pack is usually always attached to you, if you accidentally go for a swim, you're fanny pack is going right with you. 

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Toiletries - Remember to bring small items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, bio-degradable soap, and other hygienic things that may be forgotten.  Oh yes, and don't forget the toilet paper!  Squish it up and stuff it in your pack right now!!!  Not having toilet paper could really dampen the mood on your trip.  Each campsite does have a "latrine", however, the condition of it may be less than desirable.  If you choose not to use these facilities make sure you are a proper distance away from your campsite and it's a good idea to bury it when you're done.

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Stove - Not ever having used one of these while we were in Algonquin, you may want a second opinion about this, but what we do know is that you will NEED one if there is a fire ban in the park. If you are unable to prove you have other means to cook your food other than a fire during a fire ban, you may be denied access into the park.  If you happen to be in the park at the time the fire ban is issued, you may find yourself heading for the nearest exit.  But if you have visions of hauling big huge, green, metal box with "Coleman" slapped on the side of it, then fear not.  Nowadays you can get "mini" stoves that fit in your pack and are relatively light.  They consist of two parts, the propane tank  (right; which have been seen for $1.99 in the off season) and a "burner" (about $20 - $30) which attaches right to the top of the tank. Mind you, it's not gonna hold your steak but it's a good alternative to a fire.  As to how long each tank will last, we dunno, but you can take spare tanks. 

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Flashlight - A good item for any late night washroom breaks or finding out how your sleeping bag got turned into a pretzel in the middle of the night.  Don't lug around one of those huge ones that take four "D" size batteries. A  good "mini flashlight" may use "AAA" batteries and will give off more than enough light.  A good idea when looking for or purchasing one of these is to make sure is has a rubberized casing and not a hard shell one.  Otherwise, you may be in for a surprise when you drop your flashlight on a rock while searching for that elusive "washroom spot" in the middle of the night.  Here's another good idea.  Remember those kerosene lanterns that you had to prime and pump "x" amount of times to try and get them going?  Yeah?  Well, forget 'em.

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Firestarter - The most obvious of these is matches, but not just ordinary matches.  Be sure to obtain waterproof matches and then proceed to put them in a waterproof match container.  When you're camping, one sure thing to remember is that if you get wet, make sure your matches are dry!  A lighter goes hand in hand with matches but is not a good substitute.  If wet, a lighter will usually eventually light again but do you want to be around if it doesn't?  To help you start that fire there are a couple of options.  Jeff carries waterproof fire sticks which claim to light "easily even after being submerged in water".  Paul has a similar product but they resemble candles made out of wood chips.  Their claim to fame is that they last long enough to be able to cook on them, but we have never had to test this theory.  Either or is a good item to have.

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Insect Repellent/Sunblock -  There are many different types of insects in Algonquin and as well, there are many different types of insect repellent available on the market and it wouldn't be uncommon to take more than one. In general, we use Muskol Insect Repellent, which comes with a built in sunblock of 15 SPF (15 being the minimum experts say) and contains 9.5% of DEET. Please make note that DEET is a factor which has been proven to cause cancer and should not be used on children or infants or  prolonged use on adults.  We also use Deep Woods OFF!, and between the two and a little knowledge of insects, we've really had no major problem other then the usual peskiness.  Some of the more common insects you may see (or feel) are mosquitoes, black flies , deer flies/horse flies , and ticks.

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Miscellaneous - Some other items that usually make an appearance with us, or have at least once through the years, include:

Compass - If you should happen to get lost then remember the compass is right, you are wrong.
Binoculars/Telescope - For a better look at the scenery or to find those elusive portage markers!
After Bite - A back up for a failed repellent defense, this "pen-like" ointment should take the sting away.
Ditty Bags - Much like the one your sleeping bag may come in, these are good for a number of things
Knife - Good to have just in case.....and we'll leave it at that.
Saw - You can bring a smaller or collapsible saw if you want but we really see no reason to.  There is always plenty of dead wood lying around.  But now that we've brought it up, we can mention that it is strictly forbidden to cut, saw, chop, break, etc., any living plant within Algonquin Provincial Park.  This is punishable by a fine, I believe...and don't think they won't find out!
Flasks - It's a good idea to have a couple of these to carry various types of liquids.
"Accordion" Jug (right) - That's not the official name, just what we call it.  This is a large water container that folds flat for easy storage.  This is where we store our filtered water.
Sunglasses - Sometimes at sunrise or sunset the reflection off the water will burn your retinas out unless you have these.
Hats - Keeps the sun off your head, bugs out of your hair, and branches out of your eyes.  Of course, they all don't have to be as cool as ours.

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