algonquin park canoe trip

Stay in the Loop

Subscribe for exclusive content, giveaways, new products and more!

• Backpacking
• Backcountry Cooking
• Wilderness Medicine
• Destinations
• TRIP REPORTS

Canoeing , Ontario

Canoeing algonquin: 8 excellent algonquin canoe routes.

Canoe camping is synonymous with Algonquin Provincial Park. Spanning more than 7000 sqkm and featuring 2000 km worth of canoe paths, there are a seemingly infinite number of options for canoeing Algonquin.

While no single article could begin to cover the extensive number of possibilities for Algonquin canoe trips, I’ll highlight a handful of excellent routes to inspire you and assist with your trip planning.

I’ve chosen eight of the best Algonquin canoe routes, each beginning from a different access point. I hope this post helps you choose your next route!

Algonquin Canoe Route Resources

Before we dive into the specific routes, I want to let you know about some resources I’ve developed for planning canoe trips in Algonquin.

All of the Algonquin canoe trip routes listed below have a trip report, which details the day-by-day route, portages, campsites, logistics, and more. You can find the full list of Algonquin trip reports here.

They also have a detailed map (that is interactive!) so you can view the route and make your own modifications to it. You’ll be able to see how long it takes to paddle between destinations, set your speeds and download the results. Click here to learn more about the Route Planner!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated! You can learn more by reading my full disclosure .

7 Algonquin Park Canoe Routes

Few activities are as iconically Canadian as a good old weekend of Algonquin Park canoe camping.

For each of the canoe trips below, I’ve included the access point, distance and possibly trip duration, however, this can be adjusted as you see fit. I’ve also detailed the destination lake, although I haven’t listed every lake passed through on the route. Read the accompanying trip report if you would like the lake / portage / campsite specifics.

Without further ado, here are the best Algonquin canoe routes!

Canoe Lake to Burnt Island Lake

• Access Point: Canoe Lake
• Duration: 3 days
• Distance: 24 km
• Difficulty: Beginner

Burnt Island Lake is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in Algonquin, and its close proximity to Canoe Lake Access Point makes it an easy weekend trip.

Beginning at Canoe Lake, just off of Highway 60 and the location of The Portage Store, there are just two portages (both relatively short) to bring you to Burnt Island Lake. The total paddling distance is about 12 km each way.

Although 3 days would give you more time to explore and enjoy the beauty of the park, this would also be a great 2-day canoe trip in Algonquin.

Read the full trip report here.

Read More : Guided Canoe Trips in Algonquin: The Perfect Introduction to Canoe Camping!

Tim River to Longbow Lake (32 km)

• Access Point: Tim River
• Duration: 2-3 days
• Distance: 32 km

Tim River is known as one of the best Algonquin canoe routes for moose spotting. It’s not uncommon to see 5 or more moose on a single trip! And in case you were wondering, Tim River has no moving water on it.

This route begins at Tim River Access Point, located on the west side of the park. From there, you paddle east toward Longbow Lake, making just two portages and paddling about 16 km each way.

While this route would be reasonable for novice canoeists, I’d suggest doing the trip in 3 days and staying at a site before Longbow Lake, especially if starting the trip on a Friday after a long drive from the city. Tim River is known to be filled with beaver dams that require liftovers – this can get tedious and will slow you down.

All in all, this is a great option for canoeing Algonquin if seeing wildlife is a priority of yours and you don’t mind the occasional beaver dam.

Kingscote Lake to Scorch Lake

• Access Point: Kingscote Lake Access Point
• Duration: 3-4 days
• Difficulty: Intermediate

This trip covers 24 km but do not underestimate it! It is a beautiful and less travelled part of the park, with some long portages and some big lake exposure at the start.

The route starts at Kingscote Lake Access Point, located in the southern panhandle of Algonquin. From there, the route travels north through three lakes (and three portages) until you reach Scorch Lake.

The portages range from 640m to 1.4km, so this isn’t the best route for brand new canoeists. But the portages are well maintained, easy to follow and have minimal elevation gain. Plus, all the portaging means there tend to be very few people on Scorch Lake.

Read the Full Trip Report Here

Barron Canyon

• Access Point: Achray Campground

Barron Canyon is one of the most popular Algonquin Park canoe routes that aren’t in the Highway 60 corridor. This canoe route begins at Achray Campground, located in the northeast of the park (somewhat near the town of Petawawa).

If you’re coming from the GTA, this access point is much further than those other Algonquin canoe routes and you should factor this into your planning.

Barron Canyon is a gorgeous canyon, and this route takes you right through it. As you make your way to the take-out at Squirrel Rapids, you’ll have quite a few portages, the longest of which is about 550 m.

Although a further drive for most people, if you want to canoe Algonquin in an area less travelled than Highway 60, this is a great location!

Wendigo Lake to Radiant Lake

• Access Point: Wendigo Lake
• Duration: 4-5 days
• Distance: 37 km

This canoe route begins at Wendigo Lake Access Point, in the north of the park. From there, it moves south through Allan and North Depot lakes before weaving through small, unnamed creeks until Clamshell Lake. The route out culminated after two more portages when you are brought to the wonderfully named Radiant Lake.

Depending on how much paddling and portaging you care to do in a day, this can be a 4 to 5-day route. Due to the number of portages, I wouldn’t recommend taking fewer than four days.

Tip : One of the campsites on Clamshell Lake has a rope swing into the water!

Rock Lake to Clydegale Lake

• Access Point: Rock Lake
• Distance: 30 km

This is one of the few Algonquin canoe routes that starts south of Highway 60. Beginning at Rock Lake Access Point, this route travels south toward Clydegale Lake via Penn Lake.

The route includes just two portages, neither of which are longer than 400 m. That paired with small, narrow lakes and beautiful campsites make this a good option for a beginner Algonquin canoe trip, especially if you do it over three days.

Source Lake Loop

• Access Point: Source Lake
• Duration: 5 days

This is the perfect Algonquin Park canoe trip if you don’t mind a lot of portaging.

Beginning from Source Lake Access Point, located off of Highway 60, the route goes south toward Tanamakoon Lake before swinging north again toward Canisbay Lake.

From there, a series of long portages bring you to Owl Lake, via Linda Lake (three portages in total, between the lengths 930 m and 2,600 m). Finally, the route goes south again, returning to your starting point on Source Lake.

As I said, lots of portaging! In total, this route has about 9 km of portaging so if you’re thinking about choosing a route like this, ensure you pack light.

But if you’re willing to do the work, this is Algonquin Park canoe camping at its finest – great campsites, tons of different lakes and a lot of portaging. (It’s no wonder many people call canoe trips “portage trips”!

Read More : Algonquin Park Canoe Rentals: How to Choose Your Next Outfitter

Petawawa River: Lake Travers to McManus Lake

• Access Point: Lake Travers
• Duration: 4 days
• Distance: 49 km

I believe this is one of the best Algonquin canoe routes, especially if you’re a whitewater fanatic like me. The Petawawa River flows east through the northern section of the park; first, it flows with little current through a series of lakes, but after Lake Travers it really gets flowing.

From here, there are a dozen fun Class I and Class II rapids to paddle – and there is only one definite portage (a 1.4 km portage around a chute). If you’ve done a little bit of whitewater paddling and want to test your skills, this is a great river because all of the major rapids have portage trails, allowing you to easily scout the rapid or skip it if it’s beyond your skill level.

In addition to great water, there are great campsites in this part of the park. The route naturally ends at McManus Lake, after which point you can’t paddle any further (the river leaves the park and crosses into government property).

As this is one of the few Algonquin Park canoe routes that has whitewater paddling, so ensure you have the necessary skills to paddle a route like this.

Lake Opeongo to Canoe Lake (58 km)

• Access Point: Lake Opeongo
• Distance: 58 km

This route connects two of the most popular lakes in Algonquin via Happy Isle and Burnt Island lakes and is suitable for a trip of five days or so.

Starting in Lake Opeongo, it follows the northwest arm of the large lake toward Happy Isle Lake, before tracing southwest toward Burnt Island Lake. It ends at Canoe Lake, where you can pick up an ice cream come from my beloved Portage Store.

As far as Algonquin canoe trips go, I’d rate this one as intermediate due to the number of long portages: there are three portages longer than 900 m, including one that is 2.8 km. Also, never underestimate the power of the wind on Lake Opeongo – white caps are common and can be dangerous for novice paddlers.

If you canoe Algonquin regularly and are looking for a bit of a challenge, I think you’ll enjoy this route!

Canoe Routes in Algonquin – Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve found this post useful and have a better idea of which Algonquin canoe routes you’ll choose for your next adventures. If you have any questions, please reach out or head over to the full archive of detailed Algonquin canoe trip reports .

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

MY FAVOURITE GEAR

Fleece Sweater

Down Jacket

Hiking Boots

Hiking Shirt

Hiking Pants

8 thoughts on “ Canoeing Algonquin: 8 Excellent Algonquin Canoe Routes ”

Stay in touch.

Join our community of outdoor adventurers - you'll find trip inspiration, gear discussions, route recommendations, new friends and more!

Like these lakes and sites need even more traffic and peoples garbage. Thanks for spoiling these gems.

Thank you for the comment but I disagree. I don’t believe in keeping places a secret in order to protect them. I believe in educating others on how to use the land in respectful ways, by leaving no trace and regonizing those whose land we recreate on.

Thank you. Interesting read and a good blog.

Great article, im glad you shared these gems. I am looking to do my first canoe camping trip and found this post. I have only ever camped at regular camp grounds before, so this is an exciting adventure. I certainly will leave no trace behind! Thanks again for the info

You’re very welcome, Mike! Have a great time and thanks for leaving no trace 🙂

I’m so glad to have come across voyageur tripper it’s due time

Glad you found me!

Hi Mikaela! Thanks for this lovely post. I am an intermediate paddler, and typically do a couple of 4-day trips each year (May and September), usually with a buddy. This year we are each bringing one of our kids (my daughter is 21, his son is 12). What we all really love is fishing, and brook trout in particular! Can you recommend a 4-day beginner route, perhaps one that starts at Opeongo where we can get a headstart with a water taxi? (I know it’s cheating, lol) that would be great for brook trout. Thanks in advance 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Facebook Group

EXPLORE MAJESTIC ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK

Canoe Excursions Exploring Pristine Canadian Wilderness

PLAN YOUR NEXT UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE IN ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK, ONTARIO

Algonquin Park is a world famous wilderness park just north of Toronto, Ontario. It is known as one of the best provincial parks in Canada to go for a canoe camping trip. With thousands of kilometres of canoe routes and hundreds of campsites, the best way to explore Algonquin Park is on a wilderness canoe trip.

Algonquin National Park is 7,653 km² in area. This is equivalent to 1/4 the size of Hawaii or Belgium. Within its’ borders there are roughly 3,000 moose, 2,000 black bears, and 40 packs of wolves. There are also thousands of beaver, deer, otters, fishers, and many other small animals. And one of the best ways to spot them is on a canoe trip. From a canoe you can paddle quite close to grazing moose, in their natural environment, and get some great photos.

The wild beauty of Ontario, Canada

Call Of The Wild has been professionally guiding canoe trips in Algonquin Park since 1993.

We are one of the oldest continuously running canoe tripping companies in Ontario, and also one of an elite few that own a Lodge in the Algonquin Park area. We have experienced canoe guides, modern light weight camping equipment, and carry full commercial liability insurance.

SEASONAL TRIPS

You will have an unforgettable adventure, led by a reliable experienced company.

SUMMER CANOE TRIPS

Winter snowmobile trips, 3 day canoe trip $495/ friday - sunday.

4 Day Canoe Trip $650/ Monday - Thursday

5 Day Canoe Trip $795/ Sunday - Thursday

6 Day Canoe & Lodge Trip $840/ Tuesday - Sunday

7 Day Canoe & Lodge Trip $950/ Friday - Thursday

Summer Schedule

3 Day Multi-Adventure $595

3 Day Snowmobile Trips $1860

5 Day Snowmobile Safari $2550

Dog Sledding Day Trips $225

Winter Schedule

CANOE AND CAMPING TRIPS IN ALGONQUIN PARK

During the summer we offer a variety of  canoe trips in Algonquin Provincial Park . Our Algonquin Park canoe trips last from 3-5 days and are suitable for all levels of experience and fitness. We provide all the equipment, meals, canoe guides, and permits. We can even provide transportation from Toronto. We also offer “The Algonquin Explorer” which combines a 3 night stay at the award winning Algonquin Eco-Lodge with a 3 or 4 day canoe trip.

3 day Algonquin Park Canoe Trip  – a great introduction to wilderness camping and canoeing.

4 day Algonquin Canoe Trip  – for people who want a bit more adventure, and to see more of Algonquin Provincial Park.

Algonquin Explorer  – a 6 or 7 day long wilderness lodge and canoeing trip perfect for family adventures.

View Summer Canoe Trips Schedule & Prices

SNOWMOBILE TOURS IN ONTARIO

Snowmobiling is a huge sport in the  winter .  Ontario has more groomed snowmobile trails than paved highways! More than 25,000 km of smooth trails through spectacular scenery.  Travelling by snowmobile you can see remote areas of the province, cross frozen lakes, and spot wildlife along the way. We have a couple of snowmobile trips in Ontario to choose from.

3 Day Haliburton Highlands & Algonquin Park Snowmobile Safari  – a nice loop snowmobile trip for beginners. We stay at some gorgeous lodges and resorts along the way. This is an award winning trip, as selected by the Canadian Tourism Commission!

5 Day RAP Ride  – Round Algonquin Park. This trip takes us on an 850 km loop around Algonquin Park. It features lots of twisty trails, and fast straightaways!

Call Of The Wild has been guiding canoe trips in Algonquin Park since 1993.  We started out offering 3 day canoe trips on weekends only, but soon expanded to also offer 4 and 5 day outings.  We caught a lucky break in our early years and were featured on the front page of the Globe & Mail.  After that we were quite busy, and started running winter adventures as well. By partnering with management consultants we soon started organizing team building retreats. For some very high impact sessions we have even flown in instructors from the RAF in Britain.

In 2001 Call Of The Wild purchased the Algonquin Wilderness Nordic Lodge. Set in an idyllic wilderness location, on the shore of a private lake and a cascading waterfall this off-grid lodge was a perfect base for our winter adventures and some of our summer canoe trips. However, we had bigger plans for it. After much hard work, renovations, and investment we transformed it into the award winning Algonquin Eco-Lodge. It is now powered by a micro-hydro turbine that provides 100% of our electrical needs. We even have enough electricity for an outdoor carbon neutral hot tub!

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Guest reviews.

Just wanted to give my whole hearted thanks for being such a great guide this weekend. It is often really hard for me with dietary restrictions to really enjoy myself……I’m not really that fun when I’m hungry! But you guys were amazing. I was in BC when Eva asked me if I would go with her and I didn’t have a computer so I wasn’t really sure what I had signed up for but I’m glad I did it. My only regret is that I’m already home in Toronto. I hope to be able to do another one of your company’s adventures soon and hopefully you can teach me a few more constellations.

Krystal Fox Toronto, ON – 03/08/12

I just came back from the 3 day trip at Algonquin Park. I wanted to let you know how wonderful the trip was, mainly because of our guide Trevor. He did a fantastic job and was knowledgeable, patient and flexible which made the trip so enjoyable.

We enjoyed the trip so much that we are considering booking a second 3 day trip in the fall.

Lauren Curtis Toronto, ON – 11/07/14

Robins’ help made my stay and snowmobile / dog sled tours easy and enjoyable.

Mike Sheridan, United Kingdom – 12/03/17

YEAR-ROUND ADVENTURE

SUMMER TRIPS

WINTER TRIPS

LAST MINUTE SPECIALS

PACKING CHECKLISTS

Its time to explore the canadian wilderness., eat, explore and experience.

See what our local community has to offer.

Guided Algonquin Park Canoe Trip

Algonquin Park guided day trips typically include canoes, paddles, safety equipment, life jackets, an Algonquin Park map for the group, picnic lunch, transportation of canoes to/from the park, and the services of an experienced guide.

A guided Algonquin Park day trip is a great way to get a taste of what canoe tripping in Algonquin Park is all about. Canoes, paddles, all safety equipment, lunch and transportation from our store to and from Algonquin Park are provided. While exploring part of the park by canoe, one of our skilled guides will introduce you to the art of canoe tripping. You’ll see beautiful scenery, perhaps view some wildlife and learn fundamental paddling, portaging and safety skills. If you don’t have the time or you’re not quite sure you’re ready to take on the challenge of a multi-day canoe trip, why not try a one-day guided canoe trip with Algonquin Outfitters?

Participants should arrive at our Oxtongue Lake base no later than 9 am.

Trip Overview

Book a reservation.

• Oxtongue Lake

What's Included

Algonquin Park guided day trips typically include: a canoe, paddles, safety equipment, life jackets, Algonquin Park map for the group, picnic lunch, transportation to and from Algonquin Park, and the services of one of our experienced guides.

Good To Know

Reservations.

Reservations are required for all guided trips and bookings should be made at least four weeks in advance, if possible, to ensure guide availability. This package is only available at our Oxtongue Lake store.

If you have questions, please call 1-800-469-4948 or 1-705-635-2243 You can book by phone or online.

Related Trips

Guided Canoe Lake Trip

Muskoka River

Old Railway Bike Trail

All of Algonquin

There's a lot of Park out there. Let's see what we can find.

Algonquin Park Trip Reports

Algonquin Backcountry Trip Reports

As much as I love paddling in Algonquin, I also love writing about Algonquin. Since I started this project in 2016 I’ve written a report for every trip I’ve taken. You can find them all below in the sortable table, which is organized by access point and by date. There is also a search bar, and I’ve included the lakes visited on each trip so that you can search by individual lake.   

  *Just a note. Most of my trip reports reference Jeff’s Maps’ Algonquin Map and, in many cases, actually link to the website. Jeff’s Map has since been reborn as Maps by Jeff so I’ll apologize in advance for the dead links if you try to follow the links in my reports. I highly recommend checking out Maps by Jeff if you like what you see in the reports. His new map takes everything that was great about the original and levels it up.

Share this:

Hi! I'm Jess.

the girl with the maps

Canada , Destinations , North America , Outdoor Adventures , Travel , Travel Guides · April 18, 2022

Smoke Lake Loop: Algonquin Park Canoe Routes

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

Smoke Lake, Algonquin Park is one of the best places to start off on a canoe trip! Algonquin Provincial Park spans more than 7000 square kilometers which leaves you with endless canoe route possibilities. In my trip report series, my goal is to share with you my experience as I explore various parts of Ontario’s oldest provincial park. In this detailed trip report I’ll go over the easiest way to get to Smoke Lake, the closest outfitter, what to look out for on the route and some spots you don’t want to miss!

• Route Overview
• How To Get There
• Closest Outfitter

Day 1 – Smoke Lake to Ragged Lake

Day 2 – ragged lake to kirkwood lake, day 3 – kirkwood lake to head lake, day 4 – head lake to little island lake, day 5 – little island lake to smoke lake, route overview: smoke lake algonquin park.

This route is about 43 km long and includes 12 portages, the longest being 1700m. I would recommend this route for an experienced canoe camper. On top of the significant daily mileage, some of the portages are difficult due to the extreme incline so definitely ensure you feel confident with your canoe camping and portage skills before you take on this route. You must make reservations for this route. Reservations can be made 5 months in advance on the Ontario Parks website .

How To Get There:

Smoke Lake is Access Point #6 in Algonquin Park. It is an easy 3 hour drive from the GTA. The entire drive is on well-maintained paved roads with multiple road stops available with washrooms and restaurants. The Smoke Lake parking lot is not paved but a fairly even gravel lot. Although it might be tempting to park your vehicle close to the water I recommend parking it at the back of the lot near the washroom, water refill station and garbages. This area gets the most amount of shade and least amount of daily traffic so it’s a good place to park for 5+ days. You can drive to the dock, unload all of your belongings and then go to park at the back of the lot.

Closest Outfitter:

Smoke Lake Algonquin Access Point is right across the street from The Portage Store . I have rented a canoe countless times from this outfitter and have had an amazing experience each and every time. You can book online in advance for the dates of your trip. They offer a wide variety of canoes – the 16FT Ultralight Kevlar Canoe is my favourite! They also offer other gear rentals such as lifejackets, food barrels, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and more! Right around the corner from this outfitter you will find the Canoe Lake Permit Office. If it’s your first time in the park I recommend going in and asking any questions you might have. You can also pick-up a map and other safety items here.

Daily Stats:

• 1 portage – 240m

I love the paddle down Smoke Lake and into Ragged. Smoke Lake does tend to have a pretty heavy wind, I recommend sticking to the shoreline and taking your time. Aim to be at the access point before 9:00AM and you will have lots of time to grab your rental, pack up and be at your first site in the early afternoon. I’ve stayed on two different sites on Ragged and I loved both of them! You can’t go wrong with an island site! I’ve attached a full map of my favourite sites on this loop at the end of this article.

• 4 portages – longest is 590m

This is a long day of paddling through 5 different lakes to get to a little island oasis on Kirkwood Lake. I recommend starting the day early and with a hearty breakfast as the first portage of the day, which is also the longest portage of the day, is nicknamed the Devil’s staircase! Let me tell you, it is true to its name! Thankfully there are logs in place acting as stairs to help you up the very steep incline. Picture yourself with a 30lb pack on and a 48lb canoe on your shoulders and then picture yourself doing box jumps for 15 minutes straight – that’s what this climb felt like!

Safe to say after that portage we needed a portaging break – we opted to paddle the 2.7km around Big Porcupine Lake instead of taking the 395m portage into the lower half of the lake. The rest of the day was a gorgeous paddle and we managed to get to Kirkwood Lake in the early afternoon and snagged our favourite site.

This is the island site directly across from the portage landing. Sadly, when we arrived we discovered someone had left eggshells in the fire and alcohol bottles under some trees. After we cleaned up the site and searched to ensure there were no other food remnants, we felt safe to stay there and had another lovely experience on the island. If you’re new to the backcountry make sure you check out the Leave No Trace Principles . Leaving food and garbage behind for other paddlers diminishes their experience and is also very detrimental to the environment.

• 3 portages – longest is 1035m

This day was much shorter than yesterday although we were racing with the rain clouds to get to our site before it downpoured. The paddle up into Harness Lake is one of my favourites, one day I want to stay on Harness Lake and I recommend it if you’re interested in making this a shorter day. Harness Lake is so peaceful, we didn’t pass any other paddlers and we saw a beaver although we didn’t manage to get any photos!

After the long portage into Head Lake, we quickly stopped by the Head Lake Falls. Once you exit the portage stay right on Head Lake and you’ll enter into a little bay. You will find the falls at the end of the bay as well as one of my favourite campsites on Head Lake. Unfortunately, that site was taken so we headed for the site on the point across the lake and settled in there before the rain came. The point site was very large, well maintained and a great flat spot to set up camp and hunker down in a rainstorm. On a sunny day this spot would be perfect for swimming – I can’t wait to go back to that site in better weather!

• 8.5km total
• 3 portages – longest is 1640m

After a rainy night on Head Lake we were excited when we realized we were only a short paddle from the portage landing. The first portage of the day is almost 2km long so it’s important to make sure you’ve had a good breakfast, you’re hydrated and you’ve packed up as efficiently as possible. This portage is long but relatively flat, making it a semi-enjoyable walk through the woods.

After the long portage we entered into Cache Lake which is right along Highway 60. It has cottages which I personally like to paddle past and admire! It is also a lake that allows motorized boats so I recommend sticking to the shoreline as much as possible to stay out of the wake. After an easy paddle and 2 short portages, we settle in at our favourite Little Island Lake site.

• 2 portages – longest is 895m

Little Island Lake is one of my favourites in Algonquin Park, every time I am on this lake I never want to leave. Sadly, we had to head home so after a beautiful morning swim, it was time to pack up and get paddling! Typically, if you leave camp at around 9:00AM you can make it back to the Smoke Lake Access Point by around 11:00AM or noon which gives you lots of time to head back into the city.

If you had extra time, I would recommend booking 2 nights on this lake. It is nice to have 1 day without any paddling or setting up and taking down camp. Little Island Lake is the perfect place to have a zero day!

Smoke Lake Loop – Favourite Campsites

This post was all about the Smoke Lake Algonquin Park Canoe Loop. I can’t wait to try out more canoe routes this upcoming season! Let me know if you have any suggestions in the comments below.

Share this:, you’ll also love.

How to Make an Inspiring Online Vision Board

Let’s be friends!

My newsletter comes packed full of adventure planning inspiration, slow living tips, wellness resources, community updates and amazing freebies.

By providing your email address above, you expressly consent to receiving electronic communications from thegirlwiththemaps.com . You may withdraw your consent at any time. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.

I created this site to help you start your next life adventure. Whether that be your first hiking trip, solo travel or transitioning to a low waste lifestyle. What will you do next?

Destinations

• North America
• Sustainable Living
• Health and Wellness
• Personal Development
• Free Resources

Work With Me

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 the girl with the maps · Theme by 17th Avenue

Privacy Overview

Hiking, biking, ethical travel, and outdoor activity in Canada and around the world

5 Day Canoe Trip Route in Algonquin Park, Ontario

Looking for a quintessential Canadian adventure? Try a canoe trip in Ontario. Ontario is far better known for its breathtaking lakes and  paddling routes than its hiking routes. Though La Cloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney was a great backpacking trip, I think I’ll stick to canoeing in Algonquin. Here is an 80km, 5 day canoe trip route in Algonquin Park that is tough but rewarding. Starting and ending at the Kiosk Lake entry point in the northwest corner of the park, this loop covers serious distance and hits some of the most beautiful lakes in Algonquin Park.

Where:  Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada When:  May through September (hot and buggy in the middle of Summer, probably best in August and September) Length:  80km loop (64.5km paddling and 15.5km portaging), 4-7 days Canoe Trip Base Cost:  $12/day for Backcountry Reservations, $12 Reservation Fee, $15-infinity/day for food, $45/day for canoe rental = ~$300 for a 5 day trip Additional Variable Costs:  fuel for your stove, food barrel rental, any new camping gear, a car rental, gas money, a flight, accommodation outside the park, beer, etc.

5 Day Canoe Trip Loop in Algonquin

Route overview.

This route starts in my favourite part of the park: the Kiosk Lake access point. Kiosk Lake is in the NW corner of Algonquin. Having paddled much of the South section as well, I must say that Kiosk is preferred over the more popular Canoe Lake access point. It’s a bit further from Toronto, but is certainly worth it for a bit more peace, cliffs, beaches, and glass lakes. The route is fairly challenging – long days with many portages – but lets you see a lot in a short time. We did the route in 4 days plus a 10 minute paddle on the 5th morning, so this could easily be a 4 day route instead.

Jeff’s Algonquin Map is incredibly useful. Use the electronic copy to plan, and then take the hard copy with you – it is truly all you need!

For canoe trips in Algonquin, you book a lake for each night. You can’t book a specific campsite; just the lake you intend to stay on. Campsites are first come first served, so it’s usually worth it to wake up early and get to camp early to snag that site with the view of the sunset and perfect swimming rock!

Day 1: Kiosk Lake to Mouse Lake (13km paddle, 3km portage)

If you’re willing to wake up as early as we were, the day starts in Toronto with a 4 hour drive to Algonquin. After checking in at Algonquin North Outfitters  for paddles, life jackets, a food barrel and boats, we arrived at Kiosk Lake around 10:30am. Day 1 is tough but doable. Jeff of Jeff’s Maps budgets just under 5 hours from Kiosk to Mouse Lake. Since we were able to do each portage in one trip and we were full of gumption, we made it to camp well before 5pm and enjoyed a lovely box of Riesling around a campfire. A hearty dinner of sausages and corn set us up fabulously well for a tough Day 2 that awaited!

Number of portages:  4

Average length of portages:  700m

Longest portage:  1165m

Shortest portage:  410m

Day 2: Mouse Lake to Three Mile Lake (14km paddle, 6.5km portage)

Here is fair warning: Day 2 kind of sucks! It’s a LONG day with lots of portaging, but it’s the worst day of them all. Anyway, it’s best to get it out of the way! We started a bit late due to a much needed sleep in and got to work. Breakfast was a treat – bacon and eggs on english muffins. However, the rest of the day wasn’t quite so enjoyable.The food barrels were close to full, and each step was laborious to say the least. Luckily, the good weather made up for our physical exhaustion. With good company and high spirits, it’s a challenge that rewards big with beautiful campsites all throughout Three Mile Lake.

Number of portages:  8!!!

Average length of portages:  830m

Longest portage:  1700m

Shortest portage: 170m

Day 3: Three Mile Lake to North Tea Lake East (16.5km paddle, 3.5km portage)

Having completed our gruelling second day with its 8 portages, Day 3 was a real treat. The sun shone bright and the lakes were impossibly calm. An earlier start and a significantly shorter day meant getting to camp with lots of time to spare! We arrived just after 4pm at the campsite of the century. It sits on a small island. The island hosts two sites, but as luck would have it, we had the island to ourselves. With the perfect rocks for both sunbathing and swimming, the early evening was spent playing cards, reading books, chatting a bit and laughing a lot. Dinner was our best yet – pizza!! – and we wined and dined in bliss. Perhaps a bit too much wine actually, but how else does one lighten the load for the following day?

Number of portages:  7

Average length of portages:  500m

Longest portage:  1200m

Shortest portage: 50m

Day 4: North Tea Lake to Kiosk Lake (18km paddle, 2.5km portage)

The last full day of the loop takes you back to Kiosk Lake. If you are in a rush, you can easily paddle the remaining 3.5km to your car. Our trip was not yet over, however, and we spent this leisurely day finishing all of our snacks and taking our sweet time. A lovely lunch on the beach just before the 1300m portage was enjoyed – hummus and all. Today’s route is predominantly paddling. Luckily, we had a strong tailwind that pushed us  through our groggy morning and took us to our final campsite. Kiosk Lake is understandably busier than the rest with cottages and motorboats. As such, getting in early with plenty of time to pick the best site is important! The best campsites on Kiosk are farthest from the access point, so keep that in mind when planning your day.

Average length of portages:  630m

Longest portage:  1355m

Shortest portage: 265m

Day 5: Kiosk Lake to Exit (3km paddle)

Depending on where you stay on Kiosk Lake, this 5 day canoe trip loop in Algonquin should really be considered a 4 day loop. We stayed on a site less than 15 minutes from the parking lot. Our campsite wasn’t the best of the trip, but it was certainly enough for one final hurrah in Algonquin Park. An early wake up call got us to our cars before 10am, and a mandatory stop at a diner in North Bay was a delicious re-entry into civilization. I have found that with both my trip on La Cloche Silhouette Trail   and this canoe trip, adding a diner with a classic breakfast to the final day is unmissable! If you’re ever in North Bay, hit up Burger World  for an affordable all-day breakfast with fast and friendly service.

Roses n Thorns

Rose (the best part).

The island campsite on North Tea East Lake was unforgettable and unmatched. North Tea is well known for being one of the most beautiful lakes in Algonquin, and this site was just the cherry on top. It had a perfect swim area, generous seating around a foolproof fire pit, a sunset view, and a bit of a hill for a unique view of the lake. Because of its awesomeness, we also decided to be liberal with our wine consumption. It was a wonderful, wine-filled evening in a setting no words can describe.

Thorn (the worst or most hilarious part)

I must say that Day 2’s portages took us by surprise. Getting in and out of the boat 8 times was a lot. The distances were far, and the bugs were buzzing. To make things worse, one of the shoulder straps on the 60L food barrel I was carrying broke early into a 1.3km portage. Carrying the barrel on one shoulder while holding it with my other hand was frustrating and uncomfortable to say the least! I was having Type 2 Fun at best…

Bud (the new friend)

On the first day at the end of the very first portage, I reached a group of six women who were packing their boats to paddle onwards. We exchanged a few pleasantries. The highlight was watching them chat, laugh and joke around with each other with carefree spirit and genuine happiness. To top it all off, one of them whipped out a Mickey of Fireball. After passing the bottle around until it was dry, they paddled away, laughing harder than they had been before. I can only hope that my friends and I are as hardcore and hilarious as they are one day.

Gear and Food List

Canoe tripping requires slightly more gear than a hiking trip. Naturally, you’ll need the canoes. Algonquin North rents boats, barrels, and anything else your group may need for a canoe trip. You’ll want a stove and cooking kit, but will also have the luxury of cooking over a fire. Of course, you’ll need your sleeping kit and a pack to carry it all in as well. See my  Gear for the Trail  list for a decent list to start. Make sure you bring a map (Jeff’s Map of Killarney can be ordered/bought  online ). You are in bear country, so you’ll need a bear bag and rope to hang it.

Yes! Canoe tripping WIN!! Since you are not carrying packs over long distances each day, you can bring all sorts of fun stuff! On a canoe trip you are less concerned about weight, and can therefore bring fresh veggies, eggs, meats, and other items that would never fly on a hiking trip. Here are some ideas:  Food on the Trail . In general, my days look like this… Breakfast:  hot oats on short days, cold granola with milk powder on long days. On Day 2, we even had bacon and eggs on english muffins! Lunch: wraps! Salami, hummus, mustard, and all the veggies made for pretty gourmet lunches. We supplemented with snacks throughout the day including pepperoni sticks, sour gummies, granola bars, GORP, and dried fruit. Dinner:  more gourmet coming your way. We had sausages & corn, mac n’ cheese, pizza over a fire, and one night of prepared dehydrated meals.

Make it Happen

• Understand the route and pick a time of year you want to go. You may choose to make this a shorter or longer trip depending on your preference and experience.
• Choose your route/itinerary, and where you will stay each night so you can book your campsites. Again, you book a lake instead of a specific site. This can be done online .
• Book your canoes! In high season, the light boats that are best for portaging can be scooped up quickly. The boats we rent are the Ultra Light Kevlar 16′ ones, and the rates can be found here . You will also need a food barrel (protection from bears).
• If flying, fly into Toronto (YYZ) and rent a car from the airport to drive to Algonquin. The access point is Kiosk Lake.
• The fun begins! Plan your meals, get your gear in order, and gather a group of super cool people to make it awesome
• Get outside and do the thing

Whether you are looking for more Escapes from Toronto or something else in Canada , get outside and go already!

If you would like to paddle this canoe trip in Algonquin and need advice, tips, or guidance, please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] 🙂

Click the image to pin it for later!

I’ve also painted a few small landscapes from Algonquin Park. They are for sale, and can be found on my art shop !

Related posts

One reply to “5 day canoe trip route in algonquin park, ontario”.

I love this! Canada is beautiful

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

• General Park Information
• Recreational Activities
• Visitor Centre, Museum and Exhibits
• Natural and Cultural History
• Park Lodges and Outfitters
• Commercial Services

Events Calendar

• Park Management
• Participate
• Become A Member
• eNews Bulletins
• Store Locations
• Find a Retailer
• Become a Retailer
• Live Algonquin Park Webcam
• Canoe Routes Map Online
• Video Gallery
• Algonquin Park Archives Online
• Submit your Algonquin Park Images
• Wild Bird Cam - Live Stream
• Accomplishments
• Memberships
• Educational Programs
• Board of Directors
• Contact The Friends
• Canoeing (Day Trips)
• Dog Sledding
• Hunting and Trapping
• Interpretive Walking Trails
• Snowmobiling
• Wildlife Watching
• Travel Trade Industry
• Contact Algonquin Park

Current Weather

Black bear safety, 3 black bear safety rules, 1. never feed or approach a black bear.

The Black Bear is an intelligent animal, with the ability to remember food locations and can quickly become accustomed to human sources of food. People who feed bears are creating problems for everyone.

2. Store Food Out of Reach of Black Bears

Developed Areas - In developed campgrounds and picnic areas , store all your food (including pet food) inside the closed trunk of your vehicle, if possible. Do not store food, cooking utensils or fragrant items, such as soap, toothpaste, or shaving cream in your tent.

Use a bear-proof food storage locker in developed campgrounds if you can not store food in the trunk of your vehicle. See your campground office for details.

Backcountry - When camping in the backcountry , put all food in a pack and hang it well off the ground, and away from the vicinity of your tent. The pack should be at least 4 metres (~13 feet) off the ground and 2 metres (~7 feet) away from the tree trunk. It is also wise to hang your pack away from your sleeping, cooking and eating, and canoe storage areas.

Illustrations by Mike Clelland

3. Keep a Clean Campsite

In developed campgrounds , reduce the availability of garbage, and consequently garbage odours, by depositing your garbage daily in the bear-proof waste containers . Clean your picnic table and barbecue after every use, and be sure any spilled grease is cleaned up.

When camping in the backcountry , burn any food scraps and fat drippings (no plastics, styrofoam, or aluminum foil) thoroughly in a hot fire. Any remaining garbage should be placed in your litter bag and suspended along with the food. To eliminate food odours, dishes should be washed immediately after each meal (preferably well away from your campsite, and not in the adjacent waterbody).

Most human-bear encounters result in no damage to property or harm to people but bears are powerful animals and the potential for damage or injury must be taken seriously.

Visiting Black Bear Country

Although Black Bears are reasonably common in Algonquin Park, with the population thought to be around 2000, there is no particularly good place for them and you will have to be very lucky to see one.

Bears, like most animals, constantly look for food. Since bears will hibernate and not eat for up to five months during the winter, they need to find enough food during the rest of the year to restore their fat reserves. Black Bears most often eat nuts, berries, vegetation, or insects and grubs found by ripping apart rotting logs. Their diet can also include young deer fawns, moose calves, spawning suckers, or any carcasses they may find.

Bears are normally shy of humans and quickly get out of your way. However, if they've had luck finding food at campsites, some bears lose their fear and start visiting campsites regularly looking for something to eat. These "campsite" bears can become persistent and destructive nuisances.

Fortunately, human-bear encounters are rare in Ontario. Increasing your awareness about the importance of a clean campsite, proper disposal of garbage, and what to do when a bear does get too close will help ensure your camping vacation is a safe and memorable experience.

Each year, Park staff spend hundreds of hours dealing with problem bears. As visitors camping in bear country, you have a responsibility to follow the bear rules and to know what to do if you encounter a bear.

Encountering a Black Bear

If you encounter a Black Bear it is likely to react in one of four ways.

• Fleeing Bear
• Habituated Bear
• Defensive Bear
• Predatory Bear

1. Fleeing Bear

In most cases, a bear will hear or smell you before you are aware of it. Even if you surprise a bear, it will most often flee the area. Reacting to a fleeing bear... Enjoy the fleeting sight of a wild Black Bear.

2. Habituated Bear

Some bears lose their fear of humans from frequent human contact or from being rewarded with human food or garbage. These bears may not respond to our attempts to dissuade them and may react defensively. Reacting to an Habituated Bear... Stay calm and determine if the bear is aware of you. If the bear is unaware of you, move away quietly. However, if the bear is aware of you, talk to the bear in a low tone, wave your arms, back away, and leave the area. If you are near a building or car, get inside as a precaution. If the bear was attracted to food or garbage, remove it after the bear leaves to discourage the bear from returning.

3. Defensive Bear

A defensive bear will respond in a defensive manner if it perceives you as a threat or if it is defending a food source. It may use vocalizations such as huffing, blowing air loudly through nostrils, exhaling loudly and "popping" of teeth, and may swat the ground with its fore paws, lowering its head, and drawing back the ears. As well, a defensive bear may resort to bluff charges. The bear is feeling threatened by your presence and is trying to get you to back off. Reacting to a Defensive Bear... Stop and face the bear. If you are with others, stay together and act as a group. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Slowly back away while watching the bear and wait for it to leave. Use a whistle or airhorn, or bear spray if you have them. Do not turn and run - this may trigger a predatory response in the bear. Do not climb a tree - bears are excellent climbers.

4. Predatory Black Bear

On EXTREMELY RARE occasions, a bear will attack humans with the intent to kill. Predatory bears seldom make huffing or "popping" sounds, nor do they swat the ground with their forepaws, or bluff charge as defensive bears sometimes do. Instead, they silently stalk, or press closer and closer to their intended prey, apparently assessing whether it is safe to attack. Reacting to a Predatory Bear... Leave the area in your canoe or car if you can, but never turn and run. If you cannot leave, confront the bear. Do everything in your power to make the bear think twice about attacking you. Be aggressive, yell, throw rocks, hit the bear with sticks, and use your whistle, airhorn, or bear spray if you have them. If a predatory bear does make contact with you, do not play dead. Fighting back with everything you have is the best way to persuade a predatory Black Bear to halt its attack.

Should you have an encounter with a bear, advise Park staff or the nearest Park Office.

Additional Important Information

Dogs in Bear Country

Keep your dog away from any bears. In some cases, dogs may nip at a bear and then run back to their human masters with the bear in pursuit. Remember dogs must be on a leash when in a provincial park.

Black Bear Research in Algonquin Park

Carnivore, omnivore, or herbivore? Despite its size and power, the feeding habits of Algonquin's largest predator, and the distances it travels to find food are quite remarkable. Research on Black Bears in Algonquin has shed some light on the dietary needs and movements of the Park's second largest animal. Learn more in the Mammals of Algonquin Provincial Park .

More Information

For more information, you can also contact the Bear Wise Centre at 1-866-514-2327 or ontario.ca/bearwise

Make A Reservation

Reserve your developed or backcountry campsite for your next visit.

Support Your Park!

Share your passion for Algonquin Park by becoming a member or donor.

No Live Baitfish

Special regulations for Algonquin's special fishery.