Provincial Park · Ontario
Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario's first provincial park — 7,635 sq km of canoe country, moose, and maple.
About
Algonquin Provincial Park, Near North
Established in 1893 as Ontario's first provincial park, Algonquin protects 7,635 sq km of maple, beaver pond, and 2,400 lakes connected by some of North America's most storied canoe routes. The Group of Seven painted here, and Tom Thomson disappeared on Canoe Lake.
Highlights
What not to miss
No. 01
Highway 60 Corridor
56 km of paved road with 18 day-use trails and reliable moose sightings.
No. 02
Visitor Centre
Modern exhibits, deck over the Sunday Creek bog, and excellent bookshop at km 43.
No. 03
Canoe Lake
Tom Thomson's spiritual home and access point for the most popular interior trips.
No. 04
Mizzy Lake Trail
11-km loop past nine lakes and ponds with high chances of wildlife.
Through the year
Seasons of Algonquin Provincial Park
Spring
Moose flock to roadside salt licks; ice still locks lakes through April.
Summer
Permit-only backcountry sites fill months ahead; bug spray essential.
Autumn
Sugar maples peak last week of September into early October.
Winter
Mew Lake yurts, cross-country trails, and dog-sledding from outfitters.
Insider tips
Local knowledge
- 01
Public Wolf Howl programs on August Thursdays are mythic; arrive early.
- 02
Algonquin Outfitters in Oxtongue Lake handle canoe rental, packs, and food.
- 03
Permits are released five months ahead at 7 a.m. — set an alarm.
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