Algonquin Park Canoeing Trip Tips

To properly experience the beauty of Algonquin ParkIf canoeing is not your thing but you still want to enjoy
you must take an interior canoe trip. There are manythe beauty of the park, there are three hiking trails with
drive-in campgrounds in Algonquin but they are tooloops ranging from six to eighty-eight kilometers long. If
popular during the summer months. An interioryou are new to interior camping, keep in mind that
campsite is only accessible by canoe or by hiking inthere are no outhouses or portable toilets in the interior
the late spring, summer and fall. During the winter, theof the park. What the campsites do have are wooden
interior campgrounds are accessible by cross-countryboxes known as a thunder-box, so at least there is a
skiing or by snowshoe.place to sit. All campsites also have a fire pit.
Some of the best canoeing in Canada is found inThere are several old ranger cabins in the park as well.
Algonquin Park. There are literally hundreds ofThese are quite popular during the summer months. If
navigable rivers and lakes in the park. Thesenot staying at a cabin, then your shelter will consist of
waterways form a two thousand kilometer longthe tent you bring in yourself. If traveling a number of
system of interconnected canoe routes. As you getportages, keep in mind that you have to carry all your
further away from the canoe access points, the parkgear, thus it is best to pack light. There are Internet
becomes much less inhabited. Depending on the routesites that provide a list of the basic supplies that
you take you may encounter only a very few numbercampers should bring if interior camping.
of other canoeists.It is a wise choice to bring proper bad-weather gear;
The routes in the park are not overly difficult. Somenothing spoils a trip more than being wet and cold. An
portages are quite long though, so it is best to tackleexcellent item to bring is a dry bag, available at most
an easier route for your first trip if you are not veryoutdoor suppliers. Stuff the bag with extra clothes and
experienced. Park staff maintains the portages. Thereif you have a large enough bag, stuff your sleeping
are two types of portages in the park. Portages thatbag into it as well. A wet sleeping bag makes for a
are marked in red on the map are well maintained bymiserable night. Many experienced interior campers
staff. While those that are less traveled andhave several dry bags to keep all their belongings dry.
considerably more difficult are marked in black on theJust remember to make sure it is sealed tight so no
map. The portages marked in black are not asmoisture can get in.
maintained.