Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park near North Bay, Ontario, Canada is one of the best known wilderness adventure destination parks in the upper half of Ontario, Canada. In fact, the park is Ontario's very first provincial park and 3rd largest.

The Algonquin Provincial Park measures over 7,630 square kilometres (763,300+ hectares) and includes 2,456 lakes, 2,100 backcountry wilderness campsites, 1,314 drive-in campsites and over 2000+ kilometres of canoe routes!

The wilderness park attracts travelers and locals who enjoy day trips and overnight adventures during the summer season while canoeing, fishing, backpacking, camping, hiking, sightseeing, birding, wildlife watching and photography.

During the winter season the park is home to activities like cross country skiing and dog sledding. Make note services in the park are limited during this time of year.

Travelers can access the park from the north and south. The north and east entrances are the remote, rugged and, largely, undeveloped regions of the park with few amenities and services. It is the north and east entrances on Highway #17 which are closest to North Bay, Ontario, Canada.

The north and east end of the park is referred to as the Interior Backcountry of Algonquin. There are small wilderness drive-in campgrounds located in the backcountry of Algonquin. They include the Kiosk (north), Brent (north) and Achray (east) Campsites.

There are also cabins available for booking in the north-east end of the park including the Kiosk, Birchcliffe, Brent, Big Crow, Bissett Creek, Lost, Crooked Chute and Wanda Lake cabins.

The Kiosk Campground is located on the shores of Kioshkokwi Lake. There are about 17 waterfront campsites, flush toilets and a ranger office. The access road to the Kiosk Campground is about 45 km east of North Bay, Ontario on Hwy #17. From Hwy #17 one must travel a 21 km gravel road to the campground.

The Kiosk is best for launching canoes for day paddles and for multi day canoe trips with portages.

The Brent Campground is located on the shores of Cedar Lake, There are about 30 campsites, vault toilets, outfitter services, store and a ranger office. The access road to the Brent Campground is about 105 km east of North Bay, Ontario on Hwy #17. From Hwy #17 one must travel a 40 km gravel road to the campground. Along the route are 2 other access points leading to backcountry canoe adventures.

Brent Road provides 3 access points into different sections of the park for canoeing - Wendigo Lake, North River and Brent Campground. The Brent Crater Trail (8 km from campground) and a historic townsite are some of the top attractions.

The Achray Campground is located on the shores of Grand Lake. There are about 45 campsites, flush toilets, store and a ranger office. The access road (Barron Canyon Road) to the Achray Campground is south of Petawawa, Ontario on Hwy #17 - about 204 km east of North Bay, Ontario. From Hwy #17 one must travel a 38 km gravel road to the campground.

Along the Achray route are various access points for canoeing and hiking including Mallard Lake, McManus Lake, the Achray Campground and Lake Travers. Hiking highlights include the Bern Lake Trail, Barron Canyon and the Jack Pine Trail (site of famous painting by Tom Thompson).

During, almost, any visit to the park there are always going to be wildlife viewing opportunities - both mammal and birds. Some of the wildlife mammal sightings include black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, beaver, fox, wolves, coyote,

For birdwatching (depending on season) some of the birding opportunities include sightings of the Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Gray Jays, Spruce Grouse, Olive-sided Flycatchers, White-winged Crossbill, Golden Eagle, Pine Grosbeaks, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadees, Common Loon, and Black-backed Woodpeckers.

Camping and all access to the park requires a park permit which are available from the ranger stations located on the roads leading to each campground. To fish in the park requires a fishing license.

Explore Algonquin Provincial Park near North Bay, Ontario, Canada in the Near North Region