National park · Canada

Algonquin Provincial Park

Day trip on Highway 60: buy the day-use permit at West Gate, walk Big Pines (3 km) and Centennial Ridges (10.4 km), be at the gate before 9:00 in July–August or after 15:00; canoe campers need a reserved interior permit and a route plan.Day trip on Highway 60: buy the day-use permit at West Gate, walk Big Pines (3 km) and Centennial Ridges (10.4 km), be at the gate before 9:00 AM in July–August or after 3:00 PM; canoe campers need a reserved interior permit and a route plan.Day trip on Highway 60: buy the day-use permit at West Gate, walk Big Pines (1.9 mi) and Centennial Ridges (6.5 mi), be at the gate before 9:00 in July–August or after 15:00; canoe campers need a reserved interior permit and a route plan.Day trip on Highway 60: buy the day-use permit at West Gate, walk Big Pines (1.9 mi) and Centennial Ridges (6.5 mi), be at the gate before 9:00 AM in July–August or after 3:00 PM; canoe campers need a reserved interior permit and a route plan.

Not field-verifiedSpecial national siteSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

7,600 km²2,934 sq mi

approximate

Established

1893

Best months

Sep–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 8Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Ontario ↗Some provincial parks and conservation areas charge per vehicle; book day-use permits online in summer.
Ontario ↗Prices are shown before 13% HST; the total at the till is higher.

At a glance

Country: Canada
Area: 7,600 km²2,934 sq mi; About 7,600 km²; roughly twice the size of Rhode Island.
Established: 1893
Best months: Sep–Oct
Permits: For some areas
Base: Toronto

Algonquin is Ontario's oldest provincial park, created in 1893, and at about 7,600 km² it is larger than Rhode Island. Highway 60 runs 64 km through the southern edge of the park and is the only road most visitors use; everything north of it is canoe country reached by portage or by rough access roads at Brent, Achray and Kiosk. The park sits in a forest transition zone between boreal and deciduous, which is why moose, black bear, wolves and eastern hemlock all appear here. Logging still happens in parts of the park, separated from recreation areas.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

Special national siteOntario's first provincial park (1893) and a National Historic Site of Canada (check).

Size and age

7,600 km²2,934 sq mi · national park since 1893

About 7,600 km²; roughly twice the size of Rhode Island.

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Toronto.

Why go

A 64 km corridor of lakes, trailheads and campgrounds along Highway 60, reachable from Toronto or Ottawa in under four hours.A 40 mi corridor of lakes, trailheads and campgrounds along Highway 60, reachable from Toronto or Ottawa in under four hours.
Ten signed interpretive trails between the two gates, from a 1 km boardwalk to a 10.4 km ridge loop.Ten signed interpretive trails between the two gates, from a 0.6 mi boardwalk to a 6.5 mi ridge loop.
Moose are the animal most visitors actually see, usually at roadside wetlands at dawn or dusk.
Canoe routes and interior campsites for anyone willing to portage; outfitters rent canoes and deliver them to access points.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarCaution
AprCaution
MayCaution
JunGo
JulGo
AugGo
SepBest
OctBest
NovCaution
DecAvoid

JanDeep snow, −19°C average lows; only ski and snowshoe routesDeep snow, −2°F average lows; only ski and snowshoe routes
FebColdest snow depths; Highway 60 corridor mostly services only
MarSnow lingers; ice still on lakes
AprIce-out usually April to mid-May; cold water, wet trails
MayBlack flies hatch as ice melts; canoe season opens
JunWarm but peak black fly and mosquito weeks
JulWarmest, busiest; book campsites and permits early
AugHumidity eases; still busy on Highway 60
SepFall colour starts early; fewer crowds after Labour Day
OctColour peaks to mid-October; cold nights, quiet trails
NovGrey, wet, snow returns; most facilities closed
DecSnow, short daylight, no day-use services

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Algonquin Provincial Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Moose at roadside wetlandsMay–Oct · Best at dawn and dusk; stay in the car and keep moving.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Black fliesMay–Jun · Hatch as soon as the ice goes out; worst late evening.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no
MosquitoesJun–Jul · Peak until the end of July; repellent and long sleeves.	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no
Wolf howlsAug–Sep · The park is at the southern limit of wolves in Ontario; howls carry on quiet nights.	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no
Fall colour (sugar maple, birch)Sep–Oct · Peaks between September and mid-October depending on species and weather.	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Toronto

Highway 400 and 11 north to Huntsville, then Highway 60 east to West Gate; or Parkbus in summer.

3–3.5 h

Open the page →

From Ottawa

Highway 17 to Pembroke, then Highway 60 west to East Gate.

2.5–3 h

Open the page →

From Huntsville

Highway 60 east; West Gate is 43 km from town.Highway 60 east; West Gate is 27 mi from town.

40 min

From North Bay

Highway 11 south to Huntsville, then Highway 60; or Highway 17 to the northern access roads.

2–2.5 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Algonquin Provincial Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Highway 60 corridor	The 64 km road through the southern park: trailheads, campgrounds, two gates, the Visitor Centre and the Logging Museum.The 40 mi road through the southern park: trailheads, campgrounds, two gates, the Visitor Centre and the Logging Museum.	Day-use permit; open year-round, services seasonal.
Interior (backcountry)	Lakes, portages and campsites reached only by canoe or on foot.	Interior camping permit with a named route.
Northwest access (Cedar Lake, Brent)	Quieter canoe country off Brent Road, south of Highway 17.	Permit; rough gravel road, car campground at Brent.
Northeast access (Achray, Grand Lake, Barron Canyon)	Barron Canyon cliffs and the Grand Lake canoe routes.	Permit; Achray car campground; Barron Canyon Road.
Kiosk	North-central access point south-east of North Bay.	Permit; car campground in summer.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along Highway 60 and the northern access roads, for orientation only.

1West Gate · Gate≈45.442, -78.820Map ↗
2East Gate · Gate≈45.537, -78.265Map ↗
3Algonquin Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈45.584, -78.359Map ↗
4Algonquin Logging Museum · Ranger station≈45.544, -78.263Map ↗
5Canoe Lake · Beach≈45.552, -78.718Map ↗
6Opeongo Lake · Dive site≈45.712, -78.371Map ↗
7Barron Canyon · Viewpoint≈45.889, -77.635Map ↗
8Brent Crater · Trail≈46.066, -78.458Map ↗
9Huntsville · Town≈45.327, -79.216Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–1.5 hBig Pines Trail3 km loop through old-growth white pine that was too small to cut in the 1880s; booklet at the trailhead.

TrailsHard3–4 hCentennial Ridges Trail10.4 km loop with steep climbs to ridge lookouts over the corridor lakes; start early, carry water.

ViewpointsModerate1 hBarron Canyon Trail1.5 km loop to unfenced cliff edges above the Barron River; keep children back from the rim.

TrailsEasy1–1.5 hBrent CraterA 3.8 km wide, 427 m deep meteorite crater on Brent Road; short walk to the rim.

Boat tripsEasyHalf dayCanoe Lake and the Mowat siteLaunch off Highway 60; the drowned artist Tom Thomson has a cairn on the lake opposite the old Mowat townsite.

Boat tripsModerateHalf to full dayOpeongo Lake paddleThe park's largest lake; exposed to summer winds, so some paddlers take the water taxi across the first arm.

CultureEasy1 hAlgonquin Logging Museum trailOutdoor path with logging equipment and buildings; open late spring to early autumn, trail partly open in winter.

CultureEasy1 hVisitor Centre exhibits and deckPark history displays, bookstore, restaurant and an observation deck on Highway 60.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check

Fees for Algonquin Provincial Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Day-use vehicle permit (Highway 60 corridor)	CAD 12–21	vehicle	2026 estimate; summer rates higher than shoulder season (check).
Interior camping permit	CAD 13–20	person per night	2026 estimate; reservation fee extra (check).
Car campground site (Highway 60)	CAD 40–60	site per night	2026 estimate; serviced sites cost more (check).
Canoe rental from a corridor outfitter	CAD 45–75	day	2026 estimate; delivery to an access point costs extra.
Parkbus round trip from Toronto	CAD 147	person	Summer service with stops along Highway 60 (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Day-use permit permit or guide

Buy at West Gate or East Gate on arrival, or in advance online through Ontario Parks.

Interior (backcountry) camping permit permit or guide

Reserve online in advance; you must name your access point and route, and camp only on the lake listed on the permit.

Car camping reservation permit or guide

Reserve through Ontario Parks; Highway 60 campgrounds fill for July–August and fall colour weekends.

Commercial filming or drone use permit or guide

Permission from Ontario Parks required; drones are not allowed for casual use (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Camp only where permitted: Interior campers must sleep on the lake named on their permit; no random shoreline camping.
Fires: Fires only in provided fire pits; check for an Ontario-wide fire ban before you light one.
Food storage: Black bears are active throughout the park; store food in a vehicle or hang it well away from your tent.
Drones: Not allowed without Ontario Parks permission (check).check
Private aircraft: Landing private aircraft on lakes inside the park boundary is illegal; float planes set down outside.
Pets: Allowed on Highway 60 trails and in car campgrounds on a leash; not in the interior (check).check

Where to stay

In the park

Highway 60 car campgrounds

Mew, Canisbay, Pog, Lake of Two Rivers and others along the corridor; book months ahead for summer and fall colour.

In the park

Brent and Achray campgrounds

Small car campgrounds in the northern canoe country, reached by gravel road.

In the park

Interior campsites

Canoe-access sites on the permit lake; no facilities, no reservations by site.

Near the park

Huntsville and Dwight

Motels, lodges and outfitters 20–45 minutes from West Gate.

Safety

Bugs in May–July medium

Long sleeves, head net and repellent; plan hikes for midday when black flies are calmer.

Cold water after ice-out high

Wear a life jacket and stay near shore in April–May; the water stays dangerously cold for weeks.

Getting lost in the interior medium

Carry the official canoe route map and a compass; phone signal is patchy away from Highway 60.

Wildlife on the road medium

Moose and deer cross Highway 60 at dawn and dusk; slow down and use high beams where safe.

Winter conditions medium

Highway 60 is plowed but services are closed; carry winter kit and tell someone your route.

Accessibility

Visitor Centre, Logging Museum and the two gates have parking, washrooms and step-free access to exhibits.
Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Logging Museum path are the flattest walking options in the corridor.
Centennial Ridges and Barron Canyon have steep, rocky and unfenced sections; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Pack out everything, including food scraps; interior sites have no bins.
Use a camp stove rather than gathering firewood; deadwood is habitat.
Keep 30 m from moose and never feed wildlife or leave coolers out.
Rent from corridor outfitters instead of buying gear for a single trip.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Algonquin Provincial Park?

A day-use vehicle permit is about CAD 12–21 for 2026 (roughly USD 9–15), higher in summer than in the shoulder season. Interior camping permits run about CAD 13–20 per person per night plus a reservation fee, and car campsites about CAD 40–60 per night. Rates change by season, so check Ontario Parks before you go.

What are the best hikes in Algonquin Provincial Park?

For most visitors the best mix is Big Pines Trail (3 km, easy, old-growth white pine), Centennial Ridges (10.4 km, hard, ridge lookouts) and the Barron Canyon Trail (1.5 km, unfenced cliff edge) if you are near the north-east side. Spruce Bog Boardwalk is the flattest option.

When is the best time to visit Algonquin Provincial Park?

Late September to mid-October for fall colour and fewer crowds, or July–August for warm water and full services. May and June bring black flies and mosquitoes; January and February are for ski and snowshoe trips only.

Do I need a permit for Algonquin?

Yes. Day visitors need a day-use permit, bought at a gate or online. Anyone camping in the interior needs a reserved interior permit naming an access point and route, and car campers need a campsite reservation.

Can I visit Algonquin without a car?

Parkbus runs a summer service from Toronto with stops along Highway 60, and Ontario Northland stops at Huntsville, Pembroke and South River. From those towns you need a taxi or an outfitter pick-up to reach a gate.

How do I avoid the crowds on Highway 60?

Arrive at a gate before 9:00 or after 15:00 in July and August, walk trails that are not on the main lakefronts, and use the northern access points at Brent, Achray or Kiosk if you want quiet.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go