Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · Ontario
Ontario's huge forested park of lakes, trails and campgrounds along Highway 60 and into the backcountry, best known for fall colours, well-kept trails and dark night skies. Busy trailheads fill up in autumn.
Algonquin Provincial Park is a vast stretch of forest and lakes, and it's the fall colours that most reviewers rave about. Visitors describe driving in through red and yellow hillsides and clear blue lakes, with the scenery worth the trip even before reaching a trail. Some drive hundreds of kilometres for a single day.
The trails are consistently described as well maintained, with options from easy walks to harder climbs. Reviewers single out the Centennial Ridges trail for its sweeping lake views and the Lookout trail as a must. Several trails are loops, and one visitor noted washrooms at every trailhead they used. Staff across the campgrounds get called pleasant, and facilities clean.
The park suits a wide range of trips: car camping at the many campgrounds along Highway 60, portaging and backcountry routes, or a day of hiking. Stargazing can be excellent, and one camper recommended Canisbay Lake for night-sky views. Dogs are welcome on most trails if leashed.
Popularity is the main challenge, especially in fall. Trailhead parking lots fill, so plan your route ahead and have a backup trail in mind. Wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed, good hiking shoes help, and visitors are reminded to pack out everything they bring in.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 7,359 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Algonquin Provincial Park directly.
