Water Sports · Ontario
The canoe outfitter and store on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park, renting canoes, outfitting backcountry trips and running guided paddles. Staff get strong praise; the restaurant food draws the odd complaint.
The Portage Store sits on Canoe Lake, one of the main access points into Algonquin Park's backcountry. For many paddlers it's the start and end of the trip: you pick up your canoe here and come back to the same dock, and one group rated the ice cream at the finish as a highlight.
Reviewers consistently praise the staff as friendly, patient and quick. Canoes are described as light and in good shape, including a 16.5-foot Kipawa one group took on an eight-day trip. Full outfitting and food packages are available. Several guests arrived with only their clothes and found everything else ready, including a last-minute three-day trip and a solo backcountry outing.
Guided paddles are another option. Visitors describe two- and four-hour canoe tours on Canoe Lake, including a fall-colours trip, with a guide who shared a lot about the wildlife, trees and local history. It's a good choice for first-timers, and repeat portagers call canoe rental here easy and affordable.
The few complaints are minor. One tripper found the bailer supplied with their canoe too flimsy for real use, and a recent diner had dry, cold fish and chips twice at the restaurant. If you're going into the backcountry, read up on park rules first, such as the ban on cans and glass.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 299 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Portage Store - Canoe Lake directly.
