It was one of those weeks, the kind that makes you question everything, including your sanity. Missed workouts, constant school requests, a looming strike at my husband’s job, and that was just by Wednesday. It was time to get away from it all before I lost it all.
My perfect escape would need to be tranquil, luxurious, and somewhere I could get lost in nature. After doing my research, I ended up with an unlikely destination: Algonquin Park.
Now I’m no camper – I could survive maybe two hours in an outdoor tent – but Algonquin has so much more to offer than simple camping trips. Situated about two hours west of the Canadian capital, Ottawa, Algonquin Park is a natural wonder with luxury resorts, a lively art gallery and dozens of year-round activities.
When to go
While it’s a four-season destination in the Canadian wilderness, after talking to the locals I realized that you can get a lot out of an off-peak visit (peak season is late May until mid-October). May and June are great times to visit because the weather is pretty much perfect and kids are still in school (in Canada, the regular school year spans September 1 to June 30). If the weather cooperates, mid-October really is a great time to visit the park because the fall foliage is unlike anything else you’ll experience, with red, yellow and orange colors covering the lush scenery like a Tom Thomson painting.
But if you want to maximize your outdoor time and do some swimming at the resort, you’ll have to brave the crowds and go in the summer. I was told that winter is still a fairly busy time with all the outdoor activities (dog sledding, cross-country skiing) but I am equally happy doing water sports as cozying up to a fireplace in a luxury resort and taking in the scenery – meaning I could really go any time of year!
Where to stay
Once you’ve decided when to go, the next step is to choose where to stay. If you’re a camper, you can revel in the many camping and cabin options that will fully immerse you the natural beauty of the park. For those less adventurous who require luxury bedding (and a hot shower!) there are several cabin resorts to accommodate your tastes.
For a romantic escape, choose Arrowhon Pines. Their lavish log cabins in the middle of the wilderness feature wood burning fireplaces – instead of a television – providing the perfect tranquil background to rediscover your love. If culinary creations are one of those loves, you’ll be surprised to find local and seasonal menu items served from breakfast, through afternoon tea and dinner. You can even bring the foodie experience home, with a recipe list of their most popular menu items. I am currently mastering the Caramelized Apple Tart – yum!
If you’re looking for something more rustic but still with all the necessary amenities (uhm, bathrooms!) then try Killarney Lodge, where you can get your own personal one or two bedroom cabin, right on the water. The lakeside cabins are decorated with a country theme and feature extra treats like personal canoes outside each lodge and yummy treats like homemade cookies and fresh fruit. Their upscale cabin theme is charming and we loved their mini art gallery – the Tin Moose Gallery – which sells local and Canadian photographs, paintings and sculptures.
But the real draw of the accommodations is the scenery, in the heart of Algonquin, surrounded by the serene Lake of Two Rivers.
What to do
The wildlife in Algonquin is a main attraction. There are single and multi-day tours where you can canoe through the waterways and take in the natural wildlife. Seeing moose, deer, and brown bears in their habitats, up close and personal, is a rare treat. The tours are guided so you learn as you go and make friends (furry and otherwise) along the way.
Once you’ve settled into the vast wilderness, even the most weary (and lazy!) will want to take part in several of the many activities available to you. From hiking to wildlife watching (including moose and many species of birds), and seasonal activities like swimming and skiing – you have to leave at least a couple of days in your escape for exploration. Take a canoe out on a lake and have a romantic water picnic. Hike the Barron Canyon or Track & Tower trails. Go whitewater rafting or horseback riding. Or relax and read (or write!) a book.
In addition to what your resort or campground might offer, remember to check out the Algonquin Art Centre. With three wings of indoor gallery space dedicated to nature themed artwork, and an outdoor gallery, it’s a must-stop with a pay-what-you-can admission fee.
Algonquin Park is designed to recharge and renew visitors within a breathtaking natural setting. Customize your escape with a few luxurious extras or the outdoor activities to bring out your inner explorer, to create the perfect break from the everyday grind.
Anyone thinking of visiting Algonquin park from America should know that no guns are allowed in the park. No firewoods collection in campgrounds. No dogs in many places. And the park rangers and bears are not friendly.
Algonquin has to be one of the many places I love. I love adventure and me and my husband are actually heading to Algonquin for our 20th anniversary. I am so excited.
I am looking for a new adventure and the Algonquin trip may be something that my son and I need to do together someday. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Camping looks so relaxing but I don’t know what would I do without my electronics and frozen dinners.
I am going to Algonquin for the third time. I don’t know which part of the park are we going to. My uncle planned it out. All I know is we are canoeing and portaging for three days. staying at the same campsite for days, and then heading back. I’ve been lucky enough to see ferret, otters, wolves, bears, and moose. Saw a back bear running out the woods looking behind it then a mother moose came crashing through the tree line a moment later. A young moose calf followed by slowly behind her. It was the most incredible thing ever. My uncle thinks he saw a sasquatch one year. He’s so lucky, he sees the coolest stuff.
This is amazing. Brought me back to my childhood when we took camping trips to Algonquin Park. The sight and sounds are still so familiar. Thanks for putting this out.
Does anyone know if it is safe to take my son and my daughter, who is 7 and 1 years old for camping?? When I was researching on it I found out that it this park has bears and coyotes. I know that we have to pay per night to camp there and there are a lot of people there but still I am afraid and conscious regarding my family. Do they have security guards there??
I think it will definitely be safe for the 7-year-old. Just make sure everybody is wearing their life jacket tightly, and that they know how to swim to some extent. However, I am not sure about your 1-year old. I would make sure a child is able to swim and is wearing/able to wear a life-preserving jacket to be cautious of, and you could bring bear spray with you and make sure you store your food properly, but I think the much bigger concern would be drowning.
I was looking for the most exciting and adventurous destination to go on a trip with my friends and I bumped into this article thank you!! Found our destination!!
Just did a trip to Algonquin!! spent a week on the water. It was the most wonderful and breathtaking experience I could ever have.
How much are the camping permits, do I have to do it several days before or I can do a walk in??