Overview

Algonquin Provincial Park is the first park the Ontario province set aside to be protected. It was established in 1893 and covers an incredible 7,725 square kilometers (2,983 square miles). This Algonquin wilderness protects many natural ecosystems like bogs, beaches and forests. The landscape can change from rocky ridges to maple forests or flowing rivers in a couple of kilometers. Wildlife is as variable as the landscape. Keep a look out for a moose in the water, his antlers covered in underwater plants, dripping, as he raises his head from eating beneath the surface.

Backpacking and Hiking Trails

Hiking trails are available in all the sections of the park. Along the Highway 60 Corridor there are several hiking routes to choose from including an easy one hour hike on the Spruce Bog Boardwalk, a moderate two hour hike on the Hemlock Bluff Trail to see Jack Lake or the strenuous three to four hour hike on the Centennial Ridges Trail with breathtaking views from towering ridges.

The eastern and northern sections of the park offer fewer trails but some of them have guides including the one on the Barron Canyon Trail who will explain the history of the canyon to you. On the Brent Crater Trail you can read the posted information about how the crater was formed thousands of years ago when a meteorite smashed into the earth.

Algonquin Park - Photo courtesy Jason Irwin, www.parksreport.com

Take your time really enjoying this incredible wilderness of the northern section of the park. Take your backpack and spend a couple days exploring the 140 km of backpack trails and spend your nights in one of the provided campsites.

On the Water

Pass some time in one of Algonquin’s lakes swimming or fishing. Canoeing is the favored mode of water transportation in the park. With over 2,000 km of canoeing routes you are bound to find the one that suits you the best. Motorized boats are permitted in specific lakes of Algonquin park. The size of the motor dictates which lake it will be allowed in and when. Check the regulations on the Algonquin Park website. Keep in mind that water-skiing and jet-skiing are prohibited throughout the park.

Picnics and Camping

You are welcome to stay in the Algonquin Provincial Park for a day, a week or even longer. There are picnic sites set up throughout the area and many include facilities with showers and flushing toilets. These facilities are also open to campers, as well as the facilities sprinkled throughout the park for your convenience. Laundry facilities are also available. Some campsites are set up with electricity.
Most campsites are located near the different lakes, except for backpacking campsites which are located on the trails. For groups of 10 to 40 people the Whitefish Lake Group Campground has basic amenities.

Winter Fun

Algonquin Park is an amazing place to spend some time in a winter wonderland. There are trails throughout the park that provide snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities and a chance to see either tracks of wildlife or the animals themselves. Try your hand at dog sledding in the park with a third party provider. There are different winter camping alternatives available, primitive camping off the main trails, campsites in the Lake Mew Campground that includes electrical hookup and convenient facilities as well as the opportunity to rent a yurt. The yurts have furniture and electric heat and you will need to make reservations in advance.

Join us this summer for another great season of adventure on the water. Beginner or pro, we’ll help you improve your skills in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. Choose a 5-Day Whitewater Vacation or try one of our Weekend Clinics and discover why MKC is not just another Paddling School. It is a unique, Whitewater Vacation Centre located in the Ottawa Valley. Check our web site for complete details.

Situated in northeastern Ontario, the Missinaibi River flows northeasterly for 426 kilometres from the Abitibi Uplands north of Chapleau to its confluence with the Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands. It offers one of the longest, unimpeded stretches of wilderness river environments found in Ontario. Although this part of Ontario may be reached quite easily by road, rail and air from major population centres in southern Ontario and neighboring U. S. states, the Missinaibi River itself has more limited access, a factor which has contributed to preserving its unspoiled nature.

The Missinaibi waterway provides fine opportunities for recreational activities such as lake and white-water canoeing, camping, wildlife viewing, and photography. Fishing for walleye and northern pike, lake sturgeon, smallmouth bass and brook trout is excellent on Missinaibi Lake and along the river.

Missinaibi River - Courtesy of Sunrise Locations

Most of these activities may be enjoyed by those using the provincial park campground at Missinaibi Lake, which is accessible by way of an 88 km gravel road from Chapleau. The Missinaibi River itself, however, has only limited access and lacks facilities and services. These characteristics enhance the river’s wilderness appeal, but make it best suited to experienced travelers looking for a challenging, yet reasonably safe, wilderness canoe and camping trip.

Access: Several starting points are possible, depending upon the length of trip desired. Missinaibi Provincial Park campgrounds, at the head of the river, may be reached from Chapleau on Highway 101. The village of Missanabie may be reached via Highway 651 north from Highway 101. Via Rail passenger trains run three times weekly northwest from Capreol, crossing the river at Peterbell and the Ontario Northland Railway runs daily service from Moosonee to Cochrane, crossing the Moose River just below its confluence with the Missinaibi. The lowest possible starting point downriver – accessible by means other than float plane – is at Mattice, on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Accommodation and Services: Since this area is relatively remote, accommodation and services are limited. The village of Missanabie offers hotel accommodation and supplies. Camping facilities are available at Barclay Bay on Missinaibi Lake. Mattice has limited services and some overnight accommodation. No established campground or other facilities are available for canoeists leaving the Missinaibi at Moose River Crossing while waiting for the southbound train from Moosonee. However, fly-in and fly-out services are available, permitting shorter trips.

Canoeing: While the entire Missinaibi may be tackled by experienced canoeists, most approach it in two major sections. The upper Missinaibi River, from Missanabie village or Missinaibi Lake to Mattice is a 236 km route with 28 portages requiring 10–12 days. The longer Missinaibi, from Mattice to the Moose River rail crossing and on to Moosonee, is a 320 km route with 7–10 portages requiring 7–9 days. Detailed descriptions of these routes are available from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Canoeing is good from June to September. Portages, which are clearly marked, vary in length and difficulty, and their locatians change with seasonally fluctuating water levels. The average gradient along the river is less than 1 m/km; however, canoeists wishing to tackle the Missinaibi should be experienced because the river has many difficult sections and numerous, changing portages. Camping spots are limited on some portions of the river. The lower waters of late summer provide additional camping sites on exposed river banks and sandbars, but also expose rocky shallows which must be portaged or lined. For the experienced to expert canoeist, the Missinaibi provides a challenging test of skill and endurance, particularly in June when water levels are higher.

Courtesty of Canadian Heritage River Systems

Whether you want paddling lessons, rescue training, a weekend away from it all, or a big adventure in the far north… PaddleFoot has a trip for you! Youth, adult or family adventures and canoe trips. School and exchange programs.

Offering high quality guided canoe trips throughout Northern Canada. Canoe trips for a variety of skill levels in Northern Ontario & Quebec, Nunavut, NWT and the Yukon. Paddle stunning mountain rivers in the Yukon & western NWT. Canoe the remote wilderness of Nunavut & Baffin Island’s vast tundra barren lands. Travel along historic James and Hudson Bay rivers or paddle the classic Canadian Shield trips country of Ontario and Quebec’s near north. Scheduled and private trips available! For more information, check out our website.

Our trips take you through Canadian Wilderness areas where hundreds of inter connecting pristine lakes and rivers are surrounded by vast forests. We use name brand canoes, kayaks, and camping equipment to explore unique geology and historic Ontario fur trading routes. Let our experienced guides lead you through scenic provincial parks for fishing, sight seeing and wildlife viewing.

Join us for guided canoe expeditions to the rugged Canadian Shield watershed. Flat water and white water to suit all levels on our multi-day expeditions. Visit our web site for more information.

For canoe trips we provide: canoe rentals if required at $45/ day or $225/ week; flight with canoe to starting point or from pick up point; maps and route details; safety and weather info; life cushions and emergency flag; en-route check flight and ground to air radio.

Paddle the dream… Canoeing in Quetico Park and surrounding areas.

We offer the following outfitting services so you can enjoy your canoe trip to Quetico Park and the most beautiful watersheds imagineable. Complete or partial trip outfitting; Route planning; Shuttle service; Canoe rentals; Food kits; Accommodations in the Quetico Park area; and more. Just get yourself to Thunder Bay and leave the rest to us.

Doug and Ruth Chapman have been canoeing in Quetico Park and area for over 30 years and have been serving thousands of happy customers since 1998.


For more information, check out these links to Canadian Quetico Outfitters:

• Our Quetico Canoeing & Outfitting Services
• Our Commitment to You – The Canadian Quetico Outfitters Advantage
• We Provide Only Top Quality Canoes and Equipment
• Some of Our Quetico Canoeing Photos

3 to 6 day, all inclusive Canadian wilderness canoe trips into the Algonquin Park interior. Led by certified CRCA /ORCA Canoe Instructors / Guides. Round trip transportation from Toronto available.

WHITE WATER CANOE TRIPS AND CLINICS – Black Feather can get you started in white water canoeing with a fun weekend course at Palmer Rapids. Fly into Quebec’s famed Dumoine River for a week of excitement, paddle the Petawawa or relax on the French River for four days.

4.5 Star Canada Select Lodge, Near Perfection. Algonquin Park offers plenty of spectacular waterways to explore. Direct from our resort into Algonquin on 11km (7mi) long Galeairy Lake which is 95% undeveloped. After your adventure into secluded bays looking for moose and otter, come and be one of our family at this luxury wilderness log cabin retreat.