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Algonquin Park

Access Points That We Serve

Magnetawan Lake Access Point (#3) – Algonquin Park

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Continue on Highway 518 for 14.4 kilometres to Forestry Tower Road. Take Forestry Tower Road for 24.2 kilometres until you arrive at the access point.

Tim River Access Point (#2) – Algonquin Park

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Continue on Highway 518 for 14.4 kilometres and turn right onto the Forestry Tower Road. Follow it and signs for 19 kilometres to the access point on the Tim River. Tim Lake, inside Algonquin Park, is 2 kilometres downstream (east).

Rain Lake Access Point (#4) – Algonquin Park

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Continue on Main Street for 0.5 kilometre and turn left just past the LCBO (liquor) store. This is Rain Lake Road. Follow it (paved at first, then gravel) for 24.5 kilometres straight through to the Access Point at the western end of Rain Lake.

You can also pick up your canoe and go to other access points in the park.

Algonquin Park Permits

Ontario Parks charges fees for all backcountry camping in Algonquin Park. To make a reservations for a backcountry trip or a reservation for a Ranger Cabins call 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) or (519) 826-5290 for outside of North America, or you can make a backcountry reservations online at ontarioparks.com.

What you need to know

  • Reservations can be made five months before your trip date. For example, backcountry campers can reserve on March 1 for August 1.
  • The maximum length of stay on any one backcountry campsite is 16 consecutive nights.
  • The maximum party size for backcountry camping is 9 persons per permit.
  • Campers must follow the route specified on their permit.
  • With backcountry, you are not booking a specific site, but a site on a specific lake. Once you get the your booked lake it is first come first serve.

Before Making Your call to reserve

1) Have the Algonquin map in front of you when you call the reservation number.

2) Know where you would like to go on your trip. If you require assistance, contact Algonquin Park Information prior to making your reservation.

3) Know the following specific pieces of trip information:

  • Your intended trip start and departure dates.
  • Your intended access point of entry and exit.
  • Your intended travel route by lake area on a nightly basis.
  • Alternate routes and access points in the event that your first route choice is at capacity.

4) Have ready the following pieces of personal information:

  • Your name, address, and postal code.
  • Your telephone number.
  • Email address
  • The number of people in your party (maximum of 9 persons per site and per reservation.)
  • Your vehicle license number.
  • How you will be paying (if by credit card have its number and expiry date ready.)

5) Email confirmation

6) Review the Park’s Rules and Regulations.

Park Regulations

Possession of Permit

Any party camping in the backcountry must possess a valid Interior Camping Permit.

Camping in the Park Backcountry

Backcountry camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Each site is marked on the ground by an orange sign and on this map by a red or black triangle. In some areas, especially within one day’s travel of the access points and at certain times of the canoeing season, the number of camping parties has the potential to exceed the number of available sites. To avoid this problem, the Park must therefore limit the number of camping parties. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you make a backcountry reservation.

When you reserve a permit, you will be asked for your route. Assuming there is space available, your permit will list the lakes where you may camp and the nights when you may camp on those lakes. You must not camp on other lakes or at times not specified on your permit.

Age Restriction

When camping overnight, persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or by a person appointed by a parent.

Individuals per Campsite/Party Size Limit

The number of people permitted to camp at one campsite nine. In principle, larger groups may travel and eat together, but they must break up to camp and should plan their trips accordingly.

Can and Bottle Ban

No cans or glass in Algonquin backcountry.

Respect for Vegetation

No cutting or damaging any living trees or other plants. This specifically prohibits such disfiguring and outmoded practices as cutting evergreen boughs for bedding; cutting birch bark from living trees; and embedding nails, axes or other objects in trees.

Noise Restriction

To ensure the appreciation of natural sounds of Algonquin Park, music (radios, instruments) and excessive noise in general is not permitted.

Firearms/Fireworks Prohibited

No firearms (except for legal hunts.) Due to the extreme danger of starting a forest fire and to preserve the tranquility of camping, the use or possession of fireworks is strictly prohibited.

Fishing in Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park has outstanding fishing as a result of its numerous headwater lakes and rivers, remoteness, protection from development, and the Park’s knowledgeable anglers. Regulations are in place to protect Algonquin Park’s fishery. Highlights include:

  • No use or possession of live baitfish in Algonquin Park
  • No winter fishing (fish sanctuary from late November to late April)
  • No fishing within 100 metres of any dam in Algonquin Park
  • It is also illegal to transfer fish from one water body to another.
  • For more info download the 2017 Ontario Fishing Regulations and visit the Friends of Algonquin website.

How to get a fishing licence

Visit Ontario Travel and Recreation. You will find all the information you need about licence fees, outdoor cards, catch limits, etc.

Rain Lake Ranger Cabin

History

The existing cabin was moved from Cache Lake to Rain Lake and was used for the backcountry permit office until 1995. Rain Lake had, according to the historic files, three cabins at different locations. One was a shelter hut that was at the north end. The remaining foundation was later covered by water when the logging dam was constructed. An old lumber camp, “Eagle Lake Landing”, was a stopping place for passengers, which is now Rain Lake. A ranger cabin was built here in the 1920s.

There is also documentation of a cabin for the rangers that was located at the Rain Lake Station. Up until then the rangers stayed in an old building owned by McCraney Lumber Company; now in use, the rangers started to build their own cabin. The rangers salvaged lumber and fittings from the old buildings at Brule Lake.. Windows and roofing accounted for most of the final $43 cost of construction.

Features & Amenities

This water front log cabin, [27′ x 19′], is located at the end of the public access road at Rain Lake. The cabin has 2 separate bedrooms (1 set of bunk beds with mattresses in bedroom one and 2 single beds with mattresses in the second bedroom). The cabin has a 10′ x 12′ screened in porch.

  • Composting toilets are in close by and are shared with other campers.
  • There is a beach, boat launch ramp, and motor restrictions on Rain Lake.
  • The cabin features a propane powered stove, fridge, lights and heater.
  • All Ranger Cabins have fire extinguishers, wash basin, broom, dust pan.
  • The cabin does not have dishes.
  • No smoking.
  • No pets
  • No running water, indoor bathrooms, or electricity is available.