Canoeing in Algonquin Park is an iconic Ontario adventure, thanks to more than 2000km of canoe routes and portages. With so many options, it’s important to research the different routes to find the right one for your experience level, fitness level and how much time you have.
Lots of long portages mean you’ll be carrying your gear over land as well as water (so resist the urge to overpack). There are also a couple of paddle-in sites that don’t require portaging if you’re new to canoe tripping or have kids along. Along with guidebooks and maps, Algonquin Park outfitters are a wealth of information.
See Algonquin Park canoe trip checklist pdf
Paddling gear
- Algonquin Park paddling map in a waterproof map case (1 copy per canoe)
- Canoe (bring your own, or get a canoe rental from an Algonquin park outfitter)
- Canoe paddle – 1 per person, plus an extra per boat
- PFD – 1 per person
- Portage bag / gear barrels
- Dry bags and electronics cases
- Heaving line
- Painters for bow and stern (to tie up canoe)
- Pump or bailer
- Signalling devices (whistle, flares, mirror)
Safety gear
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- PFD-mounted knife
- Bear spray / bear bangers
- Bug spray and bug jacket
- Repair kits for sleeping pads, tents and stoves; include duct tape and repair tape
- Prescription medication in a sealed, dry container. Bring twice the amount you’ll need; half stays with you, and the other half stays with your hiking partner with detailed info on dosage and side effects.
- Compass
- Waterproof GPS (very useful)
- Large sealed plastic bag to store maps, compass and GPS
- Multi-tool
- Trowel (for the bathroom, if your chosen route doesn’t have outhouses)
- Trip plan, left with a friend
Sleeping and shelter
- Camping permit (required for any overnight stay in Algonquin)
- Tent with full-coverage rain fly
- Tent poles, stakes and guylines
- Footprint
- Sleeping bag and compression sack
- Garbage bags to line your sleeping bag’s storage sack
- Sleeping pad
- Lightweight packable pillow (optional but nice)
- Depending on where and when you plan to start and end your route, you may also want to reserve accommodations near Algonquin Park
Camp kitchen
- Water filter / water treatment system
- Food – create a food plan for your group (don’t forget snacks and coffee). Be aware that there’s a can and bottle ban in the park.
- Single-burner backcountry stove
- Fuel for stove
- Lighter or waterproof matches and fire starter
- Pot set
- Cooking utensils
- Water bottles
- Lightweight mugs
- Plates or bowls
- Spoons or sporks
- Biodegradable soap
- Dishcloth and dish scraper
- Tarp to cover cooking area or items in your canoe, plus rope to hang it
- Garbage bags for extra waterproofing (and to pack out your garbage)
- Lightweight dry bags for hanging food at night (make sure they’re big enough for all the group’s food and scented items, including toiletries and garbage)
- 15–20m of lightweight rope or cord, plus a carabiner for hanging food
- Folding camp saw
- Camping knife
Clothing and footwear
When it comes to materials, leave the cotton behind. Make sure your shorts, long johns, pants, t-shirts, underwear and sports bra are made of quick-drying materials that wick moisture.
- Hiking socks (synthetic or wool-blend)
- Dedicated pair of socks to wear in camp
- Synthetic, quick-drying underwear
- Sports bra
- T-shirts
- Quick-drying pants and shorts / bathing suit
- Lightweight base layers (bottom and top)
- Fleece jacket, lightweight puffy jacket or wool sweater
- Rain pants
- Rain jacket
- Toque or neck gaiter (wool or fleece)
- Lightweight wide-brimmed sun hat (something to cover your ears and neck is best)
- Hiking boots or hiking shoes for portaging – make sure you break them in on a few hikes before this trip
- Lightweight water shoes or sandals for getting in/out of canoe and at camp
Personal items and additions
- Stuff sacks and small dry bags to organize your gear
- Toilet paper – bagged and lots of it
- Hand sanitizer
- Quick-drying towel or face cloth
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (small amount)
- Power bank or spare batteries for electronic devices
- Phone or emergency communication device
- Earplugs
- Extra pair of glasses, if you wear them
- Menstrual cup or period products
- Notebook and pencil
- Cash for meals on the way to and from the canoe route
Optional items
- Small daypack or waist pack to access essentials easily
- Gloves for paddling (bike gloves can work)
- Solar shower
- Hammock or lightweight camp chair
- Lip balm
- Deodorant
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Playing cards or portable camp games