(continuer en français) – Last updated: August 10, 2023

Only a few hours drive from major cities such as Toronto and Ottawa, Algonquin Provincial Park enjoys a high level of attendance. It is the most obvious place to reconnect with nature in the backcountry, attracting both locals and many foreign visitors.

At the end of the 19th century, when the first Canadian national parks were beginning to appear, the first being Banff in 1885, the province of Ontario decided to take the initiative to create the first provincial park in 1893, it was Algonquin Provincial Park. The initial concern was the rapid disappearance of the natural area in the south of the province with the development of human activity. The centuries-old primary forests of white and red pine were being cut down to sell beams to England or to the United States.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, winter camps have provided basic shelter for loggers. They took advantage of the frozen ground and waterways to position the logs, which were then swept away by the current fed by the melting snow in the spring.

The rivers were thus corseted upstream to facilitate the progress of tree logs.

Although losing a third of the volume of wood, the logs were cut with an axe to give them a square shape, easier to handle and store.

With the establishment of the provincial park, the idea was not to prohibit logging, but to better supervise it. It was also necessary to gradually relocate the farmers who had settled, then discourage hunters and trappers, often First Nations. Certain areas of the park are now forbidden to any human presence, to allow species to re-establish. There are now several wolf packs, black bears and moose being the other main species observed. Human activity remains moderate elsewhere in the park.

The opening to the public of a large part of the park provides access to preserved areas showing the quintessence of Canadian nature. The park is located in the transition region between coniferous and deciduous trees and benefits from a wide variety of plant species.

Hiking trails are laid out through the forest, varying in length depending on the abilities of the visitors. Most are along the Highway 60 corridor that runs through the park. There are also more challenging trails for those who wish to go deeper into the backcountry and reach remote camping areas.

There are more than 2000 lakes and more than 620 miles, 1000 kilometres, of river, so the traditional means of travel in canoes is regaining all its interest. Lake Opeongo is the largest lake in the park, canoes and kayaks allow access to less frequented areas. A water taxi service is also available to avoid over paddling.

Algonquin Park has attracted and inspired painters, notably the Group of Seven, also known as the Algonquin School, which was created in the same way as the Barbizon School in France or the Hudson River School in New York State. The group’s inspirer, Tom Thomson (1877-1917), stayed here many times before tragically losing his life in Canoe Lake. The park’s Visitor Centre presents an exhibition and sale of contemporary painters.

Then one day, autumn comes. Algonquin Park becomes a feast for the eyes and a joy for photographers for a few weeks. Until the last visit, with a little nostalgia, we promise to return next year.

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