Algonquin Park

Access Points That We Serve

Magnetawan Lake Access Point (#3)

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information can be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in Kearney. Then continue on Highway 518 for 14.4 kilometres to the Forestry Tower Road and follow it and signs for another 24.2 kilometres to the access point on the north-west shore of Magnetawan Lake.

Tim River Access Point (#2)

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information can be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in Kearney. Then 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)

At Emsdale on Highway 11, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information can be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in Kearney. Then continue on Main Street for 0.5 kilometre and turn left just past the LCBO (liquor) store. Follow this road (paved at first, then gravel) for 24.5 kilometres straight through to the Access Point at the western end of Rain Lake.

We can also serve at other access points in the park – call us for details.


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 5 months before your arrival 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.
  • A deposit is required at the time of booking for backcountry campsites.
  • 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 an Algonquin map in front of you when you call the reservation number, especially in case modifications have to be made to your trip.

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.
  • Possible alternate routes and access points in the event that your first route choice has already been filled to capacity.

4) Have ready the following pieces of personal information:

  • Your name, address, and postal code.
  • Your telephone number.
  • An email address (All bookings where an email address has been provide will receive their confirmation letter by email, including changes and cancellations. If an email address is not provided a confirmation letter will be sent by mail.)
  • 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) After making a reservation, a confirmation letter will be emailed.

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 permitted only at designated backcountry 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.

At the time you reserve or buy your permit, you will be asked to specify 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 because the campsites involved may have been reserved for other groups.

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

Without limits, campsites would soon deteriorate and surrounding vegetation would be destroyed. The number of people permitted to camp at one campsite in the Park backcountry is limited to nine individuals on their site. 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

Aluminum cans and glass bottles are not permitted in the Park’s backcountry.

Respect for Vegetation

It is forbidden to cut or damage any living tree or other plant. 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

Except for legal hunts, it is forbidden to possess firearms. 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. In order to ensure the protection of Algonquin’s fragile fishery for the future, special fisheries and park regulations have been developed specifically for Algonquin Park. Highlights include:

  • Possession (and use) of live baitfish is prohibited 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 to Rain Lake from Cache Lake where it was a private leased cottage in the late 1970s. It was used as an backcountry permit office until 1995. Rain Lake had, according to the historic files, three cabins at different locations. At the turn of the century, a shelter hut was situated at the north end. Its remaining foundation was covered by water when the logging dam was constructed. An old lumber camp adjacent to the rail line, “Eagle Lake Landing”, was a stopping place for passengers wishing to disembark at then “Eagle Lake” which is now called Rain Lake. A ranger cabin was built here in the 1920s.

A third ranger cabin is documented at Rain Lake Station, part of a complex of pumphouses, large water tanks, and living quarters for the station crew men. The usual $50 allotment was given to construct the cabin for the rangers patrolling this area of the Park. 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. Being good scroungers the rangers salvaged lumber and fittings from the old buildings at Brule Lake and, as customary, work was done by the rangers themselves. 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. In the fall of 1999, the cabin was relocated slightly north to a more secluded, forested site with a long northeasterly view down 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 proximity 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.
  • Cabins are not equipped with any dishes, or pots and pans.
  • Smoking is prohibited in Ranger Cabins.
  • Pets are prohibited.
  • No running water, indoor bathrooms, or electricity is available.