Length of stay: 2 days
Visited: November 2023
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the largest parks in Ontario and one of the best places to enjoy the outdoors. We typically visit every summer to explore the backcountry by canoe. But over the past couple of years, we’ve returned later in the fall for some hiking in the southern part of the park. This time trading in our tent for a yurt to camp in comfort since the days are shorter and the nights are colder. I was also eight months pregnant at the time. And my younger sister, mom and uncle who aren’t really into roughing it in the wild would be joining me.
Day 1: Lookouts and Bogs
We arrived from the west entrance of the park in the late afternoon. After stopping by our yurt at the Mew Lake Campground to drop off our stuff, we decided to stretch our legs and go for a couple of easy hikes. The forecast wasn’t looking ideal over the next couple of days, so we wanted to squeeze in as much as we could before the rain. And before it got dark.
We started with the Lookout Trail (1.9km loop, rated moderate). The parking lot is located on the north side of Highway 60, just before kilometre 40 when driving from the west. The trail weaves through the forest and climbs up a steep ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the Lake of Two Rivers and surrounding area. The path is wide and well-signed with blue markers on the trees and nine numbered posts. At the junction, the path forms a loop. We followed the arrow to the right which involves a steady hike uphill to the viewpoint. While we missed the beautiful display of fall colours, we also missed the crowds.
We then drove a few kilometres east to reach the Spruce Bog Boardwalk (1.5km loop, rated easy). The trail mostly follows a boardwalk, passing through two northern Black Spruce bogs. Even though it’s one of the shortest and easiest trails in the park, it’s one of my favourites. While it’s impossible to get lost on this trail, it’s signed with blue markers on the trees and thirteen numbered posts.
The sun was starting to set by the time we wrapped up our hike. This was our cue to return to our yurt to get started on dinner and settle in for the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Lakes and Logging
It rained in the evening, which turned into snow overnight. We woke up the next morning to a light dusting of snow on the ground. More rain was on the forecast for this afternoon. So after eating breakfast, we figured we might as well hit the trails.
We settled on Bat Lake Trail (5.6km loop, rated moderate), located near the campground around the 30 kilometre mark on Highway 60. From the parking lot, we followed the trail through the dense forest. Despite all the rain and a bit of snow, the path was surprisingly not too slippery or muddy.
Then the uphill begins, sometimes assisted with steps and stairs. We continued to follow the blue markers and numbered posts up through the forest, passing moss covered erratics and boulders.
All that climbing leads to an overlook. There was even a bench to enjoy the views (and catch your breath).
The trail weaves back down through the forest, crosses a boardwalk and passes by two viewpoints of Bat Lake, one of which was a bit sketchy as part of the boardwalk was submerged under water.
Since we were near the campground, we figured we might as well return to our yurt for lunch. Shortly after it started to rain. And it continued to rain throughout the afternoon. We figured we could hit up the Algonquin Logging Museum Trail (1.3km loop, rated easy), which is located near the eastern entrance of the park at kilometre 54.5 on Highway 60. The path is wide and flat and could easily accommodate our umbrellas. It passes a series of buildings, machinery and equipment to highlight the history of logging and its connection with Algonquin.
From the parking lot we walked to the Algonquin Logging Museum, which marks the start of the trail. The building contains a few indoor exhibits that highlight the very early years of logging in the park, but it was closed for the season. Most of the interesting stuff is located along the trail anyway, so it wasn’t that big of a deal. The trail loops through the forest where there are twenty exhibits that provide more information about logging in the area and how it’s changed over time.
Logging began in the area well before the park was established in 1893 and still continues to this day. Algonquin is the only designated provincial park in Ontario that still allows industrial logging, which is permitted in about two thirds of the park.
We hoped the rain would have subsided by the time we finished the trail. It didn’t. If anything, it seemed like it was getting worse. We had no interest in hiking in the rain so we returned to our yurt to play some games instead.
We woke up the next morning to even worse conditions. It was cold, windy and still raining. While it would have been nice to go for another hike before leaving the park, I’m okay ending things on a high note, or rather staying warm and dry. Besides, we weren’t sure whether this trip was going to happen anyway so I’ll count it as a win.
L
I miss all the hiking. Your photo shows some interesting trails.
Thanks! Even though I’ve hiked all these trails before, there’s always something new to see.
The logging museum is terrific.
Oh I know! They did an awesome job with all the different exhibits to showcase the history of logging in Algonquin. It was also neat to hear how it changed over time, along with the different equipment used. It was educational and we got some exercise, a great combination.
Such a beautiful park! I think it’s unfortunate that the province still allows logging in the park.
Oh I know. We’ve cut down many of our old growth forests in Ontario already. It’s a shame we’re not doing more to protect these areas.
Some folks are pushing to use bamboo since it grows so fast, but I don’t think it’s much good for building a modern home in Ontario.
You’re right, bamboo is fast growing, but I think it’s also invasive. Hope it doesn’t crowd out any of the native plants.
Even though you missed the autumn colours, it’s still a gorgeous park; your beautiful photos definitely demonstrate that! I didn’t know that logging is still allowed there. I’m quite surprised by that. I bet all the good exercise helped in the delivery of your little one. Cheers.
There’s always a tradeoff. If we went earlier in the fall to see the leaves changing colour, the trails and campground would have been packed. While the weather wasn’t ideal when we went later in the fall, at least the park was quiet. I was surprised to hear that Algonquin still allows logging too, especially considering it’s not permitted in any of the other provincial parks. Hopefully that will change soon and more emphasis will be placed on conservation given how much development is happening.
Doing this when you were eight months pregnant? That surely doesn’t look like just a walk in the park as there are sections where you had to go uphill. I will definitely tell my friends about how amazing you are, Linda! (And I hope they will be encouraged to live a more active lifestyle.)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! I’m so glad I was able to stay so active throughout my pregnancy, especially towards the end. It helped that I had a bunch of vacation days to use before I started my maternity leave so we were able to do a bit of travelling, which naturally involved hiking. It’s funny because I think I was in better shape when I was eight months pregnant compared to now! But we’ll be taking our first family vacation at the end of the week so we’ll be easing back into things. Cheers. Linda
Both you and Algonquin are amazing! Spruce Bog Boardwalk is one of my favourites as well. It allows you to slow down and observe everything.
Haha thanks! I totally agree about the Spruce Bog Boardwalk. It’s all about taking your time to enjoy the scenery … except if you visit during the spring where the goal is to keep moving fast enough in the hopes that the mozzies don’t eat you alive!
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Wonderful photos! Such a nice place and cute cabins, thank’s for share Linda.
Have a lovely, relaxing and cozy weekend with a cup of delicious chocolate.
Take care. Elvira.
Thanks for your kind words and for leaving a comment. It was nice to have someplace warm to return to after spending the day hiking in the rain and in the cold. Sitting by the fireplace with a hot cup of tea was a great way to warm up. Next time I’ll bring some hot chocolate as that sounds even better! Thanks for suggestion! Linda
That’s sounds an amazing and cozy experience Linda. Keep enjoying, well and happy. Cheers with a cup of chocolate. Have a wonderful time!
Always a pleasure. Elvira
Thanks! I’d cheers to a cup of hot chocolate!
Beautiful. I would like to be there.
I bet. It’s a fabulous spot to enjoy nature.
Oh my, what a gorgeous park! The boardwalks look so inviting, I want to follow them and discover what’s around every corner. Looks like you had a lovely time even though the weather was less than cooperative.
I’m so glad we managed to get some good hikes in before the rain. Once it started, it only got worse. And colder. The Spruce Bog Boardwalk is the shortest trail in the park, but it’s one of my favourites. It’s a great way to explore an area that otherwise would have been inaccessible.
I just love how you were trekking, hiking and Yurting right up till the arrival of baby M.
Algonquin is one of the best treasure in Ontario. I really want to visit in the fall and winter one day!
You bet! This was my last trip before the baby came. It was a nice distraction and great way to remain active as I was nearing the end of my pregnancy. Algonquin is fantastic in every season (although we haven’t been in the spring). Hopefully you’re able to visit in the fall as it’s incredibly beautiful when the leaves are changing colour. The winter is also fun for snowshoeing.
Your little one will be a hiker too given your example before they arrived. Such a variety of trails here Linda. I love bogs and board walks and the logging museum was a nice gift too. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. Allan
I sure hope so! I figured I might as well get her used to being outdoors even before she was born. Algonquin is always a fan favourite. We’ve been here several times over the years and the trails never get old. Bogs and boardwalks are a great combination, except in the spring though. It’s only a matter of time until our mosquitoes are out in full force. Take care. Linda
A gorgeous, gorgeous place. The sunset photo naturally steals the show, I love the way the corner of the boulder pops out of the bottom left of the foreground, nicely framed. Speaking of boulders, that mossy beast really is something else. The yurt looks so cosy and welcoming, did you get a good night’s sleep? Like others I admire your enthusiasm and indeed ability to tackle this while 8 months pregnant.
Oh I know. I often refer to Algonquin as the the crown jewel of Ontario’s park system. There’s a good reason we keep returning. While the weather wasn’t the greatest, I’m glad we made the most of the trails when it wasn’t raining. The mossy rocks were very pretty. It made it seem like we were hiking through an enchanted forest. As for the yurt, it was nice to have somewhere warm and dry to return to after being outdoors. I surprisingly slept pretty decent, but waking up every few hours to pee was starting to get really old as I’d have to put on my jacket and boots and walk or drive over to the comfort station to use the washrooms. That’s one part of being pregnant that I don’t miss!
The yurt looks very cosy and the trails interesting with great views. Nice to do it with family too.
I was thinking the same thing!
For sure. It was nice to share the experience with my younger sister, mom and uncle. I doubt I could have convinced them to sleep in a tent, but staying in a heated yurt wasn’t a hard sell.
It’s always a delight to miss the crowds and explore the parks freely.
You bet! The fall colours in Algonquin are outstanding, but it’s never fun to fight for parking or hike on a crowded trail. I’d much prefer to visit during the offseason, especially when we’re staying in a heated yurt or cabin.
Oh, weather! However, you had many adventures and beauty before then. I love that picture of the sunrise or sunset too!
The weather is always unpredictable, but I’d say we made the most of it. Besides, I’d rather take a rainy day on the trail than one hunched over my computer at work!
A great pre -baby arrival trip Linda and so good that your family could join you too. I’ve never slept in a yurt but once spent two nights glamping in a large circular tent.
I was cutting it a bit close in terms of timing. Despite the weather, we managed to have a wonderful trip. It was also nice to share the experience with my younger sister, mom and uncle who otherwise would have probably never visited this park. Yurts are becoming more popular at our parks here in Ontario. It’s a great way to camp and comfort without having to take as much stuff. Plus many of them are heated and have electricity. It’s a great excuse to visit the park during the offseason.
Warm and dry is always a good plan. Glad you got to see at least some of it before the weather turned for the worse!
The weather can always bit hit or miss late in the fall. But hey, we managed to get some decent hiking in before the rain, so I can’t complain too much. Besides, at least we had the yurt to return to afterwards to warm up by the fire!
Thanks for sharing this idea Anita
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Algonquin is one of our favourite parks. There’s no shortage of things to do to enjoy nature. Cheers. Linda
Nice place again. Great photos.
It is good that you managed to keep walking during your pregnancy. I walked every day and only stopped 2 weeks before giving birth.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad to hear that you enjoyed walking when you were pregnant too. Sometimes it was tough to find the energy to get outside, but I always felt so much better afterwards. I ended up walking right to the very end, which included walking to the hospital the day the baby came. To be fair, we live like 10 minutes away from the hospital, so it wasn’t that far of a walk.
Are you now walking with your baby? I started to walk again with my baby 1 week after having given birth and he absolutely loves being out. He used to have long nap on me while I was walking (I had a front facing baby carrier). Now that he is 1 year old we can do around 4h with him in the backpack. he is looking at everything and complains if we stop walking 🤣.
I am! I was actually able to walk home from the hospital with my baby. She enjoys being outdoors too. We actually just came back from holidays a few days ago where we hiked nearly every day (I’m slowly getting caught up on WP) and had such a wonderful time. She’s still facing me while in her baby carrier (she’s only 5 months old), but once she gets better neck control, we’ll switch it so its front facing. We’re currently looking into getting one of those backpacks. That’s too funny that your baby complains when you stop walking!! It’s good to get them used to this kind of stuff when they’re young!
It’s a bummer the weather wasn’t better but still so great to get some fresh air and spend time with your family. I think if I was 8 months pregnant I wouldn’t need a connected bathroom haha, I’m impressed!
Oh I know. The weather can be hit or miss later in the fall. We made the most of it and managed to get some hiking in, but it would have been nice to have done more. I must admit, the one downside to glamping while pregnant was how often I had to get up during the middle of the night, put on my coat and boots, and walk (or drive) to the comfort station to use the washroom!
I love the Yurt! And what a lovely place to explore and spend time with your family 🙂
The yurt was a nice way to camp in style. I don’t think my family would have agreed to come with if we were going to sleep in a tent! Then again, I probably wouldn’t have gone either!
Definitely a win if you can get outdoors in a beautiful place with family 🙂 Even if the weather was somewhat questionable, glad you got to spend that time there in the fall.
For sure. We made the most of the miserable weather. And I’m glad we came prepared with board games!
Well, if I have to choose between the pretty colours of autumn or no crowds at all … then I’ll also think November is a good time! Despite the weather, you hiked on beautiful trails. You know what I always say: Any day in nature, is a good day.
Oh, and I hope you got the bottom bunk since you were 8 months pregnant at the time … 🙂
That’s very true! And I’d rather take a rainy day out on the trail than being hunched over a computer at work! I most definitely called dibs on one of the bottom bunks. It was larger and much easier to roll in and out of.
You guys are great at pivoting according to the weather. This looks like a nice series of hikes. I’m glad you were able to get the visit in. 🙂
It was a bit of a bummer in terms of the weather, but I’m glad we made the most of it. We managed to get in a few hikes before the rain and brought a few boardgames to keep us entertained in the afternoon. Not bad considering this trip was last minute. And I was eight months pregnant!
The photos are amazing – it looks like you managed to get a lot in despite the weather turning. Love the Yurt as well – we stayed in one in Yorkshire (uk) a few years back while exploring the area and it was great. Rachel 🙂
Thanks for your kind words. It was really nice to stay to a heated yurt, especially since the weather wasn’t the greatest. It’s a comfortable way to camp in comfort while still being in the park. Good to know there are yurts in the UK! We’ll have to visit sometime and see how they compare to the ones in Ontario.
Visiting Algonquin Provincial Park during the fall sounds like a wonderful idea and camping in a yurt must have been a nice change, especially considering the colder nights. It’s impressive that you went hiking while heavily pregnant, The Lookout Trail sounds like a beautiful hike with its views of the Lake of Two Rivers.
For sure! The warm yurt was nice to return to after spending the day hiking in the cold, especially when it was raining. It was nice to just curl up by the fireplace with a hot cup of tea. I doubt I would have come if we had to camp, even if I wasn’t pregnant! The Lookout Trail is one of my favourites. It’s even more beautiful earlier in the fall when the leaves are changing colour.
I’m so surprised that logging is allowed in a provincial park. It thought protecting the land was why we have parks. Anyway, it looks lovely even in the late fall. Maggie
Oh I know! it’s the only provincial park in Ontario that still allows logging. It’s also one of the few parks that still has some private cottages as well. But hey, I guess can’t complain too much. It could be worse, our premier could start to open up some of our green spaces for development. Oh whoops, he already tried to do that!
Industrial logging isn’t something I’ve thought about in a long time- very interesting. Another beautiful park! Love the yurt!!
It’s a bit strange how logging is still permitted in Algonquin as it’s the only park in the province that allows it. That being said, the logging museum was fantastic and gave a great overview of the history of logging and how it’s changed over time. The yurt sure beat sleeping in a tent! It was definitely a more comfortable way to camp.
This looks like a beautiful park to explore, and I love the yurt! That seems like such a neat way to lodge somewhere. The views from the overlook are also gorgeous!
We’ve been to Algonquin so may times over the years and there’s still so many trails and lakes we have yet to explore. It was a nice treat to stay in a yurt, especially given the miserable weather. It was quite spacious. And it had electricity and heating!
What a wonderful park to explore with your family, it’s beautiful with the autumn colours. It’s a shame the weather wasn’t better, but the yurt looks a cosy place to escape the rain. I love the very descriptive names of the trails.
It was nice to share the experience of visiting Algonquin with my family. It’s too bad the weather was crummy, but at least we managed to get in some good hikes before the rain. And we had the heated yurt to return to afterwards, which was a huge bonus. This just meant we had more time to play board games!
Sounds like a wonderful place to hike
You bet. It’s a fabulous spot to hike regardless of the season. While the weather wasn’t ideal, we still managed to explore a few of the trails.
The logging exhibits look so interesting… and it’s understandable that this is a place where it’s still allowed in designated areas because it’s such a huge park. Love the yurt! So nice and cozy, especially since the weather was not great.
The logging museum is incredibly informative. It was neat to learn more about the history of logging in this area and how it’s changed over time. I was surprised to hear that logging is still permitted as it’s the only provincial park in Ontario that allows it. I wonder whether this will change. It was especially nice to stay in the yurt given the miserable weather. While we didn’t want to do much hiking in the rain, we came prepared with some board games!
I imagine northern Canada is heavily forested, so I wasn’t really surprised to see that logging is still going on in Ontario. You seem not to be deterred by weather!
I must admit, the older I get, the harder it is to motivate myself to hike outside in the rain. We have even gone so far as to ditch our campsite and just stay in a hotel instead.
I have done that!! I’m quite a bit older than you, and not up for tent camping anymore. But those yurts look fun and cozy.
Staying in a yurt is a nice compromise between a tent and a hotel. It’s surprisingly quite spacious and comfortable.
I want to try staying in a yurt or OtenTik so bad!!!!! Everytime I read your bloG, I am motivated to try one!!! Beautiful photos 🙂 I love all the information you share about each place. It helped so much when my husband and I went to Canada for the first time 🙂
I highly recommend it. It’s a much more comfortable way to camp! Plus you don’t have to take as much stuff with you. It can be hard to book these roofed accommodations though as they are becoming more popular.
I believe it ! Sleeping in tents is tough
It’ll be hard to go back to tent camping! But thankfully I don’t need to think about that anytime soon because of the little one.
There ya go 🙂 She will love camping, whether in an O’ tentik or tent. When she is older, it will be a magical experience for her. When I was little, my family and I would camp all of the time. When you’re little, everything is new and exciting and so, so big! I remember falling asleep to the sounds of Katydids and crickets . It was so peaceful.
Oh absolutely. My family used to go camping all the time when I was younger too. I have such fond memories of playing on the beach and in the water, sitting by the campfire and make s’mores, and sleeping in a tent with my sisters. When you don’t have noisy neighbours, it’s a wonderful way to sleep listening to the sounds of nature!
It is ! I swear I’ve had some of the best sleep while camping. I have a funny story, speaking of noisy neighbors. One morning, I woke up to sticks like drumsticks being banged together and people singing in the neighboring camping spot. They were singing some song that sounded almost tribal. It was really cool but it was also very funny because it was so unexpected. I laugh now, thinking about it. I even laughed at the time because I was a little kid and had never heard music like that before. It was really neat but also very funny because it was very unexpected. Lol 🤣🤣 All the other times we’ve went camping though, we’ve had quiet neighbors. That’s cool you used to sleep with your sisters in the tent. I used to sleep with my brother in the tent or my mom, sometimes. The nights were always really cool there. It was great for sleeping.
Glad to hear you haven’t had any issues with the noise while camping, except for the singing. That’s so random and I can see why you found it hilarious, especially since you were young and anything unexpected is funny! Our campgrounds in Ontario are pretty packed in the summer and we’ve had way too many unpleasant experiences with the noise. We’re kind of over it now and have instead by staying in yurts and cabins during the offseason. And now that we have a baby we likely won’t be camping in a tent anytime soon, and I’m okay with that. I will miss our backcountry camping trip to Algonquin though. We’ve never had any issues on any of those trips. But then again, it takes us several hours of paddling and portages to reach our campsite!
Several hours of paddling ???!! Wow. You must get great exercise, geeze!!! I could imagine it would be a lot. Not getting sleep is the worst feeling. People probably get crazy in the summer with partying and that. I’m glad you found a way around it to still enjoy camping on off season
I do a lot of hiking, but paddling is a whole different beast. My arms feel like they are going to fall off afterwards, especially if we’re canoeing against the wind! But it’s worth the workout to escape the crowds and the noise.
I could imagine it would be!! I really enjoy kayaking. It’s tough when there’s wind and a current but, you’re right. It’s worth it. You get to see nature and the water from a different perspective, which I absolutely love
Canoeing is super tough when there’s some wind and a current too. We’ve definitely had to work for it sometimes. But it’s nice to push myself every so often. I’m much stronger than I think. And agreed, you get such a different view of the lake when you’re paddling through it!
Beautiful place and nature.
You bet. It’s one of my favourite parks in Ontario to just enjoy nature. We’ve been so many times and the scenery never gets old. Cheers. Linda
I grew up in logging camps on the west coast of Vancouver Island, then became citified in the US Northeast. My girls were young in the early 1980s, when my outdoorsman brother took us deep into Algonquin Park. We were four and seemingly its only humans. Never again have I heard such quiet, to not only hear the loon, but the ripple of its disapperance. Never again have I had such dark, to behold so many stars, even with my remote upbringing. The water was cold but inviting, and the animals probably never forgot the girls’ screams piercing the quiet on account of their new friends, the leeches. An unforgettable trip in God’s wonderland.
Out of all the parks in Ontario, we’ve spent the most time in Algonquin. It’s definitely one of my favourite places to enjoy nature, especially when we’re in the backcountry. We’ve swam in a few of the lakes and thankfully haven’t had to deal with any leeches. Let’s hope it stays that way!! While we’ve seen a bit of wildlife there, we’re still keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll eventually see a moose. It certainly sounds like you had a memorable time in Algonquin with your family! Cheers. Linda
Linda, we probably used up the leech supply then. You seem to be on quite the trip and that is most enviable. Keep safe as you enjoy it to the max! I am on a trip of my own this week, moving from Chicago to the area mid DC-Baltimore. That is, muted scenery to muted scenery. Sigh. Memories are truly a great blessing.
Thanks!! Travelling looks a bit different for us these days as a we have a six month old now. But so far so good. Best of luck with the move and safe travels. Packing is never fun, but it’s a good exercise to go through all your stuff and decide whether it’s worth packing and taking with you.
Yes, I am shedding many treasures into the alley of Hyde Park, Chicago. U Chicago is around the corner, and my move coincides with its move out days. It doesn’t much matter though, as the community has developed an art form whereby any worthwhile shed-able will find a new owner, in the alley. My dear son-in-law moved me out, and by end of day, all items placed there were gone.
Yours will be children of responsible wanderers who are already making their inclusion work – lucky them!
It’s funny how every campus tends to have a common area where people just leave the stuff they don’t want anymore. I remember making good use of this when I was a student. It’s crazy the things people throw out, but it’s great that some of it can be reused.
Wow, this is such a stunning outdoor playground, Linda, and a magnificent natural paradise of lush maple and fir woodlands, sparkling lakes and plentiful wildlife. It would be a perfect place to go walking, fishing and canoeing for hours without seeing a soul. Is this the park where the park authorities arrange communal ‘wolf howls’ that elicit ready responses from wolves in the area? Thanks for sharing, and have a good day. Aiva xx
Being completely surrounded by nature is one of the main reasons we keep returning to Algonquin. And even though we’ve been so often, there’s still so many lakes and trails we have yet to explore. You’re right, this is the park that conducts the Wolf Howl. They’ve been doing it for over 50 years now which is pretty cool. The timing has never quite worked for us to take part in it. Something for us to keep in mind for the next time we’re visiting. Cheers. Linda
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