Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the most iconic places in Ontario all year round, and that’s for good reason!
With so many activities to try, the vast winter landscape is an opportunity for you to choose your own adventure.
Snowshoeing through the forest is rewarded by the scenic vistas and solitude. Winter camping gives you a stunning a view of the moon casting long shadows through the trees on a clear winter night. Making a discovery of your own by following tracks along the path is a real treat.
This year, West Gate will feature weekend campfires and amenities like a drying rack!
Here are eight reasons you need to visit this winter:
1. Winter camping choices
If you’re a summer camping enthusiast, now may be the time to put your skills to the test in a different season.
Algonquin has options for those who want to pitch a tent for the night. Mew Lake Campground offers plowed sites and a winterized comfort station. Sites can be reserved online or by phone at 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275).
If you want a more adventurous experience, Algonquin’s backcountry is open as well.
Camping in the winter has its challenges, so be prepared for the conditions. Read more about winter camping 101 or hot tent camping.
New for this year: Backcountry camping is no longer permitted in the Mew Lake Airfield. (Don’t get upset; you’ll like the reason!) A new 2.2 km novice ski trail is waiting for you at the Mew Lake Airfield.
Backcountry winter camping is still permitted elsewhere, as long as you:
- have a permit
- are not on a designated winter or summer campsite
- are over 30 m away from a lakeshore, waterbody, trail or portage
You must make a reservation for winter backcountry camping in Algonquin online or by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275).
2. Roofed accommodations
Of course, if you’d like to stay overnight in a bit more comfort, there’s an option for that too. Algonquin offers 10 roofed accommodations that are available this winter. Cabins and yurts are in high demand, so try booking for midweek to improve your odds.
Six yurts and four camp cabins in Mew Lake Campground are open all year long, and can be reserved online.
Each yurt and cabin has a table and chairs, as well as two bunkbeds that can sleep up to six. Each also has electrical heat, fluorescent lighting, and electrical outlet(s).
Here’s a guide to winter and yurt camping in Ontario Parks.
3. Discovery programs with park naturalists
Curious about how Algonquin’s wildlife survive the winter? Discover the secrets with us!
This winter, Algonquin is offering a variety of Discovery programs led by park naturalists, perfect for all ages and interests.
Check out our events page for dates and locations! Stop in at the Visitor Centre to check out the exhibits or bring your questions to our knowledgeable staff.
4. Winter wildlife viewing
Many of Algonquin’s resident animals stay active throughout the winter.
Hike any of our year-round trails for your chance to spot signs of these creatures.
Remember, you can help us record wildlife viewing at the park at the East Gate, West Gate, and the Visitor Centre or through the iNaturalist app.
Observant (and quiet) visitors will find tracks of moose, martens, fishers, otters, foxes, and elusive Algonquin Wolves, and may occasionally see the animals themselves.
Keep your eyes on the skies as well! Birds such as the Common Raven, Canada Jay, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, and colourful winter finches are common visitors.
Listen carefully for the calls of birds flying overhead, and the tapping of four species of woodpecker.
Remember to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, respect their boundaries and park rules.
5. Discover winter’s wild heart: backcountry skiing at Algonquin Provincial Park
Step off the beaten path and glide into the quiet wilderness of Algonquin’s backcountry ski trails. Here, snow-laden trees frame endless white corridors, and every turn reveals untouched beauty, frozen lakes, silent forests, and the crisp stillness of true northern solitude.
Algonquin offers 72 km of groomed ski trails for all skill levels, taking you deep into Algonquin winter woods. Many ski trails feature warm-up cabins with a wood stove – a great place for a mid-ski picnic or to relax fireside. Both Fen and Leaf Lake Ski trails even offer warm-up cabins that can be rented overnight for a real wilderness skiing experience.
New this year is the Airfield Ski Trail! This 2.2 km loop is groomed, trackset, and intended for novice skiers. Note: backcountry winter camping is no longer permitted in the Mew Airfield.
Check the Ontario Parks Snow Report for updated ski and snow conditions.
6. Skating on the rink
Pack up the kids and spend the day on the ice.
Part of the parking lot in the Mew Lake Campground is turned into a modest skating rink in the winter. And in case you forget a stick, net, or pucks, Algonquin offers some on loan at the rink. Shinny, anyone?
7. Snowshoeing opportunities
Snowshoeing enthusiasts can go virtually anywhere in the park except the groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails. We recommend staying off ice as conditions can be unpredictable.
If you prefer a set trail, you might try one of the short walking trails along the Highway 60 corridor. Visit a park office for recommendations.
If you don’t have your own snowshoes, Algonquin offers a limited number of rentals at the East and West Gates. Alternatively, a number of nearby businesses also offer rentals.
8. Winter biking
Snow on the trails no longer means that bike season is over; it means that winter biking season has begun!
Winter bikes are mountain bikes with oversized tires that allow cyclists to travel over snow with ease.
The Old Railway Bike Trail is the perfect spot to get out and try them out.
Check out Algonquin Outfitters at their Huntsville location. They offer a range of winter bike makes and models for rental and sale.
Visit Algonquin this winter
There’s so much at Algonquin to explore, and this list only scratches the surface!
To help guarantee access for day use, our visitors can plan their trip ahead of time and obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance.
Reservations can be made online.
For more information, including how seasonal-permit holders can take advantage of this opportunity, please visit our website.
The quiet, snowy forests of Algonquin are an amazing place to reconnect with family, friends and nature. See you this winter!
Adventure waits for you at Algonquin.
