Algonquin Provincial Park attracts over 1 million outdoor enthusiasts annually with a mix of pristine wilderness, relaxing resorts, and some of the most diverse wildlife east of the Rockies. Aside from northeast staples such as moose, loons, beavers, otters and eagles, the park is also home to lynx, bobcat, and even a thriving population of EASTERN WOLVES! It’s one of the many features that makes Algonquin the most popular of all the provincial parks in Canada! So what else makes this land of rocky ridges, forested hills, and thousands of lakes so appealing? Keep scrolling and read our ultimate guide to Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor.
The first thing to know about Algonquin Provincial Park is that it is divided into 8 different regions. The most popular of these regions is undoubtedly the region known as the Highway 60 Corridor. This popularity is mainly due to the fact it is the southernmost part of the park. Because of this, the Highway 60 Corridor is the most accessible part of the park from the highly populated metro regions of Toronto and Ottawa. Its popularity is also due to the fact that the region is all located along highway 60 and is therefore easily accessible with well maintained infrastructure. THIS POST IS SOLELY ABOUT THE HIGHWAY 60 CORRIDOR REGION OF THE PARK.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
Permits for the Park
The next thing to know about Algonquin Park is that a reservation is required. We recommend that you pay for and reserve your “day use vehicle permit” (DVP) in advance HERE. At the time of this post, you can only book your DVP up to 5 days in advance. The more regular visitor can also book a seasonal pass instead. For those staying in a developed campground, backcountry campsite, yurt, ranger cabin or similar within the park, an additional DVP for the duration of their stay is NOT required.
It’s important to note that a DVP is only valid for one of the 8 specific regions of Algonquin Park that you intend to “use” on that day. It is NOT a general pass that provides access to the entire park. This really doesn’t seem to be too big an issue though, because traveling from one region to another in a day seems like quite the undertaking given the park’s impressive size.
The Highway 60 Corridor is the most popular and easily accessible region of the park. This 35 mile (56km) stretch of highway 60 is a year round highway and only those stopping at the park’s many attractions are required to purchase a DVP. There are “gates” at the eastern and western end of the corridor however they are located off the road, set almost like a highway rest stop, and you do not need to stop at them to “check in” when visiting the park. We recommend you print your passes in advance and leave them on your dashboard when exploring.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
Best Time to Visit
The most popular time to visit Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor is during the summer months of July and August. After this, many recommend the park during the peak of fall foliage which is typically the last week of September into the first week of October. For those who want to be eaten alive by black flies, we recommend visiting the park during May and early June.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
Where to Stay
As far as accommodations go, the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor region provides a wide array of options. For those looking to stay in the park (and thus not require an additional DVP), there are 9 different developed campground options available. Of these 9 campgrounds, only the Mew Campground has year round accommodations. It offers yurts and cabins in addition to traditional sites. For more specifics on each of these developed campgrounds, click HERE. For the more adventurous traveler, information on backcountry camping including paddle-in sites can be found HERE.
In addition to the numerous camping options, the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor region also has 3 all inclusive lodges. These lodges are called the Arrowhon Pines Lodge, Bartlett Lodge, and Killarney Lodge. Each offers luxury accommodations, fine dining, and numerous outdoor pursuits, all whilst remaining in the confines of the park!
Our last recommended option is staying just outside of the park and driving in each day. The road is literally a highway and commuting in from the neighboring town of Whitney on the east or Dwight on the west makes for a quick and easy journey. On our last trip, we were pleasantly surprised with our stay in the lakeside community of Oxtongue, less than 10 minutes outside the western boundary of the park. The property certainly required some repair and updating, but we found very cheap lodging at the Algonquin Inn, and for the low price point, we were satisfied.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
Where to Shop and Eat
There really were not a ton of great options for grocery stores near or in the park. For those approaching from the Toronto way to the southwest, consider stopping at Walmart just off the highway in Huntsville. If coming from Ottawa way in the east, perhaps stopping in Kilahoe or Barry’s Bay would be the best idea.
There are some small market type shops available such as the Dwight Market Pharmacy on the west, the Whitney Freshmart on the east, and the Lake of Two Rivers Grocery and Camp Store right in the center of the park; however, the options at these locations are much more limited and you should factor this into your plans in advance of your stay.
For dining, we recommend you plan ahead. We last went in the fall (which is considered off season) and many of the restaurants in and around the park were closing between 7-8P. We had good success with Algonquin Pizza and Panini in Oxtongue (open late) and our personal favorite was the Boiler Room Tap and Grill in Dwight. The all inclusive lodges also offer dining for guests who are not staying on the property, however an advanced reservation (sometimes days in advance) is often required.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
What to Do
Diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and convenient infrastructure make the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor the most popular region in the park. Aside from the dining and lodging accommodations listed above, this region of the park also boasts 2 museums, an art center, 3 cross country ski trails, a Visitor Center, 15 interpretive walking trails, 2 bicycle trails, a dog sledding trail, outfitting stores, countless waterways, and numerous picnic areas. Below, we will list our top 7 must do attractions in this fascinating place.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
1. Hike the Centennial Ridges Trail
The Centennial Ridges Trail is our top must-do attraction in the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor. This 7.6 mile (10.4km) loop is moderately challenging and gains 1,437ft of elevation. It’s classified as difficult by the park and they recommend 6 hours to complete, however we found it to be more moderate and it took us 4.5 hours with numerous stops and photos along the way.
The trail is known for and named for the spectacular views of the park that hikers get from two high ridges. Additionally, hikers are also treated to 5 different cliffs, a couple small ponds, and several beaver dams. On our most recent trip, we were even lucky enough to see the furry little architect of these dams and lodge hard at work!
As is the case for all of the 15 “interpretive walking trails” in this region of the park, at the start of the Centennial Ridges there is a stand with a trail guide booklet. The booklets contain interesting information about the trail in addition to a map. These can be used for FREE when on the trail and returned upon completion. They can also be kept for a small fee which can be paid with coins at the trailhead as well.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
2. Visit the Algonquin Logging Museum
This open air museum brings to life the history of logging in Algonquin Park and was a surprisingly favorite part of our recent trip. Consider starting your visit with a video presentation on the history of logging in the park. The video can be viewed in the small indoor portion of the museum or online below.
After leaving the gift shop and indoor section, the real intrigue of this attraction begins. An approximately 0.9 mile (1.4km) loop takes visitors past well constructed replicas of the park’s historic logging past. Each display is paired with further descriptions in both your free to use trail guide booklet as well as large signs along the trail. We found it very fascinating to learn about the lives of the men and animals that would make the remote parts of Algonquin park their homes every winter. It was interesting to learn about and be able to see the innovations in felling and transportation develop over the years as well.
The hike itself is easy and flat. It winds through forests as well as along a small but lovely pond. It is here that visitors are able to board a fascinating steam powered tugboat known as an “alligator,” just one of the many fascinating innovations on display at this top attraction of the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
3. Take a Paddle on One of Algonquin Park's Many Lakes
Algonquin Park is made up of thousands of lakes with some of the most prominent located right along the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor. The more adventurous among us can choose from kayaking or canoeing options up to 10 days or longer! These individuals can benefit from outfitting or even information offered by some of the well reputed rental companies in the park such as Algonquin Outfitters, Algonquin Portage, or Voyageur Outfitter.These outfitters also sometimes offer guided tours as well.
For the more casual paddler, the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor offers quick and easy access to over 10 sizable lakes right off the main road. Of these options, we found the Lake of Two Rivers Picnic Grounds and Beach to be an excellent spot to set off. Not only is there ample parking, but this location has an open grassy area for lawn games, picnic tables, bathrooms, a beach, and easy access to one of the most beautiful lakes in the park. Sunset makes for a particularly nice time to finish your paddle, and you’ll be sure to see others stopping their drives to appreciate the sun setting over the lake.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
4. Enjoy the View on the Lookout Trail
For those looking for a great view without the grind of the Centennial Ridges Trail or Booth Rock, consider the Lookout Trail. This 1.3 mile (2.1km) loop climbs through a young hardwood forest to the top of a cliff, offering a spectacular view over the park below. The trail is steep and considered moderate however it is short and can be easily completed in an hour by a decent hiker. The trail guide booklet offers unique insights into the geology of the trail which some may find very fascinating.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
5. Walk Along the Spruce Bog Boardwalk
The Spruce Bog Boardwalk is one of the most popular trails in the Algonquin Park Highway 60 Corridor. The trail is not long and does not require a lot of elevation change. The 0.9 mile (1.5km) trail spans across two separate bogs, involves traversing several different boardwalks, and takes about an hour if you take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Birding enthusiasts will appreciate this trail as one of the best places to view several different northern bird species. The trail guide booklet also offers a wealth of information into the diverse ecology of the trail and Algonquin Park in general.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
6. Explore the Visitor Center
Exploring to the Visitor Center is often our initial activity when visiting a new park. Eager park rangers are often able to provide invaluable information on trail conditions and construction which can save you a lot of headaches for the rest of your stay.
The Visitor Center is a top attraction along the Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor. Here, large impressive displays invite visitors to explore the museum, detailing the local flora and fauna of the park. Additional displays recount the logging and outdoor recreational history of the park as well. The main building also has nice bathrooms with a water bottle fill station, a small gift shop, and an informational video running throughout the day in their private movie theater.
Outside the Visitor Center, guests are treated to a large observation deck and a replica of a fire tower, pivotal to the early detection of fires during the early days of the park. Overall, we recommend budgeting about 60 minutes to experience this activity.
Algonquin Provincial Park Highway 60 Corridor
7. Admire Art at the Algonquin Art Center
The Algonquin Art Center is a fun and refreshing attraction in the abundant wilderness of the park. A visit to the Art Center begins with a walk through a garden remembering the life of famed Algonquin artist Tom Thomson. From here, visitors enter the main building where the gift shop and art gallery is found. The gallery is free but donations are welcome. Photography is not permitted in the gallery however photos can be found on their website HERE!
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