For The RepsBlog
SearchGet the app

Outdoors

Algonquin Canoe Lake

You launch at the south end of Canoe Lake and paddle up the lake to Hayhurst Point, where a cairn built in September 1917 honours the painter Tom Thomson, who drowned in the lake that July. The lake covers about 10 square km and is also home to two Taylor Statten summer camps.

For The Reps · Updated

canoe trip scenery for Algonquin Canoe Lake near Ontario
Photo: Algonquin Canoe Lake by Sarthkr, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Ontario, Canada

The route

Canoe Lake to the Tom Thomson memorial cairn at Hayhurst Point.

Canoe Lake Access Point (#5) is at km 14.1 of Highway 60, where a short road leads to the southern tip of the lake. The Portage Store there rents canoes, and the access point has parking, a boat launch, toilets and showers.

When to go

Algonquin's day-use areas are open all year (2026 operating dates), but paddling needs open water; in spring, openings in the ice can close quickly.

Permits and fees

Everyone in Algonquin needs a valid permit. A daily vehicle permit for the Highway 60 corridor costs $21.00 per vehicle and must be bought online (up to 5 days ahead) or by phone, not in person; overnight trips need a backcountry camping permit.

Before you go

  • Check the Algonquin Park advisories for water-level alerts before you go.
  • Access point office hours change through the season, so check Ontario Parks before you rely on it.
  • Carry water, a map, suitable clothing, a first-aid kit and a torch, as the park advises.

What to bring

  • A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
  • A dry bag for your phone and keys
  • Water and snacks
  • Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
  • A warm layer, even on a hot day

Getting ready for it

Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.

A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.

Staying safe

  • Watch for changes in wind speed and direction on open water, and look out for storms.
  • Wear your life jacket, especially if the water is cold or you are not a strong swimmer.
  • Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against algonquinpark.on.ca, algonquinpark.on.ca, algonquinpark.on.ca, ontarioparks.ca, en.wikipedia.org and en.wikipedia.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.