Travel Ontario

Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario has a special place in the hearts of virtually all Ontarions and many millions of Canadians.

The park is set in an area of the province accessible from Toronto in the south and Ottawa to the east. Provincial highway #60 runs through the south end of the park and is the main entrance and exit point for park visitors.

The East Gate is located just west of the town of Whitney. The West Gate is located just east of the town of Dwight. Many other access points run off highway #17 which runs along the north side of the park.

Algonquin's 7,725 square kilometres of forests, lakes, and rivers have acted as a refuge from modern development for more than 100 years.

Algonquin Park was established in 1893, during the logging boom that was then taking place in northern Ontairo. The park was created to establish a wildlife sanctuary, and to protect the headwaters of the five major rivers that flow out of the Algonquin Highlands. It was for this reason that agriculture was not allowed in the park.

Eventually Algonquin Park was "discovered", by adventurous fishermen, then by Tom Thomson and The Group of Seven. Eventually thousands of visitors would come to the Park every summer by train and stay in one of Algonquin's several hotels.

Over the decades Algonquin Park has touched millions of people and earned worldwide fame. It has been featured in more than 40 books and numerous videos and travelogues. Indeed, Algonquin Park has become the most important place in Canada for biological and environmental research.

Algonquin Provincial Park holds a very important place for all Canadians who cherish our cultural heritage and unique envinromental sensitivity.

Official Algonquin Provincial Park website.