Good camping+hiking trips in Ontario?

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Feb 3rd, 2019 11:50 am

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Jun 25th, 2018 10:20 am

Kaitlyn [OP]: Deal Guru; May 6, 2005; 11509 posts; 1482 upvotes; GVR

Jun 25th, 2018 10:20 am

Good camping+hiking trips in Ontario?

I've recently hiked around NZ and the Canadian Rockies so the idea of hiking+camping in ontario isn't the most attractive to me right now, but I have an opportunity to go for a ~4 day trip with a friend at the end of August (overlapping weekend) and would like to find a good place to go. We'd be leaving on day 0 from Toronto with a car.

Up for car camping, canoe+portaging, anything really! The big ones that come to mind are Bruce - which I understand gets overrun with people in summer, and algonquin - which I think is basically the same, and I've heard it's really only good for canoe trips. I'd worry about any options being beyond fully booked though

11 replies

Jun 25th, 2018 10:46 am

ToDealHunter: Deal Addict; Feb 10, 2010; 1733 posts; 1189 upvotes; Toronto

Jun 25th, 2018 10:46 am

Hi Kaitlyn,

So what shoes/boots did u got for your trip?

Maybe 4 days is not enough days but you can try to do
La Cloche Silhouette Trail at Killarney Provincial Park, is a 78 km backpacking loop trail, or around the same area (Northern Ontario) you can adventure in Tamagami Wilderness.

Jun 25th, 2018 10:54 am

Kaitlyn [OP]: Deal Guru; May 6, 2005; 11509 posts; 1482 upvotes; GVR

Jun 25th, 2018 10:54 am

ToDealHunter wrote: ↑ Hi Kaitlyn,

So what shoes/boots did u got for your trip?

Ended up getting the Salomon X-Ultra Trek and they worked out great!

ToDealHunter wrote: ↑Maybe 4 days is not enough days but you can try to do
La Cloche Silhouette Trail at Killarney Provincial Park, is a 78 km backpacking loop trail, or around the same area (Northern Ontario) you can adventure in Tamagami Wilderness.

Yeah hmm - after a quick look most sites peg it as a 7-10 day trail. Though maybe that's more relaxed? Because I've done 20km/day regularly with surely more elevation gain than in Ontario! At the same time it would be nice to be able to go at a slower pace and enjoy things more vs a series of "rushed" full-day hikes

Jun 30th, 2018 11:50 pm

Liko: Member; Dec 24, 2007; 404 posts; 233 upvotes; Toronto

Jun 30th, 2018 11:50 pm

I'd recommend Algonquin. If hiking for 4 days, then the Western Uplands Loop #2 could be accomplished in that time frame. It's around 55km of hiking. Not lots of scenery though. If going for the scenery, then canoeing is the way to go.

+1

Jul 1st, 2018 10:57 am

Kaitlyn [OP]: Deal Guru; May 6, 2005; 11509 posts; 1482 upvotes; GVR

Jul 1st, 2018 10:57 am

Liko wrote: ↑ I'd recommend Algonquin. If hiking for 4 days, then the Western Uplands Loop #2 could be accomplished in that time frame. It's around 55km of hiking. Not lots of scenery though. If going for the scenery, then canoeing is the way to go.

Yeah I've heard canoeing is what you have to do with algonquin if you want scenery. Too bad. Don't think we're against canoeing, but those are basically always fully booked out well in advance aren't they?

Jul 1st, 2018 3:04 pm

Liko: Member; Dec 24, 2007; 404 posts; 233 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 1st, 2018 3:04 pm

Kaitlyn wrote: ↑ Yeah I've heard canoeing is what you have to do with algonquin if you want scenery. Too bad. Don't think we're against canoeing, but those are basically always fully booked out well in advance aren't they?

It's definitely peak season in July and August and it does get very busy. Algonquin is a massive park with many sites. I still think you can easily find something that works for you. Deciding on a route will be the trickier part. Best to talk to someone from Algonquin to get a better idea what's available. The Ontario parks reservation map will also give you an idea of how booked up they are. If renting, there are plenty of outfitters for rentals.

Backcountry Reservations

Jul 2nd, 2018 10:33 am

Poppwl: Deal Addict; Aug 15, 2015; 1568 posts; 206 upvotes; Markham, ON

Jul 2nd, 2018 10:33 am

Killbear park is nice too! There are lots of nice parks in Ontario. If you got the free 2018 Ontario Parks Calendar, in the middle of that calendar is a map of some of the Ontario Parks. I pinned the map up on my wall! Lovely map! There's many options. Make your pick! Their website is ontarioparks.com.

you can also subscribe to their email so you get email from them occasionally (very occasionally) with pictures of parks they are featuring in their email list.

Jul 6th, 2018 6:21 pm

6up: Sr. Member; Jul 29, 2006; 636 posts; 20 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 6th, 2018 6:21 pm

....head to the Thunder Bay or Sudbury area!

....life needs more green lights.

Jul 12th, 2018 8:17 pm

eager beaver: Deal Addict; Sep 2, 2010; 1767 posts; 810 upvotes; Bummer's Roost

Jul 12th, 2018 8:17 pm

6up wrote: ↑ ....head to the Thunder Bay or Sudbury area!

Yes, driving slightly north of where the hordes of people go (basically Killarney or Algonquin Park) opens up massive areas to enjoy.
You may want to look into the Voyageur Multi Use Trails around Mattawa.

Jan 8th, 2019 7:06 pm

pyro_: Member; Dec 19, 2008; 257 posts; 168 upvotes

Jan 8th, 2019 7:06 pm

There are a few options up here near Sudbury. There is Killarney, right next to there is the trail at point grand is though that is only good for one or two nights until they get the longer trail open. Of the beaten track north of Sudbury is ishpatina ridge the highest point in Ontario. There is also heavens gate trail which is fairly rough and not well marked over near Massey, would only recommend this to somebody who really knows what they are doing though as you are out of contact most of the trail, it is a rough trail and nobody is out there

Jan 12th, 2019 12:39 am

freed1b: Member; Dec 1, 2006; 204 posts; 88 upvotes

Jan 12th, 2019 12:39 am

lots of good ideas.... getting the bug to go
thanks to all

Feb 3rd, 2019 11:50 am

Guncho: Deal Addict; Sep 27, 2009; 1852 posts; 315 upvotes; Oakville, ON

Feb 3rd, 2019 11:50 am

There are so many lakes and access points in Algonquin you shouldn't have a problem finding something. Join the Facebook group Ontario Backcountry Camping.

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