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Algonquin Park was formed in 1893. Its original primary purpose was as a timber reserve designed to keep forest-clearing settlers out of valuable timber lands. Preservation was only a secondary purpose. In 1896, lumber baron J.R. Booth completed the Ottawa, Arnpriror & Parry Sound railway (OA & PS) through the southern portion of the park. Though designed to haul timber logs out of the park, it allowed the vast expanse of Algonquin to be opened up for tourism. Highway 60 was completed in 1933, further opening the Park to visitors. The OA & PS railway was abandoned in 1947; logging was now becoming a tertiary purpose of the park.
Throughout the 1960s, the number of visitors to the park increased exponentially. Organized campgrounds were created and/or expanded. Today, Algonquin is primarily a nature reserve, although logging, including limited clearcutting, continues.
A very few lakes accessible from Highway 60 have leased cottages on them, all following strictly enforced Ministry rules. The environmental impact is minimal,when compared to the amount of waste left behind by some less than eco-friendly visitors to the park. As well, reports of rescues of novice canoeists by cottagers are rather commonplace.
Park personnel familiar with wolves report that as of 2013, about 25 packs of wolves reside within the park. Reports of wolf attacks on humans are virtually nil.
Until 1958, a bounty was actually paid to park personnel for the killing of wolves; thankfully, in this regard at least, saner heads prevail, and " Wolf Howls" are a popular tourist attraction, which include a detailed lecture regarding the wolf. This event is held without charge, but do dress warmly. Prior to the 1958 ending of the bounty, wolves were largely replaced by coyotes in the ecosystem; wolves appear, however, to be making a strong recovery.
Algonquin's landscape consists of numerous small lakes (with a couple large ones, such as Lake Opeongo), rock outcroppings and rolling hills. Marshes and large swamps are scattered throughout the park, and can provide excellent wildlife viewing.
The Algonquin forest is actually not boreal, as most believe, but a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. This means that an increased biodiversity occurs. Though deer were once prominent throughout the park, the moose has largely replaced them. Moose frequently stand by the side of provincial Highway 60, eating swamp grasses in spring and summer, and can be seen licking salt off the roads in winter (spring, actually is a far better time to see them, as as the snow melts, the Moose become more mobile, and greater amounts of residual road salt are exposed). Moose are the only large animal most people are likely to encounter. Many people may stumble across a spruce grouse on a trail in the early morning. These birds believe their camouflage is invincible, and you could get as close as 30 centimeters. There are small wolf and lynx populations in the isolated portions of the park. Some bears are known in the park. Algonquin lakes have sizable fish populations, but fishing is regulated in all lakes, most especially the prohibition of bring live bait fish into the park, for fear of introducing invasive species. A small population of wood turtles exist within the eastern section of the park, but it is strictly forbidden to collect them (as indeed it is of any plant or animal within the park); wood turtles,once common in Ontario, are now an endangered species, due largely to habitat destruction, and vast over collection for the pet trade.
Not all of Algonquin's plants and animals are one you would like to have around you. In the southern reaches of the park (Below Highway 60), poison ivy is widespread. Be careful when hiking; adequate clothing is highly recommended. From late April to Early June, the dreaded Black fly is very active. These small insects will bite a chunk of skin off in order to get to the blood. They are known for their tendency to bite around the eyes, and occasionally an unfortunate human has to deal with a black fly that has gone into the eye. Once the black flies die off, they are replaced by mosquitoes. Both black flies and mosquitoes can be usually fended off with DEET insect repellent, or though the wearing of protective clothing; i.e. fly net hats, etc.
Algonquin is not quite part of Northern Ontario, but it shares the typical climate for its region. Springtime in Algonquin is likely to be cool and wet. The summer climate of Algonquin is not uniform. Daily highs could range from 16°C to over 30. In summer, it can be humid throughout June and July, yet the humidity tapers off around August. During autumn, it is cool and dry. The winters are guaranteed to be snowy, cold and harsh. Be sure to plan for the weather you are likely to face.
[url=http://www.parkbus.ca]Parkbus[/url] offers seasonal express bus service (May-October) from Toronto and Ottawa directly to campgrounds, lodges, outfitters, trailheads and canoe access points all along the Highway 60 corridor. For more information visit their website or call 1-800-928-7101.
In the park, it is most likely that you will be staying on a campsite. Remember, camping requires a permit which can be obtained at any Park office.
Leaving the Frank MacDougall Parkway zone where there is organized development, the chief reason for visiting Algonquin is accessing the park interior. There are 2000 km of canoeing routes in 7725 square kilometers of park. Located on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, there are thousands of lakes and streams. All of the canoe routes involved portaging from lake to lake or stream. Portages range from 2 meters to 5 kilometers, averaging 500 meters. There are 29 entry points to interior routes. Portages are well maintained and marked with a yellow sign at each end. Camping is only permitted at designated Interior campsites. Each is marked by an orange sign. There are also 13 historic ranger cabins that can be rented in the interior. Loons and Mergansers are common on most lakes. Moose are occasional seen. Beaver and otters are fairly common. Both black bear and wolves live in the interior but are rarely seen. A detailed map of the Canoe Routes of Algonquin Provincial Park is published by the friends of Algonquin Park and widely available. An interior permit is required for camping in the interior. The current fee is $11.75 per person per night. A reservation fee of $9 is also charged. Many of the popular routes are heavily used and should be reserved in advance. When reserving a trip, you will need to specify the entry and exit points and where you plan to camp each night. Each campsite is limited to 9 persons. Reservations may be made 5 months in advance. For trip planning, call the Algonquin Park Information Office at 705-633-5572. For reservations, call 1-888-668-7275.
There are 3 backpacking trails, the Uplands, the Highland and the Eastern Pines backpacking trails, all accessed from Hywy 60. A brochure, Backpacking Trails of Algonquin Provincial Park is available.
There are three lodges in the park offering both resort-type lodging and meals. Arowhon Pines is located on Joe Lake off Hwy 60 at Km 15. Its central log dining room is a romantic place to eat. Killarney Lodge is located on Lake of Two Rivers, featuring both cabins and dining. Bartlett Lodge on Cache Lake is located on an island and reached by lodge ferry. There are both cabins and fine dining.