Planning a Canoe Trip

Algonquin Outfitters Can Help You Plan any canoe trip from start to finish. This page contains a great deal of helpful information and links to even more. Click on any heading below to jump right to the start of that section.

The Canoe Trip Planning Guide
A comprehensive outline of all the steps to a successful Algonquin Park trip with Algonquin Outfitters. Those not using our services will find it useful also!

Personal Items To Bring On A Canoe Trip
A handy list of necessary items for those using our complete outfitting services or going on a guided trip. In short, a list of what is NOT included in a complete outfitting package.

The Canoe Trip Planning Guide
Algonquin Outfitters has produced a handy canoe trip planning guide that will make your vacation planning a little easier. While the guide is primarily intended as an aid for those using our outfitting services, especially first-time visitors to Algonquin Park, youth group leaders and complete outfitting customers, our hope is that all canoe trippers will find it useful to some degree.

The Canoe Trip Planning Guide Covers The Following Topics

Major steps in canoe trip planning
Gathering information and maps
Getting a group together
Setting trip dates
Choosing a route
Basic park regulations
Reserving camping permits
Deciding which Algonquin Outfitters base to use
Deciding what type of outfitting you require
Reserving outfitting needs
Arranging transportation
Getting to the access point and back again
Accommodation
Questions?
Useful links for trip planning

The planning guide is available by return e-mail or as a PDF file for easy reading and printing. Please follow the links below and you will automatically receive an e-mail version of our planning guide, with clickable links throughout, or the PDF version of the guide, suitable for printing.

You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat to view the above PDF files. Most computers have Acrobat but if yours doesn't, you can get it here:http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Personal Items To Bring On A Canoe Trip
An Algonquin Outfitters complete outfitting package provides all the basic necessities for an Algonquin Park canoe trip, along with many extras. Our packages include all the camping and canoeing equipment you need for an enjoyable trip, as well as a nourishing, delicious menu designed for wilderness travel. You only need to bring clothing and any personal items you think are necessary. Keep the list to a minimum since you must carry everything! Remember the old adage, "two changes of clothes - one on the back and one in the pack."

The list of necessary items varies with the type, length and season of the trip. If you forget something, or aren't sure what to get, don't forget that Algonquin Outfitters is also one of the best-stocked outdoor clothing and equipment stores in Canada. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff will gladly help you select the items needed to complete your list.

Weather in the Algonquin Park area is extremely variable. Summer daytime temperatures can get as high as 40ºC (over 90ºF) but nights can be cool - especially in August. Thermal underwear, gloves, warm hats and extra warm clothing are advisable in the spring and fall. In May and October, snow is not out of the question! Footwear is a matter of personal choice. During the spring and fall, when portages are wet and the water cold, many canoeists prefer waterproof boots. In the summer, choices vary from sport sandals to running shoes to light hiking boots. We recommend hiking shoes or boots for portaging. Open-toed sport sandals are great for wearing around camp or wading in for a swim but wearing them on a portage is an invitation to a "sandal-related injury."
See Algonquin Park live weather here!

These days, we can't emphasize enough the need for sun protection. At the minimum, you should have good quality sunglasses (cheap sunglasses can actually cause eye damage), a wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen (SPF 20 at least). Fair-skinned folks might consider bringing light cotton gardening gloves to protect their hands while paddling.

Essential Personal Items For Complete Outfitting or Guided Trip Customers

t-shirt (two for longer trips)
quick-drying shorts and/or swim suit
small towel (quick dry camping type)
lightweight long sleeved shirt (cotton/polyester blends are good)
sun hat (a full wide brim is better than a ball cap)
quick-drying long pants (some styles convert to shorts by zipping off the legs)
sunglasses
wool sweater or fleece jacket
sturdy footwear for portages (preferably well broken in)
socks (wool or synthetic)
campsite footwear (eg. sport sandals, running shoes)
toilet articles
extra socks for around the campsite (keep these dry!)
spare prescription glasses & personal medications (in waterproof container)
good quality rain gear (jacket and pants)
sunscreen
flashlight or headlamp (we do include flashlights in our packages but extras are handy)
pocket knife

Highly Recommended Items

notebook or journal and pencils
camera with extra batteries and memory cards (or even film!) in waterproof container
binoculars and field guides
day pack or fanny pack for frequently used items
fishing rod and tackle (fishing license can be purchased in the park)
rainy day entertainment: (book, cards, portable board game, etc.)

Spring & Fall Extras

lightweight synthetic or wool long underwear (top & bottom)
wool or fleece hat
wool or fleece gloves or mitts
extra insulating layers (eg. fleece pants and jacket)
waterproof foowear