Established in 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park is the oldest Provincial Park in Ontario. It is named after the Algonquin First Nation, who traditionally used this area for hunting, fishing and gathering. This First Nation lived in the area for 8000 years, before the arrival of the Europeans in the 1500s. In the 1800s Pioneer loggers started working in the Algonquin highlands, cutting down White Pine trees to help support the British economy. Now, Algonquin Provincial Park helps to preserve these cultural heritage features and protect wildlife habitats. When visiting the park, you can enjoy activities like backpacking, camping, canoeing, hiking, picnicking, swimming, wildlife watching, and exploring the park's logging museum and arts centre. In the fall, you can experience the spectacular colours of the foliage; a must see at the end of September and early October! The park is open year-round, so you can experience typical Canadian winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, skating, ice fishing, and backcountry camping (for those who can brave the cold). After visiting this famous Provincial Park, you will see that it far exceeds its reputation, making it the perfect place to visit over and over again.
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As of 2024, the Great Lakes Guide will be transitioning to Biinaagami.org. Biinaagami is a multimedia, change-provoking initiative rooted in Indigenous knowledge aiming to uplift voices and to connect people with their watershed.
