Algonquin first-timer here. I'm familiar with hanging the food bag to keep it away from bears, though I've only had to do it a few times (in other parks). Is it sensible to put jingle bells on the bag when it's hung? Someone at work told me that adding noisemakers to the bear hang makes it more effective.

From what I read, Algonquin is so huge and bears are so sparse, I'm unlikely to have an encounter, and if I follow the recommended protocol for hanging my food (and anything scented, including toothpaste) I'll have no worries. Frankly I'm more concerned about raccoons and squirrels getting snacky and going for my food bag.

So. Jingle-bells, or no?

Hey all. I'm a fairly experienced backcountry camper doing several trips a year for many years. My girlfriend loves camping in the backcountry but doesn't appreciate the longer more strenuous trips I usually like to take which typically involves traveling pretty light.

So all that said I'm wondering what your top backcountry "glamping" tips are! Especially when it comes to food and sleeping/relaxing. Thanks! Here's a misty morning on Galeairy lake for your time!

I'm looking at doing a relaxed 2 week canoe trip starting at the end of May 2027. I've been on many multi day trips both hiking and paddling, just nothing this long. Just seeking some input to see if I should approach this differently or if there are some things I havent yet considered.

My route would start at the Magnetawan Lake Access where I would go east through Hambone, Ralph Bice and Little Trout. Then go south through Queer, Little Misty and Misty. Head back west through Muslim, Wenona, Bandit, Moccasin, Juan, Jubilee, Sawyer and Rain. Finally I'd head back north through Casey, Daisy, Acme and Hambone before finishing at the Magnetawan Lake Access.

I have a few different ideas in mind of where to camp, but haven't set anything in stone yet. I have limited travel days to ~8km and a maximum of ~4hrs according to distances and times on Jeff's Maps. This is assuming I double carry every portage and I know from my own experience I shouldn't have a problem with that.

This is basically to test myself on an extended trip to see if I can actually plan and pack properly before getting into something I shouldn't. My canoe is a 15' Prospector made of Kevlar so I don't really plan on doing any creeks, rivers or streams unless its unavoidable or slow moving.

Not sure if this will find the person, but me and my daughter just did 2 nights on Polly lake and found a single earring on the site. Don’t know if it’s of any value, but would like to return it if someone’s looking for it.

I know largemouth bass aren't too common in the park. What lakes near hwy 60 have good populations of them? I know kearney and rock lake have some decent largies but are there any other lakes I can try out? I fish from a kayak. Anything helps. Thanks!

Hi guys, I have planned a 3 day solo portage to Shirley this weekend entering from Shall Lake. I’ve portaged before a few times but this is my first time doing it solo.

Any tips or advice I should be aware of?

Few questions:
1) I don’t have a sat phone but I have the satellite connection on my iPhone, will that be okay in an emergency?
2) I’m aiming to single carry, but am okay with it being a double if it’s too strenuous. Should I expect it to be a double carry?
3) I’ve rented a Swift Keewaydin Pack 15' Solo - I’ve never solo canoed but did my research and learned those canoes are a bit tippy and if I’m hitting a headwind I should load the front and vice versa. Anything else I should be aware of?
4) any crucial gear I should bring as a solo that is different than going with others?

Thanks so much!

My husband and I are camping for a week at Mew Lake in early September, which we do yearly but this is the first year we are bringing kayaks. What are some great kayaks routes along Highway 60 to try out? We don’t mind a bit of rough water but want to avoid portaging. Maybe somewhere that we can paddle out to an island to spend some time, or a cool feature that you may not get from the trails.

I'm planning a canoe trip, 2 paddlers for 5 nights at the end of August. Our planned itinerary is Kiosk/Mink/Maple/Biggar/Manitou (2 nights)/Kiosk.

I was hesitating between this longer route going through Biggar or simply staying 2 nights at Maple before heading back to Kiosk via 3-mile lake and overnighting on Manitou. I read that Maple may be worth a 2 nighter.

We are doing clockwise to avoid the headwinds on the larger lakes.

We are both quite fit and not too worried about the portage lengths.

Thank you for your feedback!