Canoeing on Canoe Lake: an hour and a half of pure enjoyment
A short outing can be enough, even when the rental is for a whole day.
We rented a canoe on Algonquin’s Canoe Lake and spent about an hour and a half paddling. It was genuinely great fun and a different way to enjoy the park after walking.
The lake also belongs to the story of Canadian art through Tom Thomson’s connection with Algonquin. The combination of water, trees and changing light helps explain the landscape’s lasting appeal to painters.
Our rental was for the whole day, but we had deliberately planned only a short paddle on the lake. We did not feel obliged to turn it into a full-day expedition.
Other visitors undertake longer journeys between lakes, with portages and more extensive preparation. That was not our trip: we stayed on this lake.
Get paddling instructions, wear a life jacket and understand the return arrangements. Wind can make the return more difficult than the outward paddle. Keep valuables and dry clothes suitably protected.
This was a particularly successful addition to our day. It combines well with the short Spruce Bog walk without turning either activity into a race.
Practical notes
Our paddle lasted about 1.5 hours.
Our rental was daily; this does not mean every operator offers only daily rentals.
Check weather, equipment and return conditions with the operator.
Planning and booking
More from our Canada trip
Our day in Algonquin: forest, a short trail and canoeing
Spruce Bog Boardwalk: an easy short loop in Algonquin