Algonquin's backcountry comes alive in the fall.
Explore a wilderness of sparkling lakes, rugged pine shores, and maples blazing crimson and gold – a landscape that has drawn paddlers for generations. This trip takes you deep into this spectacular wilderness. Over three days, paddle a historic canoe route, camp in secluded backcountry sites, and share hearty meals under the stars. Along the way, build real outdoor skills while soaking in the peace and beauty of autumn from a perspective few ever experience.
What To Expect
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Paddle Into the Colours
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Your journey begins at the access point around 10:45 AM, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow paddlers. After a quick gear check and a relaxed lunch together, we load canoes and head out onto the lake. The first afternoon is designed to ease you in—about 3 to 4 hours of paddling with a couple of short portages as the shoreline bursts with autumn colour. By late afternoon, we reach camp and settle in. Help set up tents, sip something warm by the fire, or wander the shoreline as the forest glows in reds and golds. Dinner is hearty and comforting, followed by stories around the fire and, if skies are clear, brilliant fall stargazing before turning in.
Day 2
Explore or Settle Into Camp
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Cool, crisp morning air and hot coffee mark the start of the day. After breakfast, the group decides how to spend it. Option one: paddle deeper into the park, travelling 4–6 hours with a few portages to reach another scenic campsite surrounded by peak fall colours. Option two: stay put and enjoy a slower pace—take a day paddle through quiet bays, watch for moose along marshy shorelines, read in a hammock, or simply enjoy camp life as leaves drift across the water. As evening settles in, we gather again for a warm meal and another cozy night around the fire, soaking in the stillness that only autumn in Algonquin brings.
Day 3
A Quiet Paddle Home
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The final morning is unhurried. After breakfast, we pack camp and begin the journey back at an easy pace. The lakes are often glassy this time of year, perfect for a peaceful final paddle as mist lifts from the water and fall colours reflect around you. We aim to return to the access point around 2–3 PM—feeling refreshed, a little smoky from campfires, and carrying memories of Algonquin at its most beautiful.
