Tim River, Access Point #2

Exit #244 off Highway 11, follow Emsdale Rd for roughly 2km, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information must be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in the village. Then continue on Highway 518 for 14.4 kilometres and turn right onto the Forestry Tower Road. Follow it and signs for 19 kilometres to the access point on the Tim River. Tim Lake, inside Algonquin Park, is 2 kilometres downstream (east). Latitude and longitude of Access Point: 45.740064°, -79.060106°

Magnetawan Lake, Access Point #3

Exit #244 off Highway 11, follow Emsdale Rd for roughly 2km, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information must be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in the village. Then continue on Highway 518 for 14.4 kilometres to the Forestry Tower Road and follow it and signs for another 24.2 kilometres to the access point on the north-west shore of Magnetawan Lake. Latitude and longitude of Access Point: 45.668067°,-78.986728°

Rain Lake, Access Point #4

Exit #244 off Highway 11, follow Emsdale Rd for roughly 2km, turn east and follow Highway 518 for 8 kilometres to the village of Kearney. Park permits and information must be obtained at the Park Office in the Kearney Community Centre located at the main intersection in the village. Then continue on Main Street for 0.5 kilometre and turn left just past the LCBO (liquor) store. Follow this road (paved at first, then gravel) for 24.5 kilometres straight through to the Access Point at the western end of Rain Lake. Latitude and longitude of Access Point: 45.603500°, -78.952518°

Kearney Community Centre
8 Main Street, Box 269
Kearney ON, P0A 1M0
Latitude and longitude of Permit Office: 45.558058°,-79.227265°

Permit Pick-up Location

Backcountry Reservations

Make a Reservation

• Ontario Parks charges fees for all backcountry camping in Algonquin Park.

• To make a reservations for a backcountry trip or a reservation for a Ranger Cabins, call 1-888-ONT-PARK

Background

• Reservations can be made 5 months before your arrival date. For example, backcountry campers can reserve on March 1 for August 1.

• The maximum length of stay on any one backcountry campsite is 16 consecutive nights.

• Maximum party size for backcountry camping is 9 persons per permit.

• A deposit is required at the time of booking for backcountry campsites.

• Campers must follow the route specified on their permit.

Before Making Your Reservation Call

• Have the official Canoe Routes Map-Brochure (or Backpacking Trails Map-Brochure) in front of you when you call the reservation number, especially in case modifications have to be made to your trip.

• Know where you would like to go on your trip.

• Know the following specific pieces of trip information:

• your intended trip start and departure dates

• your intended access point of entry and exit

• your intended travel route by lake area on a nightly basis

• possible alternate routes and access points in the event that your first route choice has already been filled to capacity

• Have ready the following pieces of personal information:

• your name, address, and postal code

• your telephone number

• the number of people in your party (maximum of 9 persons per site and per reservation)

• your vehicle licence number

• how you will be paying (if by credit card have its number and expiry date ready)

After Making A Reservation

• A confirmation letter will be mailed to campers who make reservations at least 7 days in advance, including customers who make changes and/or cancellations.

Changing or Canceling a Reservation

• Cancellations or changes to your arrival date can be made up to 12:00pm (noon) on the day of arrival by contacting 1-888-ONT-PARK. A cancellation, change, and/or administrative fee may be applicable.

Your Arrival & Late Arrivals

• Pickup your backcountry permit at an Access Point Office which may be located at your backcountry Access Point but not in all cases. See your particular Access Point for details.

• Backcountry reservations are only held until 8:00am the day following your scheduled arrival date. Reservations not claimed by this time will be considered a "no show". "No show" fee may be charged, see www.ontarioparks.com or 1-888-ONT-PARK

Backcountry Regulations

As with many other world-famous recreational areas, Algonquin Park has occasionally proved to be too popular for its own good. Excessive numbers of people simultaneously crowding through certain access points and the destructive camping practices of some inexperienced or uncaring people have threatened to degrade the very qualities of solitude, beauty, and wilderness sought after by most people using the Park backcountry.

In order to protect these qualities for present and future visitors, it has been necessary, after extensive public consultation, to enact certain regulations governing the use of the Park backcountry. Within provincial parks, Park Wardens and Conservations Officers are on patrol to: provide information to, and ensure the safety of, Park visitors; protect Algonquin Park and its resources; and enforce Park rules and regulations to ensure everyone has an enjoyable visit. Park Wardens and Conservation Officers have the power and authority of an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer (including the power of arrest).

The following regulations are a few of the more common regulations enforced in Algonquin Park.

1. Possession of Permit

Any party camping in the backcountry must possess a valid Interior Camping Permit.

2. Camping in the Park Backcountry

Backcountry camping is permitted only at designated backcountry campsites. Each site is marked on the ground by an orange sign and on this map by a red or black triangle. In some areas, especially within one day’s travel of the access points and at certain times of the canoeing season, the number of camping parties has the potential to exceed the number of available sites. To avoid this problem, the Park must therefore limit the number of camping parties. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you make a backcountry reservation.

At the time you reserve or buy your permit, you will be asked to specify your route. Assuming there is space available, your permit will list the lakes where you may camp and the nights when you may camp on those lakes. You must not camp on other lakes or at times not specified on your permit because the campsites involved may have been reserved for other groups.

3. Age Restriction

When camping overnight, persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or by a person appointed by a parent.

4. Individuals per Campsite/Party Size Limit

Without limits, campsites would soon deteriorate and surrounding vegetation would be destroyed. The number of people permitted to camp at one campsite in the Park backcountry is limited to nine individuals on their site. In principle, larger groups may travel and eat together, but they must break up to camp and should plan their trips accordingly.

5. Can and Bottle Ban

Can and bottles are not permitted in the Park's backcountry.

6. Respect for Vegetation

It is forbidden to cut or damage any living tree or other plant. This specifically prohibits such disfiguring and outmoded practices as cutting evergreen boughs for bedding; cutting birch bark from living trees; and embedding nails, axes or other objects in trees.

7. Noise Restrictions

To ensure the appreciation of natural sounds of Algonquin Park excessive noise is not permitted.

8. Firearms/Fireworks Prohibited

Except for legal hunts (see Hunting and Trapping), it is forbidden to possess firearms. Due to the extreme danger of starting a forest fire and to preserve the tranquility of camping, the use or possession of fireworks is strictly prohibited.

9. Motor Restrictions

Motor restrictions exist on most Park lakes.

10. Caching of Motor Boats and Canoes

Motor boats and canoes may not be left unattended in Algonquin Park except in several specific locations,

12. Float Planes

Float planes may not land in Algonquin Park or drop supplies into Algonquin Park.

13. Bicycles

Bicycles and other pedal-operated conveyances are permitted off public roads only on designated trails and otherwise closed roads – both indicated on the Canoe Routes Map by thin solid red lines.

14. No Live Baitfish

In order to protect Algonquin Park's aquatic ecosystems, possession or the use of live baitfish are prohibited in Algonquin Park.

15. Special Fishing Regulations

Algonquin Park contains a special cold water fishery, including some the world's best Brook Trout and Lake Trout fishing opportunities. In order to protect this special fishery, special regulation have been enacted.