**Deep Roots Adventure**, High Falls Paddle & Dine, Haliburton Highlands

Camping

Have an Algonquin Park Experience Outside of the Park

By The Insiders | Aug 01, 2024

Is the park too far for you? Have the same experience here in Ontario's Highlands.

Everyone loves Algonquin Park – and what’s not to love? Hundreds and hundreds of square miles of untouched wilderness, teeming with wildlife and amazing natural spaces. It’s a cornucopia of adventure opportunities for outdoor lovers.

The terrain and wildlife don’t become more amazing at the park border, and directly south of Algonquin Park, Ontario’s Highlands is home to endless forests, deep lakes, and ample wildlife. Use this as your resource for an Algonquin Park-like experience, without the drive.

Backcountry Camping

Camping in Algonquin Park is an adventure unto itself, but you can find the same types of experiences at one of these spots just a wee bit south of the border.

Land’escapes is a conservation area featuring 27,000 acres of virtually untouched wilderness. They offer curated itineraries to introduce novice campers to backcountry camping (while providing all gear and tutorials), or for self-sufficient campers who want to go it alone. With canoes strategically situated on each of the lakes you won’t even need to worry about portaging your canoe to reach remote and beautiful spots.
If you want to go backcountry, but keep it close to home, North Frontenac Parklands can be your go-to. These parklands are located on 12 pristine lakes peppered with 184 campsites, some accessible by vehicle and the rest by water.
Dip your toe into backcountry waters on the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails (HHWT), remote water access campsites sprawled across 28,000 hectares of rugged mixed forests and pristine lakes.

Wilderness Adventures

Getting outdoors is the whole point of a visit to Algonquin Park. These experiences run just south of the park and are comparable in terms of adventure factor and nature experience.

Deep Roots Adventure can help you launch your water adventure with one of their pre-booked experiences like their popular High Falls Paddle, Explore & Dine. If you just want to rent a boat or Stand Up Paddleboard, they can take care of that for you, too!
Finding Your Way Adventures offers guided outdoor forest bathing experiences at selected wilderness regions across Ontario’s Highlands. Their two-and-a-half hour experience will connect you with the wild while you learn more about wildlife, foraging and the benefits of nature immersion.
Try horseback riding through the rugged wilderness of Haliburton Highlands with a guided trail ride from South Algonquin Trails. Book by the hour or by the ½ day or day for a guided experience where they provide everything you need (including the horse).
Book one of Yours Outdoors’ guided experiences at Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, like their medicinal mushrooms guided tour, a fire starting workshop, or their rock climbing experience.

Remote Accommodations

If you want the remoteness of Algonquin Park, but without the mosquitos and breezy washroom facilities, one of these spots will do the trick.

South Algonquin Trails also offers overnight trail ride experiences, where you will enjoy a three-hour trail ride through Algonquin Park and then stay in a tiny cabin at the end of the day.
Located at the southern border of Algonquin Park, the award-winning Algonquin Eco-Lodge is a fully off-grid lodge geared for those looking for an epic wilderness experience. Stay in the lodge and enjoy prepared meals served in their rustic and remote lodge. You can also book one of their experience packages to maximize the outdoors.
Just west of Algonquin Park, Winterdance offers a three day combination guided wilderness experience and stay in one of their tiny log cabins. This experience includes catered meals.

Get Outfitted

If you have your own canoe or kayak, great! If not, there are plenty of outfitters in Ontario’s Highlands who can get you on the water and trail in no time. Use our list below but be aware it is not exhaustive.