Holiday Break - Algonquin Park 5 day / 4 night car camping trip Achary Campground
Explore Barron Canyon, see petroglyphs, experience High Falls and a natural rock waterside.
Skill Level: B1
Refer to Fine Print for Paddling Activities for descriptions of pace and skill levels required for this trip.
This is a great paddle for beginners. The water is for the most part, sheltered with occasional choppiness should the winds pick up. Paddle according to you comfort level, but for the most part I’ve had good conditions the many times that I’ve paddled there.
Kayak and Canoe Rental Information for Achary and the Barron Canyon
Trip Leader: Ed Brunato sbrunato@cogeco.ca
Achary is highly sought after remote campground in Algonquin Park, which is not a part of the highway 60 corridor. We booked 2 campsites and we can accommodate a total of 12 people. We will spend 3 nights at the Achary campsite, followed by a night at a family cottage in Petawawa for an additional night at no additional cost.
There is a strict 3 tent policy in the park, therefore, you must be willing and prepared to share a tent should you decide to join us. There are only 40 camping spots and this reservation was made back in February. Expect the campsite to be fully booked!
Price: $36
Price includes:
Price does not include:
- food
- beverages
- parking fees
- rentals
- transportation
For images, click on this link https://goo.gl/XSQe8u
Directions: see attached Trip Info Sheet
It is a one hour drive into town, so it is advised to be prepared for the entire length of the stay, however, it’s not the end of the world if you need to make the trek.
CAUTION: The GPS in the park is just plain wrong. (The gps has been known to chart a 5 hour trip into town going through a series of dirt roads when, in fact, it is about an hour’s drive.) Turn off of Highway 17 onto Barron Canyon Road. Follow it to Achary Road into the park. Just follow the signs and do not deviate onto any side roads.
Tentative Itinerary
- Sunday, June 22 - travel day - Arrive at the campsite any time after 1 pm. Campfire in the evening with a beverage of your choice!
- Monday, July 23 - Grand Lake and Clemow Lake - Optional: a hike to where Tom Thompson painted the Jack Pine in the afternoon or after dinner.
- Tuesday, July 24 - The Petroglyphs, Stratton Lake, High Falls to see a natural rock waterslide .
- Wednesday, July 25 - Pack up and drive to the Squirrel Rapids parking lot - Paddle the Barron Canyon. This will be followed by a short drive and a fairly easy 1 km hike to the peak of the Barron Canyon where you will see a vista of the the water system where you just paddled. Travel to the cottage in Petawawa. We can organize a BBQ or go to dinner in town.
- Thursday, July 26 - The Barron River paddle to the log shoot and to Spug Island for a picnic and an optional swim. Departure: early afternoon!
Please note that there is a 400 metre portage one direction to the Barron Canyon. I’ve done it many times by myself and with someone else. We’ll certainly help each other out. It’s a day paddle, so you don’t want to load your kayak with lots of stuff. Just the essentials.
Rentals: You may wish to make an arrangement to rent a Kevlar canoe from www.algonquinportage.com who will drop off and pick up the canoe at Squirrel Rapids. We won’t be paddling the rapids, which is why we do the portage :-).
Registration opens April 18 2018
