This post was originally written last summer immediately after our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. However in the bustle of sending children off to various summer camps it ended up languishing in the drafts folder until now.
We’re just back from Ecuador and have barely managed to get all the laundry done before we start packing for our Algonquin camping trip with friends. Thankfully the weather is looking pretty good for the next few days and since we’re going a bit later in July this year we’re hoping the mosquitos and black flies won’t be as bad as they were last summer.
The friends we’re joining love camping and Algonquin is one of their favourite places. Although we’re still only doing car camping they’ve been able to find wonderful campsites that are large enough to accommodate both families and have amenities like sand beaches, flush toilets and lots of hiking and canoeing in the area. Achray, Algonquin has quickly become one of our favourite spots.
As always our car ends up completely packed with gear. In this case we ended up with a rental as our usual car was having a battery issue fixed.
Our tent is theoretically a six person REI base camp 6. While we’ve found it perfectly adequate for four, it seems unlikely that you could six people in there without stacking them like firewood.
The beach is truly stunning and not particularly weedy in the main area.
You can rent canoes and kayaks from the camp office however they do sometimes run out. We’ve also rented from two different providers just outside the park who deliver your canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals to a designated spot near the beach. If you’ll be going mid-week – or pretty much anytime other than a long weekend – it’s easiest to rent directly through the park.
Prices as of July 2024
The bathrooms have flush toilets and sinks and are cleaned and resupplied throughout the day. Nothing fancy but they work. They do have solar lights but it gets dark at night so don’t forget a flashlight or headlamp.
Our friends usually try to book a campsite just off the main beach, which is a bit weedier. Catching tadpoles and minnows can keep the children entertained for hours.
S’mores! Made even better by extra large, brightly coloured marshmallows.
It’s been incredibly calm this evening which is great for the campfire, but less ideal for the bugs. Hopefully they don’t come out in force.
Off for an early bedtime. Hopefully the kids will sleep through the night. They often don’t when we’re camping…