Fall colours at Algonquin Provincial Park are breathtaking to behold.
But take a look at this photo; clearly, our secret’s out.
So if you’d like to enjoy the wonder of Algonquin’s autumn, or you’re looking for some solitude, read on.
We’ve compiled answers to the most commonly asked questions about fall colours at Algonquin along the Highway 60 corridor. Here’s our best advice for a smooth, memorable trip:
- What’s different in 2023?
- Do I need a reservation to visit for the day?
- Do I need a reservation if I have a seasonal permit?
- What access point should I book if I’m coming for fall colours?
- When’s the best time to visit if I want to avoid crowds?
- Will you limit the number of vehicles that enter the park if the park reaches capacity?
- When do the colours start to change?
- Where should I go? / Is there anywhere in Algonquin that’s NOT crowded?
- Okay, I’m entering via the uber-busy West Gate…what should I know?
- How will I know if there’s traffic / the park’s full already?
- Where can I park?
- Where are the washrooms?
- Is there anything I need to know about hiking the trails?
- Is the Visitor Centre open?
- Where can I grab lunch?
- What should I pack?
- How much does it cost?
- Can I stay overnight?
- Where can I go / camp if Algonquin gets crowded / is already full?
- Will my phone get reception?
- Will I spot a moose?
- Other questions?
1. What’s different in 2023?
Like last year, 100% of daily vehicle permits will be available in advance. This means we will know in advance if we have reached capacity for the upcoming weekend, and we will provide these updates on Twitter.
If we have already sold all daily vehicle permits for a certain day and you arrive at either the East or West Gate, you will not be able to purchase a permit (or use your seasonal pass), and you will not be able to visit the park.
The Visitor Centre will continue to monitor occupancy. If the building is at capacity, you will be required to wait in line for entry.
To access the Booth’s Rock Trail during the busy fall season, a special daily vehicle permit is required.
If you want to reserve a permit for Booth’s Rock Trail, you will first have to reserve a Daily Vehicle Permit (under the Day Use tab) on our reservation website. Select “Algonquin Park – Hwy 60 Corridor.” On the next screen there will be two options:
- “Booth’s Rock Trail + Hwy 60”
- “Hwy 60 (does not include Booth’s Rock Trail)”
If you are camping in Algonquin, you will be permitted to access Booth’s Rock Trail with your valid camping permit, capacity permitting. If the parking lot is full and at capacity, you will not be permitted access at that time, even if you have a valid camping permit.
Vehicles will be ticketed if parked in front of no parking signs or in the Rock Lake Campground.
2. Do I need a reservation to visit for the day?
If you want to guarantee your spot during Algonquin’s extremely busy fall season, yes.
We know you don’t want to spend your time driving to Algonquin or sitting in lines, only to be turned away because we are already full.
If you’re coming for fall colours along Highway 60, book the Highway 60 Corridor Algonquin access point.
You can obtain a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance of your trip, beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Make your reservation:
- Online at OntarioParks.com
- By phone at 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) – open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST
Not sure how to book? Here’s a walkthrough.
Camping in the park? Your camping permit also acts as your day use permit.
If you have a valid camping reservation, you do not need to also reserve a daily vehicle permit for those same dates. Just make sure your license plate information is correct.
3. Do I need a reservation if I have a seasonal permit?
Yes, but it’s free!
On their own, seasonal permits don’t guarantee access to a park. If the park reaches capacity, no additional vehicles can enter without a reservation, including seasonal permit holders.
The benefit of your seasonal permit is that you can make your day-use reservation for free!
When making your reservation, you can input your permit’s serial number, which will adjust your fee due to $0.
This video shows exactly how to do it:
Please remember to bring your reservation (printed or saved on your device) and your seasonal permit to the park. It’s important to make sure that the correct license plate is on your reservation.
4. What access point should I book if I’m coming for fall colours?
Algonquin is a very big park. When making your advance day-use reservation at Algonquin, you have seven day-use locations to choose from.
If you’re coming for fall colours you likely want to select the Highway 60 corridor – this is where most of our facilities are between West Gate and East Gate. So in the reservation system, select the Highway 60 corridor.
Your advance daily vehicle permit is specific to your location, so you can’t use a permit for Achray to access Highway 60. Please make your reservation with care.
To access the Booth’s Rock Trail between September 11 – October 23, a special daily vehicle permit is required.
If you want to reserve a permit for Booth’s Rock Trail, you will first have to reserve a Daily Vehicle Permit (under the Day Use tab) on our reservation website. Select “Algonquin Park – Hwy 60 Corridor.” On the next screen there will be two options:
- “Booth’s Rock Trail + Hwy 60”
- “Hwy 60 (does not include Booth’s Rock Trail)”
If you are camping in Algonquin, you will be permitted to access Booth’s Rock Trail with your valid camping permit, capacity permitting. If the parking lot is full and at capacity, you will not be permitted access at that time, even if you have a valid camping permit.
Vehicles will be ticketed if parked in front of no parking signs or in the Rock Lake Campground.
5. When’s the best time to visit if I want to avoid the crowds?
Simply put: Weekdays, from Monday to Thursday .
Fall weekends get extremely busy, especially at the West Gate. Thanksgiving weekend and Monday are especially busy.
Planning your arrival to avoid these times will reduce potential crowding on already busy trails and other park facilities. If you purchase your permit ahead of time, there is no need to stop at East or West gate to check in.
If you can only visit on a weekend, reserve your permit online and plan to arrive before 10:00 a.m. The trails get busier as the day goes on.
The West Gate and East Gate are open daily for information and merchandise. The park is open for day-use during daylight hours. Please keep in mind that days get shorter in the autumn. We do not recommend arriving later in the day. Plan your trip according to daylight hours on the day of your visit.
Also, when you are booking in advance and checking the weather forecast, consider visiting on rainy or overcast days. These light conditions can make the colours really pop, and there will likely be fewer visitors.
Wondering how busy the park is? Algonquin will post regular capacity updates on Twitter.
6. Will you limit the number of vehicles that enter the park if the park reaches capacity?
Yes. 100% of daily vehicle permits will be available in advance (book online or by phone).
This means that we will know in advance if we have reached capacity for the upcoming weekend. Once we have sold out of daily vehicle permits or reached our daily capacity, no more permits or park access will be available.
If we have already sold all daily vehicle permits for a certain day and you arrive at either the East or West Gate, you will not be able to purchase a permit (or use your seasonal pass), and you will not be able to visit the park.
Algonquin will regularly post capacity updates via Twitter in advance of the weekends during the week.
Park wardens will be using vehicle licence plates to confirm that your vehicle is associated with a valid vehicle permit. It is important to make sure the licence plate is accurate and up to date. The permit holder may change the licence plate online by preregistering, by calling the reservation service line, or upon arrival at the park.
7. When do the colours start to change?
Traditionally, the fall colours are on display from mid-September until mid-October, but the timing differs from year to year.
Check our Fall Colour Report for the most up-to-date autumn intel.
8. Where should I go? / Is there anywhere in Algonquin that’s NOT crowded?
Here’s a secret: most of our park visitors arrive through the park’s West Gate (travelling eastbound along Hwy 60 from Huntsville). This is where you may encounter traffic congestion. Many of the park’s facilities and features are actually closer to the East Gate – like the Visitor’s Centre, Logging Museum and a host of trails.
If you’re coming from the GTA, consider entering via the East Gate. Here’s how: take Hwy 35/115 north to Peterborough, 28 north to Bancroft, and 62 and 127 north to Whitney, west on 60 and access the park through the East Gate (about 5 minutes from Whitney). Generally, there is less traffic congestion and quicker access to park facilities taking this travel route.
Remember to fill up your gas tank on your way into the park. The last gas stations along Highway 60 are in Huntsville or Dwight from the west, and in Whitney to the east.
Please note: in the online reservation system there are eight day use options to choose from for Algonquin Park, including Highway 60 Corridor. However the other seven options have no trails, facilities, bathrooms, or garbage collection. They are intended to visitors who are canoeing.
Be sure to read the descriptions of each location very carefully to confirm what day-use amenities and facilities are available, and to confirm exactly where the location is.
Daily vehicle permits purchased for one day-use location in Algonquin are not transferable to other locations. For example, you cannot purchase a permit for Kingscote Lake, and use it to visit Highway 60.
When Highway 60 is at capacity or for a quieter fall colours experience, consider these provincial parks: Lake St Peter, Bonnechere, Fitzroy, Bass Lake, McRae Point, Balsam Lake or Driftwood.
Bonus: driving around the northern edges of Algonquin is a can’t-miss autumn adventure all on its own! Because this area falls outside of the park, no permit is needed.
Don’t forget to check out the facilities while visiting the park, including the Visitor Centre, Logging Museum and the Art Centre.
9. Okay, I’m entering via the uber-busy West Gate…what should I know?
We won’t be selling daily vehicle permits in the park on busy fall weekends, which will drastically reduce the traffic through the West Gate. The permits will only be available online.
West Gate is not an ideal place to stop because it can quickly become extremely busy during the fall.
If you have already purchased your day use permit online, there is no need to stop at West gate. Consider stopping for washroom breaks further in the park to avoid waiting in line.
The closest available washrooms when entering from the west are located at Tea Lake comfort station (open on fall weekends only).
On busy days, westbound traffic may not be able to enter the parking area at the West Gate and should always plan to use other washroom facilities located elsewhere in the park before leaving.
10. How will I know if there’s traffic / the park’s full already?
Ahead of busy fall colour weekends and other busy days, park staff will post regular updates about capacity on Algonquin’s Twitter . Also on busy weekends, we will post updates on traffic, closures, and conditions.
You can also follow the park’s Facebook page for general fall colours updates.
For information on your drive to the park, the MTO’s 511 Travel Information Service (Twitter or website) provides up-to-date information on congestion and traffic accidents on provincial highways. Please check this service the day of your arrival and avoid any potential delays.
11. Where can I park?
Please do not park on the side of the highway. Highway 60 is a provincial highway and is used as a thoroughfare by transport trucks on a regular basis.
The speed limit is 80km/h.
Please do NOT stop suddenly and park only in designated parking areas. Taking selfies on the highway is against the law and creates a dangerous situation for you and other visitors.
Park only in designated parking lots along Highway 60. Parking along the roadways or in an areas that restrict or block access may result in your vehicle being towed.
Your safety is paramount and your cooperation will reduce traffic congestion and assist in everyone’s enjoyment of the park.
Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
12. Where are the washrooms?
While there are washrooms located at the West Gate, there can often be long line-ups during peak times in the day, which can result in traffic congestion.
Instead, please take advantage of the other park facilities, picnic grounds, and many of the park’s trailheads, which have flush and vault toilets.
Washrooms may be closed at any time for cleaning or maintenance.
13. Is there anything I need to know about the hiking or bike trails?
Before heading out, always check the length, difficulty and time required to complete the trail. Allow enough time to get back to your vehicle before dusk (we suggest leaving a 30-minute cushion). Don’t forget to wear trail- and weather-appropriate footwear and clothing.
Hoping to visit the Lookout Trail, but the parking lot is full?
We have created a new 450 m trail connecting the Big Pines Trail parking lot to the Lookout Trail parking lot.
Please take advantage of this additional parking, and do not walk up the side of the Highway.
Note: The Hardwood Lookout Trail will be closed on five weekends, including some Fridays: Sept. 9-10, Sept. 16-17, Sept. 22-24, Sept 29 – Oct. 1, Oct. 6-9 (Canadian Thanksgiving), and Oct. 14-15.
The Minnesing Bike Trail is currently closed for construction.
To access the Booth’s Rock Trail between September 11 and October 23, a special daily vehicle permit is required.
If you want to reserve a permit for Booth’s Rock Trail, you will first have to reserve a Daily Vehicle Permit (under the Day Use tab) on our reservation website. Select “Algonquin Park – Hwy 60 Corridor.” On the next screen there will be two options:
- “Booth’s Rock Trail + Hwy 60”
- “Hwy 60 (does not include Booth’s Rock Trail)”
If you are camping in Algonquin, you will be permitted to access Booth’s Rock Trail with your valid camping permit, capacity permitting. If the parking lot is full and at capacity, you will not be permitted access at that time, even if you have a valid camping permit.
Vehicles will be ticketed if parked in front of no parking signs or in the Rock Lake Campground.
14. Is the Visitor Centre open?
Yes, the Algonquin Visitor Centre is open and offers discovery programs and exhibits. The viewing deck, art room, exhibits, washrooms, a dining area where drinks and snacks are available, and the bookstore are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please note the Visitor Centre will not be selling daily vehicle permits. Additional washroom facilities are available in the Visitor Centre parking lot.
To address overcrowding in the Visitor Centre, we will continue to monitor occupancy. If the building is at capacity, you will be required to wait in line for entry. Click here to see real-time occupancy updates for the Visitor Centre
Don’t forget to check out the Algonquin Art Centre at kilometre 20. Their hours and exhibits can be found on their website.
15. Where can I grab lunch?
While there are concessions open along Highway 60, consider packing a picnic and stop at one of the many of the park’s picnic areas.
Picnic areas include Tea Lake Campground (open on fall weekends only, has a comfort station with flush/vault toilets), as well as East Beach (please note: Picnic Pavilion closed), the Outdoor Theatre parking lot (picnic tables available), Lake of Two Rivers, Canisbay Lake, and Tea Lake Dam.
The Minnesing Picnic Area is currently open.
When disposing of food containers, use the animal-proof garbage/recycling containers (found at all major facilities). Please do not deposit garbage in toilets as this will damage them and make then unusable for park visitors.
Please don’t picnic or bring outside food — including boxed lunches — into any restaurants.
16. What should I pack?
Proper footwear is a must. Visitors should dress for the weather, including warm layers when appropriate. A raincoat or waterproof shell is always a good idea.
Visitors should also consider packing: water, snacks, phone (check our list of neat hiking, photography and community science apps), and camera.
Don’t forget to grab an Algonquin Autumn Day Use Guide – it includes a map of Highway 60 and all the key information you need to know for your visit. They’ll be available in blue boxes throughout the park and at most trailheads.
17. How much does it cost?
Entry fees for Highway 60 are $21.00 / day / vehicle (discounts available for seniors and Ontarians with disabilities. ID required).
Please note: permits for day use are for specific areas and cannot be transferred to other areas of the park.
Already have a seasonal permit? That’s great! You’ll be able to use it with our new advance daily vehicle permit service to guarantee your park access, at no additional cost.
Plan your visit with confidence by using your seasonal permit to obtain a daily vehicle permit in advance.
18. Can I stay overnight?
Absolutely. Reserve your spot online. We no longer offer first-come, first-served sites, and fall has become a busy camping season.
- Algonquin campground Achray, Brent, and Kiosk are open until October 23, located on the east and north side of the park (please note, these campsites are far away from highway 60 so plan accordingly)
- Mew Lake Campground (including heated yurts and cabins) is open year-round, as are most interior sites, located between Algonquin’s East and West Gates.
- Pog Lake is open until October 11, in the Highway 60 corridor, 15 minutes west of Algonquin’s East Gate
- Whitefish Lake Group Campgrounduntil October 10,
- Canisbayis open until October 23,
- Rock Lakeis open until October 16,
- Lake of Two Rivers is open until October 30.
There are also many nearby provincial parks available for camping, depending on which direction you’re travelling. Please note, these parks may also be full for day-use so find out before traveling!
- Lake St. Peter (30 minutes from Algonquin’s East Gate)
- Mikisew (1.5 hours from Algonquin’s West Gate)
- Restoule (2 hours north from Algonquin’s West Gate)
- Fitzroy (2.5 hours east from Algonquin’s East Gate)
- Driftwood (2.5 hours north from Algonquin’s East Gate, 1.5 hours north from Achray Gatehouse)
- Earl Rowe (2.5 hours south from Algonquin’s West Gate)
- Awenda (2.5 hours southeast from Algonquin’s West Gate)
19. I wanted to explore Algonquin, but it’s super crowded today. Is there anywhere nearby to visit instead?
If you didn’t book in advance, and drove all the way to Algonquin only to find that it’s at capacity, we suggest nearby parks like those listed below. You can get an advance daily vehicle permit for the parks marked with an asterisk. For the other parks, we suggest checking their social media channels, reserving a permit before traveling, and/or calling them ahead of time to make sure they’re not at capacity.
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- Bonnechere Provincial Park (1 hour from Algonquin’s East Gate)*
- Driftwood Provincial Park (2.25 hours from Algonquin’s East Gate)*
- Oxtongue River – Ragged Falls Provincial Park (5 minutes from Algonquin’s West Gate; please note this park is for day-use only)
- Lake St. Peter Provincial Park (30 minutes from Algonquin’s East Gate)
- Awenda Provincial Park (2.5 hours southeast from Algonquin’s West Gate)
- Earl Rowe Provincial Park (2.5 hours from Algonquin’s West Gate)*
- Silent Lake Provincial Park (1 hour from Algonquin’s East Gate)
- Balsam Lake Provincial Park (1 hour, 45 minutes from Algonquin’s West Gate)*
20. Will my phone get reception?
Tough to say — cell service is limited along Highway 60 and the trails, particularly between Kilometre 20 (Algonquin Art Centre) and Kilometre 30.6 (Mew Lake Campground).
21. Will I spot a moose?
Possibly. Remember to watch for moose while driving — they pose a serious danger to motorists. Stay alert, never exceed the speed limit and use extra caution at night.
If you are lucky enough to see a moose, please remember your safety – do not stop unexpectedly on the highway, or put yourself, your passengers, pedestrians, or wildlife in danger. Please do not approach wildlife, and it is best to remain in your vehicle.
22. Other questions?
Visit the park’s webpage and social media feeds, call the park directly at 705-633-5572, or send an email.
Facebook: @AlgonquinProvPark
Twitter: @Algonquin_PP
Instagram: @Algonquin_PP
A word from our team at Algonquin
The park and its partners continue to work on ways to protect park resources and ensure that you have an awesome time.
This fall season, Algonquin Provincial Park staff ask visitors to arrive ready for an enjoyable and safe experience.
Protect yourself and your park by following these tips:
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- Be patient and courteous. On fall weekends, you can expect some traffic congestion and delays arriving through the West Gate, even if you’ve booked in advance. Some park trailheads may have limited parking or even be temporarily closed at any time, especially when we are at or near capacity. For the most up to date information on trail closures check our Twitter.
- Help protect yourself and wildlife. Don’t approach, follow, or feed wildlife. Stay at least 100 m away from black bears and wolves, and at least 30 m from moose and deer.
- Drive responsibly. Observe highway and park speed limits. Do not park along the shoulders of the highway and watch out for distracted drivers. Parking is allowed only at designated trailheads, day-use picnic areas, access points, museums, and galleries. Vehicular access is only permitted on public roads within the park.
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For more information on visiting Algonquin this fall, check out our fall brochure.