Algonquin Park
Protected from the noise and rush of civilization, this world-renowned park in Ontario is a sanctuary for the rugged beauty of the maple, pine, moose, and wolf. A Provincial Park since 1893, the 7500 square kilometers (3500 square miles) of Algonquin Park are home to a diverse and unblemished eco-system that can be found nowhere else on earth.
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Glaciers that receded ten thousand years ago created the distinctive rock outcroppings and spring-fed lakes of Algonquin. These mountains of ice have left the park with a rough, stark beauty. This, combined with its location, 3 hours northeast of Toronto and 2 1/2 hours west of Ottawa makes Algonquin an ideal attraction for those looking to escape the hustle of the city.
This majestic park, minutes away and seen from our lakeshore, is awe-inspiring and completely peaceful with the incredible beauty of nature. Come experience the Algonquin grandeur, with all its fresh clean air, deep blue skies, rich green forests and hundreds of pristine lakes. It is impressive.
In Algonquin Park, thigh-deep snow can occasionally be found as late as March. Being blessed with this much snow means that snowshoeing is one of the best ways to see the wilderness in winter. Snowshoeing enthusiasts will find the entire Park open to them (except the ski trails). Two great spots for snowshoeing are through the Algonquin outdoor Logging Museum or through the large maple stand on the hill behind our resort. Pro-snowshoes are available at the Resort for you daily rental experience.
Choose from 17 well-marked and safe nature trails with fantastic vistas. These are great for bird watching and small wildlife sightings. Moose are everywhere in May and June. Come and see! Deer, bears and wolves are occasionally spotted throughout the park. The enchanting cry of the loon echoes across the lakes and the lucky visitor may even hear the eerie howl of the reclusive Algonquin wolf. In the autumn, the maple, oak, and birch erupt in a display of colour like no other - their reds, oranges, and yellows reflect in the water of the countless lakes that can be found inside the park. Winters in Algonquin are incredible, under a deep blanket of brilliant white snow creating a sensation of solitude.
If you are curious about Algonquin's past and you wish to spark your imagination, then take the time to explore the park's extensive outdoor Logging Museum and Algonquin Park's premier Visitor Centre & Gallery. Splendid art also awaits in the Master's Algonquin Gallery.
Ontario 's best new museums are very close to the Bear Trail Couples Resort. This makes it the ideal location from which to learn about the nature and history of Algonquin. Each of the three museums inside the park focuses on a different area of Algonquin's heritage. Whether you are interested in the natural history of the park, the art Algonquin has inspired, or the pioneers and lumberjacks that first came to this area, Algonquin's museums provide an informative experience.
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The colossal $10 million Visitor Centre and Gallery is just 15 minutes from the Bear Trail Couples Resort. Constructed to celebrate Algonquin's centennial in 1993, this facility is filled with world-class exhibits detailing both the natural and human history of the park. Additionally, the centre boasts an art gallery, a bookstore, a small restaurant, and a theater that presents a brief history of the park. There is a huge outdoor observation deck providing a breathtaking view of the Algonquin landscape. In the winter months, the facility is open during Christmas, March breaks and weekends.
The Algonquin Logging Museum is only 5 minutes away from the Bear Trail Couples Resort. Your visit starts with a short film explaining the history of logging in the park, and then travels a 1.3 km trail past outdoor displays ranging from logging camps to the strange, steam-powered craft called an "alligator." Along the way, you will experience first-hand the ingenuity of the pioneers and lumberjacks over the last hundred years and the effect they've had on Algonquin Park .
Dedicated to the "Masters of the Wilderness," the Algonquin Art Gallery exhibits Canadian and international wildlife art. Showcasing works from such renowned painters as Tom Thomson, Robert Bateman, Dwayne Hardy, and Chris Bacon, entitles this museum to be the ultimate attraction for those who appreciate the interpreted beauty of nature.
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A $12/day vehicle permit is required to be paid at the Park office for using Park trails and museums. Click their website for more park information.
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Galeairy Lake
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Galeairy Lake is 11 kilometres (7 miles) long, land locked and extends mostly inside the boundaries of Algonquin Park . It is a quiet lake with 90% of its shoreline undeveloped. Explore the many secluded coves by canoe or kayak and search for loons, beaver, otter and moose. Pull up on shore, have a picnic and go for a swim.
Swimming in this lake is great. It is very clean and safe, with water temperatures hitting 25C (78F) by the end of July. Typically the lake temperature is above 18C (70F) from the third week of June to the first week of September.
Rod and reel in hand, now is the time to try your talent at fishing. Small and large mouth bass are plentiful. Pickerel, lake trout and brook trout are definitely more challenging to catch, but the pros always come out with their limits. If you are generally unlucky at fishing, try not to fret because this lake is full of easy-to-catch rock bass. 8-hpr 4 stroke Honda motor boats are available for $70 for a full day, $50 for a 1/2 day (1/2 day is before or after 1pm), $28 per one hour, plus taxes.
Sunset cruises are available from the resort dock during July and August, weather permitting. Aboard a 32-foot pontoon boat, there is no easier way to see our wonderful lake, with the chance of spotting loons. The majority of the tour is within the borders of Algonquin Park . There are a variety of Tours available for your choosing once here.
Read More about the finest Ontario Resort in Algonquin Park , The Couples Resort.
Read more about our Algonquin Park accommodation.
