Car Camping + Flatwater Day Paddle at Algonquin: Aug 1-3

Submitted by s_q_wong on
Updated on Tue, 02/10/2026 - 08:19
Outing Type → 
Flatwater

Interested in introducing camping and flatwater canoeing to kids in your life?

It's my first time introducing my 8 year old son to camping and canoeing and I'm looking for people in a similar situation! 

I have space for 3-4 people on my trip as the maximum capacity at a Ontario Parks car camping site is 6 people.  I am a party of 2. 

You can rent the camping essentials + canoe at Algonquin Outfitters so not to worry if you don't have any equipment.

I am booking the sites at Rock Lake campground on Saturday Feb 28 and you are encouraged to book a site as well. Please reach out to Susanna (s_q_wong@yahoo.ca) for more details. 

The Basics
Event Location

Rock Lake (or similar) in Algonquin Park

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
3 days
Difficulty Rating
Beginner
Registration Cut Off
July 13, 2026 (or when full)
Participant Info
Who's Invited
All campers and paddlers with kids in your life between the ages of 5-12. This is a trip for beginners.
Maximum Group Size
4 people
Minimum Group Size
2
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Itinerary is just a suggestion. There's no shuttles to catch and no firm schedule. Canoes are rented on a per day basis and Algonquin Outfitters does a great job at dropping off and picking up the canoes at either your campsite or at the canoe launch.

Saturday Aug 1:
5 pm - arrive at Rock Lake campsite. Set up camping equipment.
I will try to arrive by 3 pm but I recognize that traffic will be busy as it is a long weekend.
6 pm - group dinner. Prepare your meal at your leisure. I have a camping stove you can use.
No plans after dinner.

Sunday Aug 2:
a flexible day which can be filled with a paddle out on Rock Lake. Rock Lake is a great destination to have a glimpse of an interior (backcountry) camping as there's backcountry sites on the same lake, and depending on interest and paddling ability, we can practice what a portage is like.

Monday Aug 3:
2 pm - check out deadline for campsite. You may wish to leave earlier as traffic will be challenging.

 

Required Items to Bring

Tent, sleeping gear, your personal utensils and plates, clothing, toiletries.

See note below on renting.

For those new to camping, here is a suggested list:
https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/camping-checklist
focus on the sections: kitchen and cooking (your own utensils and plates), outdoor essentials, clothes and shoes, personal stuff.
I have a full kitchen set.


About rentals:

you can rent most of the items under: sleep and shelter, campsite set-up.
https://algonquinoutfitters.com/rental/camping-hiking/


I will be renting a canoe from Algonquin Outfitters as I don't have my own boat. 
https://algonquinoutfitters.com/rental/canoes/


You are free to bring your own canoe/kayak/SUP board. 


Note that the campsite may not have electricity as it is highly dependent on availability when you book the site.
 

How to Get There
Event Directions

https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/camping/rock-lake-campground.php

Carpool Info

There's no carpooling for this event as I have a small car.

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