South Algonquin: Explore the East Gate of Canada’s Oldest Provincial Park
While the popular West Gate is packed with visitors in fall looking to catch a glimpse of Algonquin’s spectacular colour display, insiders know a trip through the East Gate offers fewer crowds, as well as new trails, attractions and experiences to discover.
Travelling through the park from the west side? Be sure to head into South Algonquin via the East Gate to explore the charming villages of Whitney and Madawaska and other spots along the Madawaska River.
Learn about Algonquin’s Indigenous history on a guided hike with Waaseyaa Cultural Tours, follow the interpretive trail to learn about pioneer industry at the Algonquin Logging Museum, discover interesting facts about the park’s wildlife residents at the Algonquin Visitor Centre, or just bask in the park’s inspiring surroundings at any one of the well maintained trail systems.
Check out great places to stay, eat and do in South Algonquin.
Stay
Algonquin Dream Catcher Motel
Algonquin East Gate Motel
Algonquin’s Edge Resort
Barkwick Camp
Bellwood Inn
Camp Bongopix
Couples Resort
Four Corners Algonquin
Four Seasons Algonquin Cabins
Hay Lake Lodge
The Mad Musher
Madawaska Lodge
Rolling Rapids Motel
Spectacle Lake Lodge
Points of Interest
Algonquin Lunch Bar
Algonquin Park East Gate
Algonquin Park Visitor Centre
Algonquin Logging Museum
Algonquin Art Centre
Fall in Algonquin Park
Madawaska Country Store
Opeongo Outfitters
South Algonquin Shuttle (a shuttle from Opeongo Lake to Whitney for Parkbus riders)
Waaseyaa Consulting
Special Events
Michael Bell at Couples Resort September 26
Focus on Fall Colours: Intro to Nature and Wildlife Photograph October 4-6
Madawaska Valley Studio Tour October 4-6
Brian Gordon at Couples Resort October 18
HOWL Wildlife Photo Convention October 18-20
Algonquin Park Guided Walks
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour September 23
Guided Walk: Algonquin Logging Museum Tour September 25
Guided Walk: Cache Lake Historic Site Tour September 26
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour September 27
Guided Walk: On the Trail of Wildlife September 29
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour September 30
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour October 3
Guided Walk: Algonquin Logging Museum Tour October 4
Guided Walk: Cache Lake Historic Site Tour October 6
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour October 7
Guided Walk: Algonquin Logging Museum Tour October 10
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour October 11
Guided Walk: Cache Lake Historic Site Tour October 13
Guided Walk: Fall Colour Tour October 15
Guided Walk: Algonquin Logging Museum Tour October 16
Guided Walk: Cache Lake Historic Site Tour October 18
Algonquin Park Programs
Evening Program: Wolves September 26
Evening Program: The Life and Death of Tom Thomson September 28
Evening Program: A Journey Through Algonquin’s Past October 2
Evening Program: Moose October 5
Evening Program: Eight-Legged Wonders! October 9
Evening Program: Wolves October 10
Evening Program: The Life and Death of Tom Thomson October 12
Evening Program: Moose October 17
Haunted Halloween Weekend 2019 October 25-26
Algonquin Park Art Exhibits
Art Exhibit: Mystery of the Park September 27 – November 23
Art Exhibits: Birds of the North, Inspiration, and Seasons of Change November 9 – December 23
To plan your fall getaway, click here.
Feature photo of wolf near the East Gate by Steve Dunsford, Impressions of Algonquin Photography.