Forest service roads around Algonquin?

[Tengai In Toronto]

I'm looking to go camping somewhere........probably Algonquin Park. Been there many times, but have never really explored much other than the formal campgrounds.

So, can anyone recommend some sweet forest service/logging/dirt roads between Toronto and Algonquin, or in Algonquin? Or on the way to some backcountry camping?

Thanks!

[Forest Cop]

Check your maps for a town called Kearney, Ontario, which is on the West side of Algonquin. Take highway 11 North of Huntsville, then East on Hwy 518 which is paved. There is a park office in Kearney for more info. Past Kearney you'll eventually come across "Forest Tower Rd" on the right. Check Google Maps and take a GPS. Lots of great riding in gravel/sandy roads toward Tim Lake area.. Watch for gangs of ATV riders too! Enjoy.

[Otis357]

Rain lake access road out of Kearney is pretty nice too.... tons of side roads to explore and a decent campground at the lake. Book ahead though.

Been considering going into see the Observatory and Barron Canyon in Algonquin next month and camping at Achray. Google Maps shows a ton of access roads running all through that area of the park, but Im not sure if they are all accessible.

Anyone been in there that can confirm?

[Tengai In Toronto]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definitely check out those areas. It looks like 518 is a good starting point. Last year I crossed to the east side on hwy 60, and took Old Hwy 127 south, past poverty lake. It's about 1km west of 127. There are some dirt roads as well as hydro lines accessible from Old 127. I also found some snowmobile trails there. Yeah yeah, I know I shouldn't use them, I couldn't resist though. After a few hours I got spit out near Hastings Highlands I think. That was a ton of fun.

[2Trider]

Yah might want to check into the Algonquin 2 day trail ride in Madawaska June 16 17

Some fabulous trails, forest roads, old rail lines, roads.

http://www.oftr.ca/events.php?id=12357

[Rocer10]

Originally Posted by Otis357

Rain lake access road out of Kearney is pretty nice too.... tons of side roads to explore and a decent campground at the lake. Book ahead though.

Been considering going into see the Observatory and Barron Canyon in Algonquin next month and camping at Achray. Google Maps shows a ton of access roads running all through that area of the park, but Im not sure if they are all accessible.

Anyone been in there that can confirm?

I inquired about staying at the radio observatory last summer (rooms, tour, meals available - reservation required) to post on another board. The lady I talked to in the observatory's Toronto office said that it wouldn't be possible to get to the observatory by motorcycle - because the roads were gravel.

[Groves]

I would like to go back to ARO again and see how the restorations and upgrades are going at the dish.

[RumRunner]

On the East side of the park there is 100's of km's of forest roads with many, many opportunities for stealth camping. On Hwy 60, at Madawaska, take the Major Lake Rd. It goes very deep into the park.

Or, from Barrys Bay, take the Paugh Lake Rd. Once again, deep into the park. It's an access route into some of the canoe routes.

It is possible to join these two roads via the logging and fire rd's with some good GPS work.




Some of the sights....





DW

[Tengai In Toronto]

Awesome. I'm glad I started this thread! Can't wait to do some exploring. As a city-kid born and raised, I don't even know where to look to find trails, forest roads etc, so I need all the guidance I can get lol.

Keep the suggestions coming though, I need to fill a whole summer with escapes from the city.

[Rocer10]

Tengai, there's a couple of weekend things happening in the Peterborough area. EOAR is based at Elmhirst Resort near Keene. One of the attendees just posted on the EOAR thread that they have an opening in their shared room. There are also a couple / few guys heading from P'boro to the Gooderham then Bancroft area and return the same day. PM me and I'll send details if you have any interest in that one.