The other families we were camping with wanted to go canoeing. You can rent canoes and life jackets at canoe lake. There may be a line up depending on when you go.
The winds were pretty high when we got there. Experience has taught me well that two light weights in a canoe in windy conditions does not equal fun. We opted for a tandem kayak instead. This definitely made us swift and agile.
There are a few things worth mentioning about Canoe Lake.
- The lake is surrounded by privately owned properties and cottages. You just can’t stop anywhere.
- Take a photo of the map or get a lake map before departing.
- Pay attention to where you are going and how you got there. There are plenty of alcoves that look the same and obscure obvious routes. Following the land closely isn’t necessarily the best strategy. It can prevent you from seeing the big picture.
Tommy Thomson
We happened to canoe on Canoe Lake on July 8, 2017, the 100 year anniversary of, Canadian painter, Tommy Thomson’s death in Algonquin Park. This was a bit of history I was unfamiliar with until we set out, and I found it a bit spooky as he drowned in Canoe Lake.
Tommy Thomson was an avid painter of Algonquin Park and linked to the Group of Seven.
The next day we happened upon a fantastic exhibition at the Algonquin Art Centre, which has a history of Thomson’s life outside in the garden.
We got the Algonquin cookies from the craft room. Luck us!
Torch Hours 