Canoeing and Backpacking Trips
As we enter Year 4, we have identified some remote areas that need more coverage. Most of these areas aren’t easily accessible by road. As a result, we’ve created 20 canoe and/or backpacking trips to target these gaps. The goal is for each one of these trips to be completed once by the end of the atlas. If you’re looking for a camping trip this summer, consider one of these outlined below!
The google map below shows the route of each trip and Atlas squares. Clicking a route will show a description of the trip, with details about the length and equipment needed.
The trips below vary widely in duration, difficulty, and effort required. Each trip addresses coverage gaps unique to each route, which is why some trips target more squares than others. The intention is to get the minimum level of coverage for each target square – i.e., 20 peak atlassing hours and 25 point counts. Most trips are designed to be completed by 4 people, but can also be done with a smaller group over a longer period of time. Any trip that requires a certain number of people will say so in the description. Ideally, each trip should have one Atlasser who is familiar with most of the birds of the region by ear and who is able to conduct point counts. However, we can also provide digital recorders for those not able to conduct point counts.
These trips would be run and funded by volunteers – but we’re here to provide guidance and information as needed! The Atlas office may also be able to coordinate free camping permits within Ontario Parks for these trips.
If you’re interested in doing one of these trips, please contact the relevant Regional Coordinator listed below. The Regional Coordinator will provide you with a more detailed itinerary and can answer any questions.
Click on a route in the map below to view its name and description.
List of 2024 Trip Itineraries
Nipissing River West
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip along the Nipissing River at the western edge of Algonquin park, and targets atlas square 17TPL67 (required effort: 20 hours, 25 point counts). Keep an eye out for moose, who enjoy browsing the balsam fir along this stretch of the river.
Start/End Point: Tim River Access Point
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of Vehicles: 2
Number of Portages: 10
Total Portaging Distance: 6818 m
Total Trip Length: 45.0 km
Whitewater: Yes, with portages available.
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to duration and length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
North Tea Lake
This canoe loop passes through North Tea, Biggar, Three Mile, and Manitou Lakes. This route targets atlas squares 17TPL59 (effort required: 13 hours, 7 point counts), 17TPL68 (effort required: 19 hours, 25 point counts), and 17TPL69 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts). This loop features an historic lumber camp located along the eastern arm of Lake Manitou.
Start/End Point: Kawawaymog Lake Access Point
Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 11
Total Portaging Distance: 7709 m
Total Trip Length: 62.0 km
Whitewater: No
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to duration and length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Maple Lake
This canoe loop passes through Kioshkokwi, Maple, Erables, and Mink Lakes. This route targets atlas squares 17TPL69 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts), 17TPL79 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts), 17TPM60 (effort required: 7 point counts), and 17TPM70 (effort required: 11 hours, 8 point counts). Kioshkokwi Lake features a few historic sites, including an old mill, town, and Junior Ranger cabin.
Start/End Point: Kiosk Access Point
Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 13
Total Portaging Distance: 8580 m
Total Trip Length: 43.9 km
Whitewater: Yes, with portages available.
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to duration and length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Hurdman Lake
This canoe loop passes through Brain, Hurdman, Carl Wilson, and Cedar Lakes. This route targets atlas squares 17TPM80 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts) and 17TPL89 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts), and features an historic ranger cabin on West Corbeau Lake.
Start/End Point: Brain Lake Access Point
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 20
Total Portaging Distance: 10,115 m
Total Trip Length: 49.6 km
Whitewater: No
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to duration and length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
North Depot Lake
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip passing through Windigo, Allan, and North Depot Lakes. This route targets atlas square 17TQM10 (effort required: 2 hours, 25 point counts).
Start/End Point: Windigo Lake Access Point
Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 1
Total Portaging Distance: 370 m
Total Trip Length: 9.2 km
Whitewater: Yes, with portages available.
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Easy due to duration, short paddling distance, and few portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Petawawa River West
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip along the Petawawa River east of Lake Travers. This route targets atlas squares 17TQM30 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts), 18TTS60 (effort required: 20 hours, 23 point counts), and 18TTS70 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts).
Start/End Point: Lake Travers Access Point
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 3
Total Portaging Distance: 2492 m
Total Trip Length: 33.8 km
Whitewater: Yes, with portages available.
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Easy due to short paddling distance and few portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Petawawa River East
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip along the Petawawa River at the eastern edge of the park. This route targets atlas squares 18TTR99 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts), 18TTR89 (effort required: 16 hours, 25 point counts), and 18TTS80 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts).
Start/End Point: McManus Lake Access Point
Duration: 5 nights, 6 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 3
Total Portaging Distance: 8792 m
Total Trip Length: 29.6 km
Whitewater: Yes, with portages available.
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Opeongo Lake
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip on Opeongo Lake, targeting atlas square 17TQL06 (effort required: 12 hours, 25 point counts). Check out the Hailstorm Creek bog on the northwestern shore, which can have nesting bird species otherwise rare in Algonquin park.
Start/End Point: Opeongo Lake Access Point
Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: N/A
Total Trip Length: 13.0 km
Whitewater: No
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Easy due to short paddling distance and lack of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Canisbay Lake
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip on Canisbay Lake, targeting atlas square 17TPL85 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts). The forest along the western bank of Canisbay Lake was used for maple syrup production in the 80s.
Start/End Point: Canisbay Campground
Duration: 2 nights, 3 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: N/A
Total Trip Length: 5.2 km
Whitewater: No
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Easy due to short paddling distance and lack of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Maggie Lake
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip passing through Canoe, Namakootchie, and Maggie Lakes. This route targets atlas square 17TPL64 (effort required: 11 hours, 25 point counts). The north shore of Canoe Lake features the historic location of the first Algonquin park office, as well as Group of Seven painter Tom Thomson’s initial burial site.
Start/End Point: Canoe Lake Access Point
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of Vehicles: 1
Number of Portages: 9
Total Portaging Distance: 12,388 m
Total Trip Length: 31.0 km
Whitewater: No
Camping Type: Provincial Park
Canoeing Difficulty: Intermediate due to duration and length of portages.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Doug or Ron Tozer (Regional Coordinators Region 27 – Algonquin) at algonquin@birdsontario.org.
Kawartha Highlands NW
This short out-and-back canoe trip passes through Bottle and Sucker Lakes in the heart of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. This trip is a great opportunity for someone in the Peterborough or Toronto area with a few days of spare time to complete all the requirements of square 17TQK16 while enjoying a relaxing getaway from the city (effort required: 18 hours, 17 point counts).
Start/End Point: Bottle Lake Access Point
Duration: 3 or 4 nights, 4 or 5 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (no 4WD required)
Number of portages: 2
Total Portaging Distance: 270 m
Total Trip Length: 13.4 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Provincial Park
Difficulty: Easy (portages are short and well-established)
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Martin Parker or Don Sutherland (Regional Coordinators Region 16 – Peterborough) at peterborough@birdsontario.org.
Kawartha Highlands NE
This canoe loop passes through Anstruther, Rathbun, Serpentine, and Copper Lakes and targets atlas square 17TQK26 (effort required: 8 hours, 6 point counts). The route has a set of waterfalls off the portage between Copper and Rathbun Lake. Only a short drive from the GTA, this trip is a great opportunity for an easy 3-day getaway from the city that contributes valuable data to the atlas.
Start/End Point: Anstruther Lake Access Point
Duration: 3 nights, 4 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (no 4WD required)
Number of portages: 8
Total Portaging Distance: 2,447 m
Total Trip Length: 19.7 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Provincial Park
Difficulty: Intermediate due to number and length of portages
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Martin Parker or Don Sutherland (Regional Coordinators Region 16 – Peterborough) at peterborough@birdsontario.org.
Kawartha Highlands South
A good option for GTA residents, this relatively short, easy canoe loop passes through Long, Loucks, Stoplog, and Turtle Lakes and will complete the requirements of square 17TQK14 (effort required: 10 hours, 6 point counts). This route includes views of the picturesque cliffs along Long Lake.
Start/End Point: Long Lake Access Point
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (no 4WD required)
Number of portages: 6
Total Portaging Distance: 2,036 m
Total Trip Length: 23.4 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Provincial Park
Difficulty: Intermediate due to number and length of portages
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Martin Parker or Don Sutherland (Regional Coordinators Region 16 – Peterborough) at peterborough@birdsontario.org.
Venetian Creek
For those looking for an adventurous atlassing trip but who only have a few days to spare, this one-way canoe route along Venetian Creek and the Onaping River may be just the right fit. Mainly targeting square 17TMM78 (minimum effort required: ~10 hours, ~10-15 point counts), there are opportunities to contribute to adjacent squares as well via an extensive network of on-road point counts (talk to the RC for more details on this).
Start Point: 46.85427, -81.31879
End Point: 46.82857, -81.36698
Duration: 3 to 4 nights, 4 to 5 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (4WD not required)
Number of portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: 0 m
Total Trip Length: 10.2 km
Whitewater: Possibly some
Camping type: Crown Land
Difficulty: Easy (any whitewater would be gentle, paddle otherwise very short and straightforward. Flexible atlassing requirements)
Notes: Will need to coordinate with other crews in the area to determine the exact number of point counts needed.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Darryl Edwards (Regional Coordinator Regions 31 & 32 – Sudbury East & West) at sudbury@birdsontario.org.
QEII Wildlands South Short
This canoe route is an out-and-back trip passing through Fishog, Long, and Crooked Lakes. This route targets atlas square 17TPK66 and is a shorter alternative to U2 – QEII Wildlands South Long. Effort required: 16 hours, 25 point counts.
Start/End Point: Fishog Lake Access Point
Duration: 6 nights, 7 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (4WD not required)
Number of portages: 6 (same 3 done both out and back)
Total Portaging Distance: 430 m (both ways combined)
Total Trip Length: 8.0 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Provincial Park
Difficulty: Intermediate (due to length of portages, though they are developed)
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Brian Pfrimmer or Ed Poropat (Regional Coordinators Region 19 – Haliburton) at haliburton@birdsontario.org.
QEII Wildlands North
Volunteers looking for a several-day getaway from the GTA may wish to consider this option in the lesser-known QEII Wildlands Provincial Park, only a short (~2 hr) drive from Toronto. Since this trip is a backpacking expedition, it would be perfect for someone who doesn’t own a canoe. The route is an out-and-back trek along the rugged and scenic Wilderness section of the Ganaraska Trail, and will target square 17TPK67. Effort required: 10-20 hours and 15-25 point counts (discuss with RC).
Start/End Point: Devil’s Lake Access Point
Duration: 4 to 5 nights, 5 to 6 days
Number of vehicles: 1 (4WD not required)
Number of portages: 0 (no canoes used)
Total Portaging Distance: 0 m
Total Trip Length (hiking distance): 25.8 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Provincial Park
Difficulty: Intermediate
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Brian Pfrimmer or Ed Poropat (Regional Coordinators Region 19 – Haliburton) at haliburton@birdsontario.org.
Temagami River
In just over a week you can complete the requirements for 4 atlas squares (17TNM89, 17TNM79, 17TNM78, and 17TNM77), all of which so far have little to no coverage! Paddle/portage through Iceland, Driftwood and Wasaksina Lakes into the expansive yet secluded Cross Lake, then follow the Temagami River all the way down to Highway 64.
Effort required: 17TNM89: 20 hours, 25 point counts, 17TNM79 (10 hours, 10 point counts), 17TNM78 (20 hours, 25 point counts), 17TNM77 (20 hours, 25 point counts).
Start Point: Lake Temagami Access Road at Iceland Lake access (47.00574,-79.87982)
End Point: Temagami River bridge on Highway 64
Duration: 9 to 10 nights, 10 to 11 days
Number of Vehicles: 2 (Likely no 4WD required)
Number of portages: 2
Total Portaging Distance: 1,369 m
Total Trip Length: 49.4 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Crown Land/Provincial Park
Difficulty: Intermediate due to the distance covered and atlassing workload
Notes: This trip will need at least 4 people (at least 2 being skilled birders) to complete all the required point counts.
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact the atlas office at atlas@birdsontario.org.
Vermillion River – Upper Leg
This one-way canoe adventure down the upper Vermillion River targets atlas square 17TMM99 (effort required: 15 hours, 10 point counts). It can be done as a standalone trip in only a few days, or for those seeking a more technical paddle and longer journey, it can be combined with the middle leg trip.
Start Point: LaForest, ON
End Point: Bessie Creek, ON
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Number of Vehicles: 2 (4WD likely required)
Number of portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: 0 m
Total Trip Length: 23.7 km
Whitewater: Possibly some
Camping type: Crown Land
Difficulty: Easy (at low water, some whitewater may be encountered, but overall it is a straightforward downstream paddle)
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Darryl Edwards (Regional Coordinator Regions 31 & 32 – Sudbury East & West) at sudbury@birdsontario.org.
LeGrou Lake
This is a short, easy paddle across LeGrou Lake and into Chartier Lake. It will complete the requirements of square 17TNL87 (effort required: 20 hours, 25 point counts) over a 3-day period, offering a chance to spend a relaxing long weekend in a remote and under-explored part of the southern Canadian Shield, still within a relatively short drive of the GTA and Ottawa.
Start/End Point: LeGrou Lake Landing
Duration: 3 nights (4 days)
Number of Vehicles: 1 (no 4WD required)
Number of portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: 0 m
Total Trip Length: 13.3 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Crown Land
Difficulty: Easy (flatwater paddling, short duration and modest amount of atlassing)
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Alex Mills (Regional Coordinator Region 28- Parry Sound) at parrysound@birdsontario.org.
Wilson to Naiscoot Lake
This short, easy paddle offers a chance to explore 3 little-known lakes in the Port Loring area: Wilson (or Wauquimakog), Little Wilson, and Naiscoot. In 3 mornings, you will be able to comfortably complete the atlassing requirements of square 17TNL55, which has virtually no road access (atlas staff attempted to drive in in 2023 without success). Effort required: 11 hours, 25 point counts.
Start/End Point: Hwy 69 bridge over Naiscoot Lake
Duration: 3 nights (4 days)
Number of Vehicles: 1 (4WD an asset but not required)
Number of portages: 0
Total Portaging Distance: 0 m
Total Trip Length: 27 km
Whitewater: No
Camping type: Crown Land
Difficulty: Easy (flatwater paddling, short duration and modest amount of atlassing)
If you’re interested in taking this trip, please contact Alex Mills (Regional Coordinator Region 28 – Parry Sound) at parrysound@birdsontario.org.