WHITNEY — The Ontario government is investing more than $3.3 million to build, maintain and revitalize infrastructure at Algonquin Provincial Park, including more roofed accommodations and bridges. The funding will increase opportunities for overnight camping and improve the visitor experience on trails at Canada’s oldest provincial park.
“In 2022, Ontario Parks recorded more than 12.1 million visits and overnight camping grew by nine per cent over 2021, which shows the increasing demand for our beautiful provincial parks,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Building more roofed accommodations and bridges are an important part of ensuring visitors can enjoy a memorable experience at Algonquin Provincial Park year-round.”
This infrastructure investment at Algonquin Provincial Park will support the construction of eight new roofed accommodations – four yurts and four cabins – at Mew Lake Campground, as well as the replacement of two bridges at Rock Lake and Pog Lake campgrounds and roadway paving and improvements along Highway 60.
Ontario Parks is planning on updating three additional yurts at Mew Lake Campground this year to offer modern camping amenities. These investments directly respond to the feedback from parks visitors. In a 2021 survey, close to one-third of Ontario Parks visitors said they would be more likely to visit in the future if more roofed accommodations were available to rent.
“I can tell you firsthand from growing up hiking in Algonquin Provincial Park — it has so much to offer visitors, from hiking and biking trails to canoe routes and a Discovery program, and I am pleased we are bringing even more to the park by building more roofed accommodations for overnight stays,” said John Yakabuski, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Reinvesting in Ontario Parks infrastructure at one of Ontario’s most beloved parks will ensure visitors can enjoy a quintessential Canadian camping experience.”
Ongoing investment in Ontario Parks infrastructure is another way the government is expanding recreational opportunities for Ontario families, boosting local tourism and strengthening the protection and health of local wildlife and the environment. This project is part of Ontario’s $41.7 million investment over two years to upgrade and maintain Ontario Parks infrastructure to continue to ensure a modern and enjoyable parks experience.
Quick Facts
Established in 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park is Ontario’s first provincial park and Canada’s oldest provincial park, offering four-season activities, including camping, fishing and skating, drawing about 1.1 million visits in 2022. The park protects more than 1.9 million acres of land — that’s bigger in size than the province of Prince Edward Island.
In 2022-23, Ontario Parks added 26 new roofed accommodations, bringing the total of roofed accommodations to 201 across 31 parks.
Our world-class system of provincial parks is one of the Ontario’s greatest strengths, providing health and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike for more than 125 years.
Every dollar spent at Ontario Parks, from annual passes to purchases from the online store, is re-invested into Ontario Parks, helping to create a better park experience for visitors, improve services, programs and amenities and protect 340 provincial parks and 295 conservation reserves across the province.
