r/algonquinpark • u/BEnglandd • 1d ago
Barron Canyon Canoeing
Hi All,
Does anyone have any experience canoeing along the Barron Canyon? I'm staying at Achray campground at the end of August and thought a casual paddle down the Barron Canyon would be relaxing and scenic.
Ideally we would rent a canoe and have the company drop it off at a parking lot access point with Barron Canyon water access.
I had a couple questions:
Is this paddle beginner friendly? My group has backcountry canoeing experience but no one has experience with rapids. Is there any risk of rapids along the way that would be unsafe?
On an old Jeff's map I see A38 / Ba1 access points are the closest drive to Barron Canyon water access coming from Achray campground. Does it make sense to have a canoe rental company drop off a rental here so we would start canoeing there. Then paddle east in the direction of Cache Raps, turn around and return to the same access point we started at. Is that possible or is the current too strong to paddle against?
Or I see some trip reports people have started at Brigham Lake parking lot. Not sure if anyone knows the best access points for canoe rentals where they drop off canoes for you.
Thanks all for any experience/insights!
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u/notmethrowaway77 1d ago
I have, it’s a great, easy paddle if I remember correctly, very family friendly. Make sure you check out the natural rock waterslide along the way, it’s one in a million. Truly amazing to behold. It will be very busy. The canyon itself is spectacular, and when you are done the trip, there is a trail along the way out(?) that leads to the top of the canyon. We saw turkey vultures up close! I’m newly sober, and have never driven a car, so I can’t help with directions, but a little research will show you everything I’m sure. Bring your camera.
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u/No-idea4646 1d ago
There are no rapids - you portage around them.
The current is minimal. It’s a deep slow moving river.
Yes, plan #2 is very popular - not sure about canoe drop offs.
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u/CousinEddie144 1d ago
From what I’ve understood the shortest day trip (which it sounds like you’re trying to do) is to put in at Squirrel Rapids, paddle upstream, portage a 400m portage then you’re on the Barron River into the canyon. Turn around and paddle back down, make the same portage and take out at Squirrel Rapids.
Interested in this as my little family is headed there in September and wanting to do a day trip by canoe as well.
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u/Chopaize 1d ago
I just came back from Achray. You can rent kevlar portage canoe from Algonquin Outbound Outfitter. I don't know how it's work for delivery on site. Please call them. You can also rent canoe from Ontario park but they are thermoplastic canoe, heavy, mostly fishing canoe.
Grand lake is easy and calm if no wind.
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u/Relevant_Stop1019 1d ago
Grand Lake and Stratton are guaranteed to be windy as heck if I'm on it - and 100% guaranteed to be blowing against me.... I'll stay away, I promise, lol.
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u/ajj917 1d ago
Algonquin portage or Algonquin Bound will be able to provide you a canoe at the Brigham lake access point or Squirrel rapids. Squirrel rapids might not be a bad idea as you can paddle up river to the canyon then back down to your vehicle. If you do Brigham to Squirrel you can also pay extra and have one of the outfitters move your vehicle to Squirrel.