We have been told that Algonquin Provincial Park is a great park to visit for wildlife and landscape photography. Our prime interest is the wildlife photography. However, we are unsure of when is the best time to visit or if visiting in fall or winter is worth the 9+ hour trip each way to get there. We were also told that it is best not to visit during black fly season, but we do not know when that usually occurs except that it is "in the spring". Anything I have been able to find on the internet is vague, so I am hoping someone who lives in the area can give us some specific information so we can plan a trip to the park in the future.

I am a couple of hours from the park, but have never camped or visited there....I do know that blackfly season is May, could go later dependent on the weather.Late fall, as it is now, there would be no camping, I believe, at least for RVs....winter can show up any time now. There is probably winter camping for those rugged enough (not me)...that includes tents and snow mobiles....brrrrrr

poncho62 wrote:I am a couple of hours from the park, but have never camped or visited there....I do know that blackfly season is May, could go later dependent on the weather.Late fall, as it is now, there would be no camping, I believe, at least for RVs....winter can show up any time now. There is probably winter camping for those rugged enough (not me)...that includes tents and snow mobiles....brrrrrrMew Lake campground is open year round for RV's.

We live in Ontario and frequent Algonquin / Huntsville area often Spring.... as said blackflies at their worst Moose are seen beside the roads throughout the park in spring because they like the salt from the winter roads that has collected in wet areas. Fall is the next best time. You may travel the park daily for 6 months and never see one however. There are along with moose, black bear, deer, wolf and mamy small animals in the park. However, chances of seeing anything is slim unless you are in the back country. However we were stopped in traffic and I looked out the window and a bear was sitting about 10ft away, LOL We have had moose and bear pass through our camp at night. There is not a lot of winter RV sites available. Summer camping, if you want to secure a sight you must book as soon as they are available to be in the new year. If not you will not be able to get a reserved site. First come fill up really fast. The Muskoka region is a beautiful area, a photographers dream. If you like to hike you are more likely to see wildlife. My brother has lived in the area 15 years and seen 2 moose and 1 bear. We would definitely suggest you do your homework, reserve all places you would like to stay, then come north and enjoy! If we can give or gather info for you, PM us.

We never go to the cottage for the last two weeks in May because of blackflies. It's a short season.There is no hard fast rule.Blackflies breed in running water. If it's been a dry Spring, flies can be near zero. It all depends on your bug tolerance.

Thanks for the replies. Looks like May is the month to avoid. May try to get up in April to try for moose. We don't have a good trailer for winter camping.

Algonquin Provincial Park | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Fizz
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
We never go to the cottage for the last two weeks in May because of blackflies. It's a short season.
There is no hard fast rule.
Blackflies breed in running water. If it's been a dry Spring, flies can be near zero. It all depends on your bug tolerance.
loulou57
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
We live in Ontario and frequent Algonquin / Huntsville area often

Spring.... as said blackflies at their worst

Moose are seen beside the roads throughout the park in spring because they like the salt from the winter roads that has collected in wet areas. Fall is the next best time.

You may travel the park daily for 6 months and never see one however.

There are along with moose, black bear, deer, wolf and mamy small animals in the park. However, chances of seeing anything is slim unless you are in the back country. However we were stopped in traffic and I looked out the window and a bear was sitting about 10ft away, LOL We have had moose and bear pass through our camp at night.

There is not a lot of winter RV sites available. Summer camping, if you want to secure a sight you must book as soon as they are available to be in the new year. If not you will not be able to get a reserved site. First come fill up really fast.

The Muskoka region is a beautiful area, a photographers dream. If you like to hike you are more likely to see wildlife. My brother has lived in the area 15 years and seen 2 moose and 1 bear.

We would definitely suggest you do your homework, reserve all places you would like to stay, then come north and enjoy! If we can give or gather info for you, PM us.
Lostincanada
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
poncho62 wrote:
I am a couple of hours from the park, but have never camped or visited there....I do know that blackfly season is May, could go later dependent on the weather.
Late fall, as it is now, there would be no camping, I believe, at least for RVs....winter can show up any time now. There is probably winter camping for those rugged enough (not me)...that includes tents and snow mobiles....brrrrrr

Mew Lake campground is open year round for RV's.
poncho62
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
I am a couple of hours from the park, but have never camped or visited there....I do know that blackfly season is May, could go later dependent on the weather.
Late fall, as it is now, there would be no camping, I believe, at least for RVs....winter can show up any time now. There is probably winter camping for those rugged enough (not me)...that includes tents and snow mobiles....brrrrrr

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Algonquin Provincial Park

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