Ontario backcountry portaging resources

Backcountry portage camping is a style of canoe tripping where you paddle between lakes and carry your canoe and gear overland on trails called portages to access waterways and lakes that aren’t directly connected. It’s one of the most rewarding ways to explore Ontario’s wilderness parks.

Algonquin Provincial Park is the most popular, with hundreds of interconnected lakes and well-maintained portage trails. Killarney, French River, Quetico, Temagami, and Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater are also world-class destinations, each offering a different character and challenge level.

Yes, most Ontario Provincial Parks require a backcountry interior permit. The good news is that your permit is issued automatically when you book your campsites through the Ontario Parks reservation system. there’s no separate permit application. You simply book your interior campsites night by night, pay the fee, and your permit is generated at checkout. Popular parks like Algonquin fill up months in advance for summer weekends, so the earlier you book the better.

Portage difficulty varies widely. Most Ontario Parks rate portages from easy to hard based on length and terrain. A typical beginner portage is under 400 metres on a flat trail. More advanced routes can include carries over 1km with rocky, rooted terrain. Between Lakes rates every portage in our route guides so you know exactly what to expect.

The essentials are a canoe, paddles, PFDs, a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, food, water filter, dry bags, a map, and a first aid kit. For portaging specifically, lighter is better, every pound you pack is a pound you carry. Check out our gear reviews for honest recommendations on what’s actually worth the investment.

Late April through October is the paddling season, but each period has trade-offs. May (first two weeks) is excellent with no bugs and a quiet park, but water is dangerously cold. Late May and June bring the worst bugs of the year as blackflies and mosquitoes are at their peak. By mid-July the bugs are largely gone and conditions are great, though it’s the busiest period so book permits early. August is warm, bug-free, and ideal for swimming. September is the sweet spot for most paddlers, crowds disappear after Labour Day, fall colours peak, bugs are gone, and wildlife viewing is at its best.

Yes, Ontario has routes suitable for all skill levels. Beginners should start with shorter routes (2–3 days), minimal portages, and well-travelled trails in parks like Algonquin or French River. Taking a canoe skills course beforehand, going with an experienced paddler, or booking through a local outfitter are all great ways to build confidence on your first trip.

Start by choosing a park based on your experience level and how many days you have. Use the Ontario Parks website to browse access points and campsite availability, then map your route using Caltopo or the official park canoe map. Plan for 15–20km of paddling per day maximum, and factor in portage time, a 500m portage typically takes 30–45 minutes with full gear.

Yes, Between Lakes is built as a community resource, not just a personal journal. If you’ve paddled a route worth sharing, fill out our trip submission form and we’ll work to build a dedicated page for your route. Include as much detail as you can; portage distances, campsite notes, conditions, and photos. The more you give us the better the guide we can build together.

Always. Every trip guide, route breakdown, and portage table on Between Lakes is completely free; no paywalls, no subscriptions required. The goal is to make Ontario backcountry knowledge as accessible as possible.