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This post is a trip report of backpacking to Maple Leaf Lake, Algonquin Park on the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail.
Algonquin Park might be more well-known for it’s amazing canoe camping but I have to say, hiking the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail was just as fun as the many canoe trips I’ve been on!
On this trip we did a quick out and back hike to Maple Leaf Lake, Algonquin Park. Algonquin Provincial Park is the largest provincial park in Canada meaning there are endless trails and routes to explore. In this report I’ll go over how to get to the trailhead, what to look out for on the route and my top tips for making this overnight as enjoyable as possible.
Route Overview and Trail Tips:
This route is an out and back coming to about 13km total (6.5km per day). I would recommend this route to intermediate backpackers as the trail can be technical at times. There is a lot of mud on the trail, steep climbs and many deep river crossings to consider. Ensure you are prepared for these challenges. I highly recommend bringing trekking poles on this trip due to the steep climbs and to help with navigating the mud. Water sources you can filter from are regularly available along this route so there is no need to pack in large amounts of water. The hike into camp has more climbing than the hike out to the trailhead but I would still recommend you start with plenty of time (and daylight) both days to ensure you make it to camp and back home at a good hour.
You must make reservations to camp at Maple Leaf Lake, Algonquin Park. Reservations can be made 5 months in advance on the Ontario Parks website. This route is part of a larger loop you can take on the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail. If you are an experienced backpacker and looking for more information, you can read more about the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail here.
How To Get There:
The Western Uplands Trailhead is located here and can be accessed by car. It is about a 3 hour drive from the GTA along paved roads with many rest stops available along the way. The parking lot is gravel but is a level lot. Clean outhouses are available for use in the parking lot. In addition, there is a nicely kept grass area with picnic tables available which is great for a post-hike rest before getting back in the car.
If it’s your first time in the park I would recommend stopping by the West Gate Office. Go in and ask any questions you might have. You can also pick-up a map and other safety items there.
Closest Outfitter:
On route to the trailhead you can stop at Algonquin Outfitters – Oxtongue Lake. It is located right off of Highway 60 which is the main road that heads straight into Algonquin Park. This amazing outfitter has almost everything you could possibly need. This includes tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, SOS devices and more! You can rent all of these items on their website – it is recommended to book in advance. They also have a great storefront with awesome outdoor gear available for purchase.
Campsite Report – Maple Leaf Lake, Site 3:
Site 3 on Maple Leaf Lake is on the south side of the lake. Once you get to the Maple Leaf Lake sign you are going to take the trail to your left. The campsites are well marked with orange signs.
Site Condition:
We camped at this site in the off-season (October). The site itself was beautiful but unfortunately, earlier in the season, someone had hiked in with heavy kitchen COOKING POTS. Then, they just left them at the site. Seems like a good time for a reminder to make sure you follow the Leave No Trace Principles when in the backcountry. It’s important to keep these spaces clean and enjoyable for other hikers and for wildlife.
Other than the pots, the site was in good shape. There are around 4 flat spaces for tents and the lake access is right off a large rock which was perfect for getting water. It would be great for swimming in the summer too. The thunder box was located a good distance from camp so it had privacy from both the trail and the camp area. I have to say the box wasn’t in great shape but I’ve seen worse. I would bring a trowel anyways just incase.
We were there in October so firewood was something we were thinking about. We did have to hike pretty far out to find dead and dry wood. If you are camping in the off season I would recommend fire starter. This helped get some of the wet wood we found going and kept us warm all evening! In the summer I typically don’t find a need to light a fire. Speaking of which, you can check here for fire bans to allow you to prepare for your trip.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this was a good site, maybe the best one on the south side of Maple Leaf Lake. We did check out Site 1 and 2 during our hike and found the lake wasn’t as accessible as on Site 3. In addition, Site 1 and 2 are pretty sheltered in the woods. There are pros and cons to this: in a storm, it’s a good place to be but in the summer when the bugs are heavy and a breeze is essential, being sheltered in the woods is not ideal. Regardless, all of the sites looked well-kept and would be a great place to spend a night or two!
This post was all about backpacking to Maple Leaf Lake, Algonquin Park. I can’t wait to explore more of the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail this upcoming season!
Let me know if you have any suggestions in the comments below.
