Smoke Lake

Overview

About Smoke Lake

Smoke Lake is a long, open Highway 60 corridor lake and one of the park’s main gateways to the backcountry. It’s Access Point #6, reached via a short spur at km 14.1. Expect big views—and big wind when it kicks up—so it’s gorgeous but demands respect if you’re paddling.

Why stop

Well-placed access point with parking, toilets, and a boat launch
Gateway to popular canoe routes toward Ragged, Louisa, and Rock lakes
Nearby outfitter and permit office simplify rentals and permits

Heads up

Long, open water gets windy—paddling can be rough mid‑day
Only basic facilities here; flush toilets and water are at other sites

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightSmoke Lake45.52963, -78.69971

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Smoke Lake

Reserve backcountry permits up to five months ahead to lock in your route.
Unload at the dock, then park at the back of the gravel lot for shade and space.
Start paddling early and hug the shoreline when winds rise on this long, open lake.
Pick up permits at the nearby Canoe Lake Permit Office and rent gear at the outfitter by the access.
Plan for only basic facilities at the access; bring water or use comfort stations elsewhere along Highway 60.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Start early. Morning air is calmer for the crossing to the first portage, and you’ll land better campsites by early afternoon. Mid‑summer weekends see popular lakes fill fast, while shoulder seasons trade crowds for cooler nights. Sunrise can be lovely on calm mornings.

Facilities & Logistics

Right at the access you’ll find parking, toilets, and a boat‑launch ramp. The lot is gravel; many paddlers unload at the dock, then park farther back near the washroom and water refill area for shade and less traffic. Permits are handled nearby at the Canoe Lake Permit Office, and an outfitter by the access rents ultralight Kevlar canoes and full kits. Backcountry reservations open five months ahead, and the access is an easy drive on paved roads.

5 active Algonquin alerts

CautionLow Water Alerts: Backcountry Canoe RoutesLow-water alerts are active on six backcountry canoe-route sections; routes may be difficult or impossible to pass, so seek an alternate route or expect delays.Official details
ClosureProvoking Falls Bridge ClosedThe Provoking Falls bridge on the Highland Backpacking Trail is closed because of safety concerns, and the bridge has been removed. - Follow the posted reroute; it adds 2.5 km.Official details

See all 5 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Algonquin Tour Guide

Your drive to Smoke Lake, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Algonquin Provincial Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this place

Smoke Lake: Backcountry Access Point

Listen

“You're approaching the Smoke Lake Access Point, a major starting point for backcountry paddling.”

Plays as you drive up to Smoke Lake in the Parkwolf Algonquin Tour Guide.

More about Smoke Lake

Paddling From Smoke: What’s PossibleQuick hop to Ragged Lake: From Smoke, it’s about an hour‑plus paddle to a 240 m portage into…

Quick hop to Ragged Lake: From Smoke, it’s about an hour‑plus paddle to a 240 m portage into Ragged—great for a first night, with sought‑after island sites.
5‑day Smoke–Ragged–Head–Cache loop (≈43 km): A classic with 12 portages (longest 1,640 m). Expect steep ups like the 590 m “Devil’s Staircase” into Big Porcupine, plus a 1,035 m carry later on. Many people build in a zero day at Little Island Lake.
Traverse to Rock Lake (4 days): Thread Big Porcupine → Bonnechere → Phipps → Kirkwood → Lawrence → Rod & Gun → Lake Louisa (excellent campsites, noted for trout), then a 2,895 m mostly‑downhill portage into Rock for the final paddle to that access.

Conditions to ExpectSmoke Lake is notorious for wind because it’s long and exposed.

Smoke Lake is notorious for wind because it’s long and exposed. Hug the shoreline when it picks up and give yourself extra time. Some portages on these routes are steep or long, and low water can occasionally extend carries.

WildlifeThis corridor turns up common loons, beaver, river otter, and sometimes moose along marshy…

This corridor turns up common loons, beaver, river otter, and sometimes moose along marshy edges in spring and early summer. Black bears live here too—store food properly and keep camps clean.

Practical TipsKeep it simple: unload at the dock, then move your car.

Keep it simple: unload at the dock, then move your car. If you want showers, laundry, or a full comfort station, plan a quick stop at one of the Highway 60 campgrounds or the Visitor Centre—Smoke’s access has only the basics.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Algonquin

All Algonquin wildlife maps

1,228 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

241 sightingsEastern WolfMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

331 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

603 sightingsLoonMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

109 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

190 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Algonquin. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.