The Explorer's Guide to Algonquin Park

by Michael Runtz

All about Canada's oldest and most famous provincial park. Algonquin is a near-North paradise of 3,500 square miles of forests, lakes and rivers atop the rugged Canadian Shield. This idyllic haven from urban life features 1,500 lakes and is easily accessible from dozens of major U.S. and Canadian population centers. Michael Runtz has spent decades exploring Algonquin Provincial Park and chronicling its flora and fauna in all seasons. He is the ideal guide to everything a visitor might want to know about and experience within Algonquin. The features of this guidebook include: The new, expanded color edition of The Explorer's Guide to Algonquin Park includes dozens of the author's award-winning photographs and chapters on local animal species and their habitats.

Genres: Adventure, Travel, Nature, Reference

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those looking for an introduction to the offerings of Algonquin will find what they're looking for in this book. Even as someone who has spent the past year hiking in all seasons, paddling in several different parts of the park, scouring maps for future trips, and reading a fair bit about the park in my trip planning, this resource offered some new information and ideas (I say that not because I'm an expert on the park, but because this book is clearly supposed to be a beginner's guide and I feel I have come to know Algonquin quite well). The first half of the book is the most interesting, going over the natural landscape of the park and the animals that call it home. The book does provide suggestions on where best to view the different animals - others may find this useful, but I personally like chance encounters rather than specifically seeking a given animal out. Much of the information about hiking trails, paddling routes, campgrounds, and amenities included in this book can be found readily and in similar detail online. However, it may be nice for some to have it accessible all in one place. All in all, a good way to make sure we are taking full advantage of the park's many offerings while we're so close.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide to a wonderful park. The Explorer's Guide to Algonquin Park is organized into five main sections: "Habitats" (discussing types of forests and bodies of water), "Wildlife" (including some tips on safety and etiquette and short discussions of several types of flora and fauna, including where to see them in the park), "Access Points" (enumerating visitor centres, places to rent equipment, highways, campgrounds, etc.), "Camping Tips" (a short and very basic section any remotely experienced camper can skip), and finally "Appendices" (including suggested reading, useful phone numbers, etc). The author recommends numerous free resources, and much of the information found here can also be found in other less expensive or free park publications; however, this is a nice guide to have on my bookshelf for reference and the photos are wonderful. I have no doubt this book will come in handy when choosing canoe routes.

[Paul Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note) The book is not in the data base but there is a new 2021 revised and expanded edition of this book by the same author, with same name. It retails for $29.95 published by Boston Mill Press)

Algonquin Park has always been a go-to place for Canadians and those living outside Canada’s borders. Since it was established in 1893 as Algonquin National Park, the 2,947 miles of Park make it a nature lover’s dream come true. It has attracted millions of people since the opening and continues to be a popular destination for those who love to camp, paddle the dozens of rivers, hike through nature, and generally be awestruck by the grandeur of the area.
Michael Runtz had written several guides to the park, this being his most recent and most thorough. Each time out he adds something extra, giving readers even more reasons to visit if they have never seen the park before. If they have been there before this, chances are they make this a recurring destination on an annual basis.
Runtz notes that the park boasts 286 species of birds (of which 144 has nested in the Park), 112 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 90 species of butterflies, 52 species of mammals, 50 species of fish,, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 1100 species of vascular plants.
It is impossible for anyone to say that they went to the Park and there was nothing of interest. Within the pages of the book is a mountain of information about what you can find within the Park and how to find these key locations. The hundreds of photos in the Park are courtesy of Runtz, who has done a superb job of capturing nature in motion. The bears, beavers, loons, foxes, butterflies, turtles and more, are shown in explosive colour as if they are springing from within the book’s pages. The dozens of key access points within the Park are also noted and the countless trails and best areas for canoeing are also pinpointed in great detail.
The book is as irresistible as the Park itself, a handy guide for anyone who has ever visited and didn’t have time to see so many key locations within the Park previously.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I acknowledge that this is a book. Only a book. But...shhh...here's a secret...It's magic! Yes, it can transport you to Algonquin Park (well, almost!). Wow, what a lovely trip I just took. I know Michael Runtz is an expert on all things Algonquin. This is further evidence. His writing style is delightful; most of the time it feels like he's just chatting to you. The tidbits of information he shares are amazing. Now I know where to go for the best wildlife viewing, best photo, best history lesson! I Love This Book! Are you getting this message? The photographs are breathtaking. Read this book if you plan to go to the Park when this Covid19 madness ends. At least look at the pictures, for heaven's sake! Even if you don't plan on going to the Park. I bet you'll change your plans after you read it, though...

[A Canadian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful! Makes me wish I had a car that could take kilometres of I paved roads.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed that the book contains incorrect and very dated information on camping (bears, drinking water, feeding wildlife, etc.) Considering it was printed in 2000 it shouldn't reflect a 70's mentality to camping.

[Martine Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book to read with lots of good info on spots to check out within the park.