Learn How to Enjoy Algonquin Park With This Toronto Connection
Part of Algonquin Park’s appeal is its remoteness, seemingly a world apart from the urban sprawl of southern Ontario. It’s a vast wilderness – larger than Prince Edward Island – with so much to offer, every season holding its own distinct appeal.
Unfortunately, for some, the park’s distance from Toronto – three hours to the nearest entry points – represents an obstacle to enjoying this crown jewel of Ontario’s provincial park system.
But this needn’t be the case, thanks to Voyageur Quest.
Specializing in organizing excursions into the Algonquin’s interior, Voyageur Quest also makes it easy to get to the park by providing packages that include bus transportation. No car, no problem. It’s part of the company president Dave Langford’s mantra that the wilderness is for everyone.
Founded in 1991, Voyageur Quest has earned plaudits for offering a wide range of authentic guided and self-guided wilderness adventures in Algonquin Park, including moose safaris, winter snowshoe and dogsled excursions, and epic canoe trips into the most secluded, least visited parts of the park.
But these experiences aren’t merely for hardened adventurers. Voyageur Quest seeks to promote outdoor activities in Algonquin by smoothing out the edges of a typical camping experience. You don’t need to rough it to enjoy the wilderness. Voyageur Quests offers gourmet backwoods dining, for example, and as a basecamp guests enjoy a rustic, six-bedroom log lodge with a dining room wrapped around a huge stone fireplace, a lounge and library, hot showers and even a sauna.
World class adventure meets glamping, if you will.
To ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to access the park’s natural wonders, Voyageur Quest provides a shuttle to meet patrons at the South River bus terminals.
Ontario Northland’s Algonquin Park Bus departs twice daily return and departure routes from Toronto, while Northern Airport Passenger Service buses connect to Pearson International Airport. Both stop at South River, where Voyageur Quest’s vehicles meet guests to bring them to the Kawawaymog Lake cabin.
Voyageur Quest’s shuttle and pre-trip ‘transport’ package includes shuttle to and from the base camp, a BBQ dinner on the licensed patio, cozy lakeside cabin accommodations, and breakfast.
“About 90% of our shuttle and pre-trip transport’ packages are for our guided trips,” says Langford. “Our customers arrive the day before their trip. We pick them up at 230pm (Ontario Northland) or 530pm (Northern Airport Shuttle). Some of our self-guided (DIY) customers take advantage of the service—mostly international travelers who don’t want to rent a car and the odd solo traveller from the GTA who does not drive.”
In addition to offering guided adventures, Voyageur Quest also serves as an outfitter. The “complete outfitting” package is ideal for those coming by bus, as it includes all equipment and meals.
Voyageur Quest will also offer shuttle service to connect with South River trains once Ontario Northland resumes operation, scheduled for 2026.
Guests love the fact that Voyageur Quest bases its operation in the more remote, less trafficked northwest corner of Algonquin Park. It’s very different from the busier, more crowded Highway 60 Parkway Corridor. People come to Algonquin for wilderness – the hushed quiet of the forest, the mirror-like reflection of a smooth lake, the dusk call of a distant loon – and here they truly find it.
Voyageur Quest’s shuttle package makes your backwoods adventure more accessible, more convenient, and more comfortable.
“Personal pick up, in town, a nice dinner, a glass of wine, the quiet,” enthuses Langford, “is a great way to start your adventure.”
For more information and to book your adventure packages go to: Algonquin Park Adventures – Canoe Trips and Lodge Adventures (voyageurquest.com)
Article written by Andrew Hind.