Field Guides/Bracebridge/Algonquin Outfitters
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Featured inBracebridge · Georgian Bay · Gravenhurst · Huntsville · Lake of Bays · Muskoka Lakes
CategoryPaddling Flatwater · Camping · Cycling
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Algonquin Outfitters.

Algonquin Park outfitter since 1961 — guided canoe trips, multi-day outfitting and 11 rental locations across Algonquin, Muskoka and Haliburton

01 — About

The brief.

Algonquin Outfitters is a three-generation, family-owned outfitter founded in 1961 at Oxtongue Lake by Bill Swift Sr. and a former park ranger, and now run by Rich and Sue Swift with 11 retail and rental locations across Algonquin Park, Muskoka and the Haliburton Highlands. The Oxtongue Lake headquarters sits on Highway 60 at Algonquin Park's western entrance, with additional in-park stores at Canoe Lake (the Portage Store, operating since 1937), Lake of Two Rivers, Lake Opeongo and the remote Brent Store on Cedar Lake. The company specializes in multi-day canoe-trip outfitting, custom guided trips with its own Algonquin Park guides, same-day canoe / kayak / paddleboard rentals from late April through Canadian Thanksgiving, and winter ski and snowshoe rentals from its year-round Muskoka and Haliburton stores.

02 — Programs

15. ways in.

  1. 01

    Ultimate Canoe Trip Outfitting

    For: Adults and families new to Algonquin canoe-tripping, or experienced paddlers short on planning time; minimum 2 in partyWhen: Multi-day; departs from Oxtongue Lake (year-round) and Hwy 60 corridor stores during park season

    The most turn-key Algonquin Park canoe-trip package: detailed in-house route planning, advance Ontario Parks permit booking, tent-cabin accommodation at Oxtongue Lake before and after the trip, and Greenhorn Service included. Two guide upgrades are available — Guide for a Day (first day only) or a full Custom Guided Trip. Park permits and transportation are extra.

    Per person/per trip departing Oxtongue Lake — 2 days $260 | 3 days $365 | 4 days $465 | 5 days $565 | 6+ days add $110/person/day (HST extra)

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  2. 02

    Deluxe Canoe Trip Outfitting

    For: Self-directed paddlers planning their own route and permits; minimum 2 in partyWhen: Multi-day; available at Canoe Lake, Oxtongue Lake and Lake Opeongo

    All food and equipment included; you handle the route and permits. The Featherweight Kevlar canoe averages 40 lbs for a 16-foot model — the lightest option for portage-heavy routes — while the Expedition Kevlar averages 50 lbs and suits routes with few or no portages. Optional add-ons include tent-cabin lodging at Oxtongue Lake and Greenhorn Service.

    Per person/per trip — with Featherweight Kevlar: 2 days $230 | 3 days $340 | 4 days $435 | 5 days $510 | 6+ days add $100/person/day. With Expedition Kevlar or Solo canoe: 2 days $195 | 3 days $275 | 4 days $350 | 5 days $415 | 6+ days add $80/person/day (HST extra)

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  3. 03

    Solo Canoe Trip Outfitting

    For: Solo travellersWhen: Multi-day; departing from Oxtongue Lake or Lake Opeongo, park season

    Full food and equipment for one paddler using a Swift pack canoe or other solo model — 13 to 16 feet long, 26 to 39 lbs, with a detachable carrying yoke. Best for solo trips with few or no portages. Tent-cabin accommodation at Oxtongue Lake and Greenhorn Service are available as add-ons.

    Per person/per trip — 2 days $195 | 3 days $275 | 4 days $350 | 5 days $415 | 6+ days add $80/person/day (HST extra)

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  4. 04

    Custom Guided Canoe Trip

    For: Families, groups of friends, first-timers wanting a guide, and experienced paddlers seeking a more challenging route; minimum 2, maximum 8 per tripWhen: Multi-day; departing from Oxtongue Lake during park season

    A specialty since 1961. Each Custom Guided Trip is built on the Deluxe Outfitting package and adds one experienced Algonquin Park guide — plus the guide's food and equipment — so the entire group has full outfitting plus on-water expertise. Routes are designed around the group's experience, fitness and interests.

    Per person/per trip — 2 days $260 | 3 days $365 | 4 days $465 | 5 days $565 | 6+ days add $110/person/day. Plus a $285/day guide fee shared by the group (2 days +$550 | 3 days +$825 | 4 days +$1100 | 5 days +$1375). HST and park permits extra.

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  5. 05

    Deluxe Equipment-Only Outfitting

    For: Self-sufficient trippers bringing their own foodWhen: Multi-day; departing from Oxtongue Lake or Lake Opeongo

    Featherweight Kevlar canoe plus full camping equipment; you supply the food. Optional add-ons include tent-cabin accommodation at Oxtongue Lake and Greenhorn Service. Often combined with the multi-day rental discounts of 15% (5–7 days) or 25% (8+ days).

    Per person/per trip — 2 days $155 | 3 days $225 | 4 days $285 | 5 days $335 | 6+ days add $65/person/day (HST extra)

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  6. 06

    Deluxe Food-Only Outfitting

    For: Trippers with their own canoe and gear who want food planned and packedWhen: Multi-day; departing from Oxtongue Lake or Lake Opeongo

    Just the food portion of the Deluxe Outfitting package — useful for paddlers who own a canoe but don't want to plan the menu, or who pair it with a separate canoe rental from Algonquin Outfitters.

    Per person/per trip — 2 days $100 | 3 days $140 | 4 days $170 | 5 days $195 | 6+ days add $35/person/day (HST extra)

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  7. 07

    Backpacker Trip Outfitting

    For: Hikers using Algonquin Park's backpacking trailsWhen: Multi-day; available only at Oxtongue Lake

    Lightweight, modern backpacking equipment for Algonquin Park's three backpacking-trail systems — Western Uplands, Highland and Eastern Pines — which together offer loops from 6 to 88 km. Available only at the Oxtongue Lake location.

    Per person/per trip — 2 days $140 | 3 days $185 | 4 days $235 | 5 days $270 | 6+ days add $50/person/day (HST extra)

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  8. 08

    Same-Day Equipment Rentals

    For: Walk-up day-use paddlers, cyclists, skiers and snowshoersWhen: Summer (paddling) and winter (ski / snowshoe); available at Oxtongue Lake, Canoe Lake (Portage Store), Lake Opeongo, Huntsville, Haliburton, Port Carling, Bracebridge and Brent

    All same-day summer rentals include paddles, PFDs and safety kits. Five locations sit directly on the water — Oxtongue Lake, Canoe Lake, Lake Opeongo, Huntsville and Port Carling — and dock-launch with no reservation required during regular hours. Bracebridge and Haliburton stores rent watercraft for off-site use; tie-down equipment available.

    Watercraft from $53.98/day (2-person canoe, 1-person kayak, paddleboard); 3-person canoe $64.98; 2-person kayak $64.98; 10-person North canoe $174.98. Bikes from $52.98/day (adult cruiser/mountain); fat bikes $59.98, e-bikes $99.98. Winter rentals from $34.98/day (adult cross-country ski) and $26.98/day (adult snowshoes). HST extra. Multi-day discount: 15% off 5–7 days; 25% off 8+ days.

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  9. 09

    Guided Day Trips

    For: All skill levels; first-time paddlers welcomeWhen: Park season (May–October); fall-colour variants in autumn

    Fourteen named day trips across five locations — including the four-hour Guided Canoe Lake Trip retracing Tom Thomson and Group of Seven sites at historic Mowat village, the Guided Hailstorm Creek Adventure into the wildlife-rich North Arm of Lake Opeongo, the Guided Half-Day Costello Creek paddle from the Opeongo Store, the Discover Algonquin Package pairing a Canoe Lake paddle with the Old Railway Bike Trail, and the Legacy and Lore Tom Thomson Tour with Master Guide Mike Sladden by canoe or vintage wooden motorboat. Self-led variants include the Ragged Falls Paddling Experience from Oxtongue Lake and the Muskoka River paddle from Huntsville.

    Contact for details

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  10. 10

    Opeongo Water Taxi

    For: Paddlers, campers and day-trippers crossing Lake OpeongoWhen: Park season; from the Opeongo Store at the south-end access point

    A 15-minute boat ride that skips the day-long paddle to Lake Opeongo's first portages. Drop-offs include the Hailstorm Creek Nature Reserve, one of Algonquin's best wildlife-viewing zones. Departures are available before store opening by advance reservation; return trips can be booked at the same time.

    Per person — 1–4 people $34.98 (minimum $104/trip) | 5–8 people $32.98 | 9–15 people $29.98 | 16+ call for lowest rate. $104 deposit required. HST extra.

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  11. 11

    Access-Point Canoe Delivery

    For: Algonquin Park trippers starting from access points along Highway 60 and the surrounding corridorWhen: Daily summer delivery

    Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards delivered to 11 Algonquin Park access points on a daily summer schedule. Delivery runs from Oxtongue Lake (west side, 1-800-469-4948) and Lake Opeongo (east side, 1-888-280-8886). Paddles and PFDs are picked up at the base store.

    All Hwy 60 access points free (Smoke Lake #6, Source Lake #7, Cache Lake #8, Canisbay Lake #34, Sunday Lake #43, Sunday Creek/Spruce Bog #10, Rock Lake #9, Pine Tree Lake #12, Galeairy Lake #13). Shall Lake #17 $40. Rental equipment extra; HST extra.

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  12. 12

    Guide for a Day

    For: Ultimate Outfitting customers wanting on-water guidance at trip startWhen: Add-on with Ultimate Outfitting package only

    A guide travels with the group for the first day — helping pack and review the route, then teaching canoe-loading, portaging technique, paddling strokes, navigation and campsite selection before leaving the group set up on its first site with dinner underway. Only available with the Ultimate Outfitting package out of Oxtongue Lake.

    $285 plus HST per group (up to 8 people), in addition to the Ultimate Outfitting package

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  13. 13

    Greenhorn Service

    For: Outfitting customers wanting a short skills primer before heading outWhen: Three-hour mini-trip by advance reservation; Oxtongue Lake only

    A three-hour on-water "mini-trip" covering camp setup, food storage, portaging and paddling — designed as a low-cost confidence builder for first-time canoe-trippers. Free for kids in the group. Must be booked in advance and runs from the Oxtongue Lake location only.

    $25 per person (minimum two adults; children in the group are free); included with the Ultimate Outfitting package

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  14. 14

    Group Trip Packages

    For: Tour operators, Scout leaders, church youth groups, outdoor-education teachers, special-event plannersWhen: Customized — park season

    Custom-designed Algonquin Park trips for groups of any size, drawing on Canada's largest rental fleet of lightweight Kevlar canoes — including capacity to supply up to 50 canoes for a single adventure race. Phone 1-800-469-4948 or 1-705-635-2243 to design the program.

    Contact for details. Non-profit youth-group rates available for Scouts, schools, camps and church youth groups.

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  15. 15

    Algonquin Park Campground Delivery

    For: Campers at Algonquin Park campgrounds — especially Park-Bus passengers or vehicles without roof racksWhen: Park season; from the Lake Opeongo location only

    Watercraft delivery direct to the beach at Algonquin Park campgrounds. Service runs from the Lake Opeongo location only. Phone 1-888-280-8886 or 1-613-637-2075 to book.

    Contact for details

    Book / registerarrow_outward
03 — Notable

Worth knowing.

  1. 01Family-owned and operating since 1961, founded at Oxtongue Lake by Bill Swift Sr. and Dave Wainman, a former park rangerSource ↗
  2. 02Three-generation family business, currently led by Rich and Sue Swift with son Tanner involvedSource ↗
  3. 03First outfitter to offer lightweight Kevlar canoes in Algonquin ParkSource ↗
  4. 04Founded the Swift Canoe Company in response to the popularity of Kevlar canoesSource ↗
  5. 05Won the contract to run the Lake Opeongo concession in 1989 and has held it sinceSource ↗
  6. 06Chosen by Ontario Parks in 2023 to operate the Canoe Lake Store (the Portage Store), operating on Canoe Lake since 1937Source ↗
  7. 0711 locations across Algonquin Park (Canoe Lake, Lake Opeongo, Lake of Two Rivers, Brent), Muskoka (Oxtongue Lake/Dwight, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Port Carling) and Haliburton HighlandsSource ↗
  8. 08"Canada's largest rental fleet of lightweight Kevlar canoes" — capacity to supply up to 50 canoes for a single adventure raceSource ↗
  9. 09Park-season operating window for the four in-park locations (Canoe Lake, Lake Opeongo, Lake of Two Rivers, Brent): late April through Canadian Thanksgiving (October)Source ↗
  10. 10Winter-only ski-pro shops at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area (Huntsville) and Sir Sam's Ski & Bike (Haliburton)Source ↗
  11. 11Multi-day rental discounts: 15% off for 5–7 days, 25% off for 8+ daysSource ↗
  12. 12Free canoe / kayak / paddleboard delivery to all Hwy 60 access points in Algonquin ParkSource ↗
  13. 13AO Rewards: free membership earning 2–5% credit toward future purchasesSource ↗
  14. 14Non-profit youth-group rates available for Scouts, schools, camps and church youth groupsSource ↗
04 — Visit

Get in
touch.

Visit Algonquin Outfittersarrow_outward
Phone (Oxtongue Lake (HQ))
1-705-635-2243
Phone (Canoe Lake (Portage Store))
1-705-633-5235
Phone (Canoe Lake (Portage Store, alt))
1-833-993-5253
Phone (Lake Opeongo & Campground Deliveries)
1-888-280-8886
Phone (Lake Opeongo (alt))
1-613-637-2075
Phone (Huntsville)
1-705-787-0262
Phone (Bracebridge)
705-645-9262
Phone (Haliburton)
705-457-3737
Phone (Lake of Two Rivers)
705-633-5373
Phone (Port Carling)
705-765-0202
Phone (Hidden Valley Ski Area)
705-789-1773 ext. 24
Phone (Brent Store (Cedar Lake))
705-635-2243
Address
1035 Algonquin Outfitters Road, Dwight, Ontario P0A 1H0
AER’s guide to Algonquin Outfitters · Compiled from algonquinoutfitters.comLast verified 2026-05-26