Aug
27
2010
Algonquin Park: The Portage Store
Author: RockyWell, it’s another article about Algonquin Park, though this time we’re featuring one of the amenities that sits just off highway 60.
The Portage Store is found at km 14.1 just after the Hardwood Lookout Trail. It has quite a few amenities that you may be looking for, Toilets, a Restaurant, a Telephone and even Petrol (gas).. Yes, that’s right Petrol! You may find it useful to know, that there are in fact very few petrol stations within or around Algonquin Park, so my advice is to fill your tank before you head into the park – but The Portage Store is there just in case you misjudge or your vehicle drinks petrol like a colander!
Another important role The Portage Store plays is as a facilitator of Canoeists! This is after all a national park which 80% is only accessible through canoeing into its depths or by hiking your way through it, and this particular store is an Access Point to the Interior (or back country). The Portage Store has been outfitting Algonquin Canoeists since 1937. Located on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park, the store effectively serves as the gateway to the Algonquin interior. The Portage Store can offer you as little or as much as you need to make your Adventure of a Lifetime safe, and fun. Friendly, knowledgeable staff offers you their experience, their advice and even waterfront instruction.
The Store offers a wide range of outfitting packages and rental options, including canoes, kayaks, camping equipment and food packs. Shelves are well stocked with appetising, convenient foods that comply with Algonquin Park’s ban on cans and bottles, as well as a full range of camping and fishing supplies. If you’re camping in the park The Portage Store also offers a convenient canoe delivery service to the following major highway campgrounds: Rock Lake, Pog Lake, Lake of Two Rivers, Mew Lake and Cannisbay.
But, what if you’re just there for a nice relaxing holiday, and simply there to be awestruck at the immense beauty of this gem of a national park? Well, you’re catered for too. The restaurant is huge, and provides you with facilities to choose from either dining inside, or in the areas outside, enjoying the view from the restaurant over looking historic Canoe Lake. Watch the excitement while you eat, as people embark or return from their Algonquin canoe adventures! I’d personally recommend their burgers! Of coarse you don’t have to eat though, you can always just pop in for a nice cold beer or cola!
The Portage Store also has an exceptional Canadiana Shop featuring a unique assortment of Algonquin Park T-shirts and polar fleece, handmade pottery, decoys, nature recordings, Group of Seven prints, moccasins and Native handicrafts as well as many other gifts exclusive to the Portage Store – so if you’re looking for a place to pick up some of those all important souvenirs – this may be the place to look for them!
So, if you’re in the park and looking for somewhere to relax and have a drink or something to eat – OR you’re looking for the place to find all you’ll need for your Algonquin adventure of a life time, make this place your number one point for everything you’ll ever need!
