The Happy Camper: Algonquin Just Closed Two Doors on Campers
On April 1, 2026, Ontario Parks announced the permanent closure of Algonquin Park’s Lake of Two Rivers Campground office and Lake Opeongo Access Point office. Since it was posted on April Fool’s Day, the majority of campers assumed it was a joke—and a good one at that. These are two very busy places for campers to check in and out.
It was no joke.
The Lake of Two Rivers office is at the main entrance to the front-country campground where campers would pick up permits, firewood and gather information needed or relay any issues such as noisy neighbours or nuisance bears.
The Lake Opeongo Access Point office, one of the busiest in Algonquin, had staff handling backcountry permits as well as providing information on weather, route descriptions and nuisance bear reports before paddlers headed out across the park’s largest lake.
The alert notice had little detail except that campers staying at the Lake of Two Rivers Campground can visit the neighbouring Mew Lake Campground Office for information, permits and firewood, or call the information line at 705-633-5572. For backcountry paddlers at the Lake Opeongo Access Point who require information or permits can visit the East or West Gates, or call the information line at 705-633-5572.
In their announcement, Ontario Parks provided no explanation for the closure. That’s just weird.
Obviously, the lack of communication quickly led to a lot of questions on social media, especially from Algonquin Park regulars. Most believed the decision was clearly to save a quick buck and reduce staff. Most campground campers get their permits online and bring a printed copy with them. The same goes for Lake Opeongo—most backcountry paddlers get their permit online prior to their trip as well.
So, what’s the big deal? Maybe now money saved can go towards more needed priorities. Why did the surprise announcement piss so many campers off? It’s because Ontario Parks is once again removing its vital staff from having direct contact with their valuable visitors.
It’s a foolish move if you ask me.
Without visible staff around to meet and greet you, the campground and the backcountry will quickly turn into the wild west.
Most drivers do the speed limit when there’s a police car parked alongside the highway. Most students behave themselves when the teacher stands up in front of the classroom. Most athletes excel when their coach and loved ones are there to cheer them on. And most campers play by the rules and rejoice in protecting all things wild when a couple of park rangers in beige-coloured uniforms greet them at the gate house. It’s simple but effective. It gives a sense of value to Ontario Parks and also provides a deep feeling of respect to its hard working staff that manage the sometimes-chaotic mixture of camper conflicts and overly anxious wildlife.
Treating our provincial park system more like a business and less like a public service is a pretty poor investment in the physical and mental health of its visitors who view camping as a way to soothe their soul.
Disassociation can quickly become an infectious disease. Shutting down two key Algonquin meeting places between staff and campers is just the beginning of an abnormality that can easily decay the foundation of why the park was put there in the first place. At the time of this announcement, I’d just heard rumours about the Kawawaymog office soon to be closed. What’s next? Sand Lake, Brent, Rock Lake, Kearney…and soon others in Quetico Provincial Park and beyond.
And by the way, Ontario Parks, to put out such an announcement on April Fool’s Day proves my point beyond reasoning. What were you thinking?
By having exposure to “education” reduced, abuse of the park’s backcountry will only increase. This office closure policy is being discussed over at the Algonquin Adventures forum … https://algonquinadventures.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=4487 and https://algonquinadventures.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=4490
I was introduced to camping many years ago in Algonquin Park and subsequently to other Provincial Parks over the years where my family enjoyed ourselves immensely and made many great memories. As our children grew up we had not visited the parks for a number of years until a couple of years ago when we decided going down through eastern Ontario to use a couple of the parks along the St Lawrence. One day and night was enough for us and it was obvious from what we saw and were told by some parks employees that there was much “abuse” of the system by recent immigrants to our country who were using the parks system as an inexpensive way for their mult-generationa;l families to spend their summers. Although their activities and behaviour may have been quite “normal” in their home countries the lack of any consideration for others including ourselves also using the parks was very frustrating to say the least. And the young students employed to oversee and correct the many problems caused by these activities had neither the maturity nor the tools to deal with the situation and pretty much admitted it was beyond their training. In talking subsequently to other friends and acquaintances after this experience many of them after similar experiences had given up using the Provincial Park system for these same reasons and migrated to Privately owned Campgrounds where they could enjoy themselves and where such behaviour was not tolerated.
People are going to leave a mess, camp with out permits. Take over other people sites
It broke my heart when I read about it. I might be wrong but to me, this reeks of Doug Ford. I understood during COVID no check in required but this is ridiculous. The park needs to be protected and this is just wrong! I remember a time, when there were so many rangers that if you sneezed too loud at night, they would be there checking on things, and now what? Just a free for all? SUCH A BAD DECISION!
I’ve been camping here multiple times a year since I was a kid. In my experience, Two Rivers Campground has always been much busier than Mew Lake, so I’m disappointed to hear about this change. I worry that the Mew Lake office will become more chaotic as a result. Part of the reason I choose Mew Lake is because I find it quieter and more enjoyable, whereas Two Rivers tends to feel more open and, at times, more like a party atmosphere.
That said, I understand the broader shift toward paperless systems and remote check-ins. I don’t fully agree with the “wild west” comparison. While there may be some growing pains at first, many parks in the United States successfully use self check-in systems with regular patrols and oversight. If Ontario Parks is moving in this direction, I think the key will be ensuring there are enough park wardens or rangers actively monitoring campgrounds to maintain a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Ultimately, the biggest issue here is communication. Ontario Parks needs to be more transparent and proactive in how changes like this are shared. The way this was communicated leaves a lot to be desired. With clearer explanations and better context, I think many campers would be more understanding and more willing to accept the rising costs associated with camping.
Just my 2 cents.
I’ve been camping here multiple times a year since I was a kid. In my experience, Two Rivers Campground has always been much busier than Mew Lake, so I’m disappointed to hear about this change. I worry that the Mew Lake office will become more chaotic as a result. Part of the reason I choose Mew Lake is because I find it quieter and more enjoyable, whereas Two Rivers tends to feel more open and, at times, more like a party atmosphere.
That said, I understand the broader shift toward paperless systems and remote check-ins. I don’t fully agree with the “wild west” comparison. While there may be some growing pains at first, many parks in the United States successfully use self check-in systems with regular patrols and oversight. If Ontario Parks is moving in this direction, I think the key will be ensuring there are enough park wardens or rangers actively monitoring campgrounds to maintain a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Ultimately, the biggest issue here is communication. Ontario Parks needs to be more transparent and proactive in how changes like this are shared. The way this was communicated leaves a lot to be desired. With clearer explanations and better context, I think many campers would be more understanding and more willing to accept the rising costs associated with camping.
Hey Kevin, the Kawawaymog office is already closed (effective this spring).
Carmen Cross had the contracts for K-mog and Kiosk until last year, but she didn’t renew them since she decided to retire. It looks like Ontario Parks will be taking over Kiosk, at least for now, but they are abandoning K-mog.
Funnily enough they don’t have any note about that on the Ontario Parks Alerts page, but there is a note in CAMIS. If you try to make an Algonquin Backcountry reservation, you’ll see a note at the top of the page that says:
“Please note that the Kawawaymog access point office is permanently closed as of April 1, 2026. Visitors requiring information or permits can visit Algonquin Provincial Park or call the information line at: 705-633-5572.”