Tim River Algonquin Park

Tim River Algonquin Park is Algonquin Park's Access Point #2. Its a beautiful river and equally a great destination for a back country canoe trip.

Tim River is located within the boundaries of Algonquin Provincial Park on the west side.  Being located in the park the lake and its surroundings are protected. As an access point into Algonquin Provincial Park, it features a parking lot, outhouse washrooms, and a small wooden dock to launch a canoe from.

Getting There:

Tim River (Access Point #2) is reached from the town of Kearney, Ontario.

Travelling north on Highway 11, take the Emsdale road exit and then Hwy 518 to the town of Kearney. In the town of Kearney, you'll find the Ontario Parks office located in the Kearney Community Centre and across the road from Algonquin Basecamp.

Once you have your Algonquin Park permit for day access or overnight camping, jump back on Hwy 518 and continue to follow it north. Watch for the sign for Algonquin Park on the right.

The road to the Tim River in Algonquin Park is a gravel road that is maintained by the local municipality. The road conditions vary throughout the year.

It's important to drive at a safe speed along this road as wildlife is often seen crossing. The road also narrows and at times visibility is poor around some of the turns. Please be careful and respect other drivers and wildlife.

The access point at Tim River offers a small wooden dock that's partially sheltered and makes a great spot to put in a canoe.

Many people use Tim River as a jumping off point, without exploring or camping on Tim Lake. I've camped on four of the campsites on Tim Lake and have found them all to be very nice.

Despite being an access point into the park, I've had some great nights out there and have felt like I was all alone in the park.

Goes to show that you don't need to head deep into the park to have a great experience.

I would definitely recommend Tim River and Access Point #2 to new campers or campers with young children. Paddling in to one of the campsites on Tim Lake is a short paddle away from the parking lot. A great lake to experience Algonquin Park while still having the safety net of the access point parking lot and your vehicle close by.

There are a few canoe routes that branch off of the Tim River. You can choose to follow the Tim and travel east to Rosebary Lake (a great route for moose sightings), or you can find either the north portage that leads to Big Bob Lake or the south portage that is a path less travelled.