I visited Canada last September during the so-called Indian Summer. It’s when all the leaves of the trees, especially the maple leaf, start to colour. Algonquin Provincial Park was one of the few nature parks I visited during my recent trip through Canada, but a must as Indian Summer here is just amazing! Autumn is the most colorful and wonderful season to travel to East Canada.
The Algonquin Provincial Park is located 300 kilometers from Toronto and 260 km’s from Ottawa. Highway 60 runs through the South end of Algonquin and is easily accessible by car. Travelling along highway 60, you’ll notice the white on brown kilometer markers at each kilometer. The West Gate is located at km 0, the East Gate is located at km 56.
As I wanted to explore and enjoy the outdoors and nature while visiting Algonquin, I was looking for accommodation within the park itself. There are only 4 places to stay in Algonquin Provincial Park, so choices are limited but the Arowhon Pines lodges offer it all.
About Arowhon Pines
Arowhon is a small summer resort, right in the middle of Algonquin Park. It’s hidden away, surrounded by nothing but trees, lakes and natural beauty. Located in remote wilderness area where forests and lakes are your daily views. This lovely lodge offers you peace, relaxation and comfort at the most amazing place in eastern Canada. There’s complete silence, make sure you take a moment to enjoy this. Staying here comes with a lot of benefits, like three meals per day and all outdoor activities. The resort is open to visitors from the end of May until mid-October.
After visiting Toronto and the Niagara Falls, both very busy and crowded places, I couldn’t wait to visit Arowhon Pines and Algonquin Park. The phrase on their website ‘Un-rough it in Algonquin Park’ is what convinced me to choose for Arowhon Pines.
Arriving at Arowhon, there were just a few cars parked at the carpark. There is a phone at the carpark, upon arrival, use that phone to call reception for luggage services. They will send a bellman in a golf cart who will take your luggage and bring it to your lodge. This service is also available upon check out, if you leave your car key with reception, they even load your luggage into your vehicle!
Arowhon has no Wi-Fi services, obviously. Put away those phones and laptops, go and enjoy the outdoors. In case you really can’t live without Wi-Fi or internet connection, they have a top-secret bunker with laptop and internet connection for their guests.
Location Arowhon Pines
Arowhon Pines is located inside the famous Algonquin Provincial Park. Coming from the West, take a left turn at km 15. Keep following this road until you reach the lodge.
Arowhon is located 8 km off the main road. There are no motorboats and no highway traffic. Totally peaceful and quiet!
Food Arowhon Pines
Staying at Arowhon comes with 3 consecutive meals included, breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you arrive late, dinner will be your first meal, and you’ll leave the resort after your last lunch.
Don’t worry about missing a meal while hiking or canoeing, they blow the horn when lunch and dinner are served. Do you want to go out for the day and take packed lunch with you, it’s available upon request.
Upon arrival I was told, you won’t leave hungry, something I laughed about, but she couldn’t be more right. In between the three meals they also serve drinks, lemonade, coffee and tea and snacks, fresh homemade scones for example.
I was lucky enough to meet Chef David, responsible for all the delicious meals at Arowhon. He gave me an exclusive tour of the kitchen. They have an electronic recipe system, installed in 1989, which is believed to be the first electronic recipe system in the world.
All food served at Arowhon is made from scratch right here at the lodge, using quality local ingredients. They work with local farmers and producers only, in total a network of about 12 to 20 farmers who provide local and fresh ingredients to Arowhon Pines. All located from the east right to the west of Algonquin.
Good to know, Arowhon Pines is not licensed, so bring your own bottle! The cooking and food at Arowhon have been some of the best I have ever experienced!
Outdoors
Located right in the middle of remote wilderness areas, this place needs to be experienced outside! Included in your stay is the free use of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and sailing boats. All you need to do is bring the life vest, which is provided and can be found in your room. Take out one of these boats and just enjoy!
There are also plenty of hiking trails around the lodge. Ask reception for a map and they will provide you with plenty of tips. Several hiking trails start and end right here at Arowhon Pines.
I truly enjoyed the outdoor life while staying here. I stayed here for two days and took the canoe out both days. Complete peace and silence while I was out on the lakes, only the sounds of nature.
After spending a full day outside, whether you’ve been hiking, canoeing, or swimming if the weather is warm enough, the perfect end to your day is the sauna. You do need to make a reservation for the sauna, so if you plan to use it, put in your reservation in time.
Refill your water bottles before you start your outdoor activity. There is a tap located just outside the office, offering you fresh Algonquin well water.
Just in case the weather isn’t good enough to explore and experience the outdoors, Arowhon also has a lovely indoor game and relax room. Relax in front of the television or read a book by the fireplace. Play the piano or challenge your travel companion for a game of table-tennis.
Staff & Services Arowhon Pines
Arowhon takes guest experience to the next level, I experienced their hospitality as superb. All staff at Arowhon is super friendly and extremely helpful. The service they offer is world class, very personal and to perfection.
I really like the personal touches, your name, country and flag of your country at your table in the restaurant. Fun and easy to see where all guests are visiting from.
Looking to take home some lovely souvenirs from this place? They make their own soap and shampoo, it’s vegan, clean and green, and available for purchase at the front desk.
This lodge truly is an amazing place, I’m still overwhelmed by the purity of this place and the surrounding nature. The staff and the service they offer are outstanding, the best I ever experienced. Staying at Arowhon Pines and the Algonquin Park has been one of the highlights of my trip.
I believe Algonquin Park and Arowhon Pines should be on everybody’s bucket list. If you decide to make this your next getaway, check their rates here.
Travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley stayed at Arowhon Pines, while travelling through Canada, on behalf of Traveltomtom and wrote this review about her stay there.