Canoeing Barron Canyon Day 1 – Grand Lake and Stratton Lake
The drive up to Algonquin Park from Ottawa always provided plenty of time to get excited about hitting the water in our canoes when we arrived. Our launch point was at a campsite in Achray, Ontario - a train stop within Algonquin Park on the shore of Grand Lake. While most of us got the canoes ready, a couple of people would run the second car to our final destination at Squirrel Rapids.
Not long after we made it around the dead heads and under the railway tracks at the eastern edge of Grand Lake, the novelty of being on the water would wear off, and the calls of dinner and a campfire would take priority.
Stratton Lake had many great campsites along the shore, and was usually the hardest lake to find a good spot for the night since it was within range of the 90% of canoers who preferred to avoid long portages. With a bit of luck, we’d find a south facing site so we could enjoy one of the many beautiful sunsets in the hills of Algonquin Park.
Day 1 was always the easiest since the paddling would start late in the day after the 5 hour drive from Ottawa. A portage-free day – yee haw! Time to rest up for the big 3 days ahead.
Map Tip: To find this area in your MapSherpa map, search for Achray and select the Achray, Ontario result.
Barron Canyon Canoe Trip Maps
- Full Park Map - Map of Algonquin Park
- 4 Day Barron Canyon Canoeing Trip – Map of Barron Canyon Canoe Trip, Algonquin Park
- Day 1 - Grand Lake and Stratton Lake Map, Algonquin Park, Ontario
- Day 2 - Highfalls Lake Map, Algonquin Park, Ontario
- Day 3 - Opalescent Lake Map, Algonquin Park, Ontario
- Day 4 - Barron River Map, Algonquin Park, Ontario
