Canoe Lake (Nipissing District)


Canoe Lake is a lake located in Algonquin Provincial Park in Nipissing District, Ontario, Canada. Canoe Lake is a major access point for many canoeists entering Algonquin Park as well as being home to many cottages.
At km 14.1 of Highway 60 is the short road that leads to the Canoe Lake Access Point for canoe trippers and visitors. The access point consists of a large parking area, a Ministry office to obtain tripping permits for the park interior and the regionally well-known Portage Store. The "P-store" as it is often colloquially known, is a well stocked outfitters and canoe equipment rental operation that includes one of the few commercial restaurants available in Algonquin Park. They serve a variety of meals and offer an ice cream counter as well. A gift shop is attached offering souvenirs, t-shirts and other items for sale.
Approximately halfway up Canoe Lake from the Highway 60 access road is also home to the two Taylor-Statten summer camps Camp Ahmek for boys located on the eastern shore and Camp Wapomeo for girls located on a small island group. Camp Ahmek, founded in 1921, and Camp Wapomeo, founded in 1924, have become iconic landmarks of Canoe Lake. Every summer for the past century, campers set have out on canoe trips throughout Algonquin Park, as well as other places, developing wilderness and leadership skills. It is always a highlight of the summer for cottagers of Canoe Lake to watch the green and orange canoes paddle back to camp after their adventures.
Influential Canadian artist Tom Thomson drowned in Canoe Lake on July 8, 1917 during a canoeing trip; his body was discovered in the lake eight days later, washed up on the Island of Little Wapomeo, the initial home of the summer camp. Canoe Lake was a very influential place for Tom Thompson's artwork, as well as a very special place for him. He resided in Canoe Lake throughout different parts of his career, and frequently canoed the area.