Algonquin: Mew Lake Review & Campground Guide

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Mew Lake Campground Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Booking a campsite at the Mew Lake Campground in Algonquin Provincial Park is pretty straightforward but does require some advanced planning.

You can book your campsite up to five months prior to your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Given the popularity of Algonquin, especially during peak seasons like summer and fall, you will really need to plan ahead.

Campsites open for registration at 7 am, so it’s wise to mark that five-month mark on your calendar, as it can get really competitive.

Mew Lake Campground is open for camping all year long.

Mew Lake Campground Address:
Located at the 30.6 Km mark on Highway 60, Algonquin Park
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/algonquin/mewlake

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Arriving at the Park

Mew Lake Campground can be found at the 30.6-kilometre marker along the Highway 60 corridor.

To check in, head to the small gatehouse located at the entrance to the actual campground.

This is where you can grab a map, purchase some ice or firewood, and even shop from a small selection of Ontario Parks merch.

Since Algonquin Park is HUGE, you can also grab a map at either of the park gates. Just keep in mind that you can’t check in there.

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Mew Lake Campground Park Map

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Navigating the Park

Getting around Algonquin Provincial Park and finding the individual campgrounds is pretty easy.

The park is well-signed, with kilometre markers running along Highway 60.

These make it easy to locate campgrounds, hiking trails, beaches, and other points of interest.

Once inside Mew Lake Campground, we found the signage to be just okay.

We had no trouble finding our campsite, but looking for a way to get on the Rail Trail was a different story (more on that later).

Keep in mind that while Highway 60 is paved, most of the roads within Mew Lake Campground are gravel.

During our visit, we found the campground roads to be in ok condition, with some areas that were nice and smooth while others were covered in potholes.

Parking

There are several parking areas throughout Mew Lake Campground.

You will find more than enough parking at the campground office, near the beach, at the comfort station, and near the entrance to the bicycle trail.

Each campsite also has enough room to park at least one vehicle, although the amount of space available varies from site to site.

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Mew Lake Camping

Mew Lake Campground has 131 campsites spread across three campground areas (Wabisheshi, Makwa and Pagwadjiminan), with options for several different types of campers.

You can choose from electric and non-electric sites, roofed accommodations, dog-free sites, and radio-free campsites.

Both the Wabisheshi and Makwa campgrounds only offer non-electric sites, while the Pagwadjiminan only offers electric sites.

The campgrounds can accommodate tents, small trailers, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres). Barrier-free sites are also available.

Not every type of camping is available in each area, so be sure to check the individual site details when making your reservation.

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Campgrounds at a Glance

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Group Camping

Unfortunately, there is no group camping area available at the Mew Lake campground.

However, nearby Whitefish Lake in Algonquin Park does have group camping sites available.

Whitefish Group Campground is open from late April to Thanksgiving and is located at the 37-kilometre mark.

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Roofed Accommodations

You will find both rustic cabins and yurts at Mew Lake if you are looking for more of a ‘glamping’ experience.

Rustic Cabins

Mew Lake is home to 4 Rustic Cabins.

These roofed accommodations are a great way to experience the park if you are not into tent or car camping and don’t have an RV.

Located in the Pagwadjiminan Campground, these cabins sleep up to 5 adults and are pretty cool!

The cabins come equipped with a kitchenette with a microwave, mini fridge, and counter space. There is even a gas fireplace for heating.

You will also find a dining table and chairs for indoor meals, a queen bed and a double bunk bed with decent mattresses to sleep on.

Outside, there is a gas barbecue, a picnic table, and parking for 1 vehicle.

There is a central comfort station with flush toilets and showers within the campground loop.

If this sounds like a great way to glamp in the park, keep in mind that you will need to bring your own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

There is also a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the rustic cabins or on-site at any time.

Another thing to note is that check-in time for the cabins is 4 pm, and check-out is 10 am.

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Soft Sided Shelters (Yurts)

Mew Lake is also home to 6 soft-sided shelters or Yurts.

These round and roofed accommodations are another option for people who don’t want to rough it!

But just a heads up, the yurts are a little more “rustic” than the cabins.

Also located in the Pagwadjiminan Campground, these yurts sleep up to 6 adults and are pretty interesting to see.

The yurts come equipped with a dining table and chairs for indoor meals, two sets of double/single bunk beds with mattresses, lighting, electric heat and an electrical outlet.

Outside, there is a fire pit, a kitchen shelter, picnic tables, a propane barbecue with a side burner, and parking for 1 vehicle.

There is a central comfort station with flush toilets and showers within the campground loop.

Don’t forget, you will need to bring your own bedding, food, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery and other personal items.

There is also a 2-night minimum stay and a 3-night minimum stay on long weekends.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in the yurts or on-site at any time.

Another thing to note is that check-in time for the yurts is 4 pm, and check-out is 10 am.

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Our Campsite Experience

During our stay at Mew Lake, we stayed in the Pagwadjiminan Campground.

The roads going through the campground were not too narrow, but also not well-marked for the direction of travel.

We found the sites to be pretty big, with level pads, and plenty of privacy.

We had plenty of space to set up our dining tent and still have room to store our paddleboards, string up a clothesline, and have room to play games on the site.

We were a short walk to both the beach and to the comfort station. We were also just a one-minute walk to the nearest water tap.

I really liked the fact that there was a convenient trail that went from the beach, through the middle of the campground, straight to the comfort station!

It definitely cut down on people short-cutting through other people’s sites!

Our visit took place mid-week in August, and the campground and beach were not very busy.

One thing that I did want to mention, was the fact that we were woken up each morning by the loud cawing of the Blue Jays!

There were a lot of them in this campground, and were they ever LOUD! I mean, there are worse things to wake up to, but still!!

And speaking of noise, be prepared to hear the traffic from Highway 60. It didn’t bother us, but if you are a light sleeper, it’s something to keep in mind.

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What Amenities Does Mew Lake Offer?

Comfort Stations

Unfortunately, Mew Lake only has one centrally located comfort station with flush toilets and showers. It is located in the Pagwadjiminan Campground.

The comfort station has several shower stalls, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and an information board. The building is also wheelchair accessible.

During our stay, we found the showers to be in fairly good condition. They were pretty clean with decent water pressure.

In addition to the comfort station, vault toilets are located throughout the campgrounds.

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Laundromat

Laundry facilities can be found in the comfort station in the Pagwadjiminan Campground.

There were two washers and two dryers in the laundry room. All machines were clean and in good working order during our stay.

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Park Store

While there is no park store inside the Mew Lake Campground area, you can find a small selection of items in the gatehouse.

You can find Ontario Parks merch like shirts, stickers, hats, and puzzles. There were also fire starters and ingredients for smores.

If you are looking for a larger selection of items, you will find two park stores within a short drive of the campground.

The Two Rivers Store is located nearby at km 31.4. The store sells a variety of groceries, camping supplies, and souvenirs, and has a snack bar.

The second park store can be found inside the Visitor Centre located at km 43. Run by the Friends of Algonquin, this store carries a wide variety of books and souvenir items.

You won’t find much in the way of Ontario Parks merch. Nor will you find groceries and camping supplies of any kind.

If you are up for a bit of a drive, The Portage Store is another place to do some shopping.

Located at km 14, there are two stores on-site if you need to pick up a few things during your visit.

The Trailside Market sells Algonquin Park and Canoe Lake clothing, souvenirs, books, and gifts.

The Algonquin Outfitters Camp Store carries camping gear, outdoor clothing, fishing supplies, freeze-dried meals, snacks, ice, and other items you may need during your stay.

Additionally, you will find the Portage Grill, offering dine-in and takeout meals overlooking Canoe Lake. There is also an outdoor patio if you would rather eat outside.

The restaurant is fully licensed and makes a good stop for a meal before or after spending some time on the lake.

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Rentals

Canoes or kayaks may be rented in the park from the Portage Store or Algonquin Outfitters.

The best part is that when you stay at Mew Lake, Algonquin Outfitters will even deliver your canoe or kayak right to your campsite.

You can also rent bicycles at the Two Rivers Store (km 31.4).

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Visitor’s Centre

The Visitor Centre at Algonquin Park is located at the 43-kilometre mark along Highway 60.

We would highly recommend stopping by the visitor’s centre when camping in the park, as it’s got a ton of things to see and do.

Inside, you will find a variety of exhibits on the park’s plants and animals, as well as its Indigenous history.

You will also find washrooms, a small cafe, and a great gift shop inside that has tons of park souvenirs, gifts and treasures.

The centre also has a theatre that shows films about the park.

And you definitely don’t want to miss the viewing deck. The view from there is absolutely worth the stop. Trust me!

This is especially true in the fall when the leaves are changing, and it’s just a sea of colour.

If you have ever peeked in on the park’s live webcam, it is actually located above this viewing deck.

Outside, there is a picnic area, plenty of parking for vehicles as well as large RVs, and two hiking trails (Fire Tower Trail – 200 m and the Fork Lake Trail – 2.4 km).

While the Visitor’s Centre is open all year round, the hours change depending on the season.

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Day Use Area

While there is no day-use area at Mew Lake, there is a nice beach area located within the campground.

You will find vault toilets nearby and a parking lot, making it the perfect place to spend the day.

There are, however, day-use areas in other parts of Algonquin Park. Lake of Two Rivers and Canisbay Lake both have day-use areas and are close by.

You will need to purchase a daily vehicle permit in order to use the day-use area if you are not camping in the park.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance either online or by phone.

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Mew Lake Beach Area

The beach area at Mew Lake is small but clean and good for swimming.

The sandy area is a good size with a small roped-off swimming section, a few picnic tables, grassy area for the kids to play on, and vault toilets located nearby.

The water stayed shallow and clear and was pretty warm in the swimming area.

While you can easily launch your paddleboard or kayak, Mew Lake is tiny. There really isn’t much room to go for more than a very short (less than half an hour) paddle.

Also, half of the lake is pretty marshy, so not great for paddling or swimming.

And just a heads up, there were plenty of geese at this beach. That means goose poop everywhere and needing to stay out of their way when goslings are present.

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What Services Does Mew Lake Offer?

Mew Lake and Algonquin Park, in general, have all the usual services found in other Ontario Provincial Parks.

Water

Unfortunately, there are only three sanitation stations located in all of Algonquin Park!

The Rock Lake Campground Station is located pretty far south at the Rock Lake Campground. This one is small, with only one fill station.

I would only be inclined to use this sanitation station if I were staying at the Rock Lake Campground, since it is so far out of the way.

The Sunday Lake Sanitation Station is located at the 35.6 km mark. This one is bigger, with two lanes containing a fill station in each lane.

The Minnesing Sanitation Station is located at the 23 km mark. This is the newest sanitation loop and contains 5 water filling stations.

This station is MASSIVE!! There is plenty of space between the fill and dump stations in each lane, making them usable at the same time by different rigs.

The roadway leading to the sanitation lanes is also quite long, which is great for busy weekends!

Unfortunately, no matter which station you end up at, you are pretty much guaranteed to end up in a lineup for the fill stations around the 2 pm check in/check out time during high season.

Fresh water taps are located throughout Mew Lake Campground, so you won’t have to go far to fill water bottles or containers at your campsite

Just keep in mind that these are shared taps and there are no individual water hookups at the campsites.

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Dump Station

As we mentioned above, Algonquin Park only has three sanitation stations.

You will find a single dump station (one lane) at Rock Lake, two dump stations (two lanes) at Sunday Lake, and four dump stations (4 lanes) at Minnesing.

Again, expect lineups! This is especially true around check-out time when we have been stuck in a line for over an hour with our Teardrop Trailer.

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Garbage and Recycling

At Mew Lake, you will find a small garbage area just down the road from the gatehouse.

There, you will find both garbage and recycling bins, as well as bins for propane canister disposal.

Wi-fi

While it’s not always consistent, the wi-fi is generally pretty good in Algonquin Park.

And if you are wondering about the cell service at Mew Lake, it was pretty non-existent!

We were not able to get any service on the Bell or Freedom network in any part of the campground (including the beach).

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Things to Do at Mew Lake Campground

1. Enjoy Some Hiking

While there are no hiking trails at Mew Lake, Algonquin Park is home to some incredible hiking trails.

The following trails are located near the Mew Lake Campground. They are a variety of lengths and are not too difficult:

• Track and Tower Trail – located at km 25km – 7.5 km (4 hours) moderate
• Hemlock Bluff Trail – located at km 27.2 – 3.5 km (2 hours) moderate
• Bat Lake Trail – located at km 30 – 5.6 km (2.5 hours) moderate
• Two Rivers Trail – located at km 31 – 2.1 km (1 hour) moderate

We have done all but the Hemlock Bluff Trail, and have enjoyed each one. In fact, the awesome variety of hikes in Algonquin Park is why it’s a favourite of ours.

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2. Try your Hand at Fishing

Algonquin is one of the best places to do some fishing in Canada. More than 230 lakes have native Brook Trout and 149 have Lake Trout.

Mew Lake is home to several species of fish, including Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout, and Yellow Perch.

You can fish from shore or head out onto the lake by canoe or kayak to find a spot away from the campground.

Just be aware that in order to prevent the introduction of invasive species into the lakes, the use of live baitfish is strictly prohibited in Algonquin Park.

It is also illegal to fish within 100 meters of any park dam.

Of course, if you have forgotten your own gear, or just want to try fishing for the first time, then you can borrow rods, reels, and tackle for free using the park’s TackleShare program.

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3. Enjoy a Bike Ride

There are some really great biking trails in Algonquin Park. In fact, you can even catch one right from the Mew Lake campground.

The Old Railway Bike Trail is one of the easier cycling trails in Algonquin Provincial Park and a great option for families.

The trail runs for 16 km one way between Rock Lake Campground and Cache Lake, and follows the former route of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway, which opened in 1896 and was decommissioned in 1959.

It is mostly level and hard-packed, with just a few really rocky sections, making it manageable for younger riders as well.

One of the best things about staying at Mew Lake is that the trail runs right through the Pagwadjiminan Campground.

There is even a parking area near the trail, although you can hop on your bike right from your campsite if you are staying nearby.

We had a bit of difficulty finding the beginning of the trail, as there really are no clear signs. Just head for the main campground road, and the trail starts by going through an open field.

John and I didn’t complete the entire path, but did about 23km in about 3 hours (including stops for photos and snacks).

Some of the views of the various lakes that you pass were awesome!

I would absolutely LOVE to ride the path in the fall when the leaves are changing! Will have to add that to our list of things to do during our annual Thanksgiving weekend at Rock Lake!

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4. Go for a Swim

As we mentioned, Mew Lake Campground has a small beach. The swimming area is clean and clear and perfect for a dip, as there are no motorboats allowed.

The tea-coloured water was warm during our August visit. The swimming area was also clear of plants and moss, which is great for young kids.

Just be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty, and that pets are not allowed at the beaches.

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5. Do Some Birding

With more than 260 bird species having been recorded in the park, Algonquin is a birder’s dream.

In fact, popular species such as the Gray Jay and the Spruce Grouse, a variety of warblers or even the Common Loon, attract birders from around the world.

While John and I are just starting to acknowledge our inner birders (lol), I have always loved listening to loons on a lake, which we were able to do from our campsite!

However, as I mentioned earlier, the morning cacophony of Blue Jays was not fun.

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6. Take Part in the Discovery Program

If you are looking for additional activities during your camping adventures, look no further than the Discovery Program.

You can check Algonquin’s website to see what is available during your visit.

Here’s what the program typically includes:

Guided Walks

Go on a leisurely 90-minute stroll through Algonquin with park naturalists. Available every day from late June to Labour Day.

You’ll find the times and locations posted on bulletin boards within the campgrounds.

Evening Programs

Every night at dusk from late June to Labour Day, head to the Outdoor Theatre (km 35.4) for an evening show.

Lasting around 90 minutes, these sessions are a mix of talks, movies, and sometimes even guest speakers, covering a wide range of topics from wildlife conservation to the cultural history of Algonquin.

If the weather’s not cooperating, the activities will move over to the Visitor Centre.

Keep an eye on the campground bulletin boards to catch the latest on what’s happening and when.

Children’s Programs

Head to the Visitor Centre for a fun hour packed with games, tales, and critters. The program is perfect for kids ages 5 to 12.

Times and topics are posted on the campground bulletin board.

Interpretive Panels and Exhibits

Scattered throughout the park, interpretive panels provide on-the-spot information about the park’s geography, wildlife, and history, perfect for self-guided learning.

Special Park Events

The best place to learn about the park’s special events is to keep an eye on the “This Week in Algonquin Park” notice boards.

These notices are pinned up on all the campground bulletin boards.

We recommend the iconic Public Wolf Howls. These are a Thursday night tradition in August, and definitely not something you want to miss.

This event will only run if a pack has been spotted in a good location and the weather is cooperating.

Check the Friends of Algonquin Park website on Thursday morning to find out if a Wolf Howl is going to be held that day.

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Is Mew Lake Campground Accessible?

At Mew Lake, you will find that the comfort station, showers and flush toilets within the campground have barrier-free access.

You will also find accessible parking spots at all of the main parking lots throughout the campground and the park itself.

Outside of the campground, the Park Store, Visitor Centre, and other buildings are also fully accessible.

And if you are looking for an accessible hiking trail, the Old Railway Bike Trail is perfect.

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Are Pets Allowed at Mew Lake?

Algonquin Park in general is very pet-friendly.

Within the Mew Lake Campground, pets are welcome everywhere but in the park buildings and at the beach.

Just keep in mind that dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

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Other Useful Information and Tips

There are Food Storage Lockers, or “Bear Bins” available at Mew Lake Campground.

These can be found right across the street from the beach.

The Bear Bins are metal boxes which are bear-proof and can be used to lock away your food.

This will prevent critters from ravaging your campsite at night or while you are away.

These lockers are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be arranged for at the gatehouse.

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Is There Winter Camping at Mew Lake?

Yes! Mew Lake Campground is the only campground in Algonquin Park that is open for winter camping.

Backcountry camping is allowed all year long, and day-use areas are also open during the winter.

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Our Park Rating

We give this park 4 out of 5 stars for having:

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Final Thoughts

While we really love camping in Algonquin Park, we were a little underwhelmed with our stay at Mew Lake.

I loved the bike trail access, the spacious and private sites, and the walkability of the campground.

I didn’t like the small lake that did not offer any significant paddling opportunities.

All in all, John and I had a nice time at Mew Lake, so we really can’t complain.

Would we return? Probably not given that there are so many other campgrounds in Algonquin that better meet our needs.

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Pin This Post for Later!

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More Campground Reviews:

• Algonquin: Rock Lake Campground Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Pog Lake Camping Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Canisbay Lake Campground Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Lake of Two Rivers Campground Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Kiosk Campground Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Brent Campground Review & Guide
• Algonquin: Mew Lake Review & Campground Guide