Algonquin: Rock Lake Campground Review & Guide
Are you thinking about camping at Rock Lake Campground in Algonquin Provincial Park? Speaking from experience, you should definitely add this campground to your camping bucket list!
Located in South-Central Ontario and approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes (266 km) from Toronto, Algonquin Provincial Park has been a favourite destination for our family for years.
We spent the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend camping in Rock Lake and absolutely loved it.
From the gorgeous scenery to spectacular hikes, and tons of amenities, you really can’t go wrong the Algonquin Park.
Want to see how Rock Lake measured up?
Let’s jump right in!
Pros and Cons of Rock Lake Campground – Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick list of the pros and cons of Rock Lake Campground Algonquin Provincial Park:
Things We Liked
Things We Did Not Like
Rock Lake Campground Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go
Booking a campsite at the Rock 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 though, 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 we would definitely recommend circling that five-month mark on your calendar as it can get really competitive.
Rock Lake Campground is open for camping from the middle of May until about the third week of October.
Rock Lake Campground Address:
Located at the 40 km mark on Highway 60, Algonquin Park
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/algonquin/rocklake
Arriving at the Park
Rock Lake Campground is located about 8 km south of Highway 60, at the 40-kilometre marker.
You will find a small gatehouse at the entrance to the actual campground, where you will check in and grab a map.
You can also purchase firewood, ice, park merch, and a few small items that you may have forgotten at the gatehouse.
Since Algonquin Park is HUGE, you can also grab a map at either of the park gates, but you can’t check in there.
Rock Lake Campground Park Map
Navigating the Park
Navigating Algonquin Park, as well as all the individual campgrounds is super easy.
The amount of signage throughout Algonquin Park is awesome.
There are kilometre markers all along Highway 60, so you really have no excuse for not finding what you are looking for.
Within the campground, signage was also quite decent. We had a pretty easy time locating our campsite as well as finding the amenities.
The main road through Algonquin is paved, however, most of the campground roads are gravel.
Just a heads up, the road heading down to Rock Lake is a little rough in some areas.
It is also located directly across the street from one of the most popular trails in the park.
We found it really difficult to make the left turn onto the road from Highway 60 with a small teardrop.
Because people had parked on both sides of the narrow roadway, and there were a ton of pedestrians and vehicles trying to exit from that road, it was difficult for us to squeeze into the road.
Trying to turn out of that road when we were leaving also proved to be quite difficult.
Not only were people trying to get into the packed parking lot across the road, but two tour buses were parked along the highway loading and unloading hordes of people.
Sigh.
Parking
There are plenty of parking lots throughout Algonquin Park. You will find them at all park buildings and camp offices, at day-use areas, and at trailheads.
But just a heads up, some of the trailhead lots are small and fill up really quickly.
Within the Rock Lake Campground, you will find parking lots at the shower stations, near the beach, at the gatehouse, and just before you get into the actual campground.
Rock Lake Camping
The Rock Lake Campground accommodates a variety of camping styles.
From car camping to tenting, barrier-free camping, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres), you will find it all.
You will also have the choice between electric or non-electric sites.
Unfortunately, not all types of camping can be accommodated at all sites, so you will need to watch for this when making your reservations.
Rock Lake Campground has over 100 campsites located in two different areas.
Campground A offers only sites with electrical hookups (except for one site which has no hookup). While in Campground B, you only have the option of non-electric sites.
Campgrounds at a Glance
Campground A
- 73 campsites
- Electric sites
- Can accommodate large trailers and motorhomes
- 1 comfort station with laundry and showers
- Vault Toilets and flush toilets
- Water taps
- Large shaded sites
- Barrier-free sites #68 and #70
Campground B
- 48 campsites
- Non-electric sites
- Can only accommodate small trailers up to 18 feet
- 3 Vault Toilets
- Water taps
- Private shaded sites
Group Camping
Unfortunately, there is not a group camping area available at the Rock 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.
Our Campsite Experience
We found the sites at Rock Lake to be a decent size. While there were plenty of trees, the sites in Campground A had little to no privacy.
We would definitely compare it to a private campground where it was just row on row of campsites.
The upside of this is that while we were not waterside, we still had a magnificent view of the lake and the treeline which was in full fall colour.
Definitely worth it, if you ask me!
And because of the lack of shrubs, we didn’t find that the roads were too narrow for larger rigs. They were also well-marked for the direction of travel.
Our campsite (#39) was pretty level and open with no random trees on the site to work around.
The site was quite shaded, although we did get sunshine trickling in, and we had enough open sky to see the stars at night.
The site was less than a 5-minute walk to the beach, flush toilets, and vault toilets.
What Amenities Does Rock Lake Offer?
Onsite Amenities – Quick List
- 121 campsites
- Showers and flush toilets
- Laundry facilities
- Hiking Trail
- Beach
Comfort Stations
Campground A at Rock Lake is closest to the only comfort station with flush toilets and showers.
And even then, it would be a drive (or a long-ish walk) for most campers.
The facilities include 7 showers (including one that is accessible), flush toilets (3 each for men and women), laundry facilities, and an information board.
The comfort stations are wheelchair accessible.
There is one small comfort station with flush toilets only in Campground A.
There are also vault toilets located throughout the campgrounds.
Laundromat
Laundry facilities are located in the only comfort station with showers in the Rock Lake Campground.
The facilities were clean, and the machines looked to be in good shape.
That said, while there were two coin-operated washers and two dryers, not all of them were functioning during our visit.
Park Store
While there is no park store inside the Rock Lake Campground area, you will find two within a short drive.
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 Portage Store is located at km 14. It sells Parks Canada souvenirs and outfitting supplies and has a small eat-in restaurant.
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 Rock Lake, Algonquin Outfitters will even deliver your canoe or kayak right to the campground.
In fact, we noticed their driver delivering canoes on the first day of our camping trip. We were easily able to book our canoe for the following day with the driver!
The canoe was dropped off at the beach at 9 am, and we were given our paddles and lifejackets (included in the rental fee). We paid on the spot.
The following morning, we left our gear and canoe at the same spot and it was collected by Algonquin Outfitters. Easy Peasy!
You can also rent bicycles at the Two Rivers Store (km 31.4).
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 a short (200 m) Fire Tower Trail.
While the Visitor’s Centre is open all year round, the hours change depending on the season.
Day Use Area
While there is no day-use area at Rock Lake, there are two nice beach areas located within the campground.
Both have vault toilets 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 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.
And just a heads up, they sell out quickly during peak times (especially during the fall).
In fact, we saw numerous people being turned away during our visit on Thanksgiving weekend when the leaves were at their prime.
Rock Lake Beach Area
The beach areas at RockLake are small but clean and great for swimming.
There are picnic tables, and the sandy beach is just a short walk from the campground
The lake is the perfect place to launch your kayak, take out your paddleboard or go for a paddle in your canoe.
While it was too cold to swim during our visit, we all took turns taking out our canoe. The water was calm, and the scenery was just jaw-dropping.
You will also find plenty of benches on the grassy portion of the beach. I definitely enjoyed soaking up the sun while reading my book at the beach.
Just look out for the goose poop!
What Services Does Rock Lake Offer?
Rock Lake has all the usual services found at other Ontario Provincial Parks.
Water
Unfortunately, there are only two sanitation stations located in all of Algonquin Park!
Lucky for us, one sanitation area is located right in the Rock Lake Campground. The other is located at the 35.6 km mark.
There is only one lane at the Rock Lake sanitation area, with only one water fill station.
You will find plenty of water taps located throughout the campgrounds.
There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.
Dump Station
As we mentioned above, Algonquin Park only has two dump stations.
The sanitation area at Rock Lake only has a single lane with one dump station.
The dump station is first, followed by the fill station.
The sanitation area road is long enough that there is less chance of getting stuck on a main roadway while waiting your turn.
Still, with only one sanitation area, just expect it to be busy around check-out time.
And a word of caution. The sewer hole for this dump station was located right in the middle of the road, rather than curbside.
This meant that we had to position our Teardrop Trailer too far from the curb for the water pole to reach. Luckily we always carry a hose for situations like this.
Garbage and Recycling
There was a decent-sized area conveniently located right at the campground gatehouse with both garbage and recycling bins.
Wi-fi
While it’s not always consistent, the wi-fi is generally pretty good in Algonquin Park.
However, if you are wondering about the cell service at Rock Lake, it was non-existent!
I wasn’t able to get any service at all until we were nearly at Highway 60!
Things to Do at Rock Lake Campground
1. Enjoy Some Hiking
Rock Lake is home to one Hiking trail. You will find the Booth’s Rock Trail located just south of Campground B.
The Trailhead has a small parking lot which does get busy during the day as the trail is quite popular.
We decided to just walk to the trail from our campsite, which only took us about 10 minutes.
Booth’s Rock Trail
- Length: 5.1 km (loop)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
We absolutely loved this trail!
This hike can get a bit technical. There are some steep sections, as well as plenty of areas with rocks and tree roots.
We also found the trail to be very muddy in many areas.
But the lookout points are well worth the effort! You can see all the way across the lake. And the views of the fall foliage were outstanding.
While this trail was quite busy, it was definitely not as bad as the popular Lookout Trail, and the views were just as nice (if not better)!
We would recommend starting the trail at the trailhead. Because the trail is a loop, you will also end the hike in the same parking lot.
But heading out the opposite way will mean that you need to climb some pretty steep wooden stairways. It was much easier to descend the stairs at the end of the hike!
2. Go for a Canoe Ride
If you love to canoe, then you are in luck! Rock Lake is just a gorgeous place to paddle.
The lake is quite calm and the surrounding scenery is amazing. We were even able to see hikers at the lookout point on the Booth’s Rock Trail.
Of course, if you want to go for a longer canoe ride, Rock Lake also connects by way of a river to Whitefish Lake.
As we mentioned earlier, canoes can be rented from one of the outfitters located within the park.
3. Try your Hand at Fishing
Algonquin is one of the best places to do some trout fishing in Canada. More than 230 lakes have native Brook Trout and 149 have Lake Trout.
Along the highway, many of the lakes are also stocked with Splake (a hybrid of Brook and Lake Trout).
If you are camping during the summer, you can fish for Smallmouth Bass. Enjoy the scenery with family and maybe even reel in the night’s dinner.
And, if you have forgotten your fishing rod, stop by the Rock Lake office and borrow one from the free Tackle Share program!
4. Enjoy a Bike Ride
There are some really great biking trails in Algonquin Park. In fact, you can even catch one right from the Rock Lake campground.
Old Railway Bike Trail
As one of the easiest bike trails in Algonquin, the Old Railway Bike Trail is ideal for a leisurely family bicycle ride during the spring, summer and fall.
The trail is 16 km one way. It is pretty level and hard-packed with no technical areas to maneuver, making it an easy ride even for younger children.
The Old Railway Bike Trail runs from Rock Lake Campground to Cache Lake.
The trail follows the abandoned bed of the historic Ottawa, Arnprior, and Parry Sound Railway, which opened in 1896 and was decommissioned in 1959.
5. Go for a Swim
Rock Lake Campground has two small beaches. The lake is clean and clear and perfect for swimming.
On the main beach area, you will find several buoys marking off where the water begins to get deep.
This area has a nice sandy beach, with few rocks or plant matter to deal with while swimming.
Just be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty, and that pets are not allowed at the beaches.
6. 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 we are not birders, it was really nice waking up to the sound of birds chirping.
7. 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.
Is Rock Lake Campground Accessible?
At Rock Lake, you will find that the comfort stations, showers and flush toilets within the campground have barrier-free access.
Sites #68 and #70 are designated as accessibility sites and are located right across from the flush toilets in Campground A.
However, we did not notice a difference in the accessible sites. It was not like at Earl Rowe where the sites had concrete pads. These were just regular-looking sites.
You will also find accessible parking spots at all of the main parking lots throughout the campground, and the park itself.
The Camp 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.
Are Pets Allowed at Rock Lake?
Algonquin Park in general is very pet-friendly.
Within the Rock 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.
Is There Winter Camping at Rock Lake?
No. Unfortunately, the Rock Lake Campground is not open for winter camping. You can book a campsite from mid-May until late October only.
If you are interested in winter camping in Algonquin Park, Mew Lake is the only campground that is open.
Backcountry camping is allowed all year long, and day-use areas are also open during the winter.
Our Park Rating
We give this park 5 out of 5 stars for having:
Final Thoughts
So the reviews are in! We really enjoyed our camping adventure at the Rock Lake Campground in Algonquin Park.
We found Rock Lake to have great amenities overall. Plus, we were able to have a wonderful weekend without ever having to leave the campground.
And aside from not having the most private of campsites, the experience was quite nice.
Algonquin is one of our favourite Ontario Parks for camping, and we can’t wait to go back next season!
Hopefully, we have convinced you to add Rock Lake to your must-visit list.
Pin This Post for Later!
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
