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Algonquin Park Ice Conditions
Image: East Arm of Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 11, 2018 (click to enlarge). Lake Opeongo is now ice free.
Algonquin Park Facilities Now Open
Ontario Parks is reporting that they have opened all areas of Algonquin Park on Friday, May 11, 2018 as expected, except for a few areas listed at Algonquin Park Advisories.
Algonquin Park Ice Out 2018
Topics Below |
Heavy rain and high winds in the early morning hours of May 10, 2018 made nearly all lakes along the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park ice free. With a few lakes having lingering ice until May 13. Creeks and rivers are also fast flowing with elevated water levels.
The ground in Algonquin Park is bare except for patches on north facing slopes that may contain 5+ centimetres of snow depth on sheltered coniferous areas. Interpretive trails may still contain patches of ice, with muddy sections.
Typically, Algonquin Park's lakes become ice free in late April/early May. Over the past 50+ years, the average ice out date for Lake Opeongo, Algonquin's largest lake, is April 28. Given variations in winter and spring conditions, the ice out dates for Lake Opeongo have ranged from March 29 (2012) to as late as May 15 (1972). During 2015 and 2016, the ice out date for Lake Opeongo was May 1. During 2017, ice out was recorded on April 25.
Technically, the official ice out date for Algonquin Park is recorded when a boat can safely navigate from the Lake Opeongo Access Point to the Happy Isle Portage in the North Arm of Lake Opeongo. Based upon this criteria, Lake Opeongo's ice out date for 2018 was May 10 (afternoon), despite having ice in the East Arm until the afternoon of May 13.
For live views of Algonquin Park including Fork Lake visible from the Visitor Centre see the Algonquin Park Webcam. Snow depth and weather conditions are recorded hourly at the East Gate available on the Algonquin Park Weather webpage. For the latest closures and restrictions see Algonquin Park Advisories.
Please remember that The Friends of Algonquin Park advises against ice travel due to a range of environmental variables and the difficulty in detecting hazards. Be safe, stay off the ice. Park visitors are encouraged to stay away from fast moving and icy cold water at this time of year.
Algonquin Park Images
A selection of recent images from Algonquin Park. See the caption for the date and location. More images are available on The Friends of Algonquin Park Facebook Page.
Image: East Arm of Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 11, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Lavieille in Algonquin Park on May 11, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park on May 11, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge). Algonquin Outfitters water taxi returning from an unsuccessful morning trip to the north end of the lake. Ice was encountered in Lake Opeongo just north of Bates Island (see the Canoe Routes Map for location) in the morning.
Image: Cache Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Found Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Flooded boat docks at the Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Western end of Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge)
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers Island on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Eastern end of Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 9, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Cache Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Found Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Tea Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Tea Lake in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 8, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Tea Lake in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake and the Portage Store in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Open waters of shallow Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 7, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Cold lake ice survives high winds and warm rain at Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 4, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Ice covered Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 3, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research Creel Hut and Lake Opeongo docks in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018
Image: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Southern end of Sproule Bay at Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Costello Creek along the Opeongo Road in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Costello Creek in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Eos Lake near Beaver Pond Trail in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Madawaska River at km 21 of Highway 60 in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Opeongo Road at Highway 60 in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Cold ice and warm air temperatures creating heat shimmers at Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Boat ramps at Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Park Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Hangar Bay of Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Tea Lake in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on May 2, 2018.
Image: Kioshkokwi Lake in Algonquin Park on May 1, 2018.
Image: Kiosk Ranger Cabin in Algonquin Park on May 1, 2018.
Image: Ice covered Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Grand Lake at Achray in Algonquin Park April 30, 2018.
Image: Bridge at Johnston Creek along the Eastern Pines Backpacking Trail in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Ice covered Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Cache Lake Access Point docks in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Cache Lake Access Point docks in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Canoe Lake Access Point parking lots in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Highland Backpacking Trail entrance in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Smoke Creek at Tea Lake Campground in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Western Uplands Backpacking Trail in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018. Note the Otter on the left side of the image.
Image: Costello Creek in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Oxtongue River at Western Uplands Backpacking Trail in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Park Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Ring-necked Pond at km41 of Highway 60 in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Smoke Lake Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 30, 2018.
Image: Found Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake Access Point parking lots in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: High water in Costello Creek in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Cache Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Portage Store at Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Creek near Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Creek and Opeongo Lookout in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Creek in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Eos Lake near Beaver Pond Trail in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Eucalia Lake near Lookout Trail in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo boat ramps in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research Creek Hut at Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Northern portion of the Opeongo Road, now open to public travel, in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Southern portion of Sproule Bay at Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018. This section of Lake Opeongo thaws early as a result of inflow from Costello Creek (click to enlarge).
Image: Opeongo Road at Highway 60 in Algonquin Park on April 26, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Winter gate on Centennial Ridges Road on April 25, 2018. Secondary roads in Algonquin Park remain closed at their winter gates (click to enlarge).
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Mew Lake Campground Office on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Conditions at a typical campsite at Mew Lake Campground in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Yurt at Mew Lake Campground in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Mew Lake Campground Comfort Station on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Island at Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Algonquin Park Visitor Centre on April 25, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Hangar Bay of Smoke Lake at Highway 60 on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: South end of Canoe Lake on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Tea Lake at the Tea Lake Campground on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake Access Point Permit Office on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Entrance to the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Entrance to the Mizzy Lake Trail on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Faster flowing water of the Oxtongue River on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake and the Smoke Lake Access Point parking lot on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: South facing slope near km 6 of Highway 60 on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: North facing slope near km 6 of Highway 60 on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Faster flowing water at Smoke Creek and Highway 60 on April 23, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Park Lake at the western boundary and Highway 60 on April 19, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Opeongo Road at Highway 60 on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Northern portion of the Opeongo Road (still closed to public travel) on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point boat ramp and docks on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research Creel Hut at the Lake Opeongo Access Point Permit Office and docks on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point docks on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point Permit Office and Opeongo Store on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Entrance to Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail in Algonquin Park on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Found Lake in Algonquin Park on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Eos Lake near Beaver Pond Trail on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Creek along the Opeongo Road on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Costello Creek on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Cache Lake and Bartlett Lodge on April 18, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Approaching the West Gate of Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Portage Store at Canoe Lake on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Canoe Lake Access Point parking lots on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Highway 60 in Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Snow covered Park Lake sign in Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Near Tea Lake Campground in Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Smoke Creek at Tea Lake Campground on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Looking toward the outlet of Lake of Two Rivers on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Plowing snow (again!) at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre on April 17, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Southern portion of Sproule Bay in Lake Opeongo on April 10, 2018. This is one of the first sections of Lake Opeongo to become ice free as a result of current from Costello Creek (click to enlarge).
Image: Harkness Laboratory of Fisheries Research Creel Hut at the Lake Opeongo Access Point Permit Office and docks on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image: Lake Opeongo Access Point Permit Office and docks on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Brewer Lake in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Canoe Lake Permit Office and Access Point on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Costello Lake in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Relatively shallow and an early thawing Eos Lake near the Beaver Pond Trail in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Canoe Lake Access Point parking lots on April 10, 2018. (Click to enlarge image.)
Image above: Costello Creek along the Opeongo Road in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Opeongo Road at Highway 60 on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Lake Opeongo Access Point on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Costello Creek in Algonquin Park on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Park Lake near the western boundary of the Park (at Highway 60) on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake on April 10, 2018 (click to enlarge).
Image above: Tea Lake/ Smoke Creek near the Tea Lake Campground on April 10, 2018. This area is often open during mild spells in winter because of current. Note the likely beaver tracks on the left side of the image (click to enlarge).
Image above: Algonquin Park Visitor Centre on April 5, 2018 after 15 centimetre snowfall and overnight temperatures dipping to -22°C. (click to enlarge)
Image above: Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018. Since this image was taken 15 centimetres of snow has fallen on Algonquin Park.
Image above: Portage Store at Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
Image above: Park Lake in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
Image above: Fisherman's Point at Smoke Lake in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
Image above: Looking toward Bartlett Lodge at Cache Lake in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
Image above: Mew Lake in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
Image above: West end of Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park on April 3, 2018.
See more images on The Friends of Algonquin Park Facebook Page.
Algonquin Park Ice Out History
Technically, the official ice out date for Algonquin Park is recorded when at boat can safely navigate from the Lake Opeongo Access Point to the Happy Isle Portage in the North Arm of Lake Opeongo. Ice out for Algonquin Park's largest lake, Lake Opeongo, has ranged from as early as March 29 (2012) to as late as May 15 (1972). The current average ice out date is April 28 (1964 to 2016), shown by the dotted trend line below. The official ice out date for Lake Opeongo in 2015 and again in 2016 was May 1. The ice out date for Lake Opeongo in 2017 was April 25.
Latest Satellite Imagery
Below is satellite imagery of the Algonquin Park area. Imagery is taken on a regular basis with the best images recorded on completely clear days, which can be infrequent during late winter/spring. Images are posted to highlight the overall changes in ice conditions in south-central Ontario.
Image above: Satellite image from May 8, 2018 showing poor ice quality in Algonquin Park. However, lakes like Lake Opeongo and Cedar Lake are still showing white/gray ice which indicates more solid ice conditions (click to enlarge).
Satellite Image Comparison
Below are satellite images of the Algonquin Park area from recent years for comparison purposes. Official ice out dates for Lake Opeongo (Algonquin Park's largest lake and traditionally one of the last to shed its ice cover) are listed with each image.
The spring of 2012 was record early by about a month and ice on Lake Opeongo melted by March 29. All lakes in Algonquin Park were ice free by April 2, 2012.
Related Information
- Algonquin Park Webcam
- Spring in Algonquin Park
- Fishing in Algonquin Park
- Current Weather Conditions
- The Raven Talks About Fish and Lakes
- Fishes of Algonquin Provincial Park
- Fishing in Algonquin Provincial Park
- Lake Depth Maps of Algonquin Provincial Park
- Backcountry Access Points
- Backcountry Canoeing
- Canoe Routes Map of Algonquin Provincial Park - Explore Online
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