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Algonquin Park Ice Conditions

This webpage, provided by The Friends of Algonquin Park, tracks the progress and history of ice out in Algonquin Park. Check back frequently for updates.

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Delayed Facility Openings - Ontario Parks has delayed the opening of several facilities in Algonquin Park from previous published dates. See details.

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Summary

Lakes in Algonquin Park are now open. Most lakes along the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park became ice-free on April 25, 2026, including Lake of Two Rivers shown below. Some large lakes required a few more days to become ice-free, including Lake Opeongo that became navigable from the Lake Opeongo Access Point to the Happy Isle Portage on April 28, 2026. April 28, 2026 marks the official ice out date for Algonquin Park and is one day later than the average over the past 60+ years.

Live Baitfish Prohibited in Algonquin ParkAlthough lakes may be open visitors may still encounter floating broken ice that may shift depending upon wind direction. Snow depth is bare on many south-facing slopes, but snow can still be deep in shaded conifer areas or north facing slopes. Visitors should expect to find portages and interpretive trails muddy, wet, icy, and snow-covered in places. Portages and trails may also be blocked by trees that fell during winter storms that have not yet been cleared by Park staff.   

Water temperature in spring remains just above freezing for many days after ice out. Submersion in cold water can quickly lead to hypothermia (a potentially deadly situation). Reduce the risks, by wearing a PFD, stay close to shore, paddle according to your skill/experience level, pack the proper safety gear, and don't take unnecessary risks.

Cold Water Paddling

Even though Algonquin Park lakes are ice free, water temperature during spring remains just above freezing for many days after ice out. Submersion in icy cold water can quickly lead to severe hypothermia, a potentially deadly situation. Reduce the risks by:

  • wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) while on the water;
  • staying close to shore;
  • paddling according to your skill/experience level and the weather conditions;
  • packing the proper safety gear; and
  • not taking unnecessary risks.
  • Learning more about hypothermia and cold water before you paddle.

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.

Lake of Two Rivers Ice Out - April 25, 2026

Watch ice out at Lake of Two Rivers in Algonquin Park (Ontario, Canada) in about two minutes. This time-lapse from March 24 to April 26, 2026, containing more than 3,600 images, is brought to you by The Friends of Algonquin Park, in partnership with Killarney Lodge. The top left corner of the video features the date and time. The bottom left corner of the video shows the weather conditions. Ice out for Lake of Two Rivers was April 25, 2026.

Lake of Two Rivers is a medium sized lake located in south central Algonquin Park. Lake of Two Rivers entire lake surface, covering 315 hectares (780 acres), is easily observed from Highway 60 allowing for detailed freeze and thaw data to be recorded over the years. On average, Lake of Two Rivers freezes on December 11 and thaws on April 25. Ice out dates can vary widely and in the past 45+ years, ice out on Lake of Two Rivers has ranged from as early as March 30 (2012) to as late as May 10 (2018). On average Lake of Two Rivers sheds its ice cover 3 days earlier than Lake Opeongo, Algonquin Park's largest lake, and the basis for declaring Algonquin Park's ice out (see below for historical ice out information).

Algonquin Park Ice Out History

For 60+ years, the average ice out date for Lake Opeongo, Algonquin's largest lake, is April 27. 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). 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. On average, Lake Opeongo sheds its ice cover 3 days later than Lake of Two Rivers shown above.

The ice out date for Lake Opeongo in 2026 was April 28.

Algonquin Park is one of the last areas to shed its ice cover in south-central Ontario. April conditions are extremely important in determining the ice out date for Algonquin Park. Heavy rainfall events, high winds, and warm temperatures all help to speed up ice removal, while cold, snowy conditions can slow the removal of ice from lakes. Watch the Algonquin Park weather forecast for conditions, which are generally colder and snowier than surrounding areas as a result of the Park’s high elevation (the highest in southern Ontario).

Algonquin Park Ice Out History (1964 to present) graph

Spring and Safety

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.

Water temperature in spring remains just above freezing for many days after ice out. Submersion in cold water can quickly lead to hypothermia (a potentially deadly situation). Reduce the risks, by wearing a PFD, stay close to shore, paddle according to your skill/experience level, pack the proper safety gear, and don't take unnecessary risks.

Cold Water Paddling

Even though Algonquin Park lakes will become ice free, water temperature during spring remains just above freezing for many days after ice out. Submersion in icy cold water can quickly lead to severe hypothermia, a potentially deadly situation. Reduce the risks by:

  • wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) while on the water;
  • staying close to shore;
  • paddling according to your skill/experience level and the weather conditions;
  • packing the proper safety gear; and
  • not taking unnecessary risks.
  • Learning more about hypothermia and cold water before you paddle.

For the latest Algonquin Park closures and restrictions see Algonquin Park Advisories.

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