Lost in Ontario: The Ultimate Kayaking Adventure at Hailstorm Creek Nature Reserve, Algonquin Park

I have been to Algonquin Park several times now and it never disappoints! It is truly a nature lover’s paradise, with an abundance of beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife that will fill your soul up to the brim. From the morning mist that hugs the water’s surface, to the distant cries of loons, each and every visit offers a unique glimpse into Ontario’s incredible ecosystem.

If you’re looking to experience the magic of Algonquin Park for yourself, then I highly recommend booking a day trip with Algonquin Outfitters! This is the ultimate way to get lost in nature and have a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife excursion.

Algonquin Outfitters offer a variety of day trip options that are perfect for those that aren’t quite looking to go off the grid for more than a day, or for those that simply don’t have the time to commit to multi-day trips.

The company offers both guided and self-guided tours. Rikki and I settled for the latter option, as we wanted to be alone in nature. This self-guided tour led us to explore Hailstorm Creek, which is a protected reserve on the northwest side of Lake Opeongo, Algonquin’s largest lake. Kayaking and canoeing are both available options, but we decided on kayaking because it’s a little easier to maneuver as a solo paddler.

One of the awesome features about this tour experience is that it cuts down on some of the time normally spent getting to your destination. What would normally take half a day of paddling to get to, only takes about 20 minutes by water taxi. The water taxi loads up your kayak and whisks you away deep into the heart of Algonquin Park, later returning to the same pre-arranged pickup location. The taxi shaves off half a day of paddling so, within just a few moments, you’re in the middle of nowhere.

It’s just you, your canoe, and the peace and quiet of nature. Oh, and a few moose, beavers, and loons are there too!

Hailstorm Creek Nature Reserve is an incredibly beautiful location, where you are bound to see all sorts of wildlife, including the elusive and majestic moose. We were so excited to get out there and had high hopes that we would see these magnificent creatures! It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to see moose in their natural habitat. With that said, you can’t really control nature and nothing is ever certain… But a man can dream!

Once dropped off by the water taxi, we paddled our way to the creek to get lost in its beauty. The paddling itself is not strenuous, and the navigation is pretty easy to follow. This is a good activity for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Along the way, we saw all kinds of wildlife, from beavers and their dams, to painted turtles and loons.

Luckily, Mother Nature worked in our favour and within minutes of starting our excursion we were able to spot a moose grazing on water lilies.

WOW. Life goal = fulfilled.

Seeing a moose up close is like witnessing a miracle. They are truly majestic creatures and larger than life. While I have seen a few moose in my recent Algonquin Park visits, seeing them on a side of the road is one thing. Experiencing them in their natural habitat by kayak is like being a part of a real life 'Discovery Channel' moment. A few hours into the trip we spotted an enormous cow moose with her baby calf. Three moose in one trip.

I am so grateful for my experience kayaking through Algonquin Park. If you’re interested, check them out Algonquin Outfitters here. The experience costs about $110 per person for two people, but it is cheaper the more people who go on the excursion. So, grab some friends and make a day of it! Not only was it a peaceful and relaxing way to spend the day out in nature, but I got to fulfill one of my life dreams. It was a truly unforgettable experience!

I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for an adventure this summer – it will not disappoint. Just make sure you look out and say hi to my moose friends while you’re there!