This summer we got the chance to go RV camping at the Two Rivers Campground in Algonquin Provincial Park. And we took the opportunity to hike the Two Rivers Trail, one we had never hiked before but which is a new favorite of mine.
The Two Rivers Trail is short, making it a great option for families. And it also has an absolutely GORGEOUS view in a couple of different spots along the trail, which is what qualifies it as a favorite for me!
This view on the Two Rivers Trail was my absolute favorite!
Quick Facts
Length: 2.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead Coordinates: 45°34’46.8″N 78°30’46.7″W
Washroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Cell Reception: Spotty
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking: Right at the trailhead.
Cost: Free if you’re camping at Algonquin, or $21 for a day pass.
Open in Winter: Yes
Don’t forget your guidebook if you’d like to learn a little more about what you’re seeing along Algonquin trails!
Getting There
By the side of Highway 60 there’s a large parking lot for the Two Rivers Trail. We pulled in, noticing there was space for about 20 cars. Facing away from the road, we spotted the entrance to the trail on our right hand side. Since our daughter hadn’t slept super well the night before, I decided to just carry her the whole way, so we got both kids into carriers and set off.
Right at the beginning of the trail, a large map was posted. There was also a warning that this trail does lead to a cliff edge, reminding us to keep small children safe and close by.
This sign was pretty clear about where to start!
The Trail
The trail started off fairly wide, and we followed it into the woods. We began to spot old blue trail markers along the well-worn trail.
Starting out, the trail wasn’t too technical. It mostly consisted of hard-packed dirt with a few roots popping up here and there to keep things interesting.
The path was easy to follow as it was so well-established, and there weren’t any confusing offshoots or footpaths to trick us into heading the wrong direction.
For the most part the trail was easy hiking, and easy to follow.
It also felt pretty flat for the first little while, until we had hiked just over a kilometre and began heading uphill. The trail also became a bit rockier at this point.
After another quarter of a kilometre, we noticed a herd path off to our right, and followed it out onto a bit of open rockface. The trail opened up slightly here, and we noticed that we could continue along the edge of the cliff instead of going back to the trail, so we did.
The section of trail where we began to head uphill.
The Views!
At the 1.4 km mark, the forest opened up even more, with a huge swath of Canadian Shield dotted with the occasional tree. We had found ourselves on the edge of the pine-clad cliff with very little effort!
The views here were lovely, and we meandered along the open rock face enjoying them. We hiked another short distance through the forest thinking we had seen what was to offer.
Hiking along Canadian Shield.
But at 1.6 km the view opened up again, and this spot was my absolute favorite! I thought it was so beautiful, and this spot would have been my pick to sit and have lunch or relax for a while. The caveat being IF you didn’t have small children with you! The rock face behind us was steep and did offer a couple of cool spots to sit. But I wouldn’t have wanted to stay on top of a toddler in this spot to make sure they were safe… It would really take the relaxing out of it!
So we enjoyed the view for a few moments with our kids safely strapped in their carriers. Then we set off again. At 1.75 km we were surprised with another lovely view that popped up almost straight ahead of us on the trail. Then just after the 2 km mark we began to head slightly downhill, officially away from the cliffs and the views.
Even on a foggy day, the views from the Two Rivers Trail were gorgeous!
Trail Thoughts
The return was slightly rockier and root-ier than the ascent had been, and since the hike along the cliff’s edge was over mostly flat Canadian Shield, I would consider this the most technical section of the trail. But it was still quite manageable!
We crossed over a few short footbridges on the way back (my kids always love bridges so this is cause for excitement). Then after hiking just 2.3 km we arrived back at the parking lot. We had covered this distance in just 41 minutes!
A new favorite trail!
Sometimes I forget how quickly you can move when you’re not stopped picking up rocks and acorns every 10 seconds.
Despite our choice to carry the kids, I think this would be a really manageable trail for young ones- provided you know they will stay close and be safe near the cliffs!
The beauty of Algonquin Park is prominently on display along this trail. And the reward for very little effort is so worth it! Two Rivers is definitely one of my favorite trails for families in Algonquin Park and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Map and Elevation Gain
My GPS tracked route along the Two Rivers Trail.
Whenever I’m hiking somewhere new, I tend to wonder about who was on, and who took care of that land before me. I’ve enjoyed using this website as a place to start learning more about the Indigenous people whose land I’m on: Native-land.ca.
I know that colonization has impacted Indigenous peoples’ relationship with and access to the land, and that those impacts are still being felt. I am committed to understanding how my actions today impact others.
Elevation gain along the trail. It looks like a lot but I promise it isn’t!
Gear We Brought
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Hiking Boots
Hiking Poles
MEC Shuttlecraft Kid Carrier for our toddler
Tula Preschool Carrier for our big kid (they’re good up to 60 lbs!)
Bug Net for the Shuttlecraft (it’s designed for a stroller)
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Water and snacks just in case
