Algonquin Park Rain Lake Ranger Cabin

A 45 minute drive through winding dirt roads until reaching the parking lot at Rain Lake.  At night, it's only you on the lake. Everyone else who's parked here has hiked or canoed into the wilderness. 

We booked the Ranger Cabin at Rain Lake in Algonquin Park 5 months in advance knowing that it's rarely available.  Finally that weekend in mid June arrived and we were on our way to Algonquin Park.



The trip started at the Town of Kearney where we had to pick up a permit at the local recreation centre.  It was quick and simple.  Ten minutes later we were on Rain Lake Road heading into Algonquin Park.  The road is mostly dirt and gravel with some sharp turns passing lakes, rivers and tons of turtles!  The female turtles are nesting in June and can be spotted almost everywhere along the roadsides.

Reaching our destination at Rain Lake, the first thing that you'll notice is the sandy beach surrounded by tall green forest.  The beach is mostly used for launching canoes and small engine boats.  Didn't see anyone swimming but certainly looks good for it.



May and June, turtles are everywhere!


We finally reached the cabin at Rain Lake.  It was surprisingly big and private.  You can drive right up to the cabin and park next to it.  No need to carry all of your gear too far. 

Looking towards the swanky kitchen inside the Ranger Cabin.  There is a sink, but no running water.  All appliances and lights are powered by a big propane tank behind the cabin.

The Dining Room

Ranger Cabin 'backyard' view.  The water is only about 2 feet deep for 10 metres.  Too many branches and stones to walk through it though.  The beach up the road, a 1 minute walk, is much better.

This would be glamorous camping also known as 'Glamping'.  Not something that a group of guys would willingly call it, but that seems to be the new lingo these days.  There are two bed rooms, one with two separate single beds and the other with a bunk bed.  There is a full kitchen and dining area as well.  The kitchen has a working fridge and stove while the sink has no running water.  The cabin also has indoor lighting and a heater powered by propane.  But that's not all... besides the indoors, there is a 10 x 12 ft screened-in porch outside.  We spent a lot of time in the porch.  It saved us from the brutal mosquitoes at this time of year.  We even brought our portable BBQ into the screened porch for meals.

Screened Porch.

Early morning view of Cedar Lake from the Ranger Cabin.

The cabin has a fire pit and it's own dock looking out towards Rain Lake.  It's a private site at the end of a road and perfect if you want your own space.  The only thing missing was a private washroom.  The cabin doesn't have it's own.  It's a short 1 minute walk just behind the cabin near a parking lot.  That parking lot had quite a few cars parked in it while we were there.  None of those people stuck around Rain Lake though.  Most of those campers were backpackers or using the site as a launch for their canoe.  

Hey, get lost!

Nobody was in the area after the evening hours except for us.  We had the entire area to ourselves which was great but you couldn't stand outside for more than a few minutes without being attacked by mosquitos.