Reviews of Sand Lake Gate, Algonquin Park (Park)

Ciaran McIlwraith

Fantastic customer service experience

Ronald Tremblay

Barron canyon and high falls offer great views and a nice hike . Swimming by the falls was a fun experience.

Nancy Berry

There are too many mosquitos in June.

Andy Brown

Very nice facility and helpful staff. Excellent meeting point for groups.

Abe Spooner

This is the entrance that we go to when we're doing the Eastern Pines Backpacking circuit. The staff at this gate are always helpful, and you can buy some small last minutes necessities such as rope, camp blanket maps etc. From the Sand Lake gate you only have to drive a little ways to Achray Campgrounds and the Easter Pines trail head. Can't wait to go back next year!

Elizabeth Kingsbury

Friendly helpful staff who have in-depth knowledge of Algonquin Park. Ample parking, not a heavily used access point in October. Caution when driving though... potholes..

David Bainbridge

Friendly reception, informative staff. Firewood available and restrooms too.

Patadorea SilverLeaf

We were exhausted after the long canoe ride, but the beautiful scenery and lovely campsites were completely worth it. We were treated to seeing some baby painted turtles, plenty of duckweed, and only a minor wasp attack. There was additionally some absolutely lovely foliage to adore during the portage sections.

Mikołaj Carrière

Great park for young kids. Accessible swings, 2 sandboxes and a play structure with slides.

Kevin Drummond

Algonquin is beautiful and the sand lake gate is not as busy as others.

Fassel Hussain

Pleasant and cooperative staff at the front where we got permit. Some nice algonquin book selection was also there. I have not seen it at the main gates or may be it is not displayed as clearly. Algonquin is my favourite place and a couple of short tracks we did were amazing. Loved our day trip on a gorgeous sunny september day.

serge frechette

Was an amazing experience but the bugs were too much.

Kevin Wells

It's a great gate.

Huy Bui

The park is nice.

Allan Bassi

If you booked a site in/around Achray, you need to pay and sign-in/sign-out here!

Farook Ismail

The Barron Canyon. nice detour to any trip and road is motorcycle friendly gravel and hard packed earth just take it easy and any motorcycle can get there

AnimationSky

Friendly staff and it will only take you a couple of minutes to get your park pass, however, it may be busy especially with the current pandemic, as they're only allowing 1 person inside and on a busy weekend may form a 30-45 minute long line.

Félix An

Love to see the Barron Canyon.

Stewart Cho

Went to Achray in Algonquin. Would have been 5 star but so far away for me (oakville). Loved the short hike to multiple view points for Barron Canyon (only 1.5 km) and high falls with its natural water slide and many pools was another highlight. Note the cheater trail to high falls still takes an hour or so to hike. It is not difficult (only a few places where you have to climb up or down steep inclines). Pack water and snacks since you will want to spend the day there. The paddle to Barron Canyon took about 4 hours round trip starting from squirrel rapids. It did include a short 750m portage. Oh and we did have lunch in our canoe aswell. The unpaved road that takes you to the east sand lake gate and evrything else I have mentioned is long and very bumpy. Your car will rattle hard if you don't ride the magic carpet (the perfect speed to carry you from the peak of one bump to the peak of the next bump). I found the magic speed to be between 60-80km/hr depending on which section of road you are on. The Achray camp ground has beaches so no need to drive anywhere of that is all you are lookong for. Water is very shallow for a very long distance so very nice for kids. I recommend checking this place out.

Mark Stanley

East access to a beautiful part of Algonquin park

Nathan Griffioen

Small but nice shop, knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Mathew Williams

Nice trails. Great people working there.

Morgan Sanderson

Great staff and great park.

Matthew Chartrand

Great camping area that's not too busy.

pammy j

From what I had the chance to see.. Algonquin park is great park It would be good if their maps were easier to read :-) one day maybe ✅

Sashole94

Breathtaking and worth the drive

David Sugarman

Fave place Algonquin

Jordan Larin

Drove a long way to get to building that’s empty and expects exact change of $18 for. 2km hike… didn’t even end up going in. Disappointed

Bohdan Fedirko

Access point to multiple lakes and Barrons Canyon.

Jonathan Hernandez Aguirre

Awesome place to spend with friends enjoying the lake

Steve L

One of many great location at Algonquin

Thomas Gunther

Bit of a hike to get to and the bugs are nasty, but man the views are just wonderous

Trish Marincak

I'll start by saying I LOVE ALGONQUIN PARK LAKES, however, in almost 50 years of going, the road in had NEVER been so bad - worst washboard ever - the entire way. Just not acceptable for the camping fees paid.

Michael Saragosa

This is a quaint little stop on your way in to the eastern section of Algonquin. Nice

Andrew J Hutton

The only way into the park on this end, does what it is supposed to. Sense of humour in the staff would be an improvement though.

Oliver Xu

very good place nice view and lots of fresh air

Goose Canada

Finally we were able to get a coffee and a protein bar

_ “‪lbrjaksoldier‬” _

So unless you are canoeing I would say skip the trip. You pay $18 to get attacked and I mean viciously attacked by bugs to the point where you cannot stop to think. The road to get into the actual sites for walking or canoeing is a horror show that'll make you wonder if you need new struts but I can forgive that because they do warn you with a sign at the begin which should be your warning that your in for a horrible experience. All in all wouldn't recommend. You have to pay for something that is nowhere near as good as it should be. I can go to Gould lake in the kingston area for free and have 1000 times better of a time.

Gil Strachan

Large, convenient parking lot, long lanes good for RVs. Self-serve check-in, cash-only - don't forget your change purse! Hiked Barron Canyon Trail, fabulous views!

Stephen Garlick

Road to Travers was for the most part great condition, some washboard but road work was underway, Boston launch at Traverse rough but doable for small boat, easy for canoes. Campsites on Traverse good condition and clean.

Blazing Hornet

2 stars for the only ~⅓ of the road that was in ok shape. The road was very poorly maintained leading to Sand Lake Gate as well as afterwards. You'll take a lot of life off your suspension, be warned. This is the worst condition I've seen this road in.

David Rush

Friendly and fast check-in.

Behzad Kawesh

Good experience

Laurent M.

Very nice staff, the place to get your park permit. Also got some useful hiking information and a map. Some souvenirs available for those so inclined. Check mosquitoes season (I didn't...) When planning your hike! Overall a lovely park.

Aidan Leach

The gateway to lots of great parks of Algonquin - High Falls, Barron Canyon, Achray, Grand Lake and the backcountry beyond. Road is somewhat rough gravel for the last 19 km before the gate but smooth gravel afterwards. Service at the gate is fast, even with the pandemic precautions (only one visitor in the gate office at a time).

Fi7TOR

For the people that got to check in work, this is the best spot to get network in the parc. There is another tower at Achray campground but its hard to get anything from it.

Jessica Parent

Staff at this entrance not totally knowledgeable. Couldn't answer questions about our yurt reservation as he "had never been to any yurts in the park." May be beneficial for employees to have more of a general understanding for park guests

Samuel Bramwell

I went camping in September and loved it! Had a really quiet and pleasant time

Chris Penny

Love Algonquin park. Just wish it wasn't so popular.

Preni Jani

Beautiful park, I stayed at Archray campgrounds and it was just amazing. Many trails and also backcountry camping spots available!

Ghalib Ashrafi (aries)

Is this place safe?

Tim Hackborn

Long time favorite site for me. Deep into the park, there are so many natural space for hiking and canoeing. There is also so many unique land formations and truly being "on the land" experiences.

J. Lawrence Shupka

It's a relatively small gate, but there is ample parking. The staff are all friendly and cheerful while also having excellent knowledge of the park, Make sure you check in with them and pay any fees before you embark! The washrooms are well maintained, and the trails you can access at this gate are well kept, too. I found the land was lower laying than other areas of the park which make some of the backcountry sites a little damp. With that being said, it was easily manageable. I've never stayed in the campground, but it looks really nice for families with small kids, etc.. The road on the way in is a little rough but easy (and fun...) to drive as long as you keep your wits about you. All in all it's a great spot!

David Krajewski

Entrance to Algonquin, last spot with cell service

A J

nice pretty steep but short trail... make sure you have cash to pay entrance fee when office is closed

Tiara-Leigh Michelle Micro Scully

love it

Josh McIntyre

Love Algonquin Park, such a great beautiful place to visit and get away from human society for bit.

John King

Achray campground is a good quiet place even if you are not canoe tripping.

eatozluklu

Very friendly people working and helping you here

Joao Bettencourt

Beautiful

Daryle Budarick

Friendly people

Alan Moore

A paddlers dream!

Yonjin Chang

Last ten years still great place abd good fishing with family

Ken Allen

just passed through

Michael Muller

A polite and informative welcome to the park

Shaun Donker

The place to be! Park staff are incredible. Love coming for Wet and Sec!!

Benoit Hotte

(Translated) Most friendly staff. (Original) Personnel des plus sympathique.

Andrew Moores

The Baron Canyon is beautiful

C. m

Awesome ranger who helped us with our permit, took the time to answer questions. She did a great job. Thank you!

Charles Boudreau

Always well worth the trip.

Cassandra Corey

Always beautiful, always fun

David Marincak

Park is always Beautiful. But the worst washboard road ever!

Micheal Lefebvre

Nice place

Benoit O'Hara

(Translated) Beautiful area (Original) Très bel endroit

P. Kar

(Translated) Super net. Ontario Parks Standard. (Original) Super nett. Ontario Parks Standard.

Alex Elliott

Lovely staff

Duster Moustachio

Friendly staff.

Andrzej Potega

The access road to the entrance gate to Algonquin Park and further into the park is gravel and truck run over. It is not evened, which is why it has a lot of humps and unevenness. If you are driving into an ordinary passenger car, get ready to have the suspension overhauled in your car afterwards.

Michel Cardinal

(Translated) very nice employee (Original) employé très gentille

Ian k

Friendly staff and extremely knowledgeable about what's going on in the park . This is also the last chance for indoor plumbing before you start your backcountry adventure..I recommend you take advantage.

Armin R.

Amazing scenes, very peaceful camp site and super helpful staff. One of our cars had problems starting after our stay, the staff helped us in getting help. Please note that there is no cellphone coverage in the area with the diameter of 30 kilometers. No payphone and basically no connectivity. In emergency cases, if you go behind the campground office, you will get a weak signal from their cell booster inside the office, but you should stand close to the wall. We could not get it on our iPhone devices but the Samsung devices could get something enough to make a call (on Rogers network). There is almost 40 kilometers of gravel road to the site but it is in perfect shape, some people visit the park with hatchback cars, but I do not recommend, you may have issues if weather changes. Park is equipped with water and clean washrooms which have solar lights over night. Other than that there is basically no light pollution and if you are lucky to have a clear sky, you can see the whole universe above the trees which is amazing.

Raviv Solomon

It's Algonquin.... Highfalls is the place to be! Too sick

Neal O'Sullivan

Staff on duty today were very friendly and informative. Great intro to the east side of the park.