Your Guide to the Two Rivers Trail , Algonquin Provincial Park

Two Rivers Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park is a popular, centrally located trail within the park. Here's everything you need to know!

Next up in our tour of all the Algonquin Provincial Park Trails, we have the Two Rivers Trail.

As you may guess from the name, it’s located really close to the Lake of Two Rivers Campground.

The parking lot is right on the side of the highway, between the LOTR and Mew Lake campgrounds at km 31.

The Ontario Parks website description for the Two Rivers Trail says it takes you up an “easy” climb, to a cliff. When I saw that, I figured I’d believe it when I see it - the Ontario Parks staff in charge of trail descriptions is why I have trust issues!

Anyway, Porter did the trail alone in 2025, and again in 2026. I was planning to join him, but managed to sprain my foot on the Spruce Bog Boardwalk a few days earlier.

Seriously. A wheelchair accessible trail did me in. What a ridiculous war story!

Anyway, let’s tell you all about it. The Two Rivers Trail, anyway. I’ll spare you hearing about my stupid foot!

The Basics:

Name: Two Rivers Trail
Algonquin Park Section: Highway 60 Corridor
Kilometre Marker: km 31
Season: Year-round.
Trail Length: 2.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Suggested Completion Time: 1.5 hours

Logistics

Some basic information to help you plan your hike on the Two Rivers Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park:

Registration and Check In

All hiking trails in Algonquin Provincial Park require a valid permit to be within the park in the first place. There are a few different ways you can do this, depending on how you’re visiting the trail.

1. If you’re currently camping in Algonquin

If you have a current, valid camping permit for a campground in Algonquin Provincial Park - you just show up to the trail. Your license plate number is already registered with the park, and you’re good to go.

2. If you’re currently camping in a DIFFERENT Provincial Park

If you’re driving in for a day trip from somewhere like nearby Arrowhead Provincial Park, Bonnechere Provincial Park, Lake St Peter Provincial Park, or Silent Lake Provincial Park - you can take advantage of the reciprocal program.

With a few exceptions, a current and valid camping permit from one Ontario Provincial Park will act as a daily vehicle permit at another.

You just need to show up at one of the gates on the way in (East Gate and West Gate are the ones on either end of Highway 60), and show proof of that permit - a paper permit if your campground has it, or your email confirmation.

They will register your license plate number and you’re free to go - no additional fees required!

3. If you have an annual Ontario Parks Pass

Generally speaking, all you have to do is show up at one of the gates, present your pass, and have your license plate noted.

Note: Sometimes you’ll need to reserve a daily vehicle permit ahead of time. This is usually during peak fall colours season, when certain areas of the park reach capacity.

4. If you don’t have any sort of camping permit or Parks Pass in place

You can book your Daily Vehicle Permit online at Ontario Parks Reservations - up to 5 days in advance of your visit.

If you’re planning your visit for October... you might want to be ready to do so right when that 5 day window opens up, to ensure availability!

Otherwise, you can pay for a DVP at any one of the Algonquin Provincial Park gates.

Note: Some of the trailheads have QR codes for booking your DVP, but with such spotty internet throughout the park ... I really recommend doing it ahead of time.

5 part image showing various views of the inside and outside of the west gate at Algonquin Provincial Park. — The West Gate

Parking

The parking lot for the Two Rivers Trail is located right alongside Highway 60.

There are no restrictions on RV / trailer parking in this parking lot, but it could be difficult on a busy day.

That said, you’re not going to get stuck - It’s a half loop - ie: 2 access points - and the whole parking lot is easily visible on approach.

The Parking lot for the Two Rivers Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park. — The Parking Lot

Washrooms

There are no washroom facilities at the Two Rivers Trail.

Your closest options are the vault toilets and comfort stations at the Lake of Two Rivers Campground, which is just across the highway from the Two Rivers Trail.

Maps and Signage

There is a rough map at the trailhead, more of a super basic layout, than anything. There are no distances marked, etc.

For a MUCH better map, grab one of the trail guides. It has a much better map, with points of interest marked.

There’s even a graph showing the elevation changes - which also gives a rough idea of segmented distances between posts.

In terms of the trail signage, it’s blazed well - you’re really not going to need it, though. This is a very, very well established trail - you’re not going to get lost!

The Two Rivers Trail Map. — The Trail Map

Accessibility

This trail rated moderate, and I’d agree with that rating. There some moderately steep inclines, rough footing, etc.

If you’re what we tend to think of as “adventurous disabled”, you might be able to do this trail with a cane or in a walking boot.

My reference point for what can be done in a boot or with a cane is Marie, though. She’d a disabled figure skater, so she’s got strength, balance, etc.

She also gets bullheaded and will hike trails on a boot that... maybe people in a boot might not usually want to do, especially when there are roots and rocks involved to that degree.

Hopefully my trail description will be enough to help those with mobility concerns be able to judge for themselves. Eventually Marie will do this trail, and she’ll update with her first-hand views.

In the meantime, I will mention that - towards the end of the trail - there’s a fairly moderate decline that feels like it stretches on and on, constantly downhill - no breaks.

I could definitely see that section being difficult for those with knee issues.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on the Two Rivers Trail, but all the standard Ontario Provincial Parks rules apply.

They must be leashed at all times, and aren’t allowed to harass other hikers, wildlife, or plants.

They can’t be left unsupervised, and aren’t allowed to make excessive noise.

Owners must pick up after their dogs, and properly dispose of the droppings.

On that note, there are no poop baggie dispensers on site, and no garbage can at the trail head. Plan ahead!

Day Use Area

There are no picnic tables at the trailhead, nor along the Two Rivers Trail itself.

If you’re looking to picnic after your hike, your best bet is to drive a couple km east, to the Lake of Two Rivers Day Use Area - it’s right on the side of the highway.

This area has picnic tables scattered over a grassy lawn, overlooking Lake of Two Rivers. There’s a small beach, and also washrooms right on site.

8 part image showing various views of the Lake of Two Rivers Day Use Area in Algonquin Provincial Park. — Lake of Two Rivers Day Use Area

Connectivity

Cell phone coverage varies wildly in Algonquin Provincial Park, far more so than anywhere else we’ve been.

A spot may have fantastic coverage one day, then none the next. You may have fantastic coverage at one point on a trail, then none just ten metres later.

Carrier, how busy the area is, elevation, and the weather all seem to play a part.

We can’t reliably tell you what the cell coverage will be like on this trail, as a result. Our best advice is to assume there will be no cellular coverage, and plan accordingly.

Note: We can say that the most reliable place we’ve found for cell coverage in Algonquin PP has been the Visitor Center Parking lot. Also, there is wifi available inside the Visitor Centre itself.

Miscellaneous

The trail is in a section of mostly evergreen trees, so we wouldn't consider it a fall destination... but it's a really nice walk through the woods, either way.

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Activities

Some information on the various things you can do, while hiking the Two Rivers Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park:

Hiking

Here’s what Porter had to say about hiking the Two Rivers Trail.

As a note, the photo sets are all done chronologically, but don’t necessarily line up with Porter’s commentary, below. WAY too much effort to try and fit the photos to the text!

4 part image showing various views along the Two Rivers Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park. — Two Rivers Trail

The Two Rivers trail starts out wide and well-packed. You're walking through a thick pine forest, pine needles blanketing the trail.

The trail starts out pretty easy, just winding through the woods.

Further in it gets more moderate difficulty, with some moderate inclines and somewhat rough footing with roots and rocks in the path.

About a kilometer in, the trail gets a bit narrower, but it's still wide enough for easy single file travel.

At 1.25km you reach a nice overlook with a good view, and for the next quarter kilometer you get multiple views of the cliff edge.

At 1.75km you get another cliff edge view at signpost 8. After this, the path descends down a long, moderate decline with natural root steps in areas.

I clocked this trail as 2.33km total and overall rate it as moderate difficulty.

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

The Two Rivers Trail was really busy on the day I visited, with people streaming in and out of the trail loop.

I didn’t have any luck at all with birding - not even hearing any - and didn’t see any other wildlife ... aside from some squirrels and chipmunks.

We have - on one occasion - seen a moose right next to the entrance of that trail. No luck this time, though!

Educational & Cultural Opportunities

While there are no educational signs on the Two Rivers Trail, you can pick up a Friends of Algonquin trail guide at the trailhead.

It’s free to use and return, or you can keep it for $0.50 - there’s a coin collection pay tube thing at the trailhead.

Alternately, the guides are available for purchase at the visitor centre, and at the gates.

These guides are amazing educational accompaniments to the trails in Algonquin Provincial Park, teaching about the geology, flora, and fauna you might see on your hike, as well as some of the history of the area.

They also tend to include information about the elevation changes throughout each trail.

All around, a great resource to refer to while you’re on the trail!

The Two Rivers Trail Guide focuses on the forest itself, with a heavy emphasis on bugs - Spruce Budworm Caterpillar, specifically.

There’s also some information about the wildlife, and the way fires shape the forest.

Winter Activities

Two Rivers Trail is listed under the “recommended” section of trails in the Algonquin winter guide.

This generally means that the park makes an effort to plow that parking lot, and the trail - in turn - gets more use. You’re more likely to find well-packed snow at one of the “recommended” trails.

Anyway, we’ve never done Two Rivers in the winter, but it’s designated as being available for both winter hiking, and as an intermediate snowshoeing trail.

Final Thoughts

This is a nice little trail. It's super convenient to those camping at Mew Lake and Lake of Two Rivers campgrounds. If you're short on time and want a quick hike, it's easy to just head over for a nice walk.

The first third of the trail is a bit monotonous, just a nice walk through the woods. The middle third is nicer, a bit more rugged with some nice cliff views.

The cliff views are what makes this worthwhile, in my opinion. That last third, descending back to the parking lot, also gets a bit monotonous.

More Algonquin Provincial Park Trail and Campground Reviews

Want to read some more of what we have to say about the campgrounds and attractions in Algonquin Park?

Check out our Algonquin Provincial Park Mega Post, or any of the links below for even more in-depth info:

Algonquin Provincial Park Campground Guides / Reviews

Algonquin Provincial Park Trail Guides / Reviews

Barron Canyon Trail, Algonquin Provincial Park
High Falls on York, Algonquin Provincial Park
Provoking Falls, Algonquin Provincial Park

Interested in exploring campgrounds beyond Algonquin Park? We've got a huge - and ever-growing! - list of them here: 2 Nerds in a Truck Campground Reviews.

We also have posts on Ontario Waterfalls, other Places to See, and a ton of Camping Recipes to cook up, while on your adventures!

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Two Rivers Trail