Berm Lake Trail

This past spring, we finally got around to checking out the Achray Campground, in
Algonquin Provincial Park.

We hadn’t really been set on doing the Berm Lake trail - it was more of a quick pop in to do the Barron Canyon Trail, while staying at Bonnechere Provincial Park. We figured we’d stop by Achray to check it out, and suss out the potential for a future camping trip.

When we checked in at the Sand Lake Gate, though... the employee threw a bit of a curveball at us.

See, we’ve never seen anyone mention the Berm Lake Trail, so we had pretty low expectations. After all, it’s not that far from Barron Canyon - a legendary trail - so we figured there was a reason we’d never heard of it before.

... but the gate employee regaled us with all kinds of information about all the wildlife that had recently been sighted at the Berm Lake Trail.

Bears, moose, otters, beavers...

So, obviously, it got added on to the itinerary for the day. Porter did it by himself, and - spoilers! - it ended up becoming one of his favourite Algonquin Provincial Park Trails.

Clearly a bit of a hidden gem, so let us tell you all about it!

The Basics:

Name: Berm Lake Trail
Algonquin Park Section: Algonquin East
Kilometre Marker: N/A - It’s in the Achray Campground
Season: April 24, 2026 to November 15, 2026
Trail Length: 4.5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Suggested Completion Time: 1.5 hours

Logistics

Some basic information to help you plan your hike on the Berm Lake 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 (Generally Achray Campground, based on distance!), 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 Bonnechere 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 the Sand Lake Gate, 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 Sand Lake Gate, present your pass, and have your license plate noted.

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.

Otherwise, you can pay for a DVP at the Sand Lake Gate, on the way in.

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.

Parking

There’s a decent sized parking lot right at the trailhead. It’s not super trailer-appropriate, but smaller RPs would probably fit.

There’s a larger parking lot, pretty much adjacent to it though - we’ve seen school buses parked there. This is the parking area in front of the Achray Campground theatre.

One thing to note: The parking lot for the Berm Lake Trail is a shared one, also used for the Eastern Pines Trail.

This is a backcountry camping trail, so those who are parking for that trail will be parking for more than a day - if THAT trail is busy, I could see the parking lot filling up.

Washrooms

Starting on your way into the park - it’s a long drive! - there are both flush toilets and outhouses at the Sand Lake Gate.

From there, there are outhouses at the Squirrel Rapids and Barron Canyon Trail parking lots, at the very least - we didn’t pop into every parking lot and pull off area.

There are no toilets at the trailhead or along the trail, but the trailhead is right in the Achray Campground, so you have a few options there.

There are no comfort stations, showers, or laundry facilities at Achray Campground, and most of the washrooms are the old style vault toilets.

The park’s website says that there are flush toilets throughout the campground - the only set I came across were on the far east end of the park, next to the Jackpine Trail.

Flush toilets do have a separate symbol on the map - this was also the only flush toilet marked on the campground map, so I’m not sure what’s up with the website info.

Maps and Signage

There is a rough map at the trailhead, more of a general overview 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.

Unlike the other Friends of Algonquin trial guides, though... this one doesn’t have a graph with the elevation changes.

Accessibility

This trail is not wheelchair accessible, and may not be a great choice for those with mobility impairments.

It’s definitely a moderate difficulty trail, with a lot or roots and rocks to navigate over - as well as being fairly long.

If mobility is a concern - but you’re still looking to try the trail - we recommend the use of hiking sticks / trekking poles.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on the Berm Lake 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. Plan ahead!

Day Use Area

There are no picnic tables right at the trailhead or along the trail, but there are two day use areas at Achray Campground - one on either side of the main road into the campground.

The west day-use area is super cute - it’s got a few picnic tables up on a bit of a hill, overlooking a really nice beach.

Each of the tables has its own hibachi grill next to it. It’s just a really nice setup and vibe, with a great view!

As mentioned before, there’s definitely some ambiguity as to where the campsites end and the day use area begins, so that’s something to keep in mind when booking in that area - you are VERY likely to end up with people wandering through your site.

The east day-use area isn’t as nice, big, or cute as the west day use area... and it has the same issues in terms of space ambiguity.

The beach just isn’t as nice, I didn’t see any of those grills that the other day use area had, the view isn’t quite as nice, etc.

The picnic tables in this area are set back from the beach, rather than set up OVER it.

Connectivity

There is no cell reception along the Berm Lake Trail, or in Achray Campground.

We had very intermittent cell reception along the road from the highway to the entrance of the park and we had good cell reception at Sand Lake Gate.

We lost cell reception almost immediately after entering the park at the gate. The only place we had any cell reception at all was up on the ledge of Barron Canyon, along the Barron Canyon trail. Shockingly good reception there, actually!

Anyway, that is all to say that there is no cellular reception in the Achray Campground.

They do have a cell phone booster at the park store - in Achray Campground - that will apparently work in the store or right behind the store, on the deck. We didn't actually try to use it, though.

Activities

Some information on the various things you can do, while hiking the Berm Lake Trail at Lake Superior Provincial Park:

Hiking

Here’s what Porter had to say about the Berm Lake 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!

“A short ways in you walk on a long, narrow boardwalk that follows along the edge of a beaver dam.

This is a really cool experience!

After that you go into the deep forest, with a massively tall canopy. The trail follows small rolling hills, I've barely started the trail and it's already beautiful!

The path is pretty wide, but it has rocks and roots, unsure footing. Because of this I rate this as a moderate difficulty trail.”

“Later, the trail follows directly along the shoreline which offers some stunning views of beautiful Berm Lake.

At this point the trail becomes a bit more narrow, and a bit more hilly, still with rocky footing. It's still a moderate difficulty trail though.

Keep an eye out because some of the rocks are really sparkly, which is just a really cool effect as you're walking down the trail. I tried to take video of it but it just doesn't capture it like seeing it in person.

There are some very short sections that are muddy, however, this spring has seen extremely high water levels everywhere in the area.

Around 2.5 kilometers in you do a lot of climbing, pushing up a bit higher into the moderate category of difficulty.”

“Near the end it has more of that boreal forest vibe (my favorite!) with mosses, lichens, and blueberry bushes. It's absolutely beautiful, I'm always so glad to be back in boreal country.

There are some portages off to the sides, I recommend following them as they are very short and have great views of the lakes.

I clocked it as 4.8km, but I explored several portages in addition to the trail itself.”

Birding, Wildlife, and Nature

Pretty much ALL of the wildlife we - well, Porter - encountered during our Achray visit, happened along the Berm Lake Trail!

He didn’t have much luck with bird photography, though. Due to the time of year we visited (late spring, when the trees were lush with leaves) - he heard more birds than he actually saw, and he saw a LOT more birds than he was able to get any kind of a decent photo of.

Overall, he heard and/or saw: American Robin, Black-and-White Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Blue-Headed Vireo, Blue Jay, Broad-Winged Hawk, Brown Creeper, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Common Loon, Common Yellowthroat, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Great Blue Heron, Great Horned Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush, Least Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler, Northern Flicker, Northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, Pine Warbler, Purple Finch, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Red-Eyed Vireo, Red-Winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, White-Throated Sparrow, and Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

We also saw some squirrels, and painted turtles.

Educational & Cultural Opportunities

While there are no educational signs on the Berm Lake 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 Sand Lake Gate. (Or the Visitor Centre, but that’s several hours away!).

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.

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

The Berm Lake Trail guide gives details on 11 numbered posts along the trail, mostly about the trees and wildlife, but also covering some information on the glacial melt, and its effect on the area.

Final Thoughts

Here’s how Porter summed up his thoughts on the Berm Lake Trail, minutes after he finished it:

Berm Lake Trail is easily in my top 10% of all trails I've ever hiked. Not only would I hike this trail again, I would actually hike this trail again right now if I had time.

I'm a sucker for water views, l love beaver dams, and the intense boreal forest views are my absolute favourite.

This trail has all of those, and for me it's a great combination of trail length and difficulty. It won't take all day long, but you get a good workout while seeing these great things.

Also, the ever changing views keep you interested during the entire hike, and I just think you can't ask for much more than that.

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

Achray Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
< a href="https://2nerdsinatruck.com/brent-campground/">Brent Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Canisbay Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Kearney Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Kiosk Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Lake of Two Rivers Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Mew Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Pog Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Raccoon Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Rock Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Tea Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park
Whitefish Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park

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!