Interested in exploring one of Canada’s greatest treasures with the confidence of a good map that works deep in the backcountry? Then look no further! Backroad Mapbooks has just launched a new app specific to Algonquin Park and the surrounding area. Available for both IOS and Android users, the Algonquin Park Adventure Map app shows all the paddling routes, campsites, trails, fishing, roadside attractions, wildlife viewing areas, winter recreation locations, service providers and more! The app allows for tracking and dropping of waypoints, has many park Trip Planning extras and features thousands of points of interest that provide information on everything from canoe routes to hiking and backpacking trails. Best of all, the map can be downloaded to your phone or tablet and used without Wi-Fi or incurring cellular charges. Let’s dive in and explore this exciting new option for exploring Ontario’s Premiere Provincial Park. Getting Started: Download the App To find the app, search “Algonquin Park Adventure Map” in either the Apple or Google Play stores. Click on the icon and follow the purchase process and the download will begin. Once complete, the app icon will be added to your phone/tablet screen. Opening the App for the First Time: Clicking the App Icon brings up the Algonquin Park app home screen. Go ahead and tap “Open Map”. Right away, users are taken to an option to download the map to save it for offline use. Those heading straight to the park or looking to use it where there is no Wi-Fi to save cellular charges should follow the prompts here. You can also “Skip” the download and save it at a later date by tapping the “Tools” button at the bottom of the screen and selecting “Refresh Map” from the menu. The app shows the progress of the download. Note that due to the file size of the map and all the layers (~650 mb), this can take over fifteen minutes depending on a user’s internet connection speed. Selecting Layers Once the map is loaded or showing on the app, tapping the “Layers” button on the bottom of the screen brings up all the Adventures available to park explorers. You can choose your Basemap to be the BRMB Canada layer or, if using Wi-Fi or cellular, the high-resolution Satellite imagery can be accessed. You can also select whether to show your saved Waypoints and Tracks, along with whatever Adventure layers you wish to display on the map. Navigating Adventure Layers Once populated on the map, there is a wealth of information attached to each individual Adventure and point of interest (the symbols displayed on the map). Trails Tapping the “Hiker” icon brings up the trail name, in this instance, the Track and Tower Trail. Tapping the orange > arrow on the right of the trail name brings up full details of the trail. The next screen is loaded with everything you need to know about the trail. From the name and region, what type of users can access the trail (the symbols below the name), trail stats including difficulty, length and elevation gain, a description of the trail, trailhead/access locations and any extra “Tips & Tricks” about the particular route. There are GPS coordinates you can share, along with the ability to save this point to your Waypoints. Fishing Tapping on a “Fish” icon works the same way. In this instance, we have chosen Lake of Two Rivers, a popular fishing and camping destination along the Highway 60 corridor. Once again, tapping the orange > arrow to the right brings up extensive lake and fishing details. As an added bonus, many of the Algonquin Park Lakes have lake bathymetry or lake contours showing the lake depths, humps or sunken islands, shoals and more. Zoom in and use the tracking tool to use the map as a mini depth sounder! Anglers will be delighted with information provided including comprehensive lake statistics (area or size, maximum and minimum depths and elevation), a list of species present in the lake, a lake description including tips on the best places to cast a line, facilities found at the lake, access, links to regulations, licensing and additional Fishing Tips & Techniques. Once again there are GPS coordinates you can share, along with the ability to save this point to your Waypoints. Note: these website links will require Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. If you know which lakes you plan to visit, be sure check these out at home before heading out. Wildlife Viewing Many folks heading to Algonquin Provincial Park hope for a chance to spot wildlife. It only makes sense that the Algonquin Park app helps steer visitors in the right direction with the “Wildlife” layer. Just like other layers, tapping the orange > arrow brings up additional details including species to see, a description, access and the GPS coordinates and saving option. Parks and Camping The Parks and Camping layer adds a whole other dimension to the app. Turning on this layer reveals the many roadside campgrounds, picnic or day-use areas, and countless backcountry campsites. In the example below, the map shows all the paddle-in campsites at Canisbay Lake. Tapping on a campsite and then tapping the orange > arrow to the right brings up information on the campsite, how to book it and, as always, the GPS coordinates and save option. Paddling The “Paddling” layers works the same as the other Adventures. Tapping a “Paddler” icon brings up incredible details of the selected route including a description, access, tips and tricks, GPS coordinates and the Save to your waypoints option. In the map below, tapping a red triangle “Portage” icon shows the length of the portage and any additional information (if available) under the description pop-up. Using the “Tools” Button More great options can be found by opening the “Tools” menu. You can Drop waypoints, Record tracks, Save Maps (save sections of the park with satellite imagery), Refresh the download map and more. The Trip Planning section offers a host of value added tools as well. From the Park Guide, which offers invaluable insight into the park, to the pre-trip Checklist and Trip Ideas, the folks at Backroad Mapbooks certainly know the park. In addition, users can open their Saved Waypoints, Tracks and Maps from the Tools menu. The Algonquin Park Guide offers even more useful information for park visitors. Look for details About the Park, Access Points, Park Rules, and more in-depth information on Camping, Paddling, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing and Winter Recreation. There is even sections on Park Resources, Contacts and Local Guides, all featuring convenient website links, to enhance your Algonquin Park experience. Selecting the “Camping” icon in the Park Guide reveals details on the various types of camping options in the park. From Backcountry sites used by hikers and paddlers to Ranger Cabins and Winter Camping locations, the park offers it all. The “Fishing” section includes specific Algonquin Park regulations, general regulations and photos of all the park fish species. Combined with the “Fishing” layer and bathymetric charts, anglers have everything they need to land that big one. Be sure to snap that great photo of your catch and post it to Instagram! Is this your first trip to the park and not sure what you need? The handy “Trip Planning Checklist”, provided courtesy of Algonquin Bound Outfitters, covers everything needed for a safe and memorable visit. Drop downs under each heading offer a list of items to bring along for a safe trip. Using the Settings Tab Rounding out the features on this great app, the “Settings” menu offers the ability to customize the Map Options, links to both the Algonquin Park Guide and Trip Planning Checklist, features a detailed FAQ (frequently asked questions) and Support section, and many other important items. Ready to have the best trip ever to Algonquin Park? Head to the Apple or Google Play App Store and download the Algonquin Park Adventure Map App today! And once you’re on your Adventure, don’t forget to record it and share it. Tag us at #BRMBLife on Instagram! Find out more about the Algonquin Park App Download on the App Store Get it on the Google Play Store
