Smoke Lake, Algonquin Park on a dark and dreary day in September. Despite the weather, the Park was as beautiful and awe-inspiring as ever.

This year Algonquin Park is celebrating 125 years.

“Algonquin Park was established in 1893 when the Ontario government acted upon a recommendation of the Royal Commission on Forest Reservation and National Parks in "reserving a portion of the ungranted Crown domain to be set apart as a Forest Reservation and National Park."

Algonquin Park continues to perform these original functions, and since 1893 has expanded to twice its initial size. The original Park area, consisting of 18 townships (approximately 3,797 square kilometres), was designated in 1893 as Algonquin National Park under the Algonquin National Park Act. The Park’s name was subsequently changed in 1913 to Algonquin Provincial Park, and since 1893 the Park has had its boundaries amended eight times to include 15 additional parcels of land. Today, Algonquin Park covers 7,630 square kilometres.

Today, Algonquin Park protects a variety of natural, cultural, and recreational features. Algonquin is biologically diverse with more than 1,200 vascular plant species and more than 400 vertebrates have been found within its boundaries. The Park contains numerous historical resources and has inspired more than 100+ books, 2000+ scientific papers, numerous films, at least one symphony, and the art of Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven.”