ROCK LAKE

& PEN LAKE

2 DAYS, 1 NIGHT

Join SHE Ventures for a 2-day, 1-night backcountry canoe adventure in the heart of Algonquin Provincial Park while the fall colours are at their peak! This beginner-friendly trip offers the perfect mix of paddling, camping, and connection—with nature and like-minded women.

Skill Level: Beginner

Ages: 18+

Max Group Size: 6 + 2 Leads

Start/Finish: Rock Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Cost: $199.99 + hst

Ages: 18+

Note: This trip has a mandatory pre-trip virtual information session on Thursday, September 26 from 7-8 pm EST. Registration ends Wednesday, September 25.

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1

    📍 Start: Rock Lake Campground Parking Lot
    📍 Finish: Pen Lake Campsite (TBD – first-come, first-serve)
    🛶 Distance: ~7-8 km paddling + 375 m portage
    ⏳ Time: 5-6 hours total (with instruction & breaks)

    Morning

    10:00 am – Arrive at Rock Lake Campground parking lot. Register vehicles at the Park Office with assistance from SHE Ventures staff.

    10:30 am – Learn how to pack a canoe and practice basic strokes. A safety briefing will be provided.

    Afternoon

    12:00 pm – Begin paddling across Rock Lake. Portage 375 m into Pen Lake with instruction on how to safely lift and carry a canoe.

    2:00 pm – Arrive at Pen Lake. We will choose a campsite based on availability and set up camp as a group. Enjoy lunch lakeside.

    3:30 pm – Optional workshop: tips for bear-proofing your campsite, water treatment, and purification. Receive hands-on demonstration to learn how to set up your gear.

    Evening

    4:00 pm – Firewood collection and processing, fire building, and food preparation tutorials led by SHE Ventures.

    6:00 pm – Enjoy a warm, delicious backcountry meal and take in the peak fall colours. Option to swim for the bold!

    8:00 pm – Relax by the campfire and enjoy good company amongst new friends. Evening games and social.

    Overnight: Pen Lake

  • DAY 2

    📍 Start: Pen Lake Campsite
    📍 Finish: Rock Lake Campground
    🛶 Distance: ~7-8 km paddling + 375 m portage
    ⏳ Time: 4-5 hours total

    Morning

    7:30 am – Wake up to a peaceful morning on Pen Lake.

    8:00 am – Breakfast and pack up camp.

    10:00 am – Paddle across Pen Lake to the 375 m portage into Rock Lake. Practice your new, safe canoe-carrying techniques.

    11:00 am – Paddle toward the northern cliffs on Rock Lake to view the ancient Anishinaabe pictographs.

    11:00 am – Continue paddling at a relaxed pace through the peak fall colour corridor of Rock Lake.

    Afternoon

    1:30 pm – Land at Rock Lake Campground. Unload and sort gear. Group reflection and final remarks.

    2:00 pm – Official trip end and participant departure.

what’s included

GUIDE

Maximum 1:6 ratio

Certified Wilderness First Responder

equipment

Tarp

Stove

Kitchen utensils

SOS satellite device/GPS

Signalling devices

Bear spray

Camp saw

First aid kit

Water purification system

Adjustable declination compass

Physical waterproof map

Fire starter

Biodegradable soap

Polycord

Download the gear checklist below to see what you need to bring.  Checked boxes will be supplied by SHE Ventures.

MEALS

TRAINING

Essential gear and backpack fitting

Water treatment and purification

Food preparation and storage

Bear safety and camp set-up

Hands-on gear demonstration

backcountry permits

what’s excluded

transportation

Transportation to/from Rock Lake Campground

SELECT EQUIPMENT

Premium lightweight tent

Backpack (45-60 L)

*Tents can be rented for $15 pp/day and packs can be rented for $12.50 pp/day.
All tents are double occupancy.

vehicle permits

Vehicle permit and registration for trip length (~$15 per vehicle per day, payable to Ontario Parks upon arrival)

We will assist you with registering yourself and your vehicle at the Rock Lake Campground park office upon arrival.

Meet your guide

Meet Emily — SHE Ventures co-lead for the 2025 XX

The second lead for this trip will be SHE Ventures founder, Lauri Corlett. Learn more about Lauri here.

cancellation policy

Cancellations made on or before September 25, 2025 are fully refundable, minus a 5% administrative and Square processing fee. Cancellations made after September 25, 2025 are non-refundable. However, all trips are transferable to another qualified woman aged 18 or older prior to pre-trip information session being held September 25, 2025.

A minimum of 2 participants are required to run this trip. Registrants will be fully refunded if 2+ people have not registered by Thursday, September 25.