Booth’s Rock Trail: How to Get a Permit + Complete Hiking Guide

How to Get a Booth’s Rock Permit in Autumn

During Algonquin Park’s busy fall colour period, Ontario Parks restricts access to Booth’s Rock and requires a specific Booth’s Rock + Highway 60 Daily Vehicle Permit. Check the current guidance before your visit, as the restricted dates can change each year.

These permits are released five days in advance at 7:00 am ET and can sell out within seconds on popular September and October dates.

The most important thing is to be prepared before the booking window opens. I would recommend setting an alert on your phone six days before your preferred visit date, then setting an alarm for the following morning so you are ready to book as soon as permits are released on the fifth day before your visit.

There is a System Time clock on the Ontario Parks reservation website which shows the time down to the second. Use this rather than relying on the clock on your phone or computer, as the Ontario Parks system time is what determines when bookings open.

I successfully managed to get a Booth’s Rock permit in September 2025 using this method:

• Click into the Ontario Parks reservation website several minutes before 7:00 am ET.
• Know exactly which date you are trying to book before you start.
• Navigate to the Day Use tab and click Daily Vehicle Permit (DVP).
• Select Algonquin – Hwy 60 Corridor from the drop-down menu and click the date you want to visit and then Search.
• Open the System Time clock on the reservation website so you can see the seconds counting down.
• Position your cursor over the relevant date button for DVP – Booth’s Rock Trail + Hwy 60.
• Refresh the page and click the instant the Ontario Parks clock changes to 7:00:00 am.
• Complete the reservation straight away.

If you have never used the Ontario Parks booking system before, it is worth doing a practice run the day before. Go through the process without completing a reservation so you know where the buttons are, what information you need and what the booking screen will look like when permits are released.

I would also avoid planning your entire Algonquin itinerary around one possible Booth’s Rock date. If you have some flexibility, choose two or three potential days that would work. Try for your preferred date first, but have a back-up date or two so you can try again the following morning if you are unsuccessful.

If your date immediately shows as unavailable, it is still worth checking again for the next 15–30 minutes. Occasionally, permits being held in somebody else’s cart become available again if they do not complete their booking.

The permit is for your vehicle rather than an individual hiking ticket, so you do not need to buy a separate permit for every person travelling in the same car.

When we arrived, there was also a park ranger or worker at the Booth’s Rock car park asking visitors whether they had the correct permit. I would therefore not assume that you can simply turn up during the restricted fall period without one.

How Difficult Is Booth’s Rock Trail?

Ontario Parks rates Booth’s Rock as a difficult trail, but I would not let that put you off if you are reasonably active.

My mum, who is over 60 and has bad knees and some mobility limitations, was able to complete the hike without any major problems. We probably moved more slowly than some other groups, but overall we found it very manageable.

I was also suffering from a horrible cold on the day of our hike, with a blocked nose and sore throat, and was still able to complete it.

The trail never requires scrambling or using your hands to climb. The main challenge is the sustained uphill section on the way to the viewpoints, with plenty of wooden steps along the route.

The hardest part also does not come immediately after leaving the car park.

We started hiking at around 10:10–10:15 am. According to my Apple Watch data, the main climb began roughly 35 minutes later, with my heart rate reaching its highest point at around 10:52 am. We got our first proper view across Rock Lake at 11:07 am.

Allowing for our photo and rest stops, the steepest part was mainly concentrated into the 20–25 minutes before the first lake views. Once you reach those views, the climb feels completely worthwhile.

What to Expect on the Booth’s Rock Trail

The first part of the hike takes you gradually through the forest before the trail begins climbing more noticeably.

There are plenty of wooden steps and uphill sections as you get closer to the viewpoints, but I never found the terrain technically difficult.

Once you start reaching the viewpoints, the scenery gets progressively better as you gain height. There is no need to wait for one specific viewpoint before taking photos. We stopped several times because the perspective across Rock Lake changes as you climb.

During fall, the combination of Rock Lake and the huge expanse of red, orange and yellow forest is incredible.

The viewpoints themselves are natural exposed rock rather than protected viewing platforms. Some of the drops are significant and there are no barriers along many of the edges.

My mum and I both felt nervous when we got close to some of them, so there is no need to stand right on the edge to enjoy the view.

After the main viewpoints, the trail eventually descends back towards lake level and joins an abandoned railway bed. This final section is noticeably flatter and easier than the first half.

One of my favourite parts of the hike actually came close to the end, when the route follows the water and passes beaver habitat before returning towards the car park.

From the timestamps on my photos, we were walking through this area at around 12:23 pm and finished the trail shortly afterwards.

How Long Does Booth’s Rock Trail Take?

We completed the trail in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, starting at around 10:10–10:15 am and reaching the end shortly after 12:25 pm.

That included plenty of stops to take photos and short rests during the climb, so you could easily finish the hike in 2 hours if you took a faster pace.

Alternatively, you may want to spend longer enjoying the viewpoints, stop for a snack or take the short side trail to the Barclay Estate.

What Is the Booth’s Rock Trail Surface Like?

Booth’s Rock is a proper forest hiking trail rather than a paved or manicured walking path. There are rocks, roots and plenty of wooden steps, particularly around the uphill sections leading towards the viewpoints.

Conditions were dry during our October hike, which made the trail straightforward underfoot.

Hiking shoes or boots would be my first choice, particularly after rain, but I think trainers with good grip would also be fine in dry conditions if you do not mind them getting dusty.

The character of the trail changes considerably after the viewpoints. Once you reach the old railway bed, the trail becomes noticeably flatter and easier.

If you are travelling to Ontario from out of state, you can also read my guide to the best time to visit Ontario, which compares what to expect throughout the year.

Parking and Getting to Booth’s Rock

Booth’s Rock is not directly beside Highway 60. The trailhead is around 9 km down Rock Lake Road from the turn-off at kilometre 40.3.

I know Rock Lake Road well because I have camped at Rock Lake twice before. You can read more about staying here in my Rock Lake Campground guide.

Rock Lake Road is a gravel road and I always slow down considerably when driving it. We were in a rental car during this trip and did not want to risk stone chips by travelling too quickly, so allow more time for this final section than the distance might suggest.

What Is the Best Time of Day to Hike Booth’s Rock?

I would aim to arrive in the morning during the busy fall colour period.

We arrived at around 10:00 am on a Thursday in early October, started hiking at approximately 10:10–10:15 am and finished shortly after 12:25 pm.

There were still a handful of parking spaces when we arrived, although I would not assume that 10:00 am will always guarantee a spot, particularly on a busier weekend. I would therefore suggest arriving a little earlier.

The day also started fairly cool, but the climb quickly warmed us up and we soon removed our coats.

Starting in the morning meant we had plenty of daylight and did not need to rush, while also avoiding having to start extremely early.

Toilets Near Booth’s Rock

We used the comfort station at Rock Lake Campground immediately before starting the hike and again when we finished. Rock Lake Campground is around 1 km before Booth’s Rock along Rock Lake Road and has proper flush toilets and sinks. I recommend stopping here before you start the hike, particularly as Booth’s Rock takes around 2–3 hours to complete.

Phone Signal at Booth’s Rock

Do not rely on having mobile signal around Booth’s Rock or elsewhere in Algonquin Park. We lost signal towards the end of Rock Lake Road and found reception unreliable in many areas of the park.

I recommend downloading the Algonquin Park area in Google Maps before your trip.

Even when you know where you are going, it is frustrating trying to load directions or maps once you are already inside the park and discover that you have little or no reception.

What Should You Wear and Bring for Booth’s Rock?

You do not need specialist hiking equipment for Booth’s Rock, but good footwear makes the steeper sections more comfortable.

I would bring:

• Hiking shoes, hiking boots or trainers with good grip – I love my Salomon shoes
• Water
• Layers that you can remove during the climb
• A phone with an offline Google Map of Algonquin Park downloaded

During our early October visit, the morning felt cool enough for coats. Once we started climbing, we warmed up quickly and spent much of the hike wearing just sweaters.

If rain is forecast or it has recently been wet, I would be more inclined to wear proper hiking shoes or boots because rocks, roots and wooden steps can become slippery.

Booth’s Rock During Fall Colours

We hiked Booth’s Rock on 2 October 2025, around a week after the official 2025 Sugar Maple peak, and the colours around Rock Lake were still spectacular. From the viewpoints, we could see vivid reds, oranges and yellows stretching across the forest.

However, fall colour timing can change very quickly. Only a few days after our hike, I saw numerous reports that a significant number of leaves had started dropping.

One thing to remember if you are travelling from Toronto is that Algonquin Park generally changes colour earlier than the GTA. Do not judge conditions in Algonquin based on what the trees look like at home. The GTA can still look relatively green while Algonquin is already approaching or at peak colour.

I recommend checking the current fall colour report shortly before your visit and reading my Fall Colours in Algonquin Park guide for more information about when to go.

Wildlife on the Booth’s Rock Trail

Algonquin Park is home to black bears, moose and plenty of smaller wildlife, although seeing any of them is never guaranteed.

We did not see any bears on Booth’s Rock, but we remained aware that they could be around and made noise as we walked so that we did not surprise one.

We also did not see any beavers, despite passing plenty of evidence that they were nearby.

Towards the end of the trail, we saw beaver lodges around the water. These are the large piles of branches, sticks and mud where the beavers live.

This quieter lakeside section was one of my favourite parts of the walk. By this point, the trail had become much flatter and it was a relaxing way to finish after the climb to the viewpoints.

If you are spending more time in Algonquin’s backcountry, I cover wildlife safety in more detail in my Algonquin backcountry camping guide.

Can You Take Kids or Dogs on Booth’s Rock Trail?

Booth’s Rock could be suitable for active children and dogs that are comfortable with a moderately challenging forest hike, but the viewpoints require particular care.

The hiking itself is not particularly technical, but there are uphill sections and plenty of wooden steps. The greater concern is the exposed rock at the viewpoints.

There are significant drops with no barriers around many of the edges. My mum and I both felt nervous near them.

We also saw someone hiking with a dog that repeatedly wandered close to the edge, which made me very nervous.

If you are hiking with young children or a dog, I would keep them close around the viewpoints. Dogs are allowed on most Algonquin hiking trails, including Booth’s Rock, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than 2 metres.

If you are thinking about other autumn plans, you can also find more ideas in my guide to the best fall activities in Ontario.

Is the Barclay Estate Worth Visiting?

Towards the end of the Booth’s Rock loop, you can take a short detour to see the remains of the former Barclay Estate. You can still see remnants including old foundations and the remains of a tennis court.

Personally, I did not find this part anywhere near as interesting as the viewpoints and natural scenery. We were also in a slight rush to find the bathrooms by this point, so we did not spend long exploring it.

If you enjoy local history, it is worth taking the short detour. However, if your main reason for hiking Booth’s Rock is the views and fall colours, I would not consider it an essential part of the experience.

Booth’s Rock vs Other Algonquin Park Lookout Trails

I also hiked Hardwood Lookout Trail and Lookout Trail during my time in Algonquin Park. Of the three, Booth’s Rock easily had my favourite view.

The viewpoints across Rock Lake give you a much broader panorama, and during fall the expanse of colourful forest below is spectacular. Booth’s Rock also feels like a more complete hike, with the forest climb, several viewpoints and the flatter lakeside section towards the end.

However, Booth’s Rock is not your only option if you cannot get one of the limited fall permits, and the shorter trails may actually suit you better depending on what you want.

Hardwood Lookout Trail is around 1.6 km and was the easiest of the three for us. It takes you through a pleasant forest before reaching a viewpoint across Smoke Lake. My mum found this one particularly manageable with her bad knees, so I would choose it if you want an easier and more relaxed walk with a viewpoint at the end.

Lookout Trail is around 2.1 km and involves more of a climb, but you are rewarded with a high viewpoint overlooking a huge area of Algonquin Park. I still preferred the scenery from Booth’s Rock, but Lookout Trail gives you an impressive view for considerably less walking and is a very good alternative if you cannot get a Booth’s Rock permit.

Whether the shorter distance is a positive or negative depends on what you want from your day. If you mainly want a viewpoint without a longer hike, Hardwood Lookout or Lookout Trail may suit you better. If you want the viewpoint to feel like the reward for a more substantial hike, I would choose Booth’s Rock.

Centennial Ridges is another option if you cannot get a Booth’s Rock permit and would actually prefer something more challenging. I did not hike Centennial Ridges myself, but it is regularly recommended for its viewpoints. At around 10.4 km, it is roughly twice the length of Booth’s Rock and is a much bigger undertaking.

If you have the time and fitness for the additional distance, Centennial Ridges could therefore be a good alternative. For me, though, Booth’s Rock sits in a particularly good middle ground: a more rewarding hike than the shorter lookout trails without requiring the time and effort of Centennial Ridges.

Is Booth’s Rock Trail Worth It?

Yes. Of the Algonquin lookout trails I hiked, Booth’s Rock was the one I would most recommend if you can secure a permit.

The uphill section takes some effort, but you do not need to be an advanced hiker. There is no scrambling, and although my mum has some mobility limitations, she was able to complete the entire loop. We simply took our time on the steeper sections.

The main reason to do Booth’s Rock is the view.

We visited when the fall colours were still spectacular, and looking across Rock Lake surrounded by seemingly endless red, orange and yellow forest was one of the highlights of our time in Algonquin.

I also liked that the trail changes as you go. You climb through the forest, reach several increasingly impressive viewpoints, descend towards the old railway bed and then finish with a much flatter walk beside the water and beaver habitat.

The biggest drawback during fall is simply getting a permit.

If Booth’s Rock is high on your list, choose several possible dates and try to secure your first choice as soon as bookings open.

If you are unsuccessful, Lookout Trail and Hardwood Lookout Trail are both worthwhile alternatives.

Booth’s Rock Trail FAQs

Final Thoughts on Hiking Booth’s Rock

If Booth’s Rock is high on your Algonquin itinerary, the next thing to do is decide which dates you could realistically hike it and set reminders for the permit release window. Having two or three possible days gives you another chance if your first choice sells out.

If you are visiting for the autumn colours, my Fall Colours in Algonquin Park guide has more advice on when to visit and where else to see the best views around the park.

For a wider autumn trip, you can also find more ideas in my guide to the best fall activities in Ontario or see my favourite places to visit in Ontario.