Algonquin Adventures / Radiant Lake

**Posted by Bampot** 1/10/2025 8:41 am

It looks like Ontario Parks is only issuing 5 permits on Radiant for 2025 (for 9 campsites). Does anyone know if there is a problem with any of the sites? Or is this simply to prevent overuse of the sites on this lake this year?

**Posted by swedish pimple** 1/10/2025 10:29 am

only issuing 5 outta 9 campsite permits,, did you check the logging harvest map . busy area ?
radiant lake is a preferred destination for trailer camping by certain individuals ,, perhaps spreading out the campsites will reduce problems of noise from generators and diesel half ton trucks,,

**Posted by keg** 1/11/2025 12:57 pm

Last couple times I was there mid-summer, it looked like there were numerous people camping off permit based on how hard it was to find a site. One trip I couldn't and ended my trip a day early because of it.

That could be part of the reason.

**Posted by Bampot** 1/12/2025 10:00 am

Thank you both for the information. I'm confused how people are allowed to camp off permit with trailers near this lake? Are these informal camps used by logging operations? Or Algonquins using the area who don't require permits?

I haven't been to Radiant Lake before. I tried booking the lake last summer and early fall but saw that it was fully or nearly booked every date I looked at.

**Posted by MartinG** 1/12/2025 2:16 pm

Major road runs along the south side of the lake. Natives pretty much permanently have trailers in the old Odenback Station area where there is a spot to launch a boat. Still one of my favorite lakes in the park.

**Posted by Bampot** 1/12/2025 6:22 pm

Interesting, thanks for the info. Do you have any campsite recommendations on Radiant for early June?

**Posted by trippythings** 1/12/2025 7:30 pm

This is just my speculation, but I'd guess there are a high number of buffer sites because it's a popular pass-through lake to get in/out of Cedar. Most of the adjacent bodies of water are small lakes and/or river travel with few campsites, so Radiant would be the obvious choice to pull ashore in inclement weather (eg. if you're heading back to the access but don't think it will be safe to cross Cedar, or if you've launched out of Cedar and made it to Radiant and realize you won't be able to make your farther destination). Coupled with the amount of traffic on the lake... cottages, trailers, motorboats... it might also be a popular spot for off-permit camping. Or even if non-campers are just occupying campsites for lunch or a swim at the shoreline, people with a permit could mistake the sites for being occupied. It just seems like a busy 'hub' after long stretches of travel in every direction. Just my guess

Some of the campsites on the north shore have large beachfronts. I don't know about the eastern sites. The west shore are less appealing, based on my own preferences. If you're going during June bug season, the beach campsites might help catch a breeze to help keep the bugs away.

**Posted by MartinG** 1/12/2025 9:49 pm

Bampot wrote:
Interesting, thanks for the info. Do you have any campsite recommendations on Radiant for early June?

You can't go wrong with site 4 or Site 9

**Posted by Bampot** 1/13/2025 8:53 am

Thank you both for the info. I just checked out #4 and #9 on Cody's website and they do look great!

**Posted by boknows** 1/13/2025 12:01 pm

Bampot wrote:
It looks like Ontario Parks is only issuing 5 permits on Radiant for 2025 (for 9 campsites). Does anyone know if there is a problem with any of the sites? Or is this simply to prevent overuse of the sites on this lake this year?

If you are a walleye fisherman, send me an email at algonquinken@gmail.com and I will tell you where in that area for great fishing.

**Posted by Bampot** 1/14/2025 11:45 am

Cheers, Bo!

**Posted by Swift Fifteen** 4/12/2025 3:12 pm

Try to scoop the campsite at the east end, monster campsite with gorgeous beach. And yeah the walleye fishing is off the hook if you know where...large mouth routinely top 5lbs

**Posted by OTCanadienne** 4/15/2025 9:08 am

Swift Fifteen wrote:
Try to scoop the campsite at the east end, monster campsite with gorgeous beach. And yeah the walleye fishing is off the hook if you know where...large mouth routinely top 5lbs

Smallmouth*. There are no largemouth in Radiant

**Posted by Swift Fifteen** 4/16/2025 8:48 am

Correct. My bad.

Radiant Lake - 2025 Permits

Bampot wrote:

Bampot wrote:

Swift Fifteen wrote: