Made famous by the Group of Seven Artists and the tragic figure of Tom Thompson, Algonquin displays its Autumn colours for that brief blaze of glory in late September, early October. Autumn is the best time to see Algonquin, not only because of the colours, but because the cooler weather means no mosquitos, perfect hiking conditions, lakes like glass and fewer visitors. There are more than 1,500 km of canoe routes through thousands of lakes, ponds and streams. By paddle and portage, one can access areas of Algonquin that can't be seen otherwise. The 7,725 square kilometre area of forest, lakes and rivers is not really a wilderness park. Ironically, Algonquin owes its existence to the logging industry of the 1800's, which lobbied for the creation of a protected area here, not to preserve wilderness, which was already gone, but to serve as a wildlife sanctuary.