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About 450 million years ago, a large meteorite created a "bowl" in the hard rock of the Canadian shield, 3.8 km wide and about 427 m deep. Evidence suggests that the area was submerged under water at the time; if not, the force of the impact would have likely knocked over nearly every tree in the park. In the millions of years since, erosion and glacial movement has filled most of the crater, so the forest and small lakes at the bottom are now only about 60 m below the road. An observation platform provides a panoramic view from a hill along the road. A self-guided interpretative walk explains interesting points along the Brent Crater Trail, a 2 km loop, or about 3.2 km if you include a detour to Tecumseh Lake.
The Brent crater is an impact crater in both the geographic township of Deacon, Unorganized South Nipissing District and the municipal township of Papineau-Cameron in Nipissing District, northeastern Ontario, Canada, located north of Cedar Lake in northern Algonquin Provincial Park. It is 3.8 kilometres (2.4 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be ca. 453 million years (Ordovician). The crater can be reached using Brent Road, 32 kilometres (20 mi) south of Ontario Highway 17.
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The park's largest lake, with rentals and access off Highway 60. The expanse of the lake and wild shorelines create a scenic route for canoeing, but also provide little shelter from strong summer winds. Some paddlers time their departure to avoid strong winds, or use a motorboat water taxi to skip Opeongo completely. Many backcountry campsites dot the shores of each arm of the lake.
An easy 1.5 km flat loop, with sections of wooden boardwalk, takes walkers and birdwatchers across Sunday Creek into the bog.
An easy 3 km looping trail through an area that was logged in the 1880s. Today, the remaining white pines have matured, and the area is one of the best preserved old growth white pine forests in the park.
In the northeast corner of the park, Grand Lake provides backcountry campsites on its southern shore. From Grand Lake, you can also access Carcajou Bay to see waterfalls flowing over granite, or portage to the Barron River and Barron Canyon. Achray Campground is located here, so visitors can combine daytime canoeing with car camping, in a more remote location than the Highway 60 corridor.
A strenuous 10 km loop provides a good workout and scenic views nearly 100 m above Whitefish Lake and along several long ridges. A side trail from the south end of the loop connects to Racoon Lake Campground 1.2 km away.
The park has long been a destination for Canadian artists. The Algonquin Art Centre focuses on art that highlights Canadian wilderness, wildlife, and nature.