5 life-changing paddling routes of Northeastern Ontario

Whether you’re planning a scenic day trip or a rugged backcountry adventure, Northeastern Ontario is a paddler’s playground.

Last year, Northeastern Ontario Tourism asked their readers to vote for their top paddling destinations…

…and the votes are in!

Join us in counting down the top 5 paddling destinations of Northeastern Ontario:

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Where to camp when your fave park is already full

Did you know over 50% of reservations made by the end of March are for our five most popular parks (Bon Echo, Algonquin, Sandbanks, Killbear, Pinery)?

If you can’t get a campsite at one of these parks, we’ve got some suggestions we’re sure you’ll love…

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Spend a day paddling the Mattawa

Today’s post comes from Jess Knowlton, Assistant Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

People travel far and wide to paddle the historic Mattawa River.

For the full experience, most people take 2-5 days to paddle the full the 64 km from North Bay to Mattawa, which can be quite challenging, even with proper research and preparation.

If you want to enjoy this beautiful river but don’t have the time to commit to a multi-day canoe trip, don’t want to portage, or are looking for a nice and easy day trip, you’ve come to the right place!

Here are four of the most popular and breathtaking day trips along the Mattawa River:

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Paddle like it’s 1796 at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park!

We are excited to bring back the Voyageur Adventure Tour to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park this summer!

Experience the life of a voyageur at the height of the fur trade by paddling a voyageur canoe on the beautiful Mattawa River.

Our knowledgeable guides will help you discover part of our Canadian heritage.

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Frances Anne Hopkins: documenting the lives of voyageurs through art

Today’s post comes from Taylor Bottoms-Cau, a second year Discovery student at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

You’ve likely heard of the Group of Seven, artists who travelled the remote landscapes of Ontario to capture their rugged beauty by brush.

But they weren’t the only artists who travelled rough and painted what they saw!

Fifty years before the Group of Seven, Frances Anne Hopkins was roughing it in a voyageur canoe between Lachine (Montreal) and Fort William (Thunder Bay).

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Why fall camping is a must at Samuel de Champlain

Today’s blog comes from Heather Stern, the Discovery Leader at Samuel de Champlain.

I will confess: I LOVE fall. To me, it is the best season because it is the time when I get to go camping.

As a park staff, it’s tricky to go during the busy summer months, but as things begin to slow down in the fall, there’s usually more time to get away and visit some provincial parks.

This doesn’t bother me, though, because camping at this time of the year is the best! The cooler temperatures and shorter days provide opportunities we don’t get in July and August.

And, to me, fall camping is just better at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Here’s why:

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Together, we’re protecting our turtles

We’re doing it!

We’re helping more and more turtles in our provincial parks with the support of our incredible donors.

Over the past several months, we have collected donations for our Turtle Protection Projects across Ontario.

We are thrilled to report that many of these projects are well underway. Our park staff are working hard to protect and monitor nesting turtles and their hatchlings.

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Mattawa River: sculpted by time

Today’s post comes from Mat St-Jules, a park interpreter at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

The sights of the Mattawa River keep drawing me back.

I find incredible beauty in a scraggly cedar clinging to sheer rock or in the gleaming coat of a river otter standing on a sandbar. But, of course, these marvels don’t stand on their own.

Below the wildlife and past the trees is the foundation of this land: the geology it all rests on.

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