canada canoe fishing trip

• Get Paid to Review Campsites!

Stay in the Loop

Subscribe for exclusive content, giveaways, new products and more!

• Backpacking
• Backcountry Cooking
• Wilderness Medicine
• Destinations
• TRIP REPORTS

10 Incredible Canoe Trips in Canada Worthy of Your Bucket List

I can’t think of anything more classically Canadian than canoe tripping (perhaps maple syrup, but canoe tripping would be a close second). And since canoeing Canada is so quintessential, I thought I’d put together a bucket list of the most incredible and iconic canoe trips in Canada .

Meandering along winding rivers, the kind with spiny black pine trees lining the shoreline and bends so frequently you can hardly see more than a hundred strokes in front of you. Or wading over large lakes with near-black water, bordered by rocks of granite and quartz that glisten in the sunlight. Moving with an uncontrollable force through towering canyons and overbearing mountain ranges.

Tip! If you’re looking for trip reports on Canadian canoe routes, I suggest checking out Trip Reports . It’s a growing database of backcountry trip reports, most of which are canoe routes!

Whitewater Canoe Trips in Canada

I’ve started the list with whitewater paddling – in other words, river trips. I’ve selected four rivers that I think epitomize Canada canoeing: rivers that provide an unparalleled opportunity for connection with nature and disconnection from society.

Nahanni River

The Nahanni River is possibly the most quintessential paddling route in Canada. Located in the Northwest Territories, the Nahanni River takes you through imposing canyons and weather-worn mountain ranges, and lays witness to the powerful Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara Falls).

There are many outfitters with guided trips on the river – both by canoe and raft. The prevalence of rafting allows anyone of any skill to enjoy the river.  If you want to paddle a spectacular northern river, the Nahanni River will deliver in spades. Watch the video below from Black Feather – I’ve watched it so many times and I still get chills!

• Location: Northwest Territories
• Duration: 7-21 days
• Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

Recommended Reading : Dangerous River: Adventure on the Nahanni

Mountain River

The reason Mountain River is on this bucket list is because it’s the favourite of the guides at Canoe North Adventures , praised for its seclusion and amazing whitewater. These guides get to paddle a lot of different arctic rivers, so if it’s their favourite, it’s definitely on my list.

Mountain River takes you through six canyons with incredibly fast current and, according to the guides, unbelievable whitewater rapids. All while surrounded by rolling mountain ranges and wildlife. If adrenaline is what you’re after, this is some of the best canoeing in Canada.

• Duration: 25 days
• Difficulty: Advanced

Upper & Lower Horton River

The Horton River is the most northern river in mainland Canada and it is an excellent place to spot wildlife like caribou, muskoxen, wolves and grizzly bears. You can either do the upper or lower portion of the river, but frankly, I’d like to do both.

• Duration: 12-25 days (depending if you do one or both sections)

Recommended Reading : The Last Wilderness: 600 Miles by Canoe and Portage in the Northwest Territories

Missinaibi River

Designated as a Canadian Heritage River, the Missinaibi River is one of the most iconic and popular options for canoeing in Canada . It is an excellent river for intermediate paddlers to do unsupported. It’s remote, but not inaccessible. It has some difficult portages and Class III rapids, but also long stretches of smooth water and beautiful scenery.

Grab a copy of Hap Wilson’s Journey to the Northern Sky , which has detailed maps of the many rapids and interesting information on the river, and be on your way. I highly recommend doing the river from Lake Missinaibi all the way to Moosonee.

The first section of the river has amazing rapids and stunning Canadian Shield geography, whereas the second section is wide and winding with few rapids but a northern character.

• Location: Ontario
• Duration 9-20 days
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Bloodvein River

The Bloodvein River is another Canadian Heritage River, and it flows from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. The river is characterized by excellent whitewater, a classically beautiful Boreal Forest, and exposed granite rocks dotted with Indigenous pictographs.

• Location: Ontario / Manitoba
• Duration 12-15 days

Canada Canoeing: Other Whitewater Areas of Note

If I were to list every single river I’d like to paddle, this post would go on forever. Here are some other rivers on my never-ending to-do list: Hayes River (Manitoba), Keele River (Northwest Territories), Yukon River (Yukon) and Churchill River (Saskatchewan).

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated! You can learn more by reading my full disclosure .

Flatwater Canoe Trips in Canada

Despite my growing preference for whitewater canoeing, there will always be a place in my heart for flatwater paddling. There are far too many lake networks in this country to paddle them all, but a few iconic areas are worth a place on any canoeist’s bucket list. As seeing as most canoeists stick with flatwater, there are tons and tons of incredible destinations. This, my friends, is Canada canoeing at its finest.

Killarney Provincial Park

I think Killarney is the most beautiful place in Ontario and one of the most beautiful places in Canada. The scenery is striking; lakes the colour of Gatorade, hills that sparkle silver in the sunlight, windswept pine trees lining the shores.

In autumn the trees change into a kaleidoscope of colours. Killarney is so beautiful, that it is home to OSA (Ontario Society of Artists) Lake and Artist’s Lake due to its significance to Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven (Canada’s famous landscape painters).

When I first paddled Killarney, I did a 12-day trip and experienced over 3/4 of the park . It also has some amazing weekend trips.

• Duration: 3-12 days depending on route
• Difficulty: Novice

Additional Resource : A Paddler’s Guide to Killarney and the French River

Bowron Lakes Circuit

British Columbia may not have many canoe routes, but the routes it does have are spectacular; Bowron Lakes is no exception.

This canoe route takes you through six major lakes and two rivers, all of which is connected through a series of portages. The major difference between this canoe trip and those in eastern Canada is that you’re paddling at the foot of the Cariboo Mountains – expect to see pointy peaks and glacial lakes!

• Location: British Columbia
• Duration: 6 – 10 days

Temagami isn’t technically a park but has campgrounds and portages maintained by the Friends of Temagami. Hap Wilson, one of Canada’s most iconic canoeists, calls Temagami home – and for good reason.

I’ve done two different two-week trips and would still go back for more. Some of my favourite destinations in Temagami include Paradise Lagoon, Wolf Lake, and the hike up Ishpatina Ridge (the tallest peak in Ontario).

Definitely check out Hap Wilson’s comprehensive book on wilderness routes in Temagami .

• Duration: 7-12 days depending on route

Additional Resource : Temagami – A Wilderness Paradise

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is the Creme de la Creme of Canada canoeing. It covers 7,000 square kilometres and is home to more than 2,000 kilometres worth of canoe routes.

Need ideas for canoe routes in Algonquin? Check out our database of Algonquin Park trip reports .

• Duration: 3-7 days depending on route
• Difficulty: Novice – Intermediate

Additional Resource : A Guide to Algonquin Park

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is an excellent destination for intermediate paddlers and it’s the only flatwater destination still on my to do list.

The park is located on the border of Ontario and Manitoba, making it reasonably accessible while still providing opportunities for solitude and silence – the park contains 2,000 km of canoe routes and receives only 1,000 paddlers each season.

This is what makes Woodland Caribou spectacular, in my opinion. You’re nestled amidst the beauty of the Boreal Forest, which paddlers have long cited as having a certain magical feeling one can’t quite articulate. And you can experience it without interruption.

While Killarney and Algonquin may feel a tad commercialized and you’re likely to encounter other paddlers, Woodland Caribou remains a little known secret. However, this is also why I believe your skill level needs to be higher; if you run into trouble, help is further away.

Regardless of your level of experience, I recommend reaching out to Red Lake Outfitters if you are considering a trip here. They are the definitive experts on Woodland Caribou and offer guided trips, shuttle services, route planning, gear and more.

• Duration: 7 – 21 days depending on route

Canada Canoeing: O ther Flatwater Areas of Note

If the opportunity came, I’d also do a canoe trip in Quetico Provincial Park (Ontario) and I’d love to do another trip around Georgian Bay Islands National Park (Ontario). However, at this point I’ve grown a bit tired of flatwater paddling so I’d rather dedicate my time to whitewater. That said, if you haven’t done much Canada canoeing yet, there are tons of options to get you started.

Canoeing Canada – Final Thoughts

I hope this post has introduced you to some new places and wonderful places to go canoeing in Canada and perhaps even added a trip or two to your bucket list!

What are your thoughts? What are your favourite destinations for canoe trips in Canada? Let me know in the comments below!

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

MY FAVOURITE GEAR

Fleece Sweater

Down Jacket

Hiking Boots

Hiking Shirt

Hiking Pants

6 thoughts on “ 10 Incredible Canoe Trips in Canada Worthy of Your Bucket List ”

Stay in touch.

Join our community of outdoor adventurers - you'll find trip inspiration, gear discussions, route recommendations, new friends and more!

I was very happy to see WCPP on your list, it’s an amazing place. I was fortunate to go in 2019 and again in 2020. My only other canoe tripping is in Algonquin but this year I am considering a trip down Rivière Noire. I would highly recommend a trip to WCPP . I see that you prefer white water and in that case you can start with the flat water of WCPP and finish on the Bloodvein River white water all the way to Lake Winnipeg. Happy tripping

Hi Ian – Thanks for the suggestion! I think I’d really enjoy the Bloodvein. And I’m sure you’ll love the Noire! I did that one in 2017 and it was a ton of fun!

I am not a WCPP expert but I have done a lot of research for my WCPP trips and know where or who to contact for expert advice. If you ever need info to get started, please don’t hesitate to ask. FYI, Artery Lake (the start of the Bloodvein whitewater) has an amazing pictograph mural.

Thank Ian! I will keep that in mind! I’d love to paddle the Bloodvein 🙂

I think you’re from Ontario? your list is somewhat geographically biased… The Missinaibi (I’ve paddled it) just doesn’t belong in the list with the Nahanni & Mountain… Also the Hayes is in Man, not Ont. How about the Clearwater, Fond du Lac etc in Sask? You briefly mention the Churchill and imho it deserves a far higher billing. And you don’t mention a single Quebec river…

just thoughts…

Hi Ian – I am from Ontario and I totally admit I am geographically biased!

Though I will stand by my comment on the Missinaibi River – I think it is an incredible (and incredibly accessible) river. The historical significance, the change in scenery, the short technical sets – I love the river.

I actually have a note on my laptop to add the Moisie and Broadback to the list – I know I definitely need some Quebec rivers on the list, but I was only familiar with the Three Sisters when I wrote the post a few years ago and I didn’t think those ones needed to be on the list. I’ll look into the Sask rivers too.

Thanks for the feedback 🙂 Happy paddling!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Facebook Group

• Recreational Day Trips
• Longer Touring Excursions
• Straight Shaft
• Solo Canoeing
• Recreational Fishing
• Longer Fishing Excursions
• High-Visibility
• Hook Retrieval
• Versa-Lok Ferrule (Adjustable)
• Snap-Button (Fixed Length)
• All Sale Paddles
• New Arrivals
• All Apparel
• Accessories
• Cosmetic Seconds
• All Sale Items
• Bending Branches Team
• National ProStaff Team
• Regional Ambassador Team
• Wood Paddle Care
• Composite Paddle Care
• Factory Tours
• Canoe Sizing Guide
• Solo Canoe Sizing Guide
• Pack Canoe Sizing Guide
• Kayak Fishing Sizing Guide
• Kayak Sizing Guide
• Rockgard® Edge Protection
• Bent vs. Straight Paddle
• Paddles for the Solo Canoeist
• Versa-Lok Ferrule System
• Snap-Button vs Plus Ferrule
• Plus Ferrule System
• New At Bending Branches
• Black Pearl ST
• Dealer Locator
• Paddle Finder
• instagram Instagram
• twitter Twitter

• Learn Blog FAQ's Cosmetic Seconds Wood Paddle Care Composite Paddle Care Factory Tours Paddle Sizing Canoe Sizing Guide Solo Canoe Sizing Guide Pack Canoe Sizing Guide Kayak Fishing Sizing Guide Kayak Sizing Guide Choosing a Canoe Paddle Rockgard® Edge Protection Grip Guide Bent vs. Straight Paddle Paddles for the Solo Canoeist Choosing a Kayak Fishing Paddle Versa-Lok Ferrule System Snap-Button vs Plus Ferrule Plus Ferrule System Product Highlights New At Bending Branches Black Pearl ST

14 Amazing Canoe Trips in Canada

By Mikaela Ferguson

Few things go together as perfectly as Canada and canoeing. Canada’s wilderness contains an unfathomable amount of water - some 3 million lakes and 8,500 rivers. Indigenous People built canoes to navigate the geography, later teaching European settlers, who used the canoe to expand across the country and trade. 

Today, the canoe is still thriving, though now as a means of recreation, rather than for transportation or livelihood. A few canoe trips in Canada have garnered recognition across the country and internationally, making them a worthy addition to any adventurists’ bucket list.

In this post, I’d like to introduce you to some of the best canoe trips in Canada. This isn’t an exhaustive list - with so many lakes and rivers, it would be impossible to include all of the amazing places to canoe. I hope you find inspiration for your next trip!

Canoe Trips in Ontario

Algonquin provincial park.

Algonquin is the quintessential destination for canoeing in Canada. With over 2,000 km of canoe routes, there is a seemingly endless list of possible canoe trips. The park is best known for its small and calm lakes, manicured campsites and the occasional moose spotting.

Getting to Algonquin

Part of Algonquin’s popularity is its proximity to two major Canadian cities. The distance between Toronto and Algonquin’s West Gate is a little over three hours, while the East Gate is within three hours of Ottawa. Connecting the two gates is Highway 60, a two lane highway which cuts directly through the south part of the park. The most popular access points, like Canoe Lake and Opeongo Lake, are adjacent to Highway 60. 

Canoe Route Ideas

Burnt Island Lake - Burnt Island Lake is a stunning lake located a little north of Highway 60 and accessed from either Canoe Lake or Opeongo Lake. Due to its beauty and proximity to access points, Burnt Island Lake can be very popular, and as such, it can be difficult to secure reservations here.

Barron Canyon - Towering cliffs of red, white and black rock characterize the northeast edge of Algonquin. Don’t forget to plan a stopover at High Falls to explore a natural waterslide.

Tim River - The Tim River lies on the west side of Algonquin. You won’t find much, if any, current on the Tim River; its water gradually meanders toward the centre of the park where it eventually empties into the Petawawa River. The Tim River is best known for its wildlife spotting, especially in the spring and fall where moose sightings are very common.

Petawawa River - Algonquin is mostly a destination for flatwater canoeing, with an exception being the Petawawa River. The river originates at Ralph Bice Lake, in Algonquin’s north end, and flows to Lake McManus, at the east edge of the park. The river is punctuated by a series of swifts, Class I and Class II rapids and the occasional chute. It’s a thrilling ride for intermediate and experienced whitewater paddlers.

A view of The Natch on the Petawawa River, one of the best canoe trips in Canada. 

Killarney Provincial Park + French River Provincial Park

The La Cloche Mountains are one of the most beautiful destinations in Ontario. Lying on the northern edge of Georgian Bay, the region is characterized by white quartzite mountains, pink granite and shimmering blue water. There are a few excellent provincial parks in the area, two of which are home to some of the best canoeing in Canada.

Getting to the French River

The French River starts at Lake Nipissing, near North Bay, and flows to Georgian Bay, directly south of Sudbury. Highway 69 passes over the river, and there are several access points on either side of the road.

French River Canoe Routes

Lake Nippising to Hartley Bay - To experience all that the French River has to offer, begin your journey at Lake Nipissing. There is a put in at Sucker Creek Landing, just off of Route 64. The first part of the journey is along the southern edge of Lake Nipissing, where you’ll paddle east and navigate between small islands while keeping the large expanse of Lake Nipissing to the north. After turning south and then southwest at Sandy Island, the French River picks up. As you paddle to Georgian Bay, you’ll go through gorges, a few rapids and eventually end at the French River Delta. The entire route is approximately 170 km and could be paddled in one week.

West Channel Loop - For something shorter, consider the West Channel Loop. This route starts at Hartley Bay Marina and goes down the West Channel. Then, trace the Georgian Bay coastline going east before turning north onto the Main Channel and returning to Hartley Bay. Such a route would be about 50 km and three days of paddling.

Getting to Killarney

Killarney Provincial Park lies toward the end of Highway 637, southwest of Sudbury. There are several access points on all sides of the park, though the most popular are those just off the highway, like George Lake and Bell Lake access points.

Killarney Canoe Routes

Bell Lake to David Lake - This is an excellent route if you’d like to climb Silver Peak, the highest point in the park.  On a clear day, you can see all the way to Georgian Bay! Starting at Bell Lake, you’ll paddle to Three Mile Lake, Balsam Lake and then David Lake. You can either paddle back the way you came, or go directly to Bell Lake through a narrow and winding creek (though there sometimes isn’t enough water to make it through).

George Lake to OSA Lake - George Lake is the most developed access point in Killarney; both the visitor centre and campground are here. Although this can make George Lake quite busy, especially on weekends, all that busyness is worth it once you arrive on OSA Lake. After George Lake, you’ll paddle onto Freeland and then Killarney Lake before arriving on OSA Lake. The campsites on the islands are the best.

View from the top of Silver Peak in Killarney Provincial Park. In the distance several lakes are visible in between pine trees. 

Missinaibi River

The Missinaibi River is one of the most iconic canoe trips in Canada. The first section of the river - the Upper Missinaibi - flows through the rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield and has dozens of distinct whitewater rapids, ranging from CI to CIII. The second section - the Lower Missinaibi - begins in the Canadian Shield but transitions into the Hudson Bay Lowlands, where the river is calm and straight. A Canadian Heritage River, the Missinaibi offers paddlers a mix of whitewater adventure, solitude and a piece of Canadian and Indigenous history.

Getting to the Missinaibi River & Missinaibi Canoe Routes

For those wanting to paddle the entirety of the Missinaibi, start at Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park. It’ll take approximately three weeks to paddle the 520 km to Moosonee. You can drive directly to Lake Missinaibi Provincial Park. Moosonee, on the other hand, is accessed via the Polar Bear Express - meaning you’ll load your canoes onto a train at the end of your trip.

If you’d like a shorter option, you can either start or end your trip at Mattice, a small town on Highway 11, located about halfway along the river. There are also access points at Lake Brunswick and Peterbell.

Missinaibi Lake to Mattice is excellent for big whitewater paddling; there are lots of fun sets to paddle. Mattice to Moosonee, on the other hand, has fewer sets to paddle but has remarkable scenery. Thunderhouse Falls and Hell’s Gate are beautiful canyons you can camp along; after the canyons, the Missinaibi is straight and calm, with rolling hills and big sky, characteristic of the landscape of the Hudson Bay Lowlands.

Rushing water through a canyon at Thunderhouse Falls on the Missiniaibi River. 

Canoe Trips in Quebec

Dumoine river.

The Dumoine River is an iconic river in the Upper Ottawa Valley, mesmerizing whitewater canoeists for years. It’s one of the Three Sisters - the other being the Noire and the Coulonge rivers - flowing south and emptying into the Ottawa River.

Getting to the Dumoine River

The Dumoine River flows south, emptying into the Ottawa River about halfway in between Mattawa and Pembroke. In the past, the Dumoine River was accessed by floatplane. Nowadays the river is much more accessible. There are beaten and battered logging roads throughout the area, providing access to both Lac Benoit and Lac Dumoine.

Dumoine River Canoe Trip

The most popular places to start the Dumoine River are at Lac Dumoine and Lac Benoit, and the most common takeout is on the Ottawa River. If starting at Lac Dumoine, you will likely want 8-10 days to paddle all 120 km of the river. By starting at Lac Benoit, you would only be covering 72 km, which could be paddled in 4-6 days.

Throughout the river, you’ll find dozens of rapids ranging from lengthy swifts to dramatic Class IIIs. One such rapid is the menacingly-named Canoe Eater, requiring technical manoeuvring to sweep by exposed boulders. The major portage is around Grand Chute, a beautiful series of roaring rapids and waterfalls cascading for more than a kilometre.

Lining the boat down a rapid on the Dumoine River.  

Moisie River

The Moisie River is often called the ‘Nahanni of the East’, offering experienced whitewater paddlers an opportunity to tackle technical, high volume rapids in a beautiful, remote environment.

Getting to the Moisie River

The river begins at Lac DeMilles, near Labrador City and along the border between Quebec and Labrador. Despite its remoteness, the river is surprisingly accessible. Highway 500 cuts right by the lake and can be accessed from Quebec City via Highway 389. From Lac DeMilles, the river flows 440 km south to Sept-Îles, emptying into the St Lawrence River.

Moisie River Canoe Route

The Moisie River requires approximately two to three weeks to paddle. Over 440 km, there are dozens of rapids, including several Class III rapids and a handful of waterfalls and canyons to portage around.

From Lac DeMille, there are 100 km of lakes to paddle through before arriving at Lac Felix. The next section has a series of waterfalls, requiring several long portages to bypass. Following the Pékans / Moisie Confluence is another section of waterfalls and canyons, requiring portaging and technical paddling. From this point until Sept-Îles, the river calms down… somewhat. While the waterfalls may be behind you, there are still dozens of Class I-III rapids to paddle/portage.

All this to say, the Moisie River is one of the most exciting canoe routes in Canada. It does, however, require exceptional whitewater skills. Between the put in and the takeout, the river can only be accessed by float plane or helicopter.

Canoe Routes in Western Canada

Manitoba-ontario border.

There are several provincial parks and crown land areas along the border and Manitoba and Ontario with fantastic canoe camping. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of lakes scattered across the region. The topography is that of classic boreal forest - granite Canadian Shield, dark water, pine trees. Although recognized for its beauty, canoe routes around the Manitoba-Ontario border aren’t nearly as popular as canoe routes in southern Ontario.

Getting Here & Canoe Routes

Whiteshell Provincial Park is just north of Highway 17 and a short drive east of Winnipeg. There are several possible canoe trips in the area, especially if you cross into Ontario. Big Whiteshell Lake is a common place to launch a canoe trip. From there, you could paddle to Crowduck Lake, Eaglenest Lake, Echo Lake and Saddle Lake before looping back into Crowduck Lake.

Nopiming Provincial Park lies a little north, accessed via Provincial Road 314. This is a large park with hundreds of lakes and plenty of canoe route possibilities. Tulabi Falls and David Lake are popular access points.

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Atikaki Provincial Park - Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is a premier wilderness park entirely in Ontario, however, I’ve included it in this section because of its adjacency to Atikaki Provincial Park, which is entirely in Manitoba. 

The Bloodvein River is a canoe trip on almost any whitewater paddler’s bucket list. Red Lake, in Woodland Caribou PP, is the headwaters to the Bloodvein. The river crosses Woodland Caribou and then flows across Atikaki Provincial Park. The Bloodvein is a total of 340 km, though you can skip some flatwater by flying into Artery Lake and starting from there, cutting the trip to 225 km. The Bloodvein is known for its rushing whitewater and waterfalls, beautiful boreal scenery and the presence of pictographs.

A pitstop on the river in the Manitoba area.  

The Seal River is a Canadian Heritage River in northern Manitoba. It begins in Shethanei Lake and travels 260 km to Hudson Bay, a little north of Churchill. The river offers a landscape unlike most of the other routes on this list; it passes through the transition zone between boreal forest and sub-arctic tundra

If you like reading about canoe trips in Canada, I strongly recommend reading River of Fire by Hap Wilson. He and three other men paddled the Seal River in the 1980s during one of Manitoba’s worst wildfire seasons. It’s an enthralling read.

Getting to the Seal River & Canoe Routes

The best way to access the Seal River is by flying to Tadoule Lake, a First Nation community of the Sayisi Dene people. From Tadoule Lake, you can paddle to Shethanei Lake and kick off your Seal River adventure.

After Shethanei Lake, there aren’t any opportunities to leave the river until you approach Hudson Bay. From here, you can take a float plane or boat shuttle to Churchill. The entire journey takes about two-three weeks to paddle.  

Photo Credit: Ted Baird. Ted paddled the Seal River in 2021 over 25 days. You can watch his trip in his docu-series on Youtube:  25 Days Wild Camping in Northern Wilderness .   

Bowron Lakes Circuit

The Bowron Lakes Circuit is a parallelogram of interconnected lakes in the interior of British Columbia. This canoe route offers a different experience than most of the other canoe routes on this list: the Bowron Lakes Circuit will have you paddle on glacial lakes in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. There are 12 lakes along the 116 km route, with 50 campgrounds dispersed throughout the lakes. 

Due to its popularity, only 27 canoes (or 54 people) are allowed to start the circuit each day.

Getting to the Bowron Lakes Circuit

Prince George is the nearest city to Bowron Lakes Provincial Park. Heading south from Prince George, you’ll have a two hour drive on the Willow Cale Forest Service Road before arriving at the park’s campground. From here, you can either do the Bowron Lakes Circuit clockwise or counterclockwise.

Bowron Lakes Circuit Canoe Route

To avoid extra long days, the circuit requires a minimum of five days to complete. Six or seven days is an ideal length to ensure you have enough time to savour each lake and maybe take a rest day in the middle. Moving counterclockwise, after Bowron Lake you would paddle southwest through Swan and Spectacle lakes before arriving at Sandy Lake. After making a nearly right turn, the next section goes east through Lanezi Lake. Shortly after, you’ll arrive at Isaac Lake, which is shaped like a huge L and eventually brings you back to Bowron Lake. 

Bright skies ahead on the Bowron Lakes Circuit in British Columbia. 

Canoe Trip in the Maritimes

Kejimkujik national park.

The Maritimes are better known for backpacking and sea kayaking, however there are a few places for excellent canoe tripping. One such place is Kejimkujik, a national park in the centre of Nova Scotia.

Getting to Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik is accessed from Highway 8, which cuts through the centre of Nova Scotia southwest of Halifax. After turning off the highway, you can follow Kejimkujik Main Parkway to reach the different access points. The most popular access point is on Kejimkujik Lake. In addition to the access points, there are also campgrounds and outfitters here.

Kejimkujik Canoe Routes

Mersey River : Starting at Keji Lake, this route travels south to Low Landing via the Mersey River. Low Landing is the takeout on Lake Rossignol, the largest lake in the area and just outside the park.

Big Dam Lake to Keji Lake via Frozen Ocean Lake : This route begins at the access point on Big Dam Lake. From there, it travels along a narrow river to Frozen Ocean Lake. A few portages later, you’ll arrive at Keji Lake and can cross this large lake to the takeout at Jake’s Landing.

Canoe Trips in the Territories

Some of Canada’s best canoe trips are in Nunavut, Yukon and The Northwest Territories. Canoeing in the arctic isn’t easy or cheap, but the spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing make the effort well worth it. 

Due to the remoteness, novice and intermediate paddlers will want to join a guided trip if paddling in the territories. Experienced paddlers can do self-guided trips, though they should have wilderness medicine and rescue experience. 

Nahanni River

No list of canoe trips in Canada would be complete without the Nahanni River, perhaps Canada’s most iconic and sought after river. Nahanni National Park protects 30,000 sq km of the MacKenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories, through which the Nahanni flows. Notable features along the river include Virginia Falls, which is considered North America’s most spectacular undeveloped waterfall, and the ‘Grand Canyons’, a series of four canyons the river cuts through.

Yukon River

Most of the rivers on this list are whitewater rivers, though if you’d prefer something slower pace, consider the Yukon River. The source of the Yukon River is in northern British Columbia; it then flows through Yukon and Alaska, eventually emptying into the Bering Sea. Unless you have two to three months to paddle the entire ~3,100 km, you’ll only be paddling a section. The section between Lac Laberge and Dawson City is a popular two-week trip, paddling 730 km through 

Coppermine River

The Coppermine River begins near the border between Nunavut and The Northwest Territories. It flows north for over 800 km, emptying into the Arctic Ocean at the town of Kugluktuk. The river is known for its towering canyons and mountains, and its raging, bright blue water.  It’s not uncommon to see muskox, caribou, grizzlers, moose and bald eagles. This is a remote and exciting river for experienced whitewater paddlers. For the less experienced, there are a few guiding companies that run canoe and rafting trips on the river.

Paddling a calm stretch of the Nahanni River, the most iconic canoe trip in Canada.   

Other Canoe Trips in Canada of Note

For brevity’s sake, this list does not contain every single incredible canoe trip in Canada. That said, here are a few additional canoe trips worth exploring.

• Quetico (Ontario)
• Wabakimi (Ontario)
• Broadback River (Quebec)
• Fond du Lac (Saskatchewan)
• Spanish River (Ontario)
• Hayes River (Manitoba)
• Horton River (Northwest Territories)

I hope you’ve found some inspiration and are ready to start planning your next canoe trip in Canada!

Mikaela is the voice behind  Voyageur Tripper , an outdoor blog that aims to teach people how to take longer and more challenging trips in the backcountry. She previously worked as a wilderness guide, leading canoeing and hiking trips in Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut. Mikaela currently lives on the West Coast. You can find her on Instagram at  @voyageurtripper .

You may also like

FIELD & STREAM+

• Join 1871 Club

The 10 Best Canoe Trips in North America

Start planning your paddle through the most beautiful waters around the U.S. and Canada

By Ben Duchesney | Published Dec 26, 2019 8:00 PM EST

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Everyone should spend a week paddling in a canoe, if not every year, at least once in their life. There’s no better way to get to know someone than being stuck in the same boat for days on end, and it’s been the boat of choice for hunters and anglers for centuries. There are paddling routes all across the world, and many in your backyard. Some will challenge you as a paddler, while others can help you and your family relax.

After a few trips under your belt you may end up falling in love with canoe tripping. You’ll know it’s too late if you find that your belt has been replaced by an NRS cam strap.

This is not a definitive list. There are too many gorgeous places to paddle and not enough time, but these North American canoe trips are a good place to start.

The Elements of a Great Canoe Trip

A canoe trip is flexible. You can float lazily down a river, chatting with your friends or you can suffer through a hellish portage in the snow for days on end. It can be whatever you want. I will say that a grueling portage helps to make a trip memorable. The same goes for tricky weather, exciting rapids, and killer fishing conditions. Oh, and bugs.

Tandem paddling and tough portages can bring you closer or make you start whacking each other with your paddle. Make sure your paddling crew works well together. Carry an extra paddle in each boat in case you break or lose your main paddle, and make sure everyone wears a life jacket. Explain the route carefully before you start so everyone knows what to expect.

Always make sure to have a warm, dry change of clothes when you get into camp. No matter how gnarly it gets on the water, a toasty pair of socks waiting for you at the end of the day can help you get through it. A big bag of trail mix (the kind with M&Ms!) in each boat helps too.

If you’re worried about navigating your route, or just want some help on the water, hire a guide or outfitter.

1. Northern Forest Canoe Trail, New England

A group of friends and I paddled the first two sections of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) a few years back and I’ve been itching to go back to complete the rest. I’ve also paddled section 12, the famous Allagash River, in Maine. The beauty of the NFCT is that I can keep picking these trips off section by section, or choose to paddle all thirteen sections at once to cover the entire 740 mile route like an AT thru-hiker. The trail starts in Old Forge, NY and finishes in Fort Kent, Maine. The NFCT covers 23 rivers and streams, 59 lakes and ponds, and 65 portages (a little more than 70 miles) and is the longest inland water trail in the United States. This is as classic as canoe country paddling gets, with the trail following traditional Native American travel routes.

2. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

More classic canoe country, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has over 1,200 miles of paddling routes. At 1 million acres in size, you can spend a month in the backcountry of northeastern Minnesota and still barely scratch the surface. There are thousands of lakes and streams and you can spend your nights at one of over 2,000 designated campsites. Bring smores, you’ll want to watch the stars all night long.

3. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia

A canoe can be just as at home down in the swamp as in the North Woods. Paddle through the black swamp waters of Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to watch colorful birds and curious alligators. A photographer friend, Chris Funk, has been telling me to paddle the Okefenokee for years. “It’s a place that is so wild; man tried to tame it and failed,” he says. “The beauty of that place burns deep in the hearts of the folks that visit those black waters.”

4. Buffalo National River, Arkansas

The standout character of my time on the Buffalo National River in the beautiful Ozark region of Arkansas was the smallmouth bass. Even the smallest bass I caught that week were feisty as hell and brilliantly colored. There are many route options for paddlers looking for a multi-day float, with a total of 132 river miles beginning in the town of Ponca. Head there for the fishing, but make sure to enjoy the tall bluffs on this scenic river.

5. Green River, Utah

If north country whitewater or alligator swamps aren’t your speed, paddle one of the best flatwater routes in the country on the Green River in Utah. Start in the town of Green River Utah and paddle 120 miles to the confluence of the Colorado River. Most people can complete the trip in 3-5 days, but make sure to plan time to hike the surrounding country. The giant rock formations of Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons will keep you awestruck.

6. Tuolumne River, California

Designated a Wild & Scenic river in 1984, California’s Tuolumne River starts in the High Sierra mountains and runs for 62 miles before it enters the Stanislaus National Forest. Besides the gorgeous views, like lush meadows between glacially carved canyons, there is also a chance for serious paddlers to test their skill. Starting From Lumsden Bridge to Wards Ferry a series of tricky rapids run one after another for 18 miles. If you’d rather run it than portage it, this may be the route for you.

7. Noatak River, Alaska

On a list of the best canoe trips in North America, of course you have to include one within the largest undisturbed watershed on the continent: the Noatak River in Alaska. You have almost 400 miles of river to plan your route on, but if you’re going to paddle the whole thing (why not, right?) a good place to put in is Kotzebue. There’s also the option to split it up and come back again year after year. It is after all a clear, arctic river with serious fishing and great wildlife, like bear, sheep, caribou, and musk ox.

8. Wabakimi Provincial Park, Ontario

With over 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) of some of the best wilderness canoeing routes in the world, Wabakimi Provincial Park must be explored over a lifetime. You just have to keep going back. There’s plenty of action for whitewater paddlers, chances to explore the park’s long cultural history of Indigenous communities, and of course the fishing. Fly-in lodges put their clients on giant walleye and northern pike, but spending a week (or more) there in a canoe means you’ll have first dibs at all the best spots.

9. Nahanni River, Northwest Territories

Spend two weeks in the backcountry of Canada’s Northwest Territories on the classic Nahanni River. This river features Virginia Falls, a waterfall nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. It also takes paddlers through some of Canada’s deepest river canyons, leads them past hot springs and other unique geological features. This river is so legendary that the United Nations declared the Nahanni River first World Heritage Site in 1978.

10. The Bowron Lakes Circuit, British Columbia

Paddle along the western slopes of the Cariboo Mountain Range in Bowron Lake Provincial Park. The Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit is world-renowned among paddlers, connecting 116 kilometers (72 miles) of lakes, waterways, and portages through the wilderness. You can spend 10 days paddling the whole circuit, or just paddle 2 to 4 days on the west side of the circuit.

Remember, sometimes the portages between each lake are the best part, at least they are later when you’re talking about them to your coworkers back in the real world.

Canoe & Hike Expeditions

Must-do river trips for paddlers, award winning canoe based river journeys on the most iconic rivers in northern canada..

We lead  fully guided canoe journeys on world-class rivers in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. These wilderness rivers comprise the list of legendary northern descents of which all paddlers dream. Most have exhilarating whitewater combined with tranquil paddling and a few are flatwater only. We have planned these expeditions to maximize your enjoyment of the highlights of each river and our experienced and knowledgeable guides go far beyond the typical canoe trip in sharing with you hidden secrets and lore of each one, including flora, fauna and unique phenomena. Most importantly, they allow you the adventurer, to select your level of engagement and comfort in camp.

Our trips are multi-activity

Your time on the river each day will vary, leaving plenty of time for other pursuits such as: hiking, fishing, photography, and enjoying the midnight sun.

Your trip of a lifetime!

We spare no expense treating you to the absolute best canoeing adventures with expert, knowledgeable guides, fresh cuisine and the best equipment.

Canoe & Hike

Nahanni Canyons From Virginia Falls One Week Trip – Canyon Kingdom

A Nahanni River experience is on every paddler's “bucket list.” Limited time? You can still enjoy the iconic features of this world-renowned river.

Nahanni Canyons From Virginia Falls 12-Day Trip – Canyon Kingdom & More Hiking

Experience the legendary Nahanni River on an extended trip. Take the extra time to fully savour all of the Nahanni’s iconic features.

Best of the Nahanni: 10 Day Canoe Adventure

Journey through some of the world's most spectacular geography. Starting with one on one canoeing instruction, our experienced and professional guide team ensure your Nahanni River expedition is comfortable, safe and creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Broken Skull River: 12 Day Canoeing Adventure

With exciting but approachable rapids, easy access to the alpine and hidden hot-springs this wild river begs for exploration.

Broken Skull River: 23 Day Canoe Adventure

This expedition offers a chance to experience two of Canada's most remote and spectacular National Parks.

Mountain River Rafting: Mackenzie Mountains, Canyons and Whitewater

An exciting opportunity for those without advanced whitewater canoe skills to enjoy a spectacular northern river adventure experience by raft.

Coppermine River by Raft or Canoe

Flowing to the Arctic Ocean, the Coppermine is famous for Gyrfalcons, Peregrine Falcons, Rough-legged Hawks, and eagles. Experience the wildlife and beauty of the "Land of the Midnight Sun.”

Soper River – Baffin Island Wilderness and Culture

Combine the best of cultural exploration on Baffin Island with paddling on the Soper River in northeastern Canada!

Two Week Nahanni River Classic Whitewater Canoe Adventure

A classic 14 day journey for the canoeing enthusiast. Enjoy hiking, wildlife, wildflowers, geology and history.

Nahanni River Flatwater Canoeing to Virginia Falls

The perfect way for novice canoeists to experience the legendary Nahanni River.

Nahanni Whitewater Canoeing: Moose Ponds Expedition – 3 Weeks

Canoe the legendary Nahanni from its headwaters – an exhilarating and Class III whitewater adventure for skilled paddlers.

Wind River Canoeing Expedition – Friendly Whitewater and Mountain Hiking

An arctic mountain river renowned for its tremendous hiking and "friendly" whitewater – ideal for intermediate canoeists interested in exploring the beauty that surrounds the Wind.

Snake River – Whitewater, Wildlife & Hiking

Flowing through the spectacular Bonnet Plume Range of the northern Yukon, the Snake River is renowned for its remote beauty, excellent hiking and whitewater paddling.

Horton River Canoeing: Flatwater Canoeing, Caribou, Muskox and Smoking Hills

Paddle through Canada's Arctic wilderness: Encounter muskox, explore the Smoking Hills, and gaze upon Beluga whales on this 13-day Horton River Canoe Expedition.

Lower Stikine River Canoeing Expedition – “The Canoeable Tatshenshini”

Flowing through the Coast Range, the "great river," as it’s known by the local Tlingit, boasts vast glaciated mountains, icebergs, hot springs and First Nations fish camps.

Upper Stikine River Canoeing: Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park

The Stikine River is an exciting adventure for paddlers comfortable with Class II and III whitewater.

Mountain River Canoeing: Whitewater Express

A Mountain River canoe descent is whitewater paradise among stunning mountain peaks – the perfect way to enjoy a challenging northern mountain river if you don’t have advanced whitewater skills.

Thelon River Canoeing – Caribou, Creatures of the Tundra, Fall Colours and More!

Only offered every other season, the Thelon river journey provides an intimate wilderness experience in a vast land, the gorgeous fall colours of the tundra and the chance to see the legendary northern lights.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive our monthly “Northern Currents” newsletter for the latest Northern news, featured trips, adventure travel tips, environmental updates and more!

© 2022 Nahanni River Adventures & Canadian River Expeditions.  Travel Trade |  Privacy Policy

Stay in touch

• Search Search Search …

Quiet Lakes Trip (5 Days+)

The quetico quiet lakes route will take you across the park. you will (hopefully) ....

Quetico Tranquility Canoe Trip

Quetico tranquility canoe trip features an amazing mix of small intimate lakes and ....

Quetico Bays Trip (3 Days)

The quetico bays canoe trip starts outside of quetico provincial park on nym lake. ....

Figure 8 Route (14+ Days)

The figure 8 quetico route is a trip through the heart of the quetico wilderness ....

Quetico North Trip (5+ Days)

The quetico north canoe trip features the most northerly lakes in quetico park. the ....

Quetico Traverse (7 Days)

The quetico traverse route will take you across the entire park. it will provide ....

Beaverhouse Loop Trip (5 Days)

The beaverhouse lake canoe trip starts on some of the largest lakes in the quetico ....

Quetico Fly In – Falls Chain Route

Our falls chain route is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular routes in “The Quetico”.

Guided Quetico Canoe Trips

Your guided Quetico canoe trip will be an experience that you will remember for years to come.

Quetico Complete Outfitting

Our Quetico complete outfitting package makes getting on the water a stress free experience.

Quetico Canoe Trips – Canoes, Permits, Shuttles & Food

Quetico canoe trips can be difficult to organize. Especially so when trip members live far apart or have busy schedules.

Canoes, Permits & Shuttles

Includes: Route planning, reservations, Kevlar boats, secure parking, a lake front cabin, hot breakfast, shuttles, snacks and hot showers.

Quetico Wilderness Outfitting

Our Voyageur Wilderness Outfitting Package is our premium self guided offering. We make it easy for you to have a great Quetico adventure without the hassles.

Cabin Rentals

Cabin rentals on the waterfront of Eva lake! Enjoy a relaxing vacation cabin with access to a sandy swimming beach, a dock and a gazebo hot tub.

Quetico Fishing Cabins

Enjoy a relaxing family vacation with access to a sandy beach, swimming, laundry, fishing tips, a dock and a hot tub. Includes boat & motor.

Quetico Canoe Rentals

Each boat is cleaned, inspected and comes with paddles, PFD (life jackets), safety kit. Better than travelling to Quetico with your own canoe.

Quetico Park Map

The official Quetico park map is a great trip planning tool featuring portages, lakes and information. Order yours now.

Quetico Canoe Routes

Take the time to look at our canoe routes. We have paddled all of them except the figure 8 which is the Everest of Quetico!!

Quetico Shuttles

Our Quetico shuttles vary from a short hop to a long and dusty trek down nearly impassable roads. Our vans are setup for Quetico.

Quetico Outfitters are the closest full service Quetico canoe trip outfitter to the Quetico entry points at Dawson Trail . Our new shuttle  vans service all the Canadian Quetico park entry points. We will also pick you up, or drop you off, at  the airport in Thunder Bay or International Falls MN.

We are thrilled to be working with Camp Quetico to provide premium Quetico canoe trips , Quetico Guided canoe trips and world class fishing adventures .

Please feel free to contact  Barry Giles for all your outfitting needs!

Tel: (807) 929-2266,  Fax: (807) 929-2122

• Canadian Canoe Trips
• Our Canoe Trips

We offer custom trips on Canadian rivers for groups of adventurous and skilled teen and adult canoeists who are in good physical condition and who are mentally prepared for a hardy expedition. While our primary concern is to run a safe, enjoyable wilderness trip, the nature of most Canadian trips creates many challenges and occasional hardships, sometimes unexpected.

Paddle the beautiful Bon Aventure River in the Gaspe Bay Penninsula. This river flows out of the Chic Choc mountains, and with it's emerald green water, and Class II and III rapids, its a must!

This is real wilderness camping. There are few ready-made campsites. On some trips we are a long way from outside help. When the bush plane leaves us at the start of the Mistassini or Mistassibi we are several day’s paddle from the nearest road. Most trips have portages, occasionally long, and most also require lining canoes from the rocky shore or tracking them through the water. We take these factors into consideration, and use special canoes and lighter equipment and food than on our Maine trips. The menu remains generous and well-planned, and includes freshly baked breads and pastries from our reflector oven each day.

All our Canadian trips have plenty of rapids. Except for the Nepisiguit trip, previous whitewater experience and training is required! If you don't have experience, or want to brush up on your skills, we can recommend sources of instruction before your trip.

Several wild beautiful rivers flow from the northern highlands of Quebec into Lac St. Jean. We first ran the Mistassini in 1971, and have since added the Ashuapmushuan, the Mistassibi, and the Rivière du Chef. We usually meet people for these trips either at our base in Greenville, in Quebec City, or two hundred miles further north at Lac St. Jean.

Soon after the ASHUAPMUSHUAN RIVER begins in the Ashuapmushuan Reserve, it picks up the flow of the Rivière du Chef and becomes a waterway of major proportions. This river provided a primary access route to the northern interior for 18th century French explorers, who traveled upstream against its powerful current. Rapids on the Ashuapmushuan are often long and wide with multiple options. Big water is usually more of a concern than rocks. When possible, we do some technical "sneaking" along the side of the bigger rapids, involving lots of scouting and some lining. One long, spectacular falls and a few class IV-V drops require portaging. Campsites vary from sandy beach, to ledge outcrop and puckerbrush, to softwood forest floor. Blueberries are abundant in August, and fishing for northern pike is good.

The RIVIÉRE DU CHEF begins further north, close to the town of Chibougamau, and ends where it joins the Ashuapmushuan. The Chef flows through similar country, with lots of rapids and some falls and portages. The MISTASSINI starts as a tiny stream in near-tundra forest, and gradually evolves into a large and powerful river, running between small mountains with cliffs and waterfalls on either side. We must portage around two magnificent waterfalls, one 200 feet high, as well as several other cascades. Challenging whitewater stretches alternate with narrow ponds and swiftly flowing river. Fishing for trout, walleye, and pike is excellent. Access to this wilderness trip of great variety is by floatplane.

The MISTASSIBI is equally scenic and wild, and the Northeast Branch has canoeable rapids for almost half of its 130 miles. There are only a few short portages in the section we run, but some rapids and ledge drops require lining or tracking, and much time is spent scouting. Trout fishing has been excellent on this outstanding adventure trip, which can be reached only by floatplane.

Two of our favorite coastal Canadian rivers make perfect late spring canoe trips that take less than a week to run. We meet in Greenville or Bangor and drive straight to the headwaters.

The BONAVENTURE is true to its name. This pristine river flows out of the Chic Choc Mountains of the Gaspé Peninsula, and its upper course cuts swiftly through steep hillsides, producing a surprise around every corner. Its remarkable crystal-clear water and cobblestone riverbed combine with forested banks to produce a deep emerald color, as the river hurries to meet the sea. This trip is for the hardy canoeist with good whitewater skills.

The NEPISIGUIT RIVER flows about 70 miles from its narrow headwater lakes near Mt. Carleton in northern New Brunswick to the ocean at Bathurst. It starts small and picks up water quickly, with fast steady current and beautiful views, and builds to an exciting river with rapids, gorges, and waterfalls, and several portages. Whitewater enthusiasts may choose to run some of the heavier, more technical rapids just after the take-out. The Nepisiguit is open to canoeists of any experience level, and in spring offers bountiful fiddlehead picking.

17 of the Best Canoe Trips in British Columbia

Explore the BC’s dramatic mountains and misty forests from a different perspective – the classic Canadian canoe.

There’s a large variety of incredible multi-day canoe trips in British Columbia, ranging from relaxing paddles on pristine glacier fed lakes to adventurous circuit expeditions with portages and river sections.

With that in mind, here are 17 of the best BC canoe trips you need to need to put on your paddling ‘to do’ list!

Stretching from Vancouver Island to Northern BC, these routes and circuits range from 2 to 10 days in length so you can pick the best fit for your own adventure.

Some are more remote than others, but all offer glorious scenery accompanied by a serene paddling experience.

BC canoe trips: about this list

This is not a definitive list of canoe trips in British Columbia but includes some of the most popular, fun and varied canoe adventures to be had!

• While we love canoeing, we have not paddled all of these BC canoe trips (yet). I have noted those that remain on our ‘to do’ list so you will know which I write about with personal experience
• All but one of the following canoe trips have established lakeshore camping facilities (usually with outhouses, fire pits, occasionally picnic tables, tent pads and bear caches)
• This post features flat water adventures only (with very short river sections). If you’re looking for river paddling options, I’d suggest researching the Similkameen, Thompson, Nicola, Nanaimo River, Cowichan River, Slocan River and the Upper Fraser River
• The majority of these BC canoe routes are first come, first serve – only one uses a reservation system (Bowron Lake)
• Prefer kayaks? No problem – all of these routes are suitable for kayaks too though portaging may be more laborious

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of these links, we may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.

Preparing for your paddling adventure

Help keep the wilderness wild and make sure you understand the principles of Leave No Trace before heading out on your BC canoe trip.

Also learn how to avoid a negative bear encounters , for a safer camping adventure.

Finally, ensure you have the 10 essentials to survive longer in the outdoors and know how to stay safe , in case things don’t go to plan.

Besides your 10 essentials, here are more items to bring:

• Proper canoe cart – For the BC canoe routes that have suitable portages for them, a canoe cart can be a big help. Make sure you buy or rent an expedition version, meaning a canoe specific portage cart (photo on this page ). The smaller ones with horizontal supports are built for kayaks and are a lot more difficult to maneuver
• Foldable chairs – Some of the campsites on the following BC canoe trips have picnic tables but most do not (and even then, picnic tables don’t have backrests!) We always bring our lightweight Helinox chairs on canoe trips for that extra comfort after a long day of paddling
• Camp stove – Yes, I know, cooking on the fire can feel like a non-negotiable part of a canoe trip but it’s important to have a backcountry stove for backup. Think fire bans, torrential rain and/or a severe lack of dry wood….
• Lightweight tarp – For rain or for shade, I wouldn’t ever consider going on a BC canoe trip without a tarp. My preference is to use an ultralight siltarp , which saves extra weight and bulk on portages

BC Canoe Circuits

The following are true canoe circuits, in that you finish exactly where you started after completing a circular route.

This occurrence is pretty rare in British Columbia due to topography, even with man-made portages. Nevertheless, there are three great examples.

Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit

Overview: 12 lakes, 12 portages with short river/creek/pond sections (47km total) Where: Vancouver Island, 30km from Campbell River Camping: 37 camping areas Fees/reservations: No fees, lots of free campgrounds Launch: Multiple options. Mohun Lake in Morton Lake Provincial Park is the most popular Rentals: Comox Valley Kayaks (75km from the circuit) Other things to do : Fishing Dogs: Permitted Suggested length of trip: 4 days For more info: Sayward Forest Canoe Circuit Guide

A destination usually associated with ocean paddling, Vancouver Island is also host to some excellent freshwater paddling opportunities.

Indeed, one of the few true canoe circuits in all of BC can be found in an assuming forest just northwest of Campbell River.

The 47km long canoe circuit comprises twelve lakes, twelve portages and a couple of short river sections.

Each lake is wonderfully memorable, ranging from the expansive Lower Campbell Lake to the tiny lily-padded Whymper Lake. Amor Lake, with its unusual shape and delicate islands, is a definite highlight.

Situated in a working forest, the Sayward Canoe Circuit is not as pristine as Bowron Lakes but feels surprisingly remote.

The campgrounds offer a variety of experiences, from very rustic (no facilities) and basic (outhouses only) to well-established (Rec Sites with picnic tables) and even developed (private campgrounds).

Emar Lakes Canoe Circuit

Overview: 7 small lakes, 6 portages in Emar Lakes Provincial Park Where: North Thompson region, 115km north of Kamloops Camping: 2 vehicle accessible campgrounds plus wild camping Fees/reservations: None, first come first serve Launch: Willowgrouse Lake, Janice Lake or Dytiscid Lake Other things to do : Fishing Dogs : Not recommended Suggested length of trip: 2 days

This compact canoe circuit is on my list for a trip in 2024. Seven pretty lakes form a complete loop, connected by six short portages.

The largest lake is Janice Lake (also known as Long Island Lake) which is about 2.5km across at its widest point. While it is possible to paddle the lakes in a day, a night or two helps to slow the experience down.

The opportunity to fish for rainbow trout is a major draw on this BC canoe trip, and indeed, for this area in general. The nearby road is sometimes nicknamed the ‘Fishing Highway’!

There are two vehicle-accessible Recreation Site campgrounds on two of the lakes and wild camping spots elsewhere on the circuit (no facilities). The Rec Sites also provide the best places to launch.

Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit

Overview: Parallelogram of 12 lakes, 8 portages plus a number of river sections (116km total) Where: Central Cariboo region, 110km east of Quesnel Camping: 54 designated camping areas, each with tent pads, outhouses and bear caches Fees/reservations: $60 per person for full circuit, $30 for west side, plus reservation fee (reservations are highly recommended and launch in fall before the summer paddling season) Launch: Kibbee Lake, after 2.4km portage (full circuit) / Bowron Lake (west side) Rentals: Multiple options close to launch Other things to do : Fishing, hiking opportunities Dogs : Not permitted Suggested length of trip : 6-10 days (3-5 for the west side) For more info: Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit paddling guide

Bowron Lakes is the most well-known (and popular) BC canoe route.

It’s easy to understand why – this epic 116km circuit in Bowron Lake Provincial Park is a perfect parallelogram of lakes, rivers and portages backdropped by wild, temperature rainforest and rugged mountains.

It is, however, no mean feat. Almost 11km of the total circuit distance takes the form of (often muddy) portages, with the longest being 2.4km

There is the option to explore just the west side of the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit , which still takes in a good handful of lakes and rivers as well as some outstanding views.

Bowron’s popularity means that the daily canoe launches are restricted.

Reservations are therefore all but essential during the summer months, with the booking system usually opening the October prior. For the 2024 season, reservations opened on 24th October 2023 at 7am PT.

Canoe Routes

For this section, I define a canoe route as one including at least two lakes, connected by a river or portage.

Some of these BC canoe routes feature many more than two lakes, with one even being considered a circuit of sorts.

One great aspect of choosing a canoe route over a circuit is being able to choose how much or little you want to paddle.

It is perfectly possible to change campsites every night or to explore the lake system from a base camp if you’re feeling lazy!

Main Lakes Canoe Route

Overview: 1 large lake with connections to 5 others in Main Lake Provincial Park Where: Quadra Island, a short ferry from Campbell River on Vancouver Island Camping: 7 established marine campsites with outhouses Fees/reservations: $5/per camping night/per person, first come first serve Launch: Mine Lake or Village Bay Lake Dogs: Not recommended Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing Suggested length of trip: 2-4 days

Positively idyllic in summer, the Main Lakes Canoe Route is an ideal destination for a relaxing BC canoe trip. Five smaller lakes branch out from the largest one, the eponymous Main Lake.

Setting up a base camp at a campsite on Main Lake is the most convenient and comfortable way to explore the park.

There are seven camp areas to choose from on this BC canoe route, with some of the sites enjoying gorgeous sandy beaches (perfect for those long hot days!)

Besides visiting the other lakes in the area, it’s also possible to hike 1.6km to Yeatman Bay. This offers the unusual opportunity to visit the ocean on a freshwater trip. And the views across to Maurelle Island are stunning!

Powell Forest Canoe Route

Overview: 8 lakes, 5 portages in a horseshoe shape (63km total) Where: Sunshine Coast, east of Powell River Camping: 17 designated camping areas Fees/reservations: No fees, first come first serve Launch: Multiple options, Lois Lake is the most popular Rentals: Mitchell’s Other things to do : Fishing Dogs: Permitted Suggested length of trip: 4-6 days For more info: Paddling guide

Just a stone’s throw from the Salish Sea, an exciting off-the-beaten path adventure awaits on the Powell Forest Canoe Route .

Well-maintained portages connect 8 unique lakes, which are surrounded by misty temperate rainforest and stunning coastal mountains.

Most of the lakes in the Powell Forest are smallmand easily crossable in a few hours or less. The exception is Powell Lake, which accounts for 30km of the quoted canoe route length listed above.

Deep, mysterious, temperamental and seemingly never-ending, paddling this fjord is an experience in itself.

The Powell Forest Canoe Route is so close to being a circuit that a lot of people do call it one.

The technicality is that while it is an incredible adventure on its own merits, you do not start and finish at the same spot unless you double back or utilise a vehicle.

There are various ways to extend, shorten or otherwise adapt the route of this BC canoe trip to your own needs.

Lightning Lakes Canoe Route

Overview: Three lake chain in E.C. Manning Provincial Park Where: Between Hope and Princeton, just off Highway 3 Camping: Backcountry campsite on Strike Lake, with outhouses and bear cache Fees/reservations: $5/per camping night/per person, first come first serve Launch: Lightning Lake day-use area Rentals: Manning Park Resort Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing Dogs: Allowed on leash Suggested length of trip: 2 days

This trio of imaginatively named lakes in Manning Park forms a short yet scenic BC canoe route, bordered by forested mountains and a lakeshore hiking trail.

Lightning Lake is the first lake on the chain, also the largest and most interesting to paddle. The portage to Flash Lake is 500m and the next to Strike Lake 1.5km.

There is a backcountry campsite just a short walk (600m) away from Strike Lake. Located in a grove of spruce trees, it’s primarily used by hikers.

From Strike Lake, it is possible to hike to Thunder Lake (6km return), the fourth and final lake of the chain.

In theory, you could also portage but the trail is narrow, slippery and littered with avalanche debris. Access to the actual lakeshore is also potentially tricky so I wouldn’t recommend it.

I was a little hesitant to include the Lightning Lakes Canoe Route on this list since it is relatively short and the portages were quite overgrown when we last visited.

The low water levels of Strike Lake can also prove to be a challenge in late summer. But it was the fun hike/canoe trip combination, with easy highway access that won me over!

Moose Valley Canoe Route

Overview: 12 small lakes in wetland area in Moose Valley Provincial Park Where: South Cariboo, 30km west of 100 Mile House Camping: 1 vehicle accessible campground, 2 rustic campsites (no facilities) Fees/reservations: None, first come first serve Launch: Marks Lake Other things to do : Fishing Dogs: Policy not specified Suggested length of trip: 2-3 days For more info: BC Parks guide

The Moose Valley Canoe Route winds through a maze of small, shallow lakes in a delicate wetland area. The pretty lakes are studded with intricate, reed-fringed islands. Moose are a fairly common sighting here.

Although it’s possible to paddle this canoe route in a day, many choose to stay for a few nights to soak in the tranquillity of the area. Facilities are limited but there are a couple of established marine sites on Long and Canoe Lakes.

Very close to Moose Valley (by BC standards anyway), is also the Flat Lake Canoe Route. There’s not much information about it available online, which is why I mention it within Moose Valley’s entry.

According to BC Parks, Flat Lake Provincial Park features several small lakes interconnected with short portages. It is suggested to be ideal for canoe trips of up to three days. We plan to one day paddle both Moose Valley and Flat Lake on the same road trip.

Clearwater/Azure Lakes Canoe Route

Overview: 2 lakes connected by a portage in Wells Gray Provincial Park Where: 65km north of Clearwater and Highway 5 Camping: 12 camping areas with outhouses and bear caches Fees/reservations: $5/per camping night/per person Launch: Southern end of Clearwater Lake Rentals: Clearwater Lake Tours Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing, waterfalls Dogs: Not recommended Suggested length of trip: 5-8 days for both lakes (3-4 for Clearwater only)

Positioned at a right angle to each other, Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake are connected by a short portage.

With both of these glacial-fed lakes being an impressive 22km long, it is possible to paddle for up to a week and still have the chance to see something new.

We’ve had this BC canoe trip on our list for years but we keep having to reschedule (most recently in 2023) due to wildfires. It is on our 2024 calendar.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is best known for its collection of spectacular waterfalls. This canoe route has one of its own to complement the others, the beautiful Rainbow Falls at the end of Azure Lake.

There are a total of twelve camping areas between both lakes, with most being on Clearwater Lake. Being further away from the launch point, Azure Lake is usually less busy. There is, however, a water taxi service that can pick up and drop off paddlers anywhere along the route.

Turner Lake Canoe Route

Overview: 7 lakes, 7 portage chain in Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park Where: West Chilcotin region, 70km east of Bella Coola Camping: 7 established marine campsites with outhouses and bear caches Fees/reservations: $5/per camping night/per person, first come first serve Launch: Turner Lake (fly-in or 16km hike) Rentals: Tweedsmuir Air Other things to do : Hiking opportunities (with alpine options), fishing, waterfall Dogs : Not recommended More info: BC Parks Guide Suggested length of trip: 4-5 days

One of the most remote BC canoe trips listed here, the Turner Lakes Canoe Route is a real wilderness adventure.

Those who make the effort to hike or fly in will find a series of seven high-elevation lakes, most of which have views of dramatic snow-capped mountains. Another highlight is the chance to see Hunlen Falls, Canada’s third-highest waterfall (401m).

While the portages are on the shorter side (less than 600m), they are not to be underestimated. The changeable weather can prove a challenge too.

Rather than attempt to hike or fly in their boat, most canoeists choose to arrange a canoe rental at Turner Lake. Two rustic cabins can also be booked.

The Turner Lake Canoe Route is definitely high on my bucket list of BC canoe trips. I plan to combine it with an alpine hiking adventure in the Ptarmigan Lakes area as this couple did , hopefully in 2025.

Nazko Lakes Canoe Route

Overview: 7 lake, 6 portage chain with short creek/river sections in Nazko Lake Provincial Park Where: Chilcotin region, 150km northwest of Williams Lake Camping: 4 established campsites (no facilities) Fees/reservations: No fees, first come first serve Launch: Deerpelt Lake Other things to do : Fishing Dogs: Not recommended Suggested length of trip: 1-3 days For more info: BC Parks Guide

The Nazko Lakes Canoe Route takes in seven small but pretty lakes in the Chilcotin region.

One of the lakes is so tiny that it does not have a name. The portages are apparently short and easy, all being less than 800m with little elevation gain.

The paddling distance adds up to 20km, with Tanilkul Lake being the longest lake at 5km. It is also cited as the most beautiful lake on the chain.

Moose are a fairly common sight here, with the endangered American White Pelican also in the area (the reason I most want to check it out!)

There are no camping facilities on this BC canoe route besides the vehicle-accessible campground on the first lake (Deerpelt). There are, however, four established spots for camping, spaced out over four lakes.

Please note that this park was damaged in wildfires in 2017 and one of the camping areas is still closed at the time of writing (Tanikul South Campsite). Check for updates on the BC Parks website.

Nanika-Kidprice Canoe Route

Overview: 4 lake, 3 portage chain, most of which is in Nenikëkh / Nanika-Kidprice Provincial Park Where: Northern Interior, 75km southwest of Houston Camping: 4 established campsites with outhouses and bear cache plus 4 ‘rustic’ sites (no facilities) Fees/reservations: No fees, first come first serve Launch: Lamprey Lake Other things to do : Fishing, waterfall, hiking opportunities (unmaintained routes) Dogs: Allowed on leash Suggested length of trip: 3-5 days

This lesser-visited canoe route lies in a valley between two mountain ranges in Northern British Columbia.

Four high-elevation lakes line up to offer 30km of paddling, accessed with the assistance of three portages. The longest is 2.2km but is mostly level.

In addition to excellent views of snow-capped mountain peaks, the Nanika-Kidprice Canoe Route offers a number of beautiful beaches to camp and relax on. Powerful Nanika Falls (18m) can be found on the final lake of the chain, Kidprice Lake.

From reading trip reports, the fishing on the route sounds promising (particularly for rainbow trout). This combined with the scenery and relative obscurity of the route, makes the Nanika-Kidprice a very appealing BC canoe trip.

Nation Lakes Canoe Route

Overview: 4 lakes, 3 rivers chain, most of which is located in Nation Lakes Provincial Park Where: North Central BC, northwest of Fort St James Camping: 8 provincial park campsites plus Recreation Sites and wild camping Fees/reservations: None, first come first serve Launch: Four different access points, Tsayta Lake is popular for canoe route use Other things to do : Fishing Dogs : Permitted Suggested length of trip: 7-10 days

With an epic total distance of 120km, the Nation Lakes Canoe Route is perfect for anyone wanting a long paddling adventure in pristine wilderness.

Due to this canoe route’s remote location in Northern BC, you’re also unlikely to see anyone else outside of hunting season.

Besides the isolation, wide open views are one of the major attractions, alongside the high paddling-to-portage ratio.

Unusually, the connections between the lakes are river sections so there are no formal portages. It may, however, be necessary to portage due to low water or logjams.

BC Parks doesn’t detail too much about this canoe route, so I’d suggest having a read of trip reports – examples here and here .

A canoe rental and shuttle service is available via Chuchi Lake Fishing Lodge , the latter of which I will likely use myself when we paddle this route.

Large lakes

British Columbia is characterised by its immense mountain ranges, rugged coastline and narrow valleys. The latter are often filled with long, narrow lakes.

Some are man-made (reservoirs) while others are fed by glaciers. Such large lakes lend themselves well to canoe tripping, though can be susceptible to high wind and waves.

In this section, I highlight five large valley lakes that offer canoe-tripping opportunities (each tried and tested by us). There are, however, plenty more to discover.

Buttle Lake

Overview: 23km long reservoir lake set in a picturesque valley Where: Vancouver Island, 65km southwest of Campbell River Camping: 4 established marine campsites with outhouses Fees/reservations: $10/per camping night/per person, first come first serve Launch: Multiple options, including official boat launches Rentals: Strathcona Park Lodge Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing, waterfall Dogs: Not recommended Suggested length of trip: 2-4 days

Buttle Lake is one of the most defining features of Strathcona Provincial Park .

Mountains rise steeply from the edge of this narrow turquoise lake, creating impressive valley views. A large waterfall cascades directly into the lake at the southern end.

There are four marine campsites on the lake, with Rainbow Island being a favourite for families due to its convenient location. At Phillips Creek campsite, a 6.6km trail leads up into the subalpine Marble Meadows.

Please be aware that Buttle Lake can be exceptionally windy, especially on hot days, and some of the shoreline can be steep.

If desired, you can also paddle north into Upper Campbell Lake for a longer canoe trip – there is another provincial marine campsite here as well as some Recreation Sites and wild camping options.

Okanagan Lake

Overview: 135km long lake Where: Okanagan Valley, adjacent Highway 97 Camping: 7 established marine campsites with picnic tables and outhouses Fees/reservations: $13/per night/per camping party, first come first serve Launch: Numerous options – Indian Rock near Naramata is our go-to Rentals: Multiple local options Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing Dogs: Not recommended Suggested length of trip : 3-4 days

Stretching an impressive 135km from top to bottom, Okanagan Lake is one of the most impressive bodies of water in BC’s southern interior.

Okanagan Lake also very windy at times and very popular with boats in the summer so consider planning a trip for the shoulder seasons.

While there are several large communities and a highway located on the shores of the lake, a few areas have escaped development.

One of these is Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park , which sits on the lake’s eastern shore between Kelowna and Penticton.

Most of the shoreline of the park is steep, rising into remarkably rugged mountains (watch for bighorn sheep!) The few flatter sections have been developed into marine campsites, which can be used as overnight stopovers or for base camp use.

Whatever you do, make sure to take a trip to Rattlesnake Island , a scenic spot that was once the centre of an international incident involving hostages and a miniature golf course (the remains of which are still there).

Murtle Lake

Overview: Large lake in shape of a backwards L, part of Wells Gray Provincial Park Where: Between Clearwater and Valemount, close to Highway 5 Camping: 19 designated camping areas with 69 campsites, each with outhouses and bear caches Fees/reservations: $5/per camping night/per person, first come first serve Launch: Murtle Lagoon, after 2.5km portage Rentals: Murtle Canoes Other things to do : Hiking opportunities (with alpine options), fishing Dogs : Not permitted Suggested length of trip : 4-7 days For more info: Complete paddling guide

Murtle Lake has the distinction of being North America’s largest canoe-only lake.

Such peace and freedom offer opportunities for not just a peaceful BC canoe trip, but an adventurous one if desired.

The lake itself is divided in two by 15km West Arm (more campsites, busier) and a 20km North Arm (more dramatic views, quieter). The width varies but is never more than 3km.

Wide sandy beaches dot the shores, with intricate islands providing the perfect place to stop for a snack break. 2000m peaks provide amazing mirror lake reflections on calm days.

Two lakeside trailheads offer access into the alpine itself, for a chance to see Murtle Lake from above too.

Located at an elevation of 1067m and fed by a glacial river, Murtle Lake is noticeably cooler than most of the other BC canoe routes listed here. So be sure to bring extra warm layers (even in the height of summer) as well as your fishing rod.

Slocan Lake

Overview: 39km long lake, the majority of which is part of Valhalla Provincial Park Where: West Kootenay region, between Nelson and Revelstoke Camping: 8 provincial marine campgrounds with outhouses, picnic tables and bear caches plus two Recreation Sites ( Bannock Point , Wragge Beach ) Fees/reservations: No fees, first come first serve Launch: 7+ options, we prefer Slocan village Rentals: Smiling Otter Other things to do: Hiking opportunities, fishing, historical artefacts Dogs : Allowed on leash in marine campgrounds (and select trails) Suggested length of trip : 3-5 days For more info: Complete Valhalla Provincial Park guide

Slocan Lake is our go-to destination for lazy summer canoe trips, when we much prefer the idea of swimming to portaging! This is the perfect place to sunbathe, fish, float and relax.

The western shoreline of this long lake features a string of dreamy beach campgrounds looking out onto the turquoise-coloured water and mountains beyond. Our favourite campsites are Ben Browns and Cory’s Ranch.

This is the perfect place to swim, sunbathe, fish, float and relax. Highway 6 borders the lake on the other side but somehow seems a world away. Our favourite campsites are Ben Browns and Cory’s Ranch.

If you prefer a more adventurous BC canoe trip, Slocan still delivers in buckets. There are five hiking trailheads along the lake, offering the chance to explore beautiful waterfalls, old mining cabins and even venture into the alpine.

Christina Lake

Overview: 18km long lake adjacent to Gladstone Provincial Park Where: West Kootenay region, easy access from Highway 3 Camping: 7 established marine campsites with picnic tables and outhouses Fees/reservations: $13/per night/per camping party, first come first serve Launch: Texas Creek Campground Other things to do : Hiking opportunities, fishing Dogs : Not permitted Suggested length of trip : 2-3 days

As well as being one of the warmest lakes in British Columbia, Christina Lake is also known for its amazingly clear water.

The shore is lined by several fine sandy beaches, perfect for swimming and sunbathing in summer. It’s all backdropped by the Monashee Mountains.

Like Okanagan Lake, this BC canoe trip is best taken outside of summer if peace is a priority. The southern shores of Christina Lake are fringed with vacation homes – expect to see many power boats.

The northern half of the lake is surrounded by Gladstone Provincial Park, but even then, some of the shoreline remains private and is dotted with more houses.

While Christina Lake isn’t our top pick for a wilderness trip, it’s still worth consideration for a short paddle adventure. We enjoyed tranquil mornings and evenings as well as the gorgeous views and productive fishing.

For more paddling inspiration:

9 Extraordinary Kayak and Canoe Trips You Must Try in Canada

7 Canadian Canoe Trips That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Canoeing Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake: Complete Guide and Comparison

Paddling Desolation Sound By Canoe, British Columbia

Wallace Island: An Idyllic Kayaking Destination in British Columbia

A Week in the Wilderness of Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

Kayaking the 100 Wild Islands, Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia

Free printable paddling checklist

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter and receive a free PDF checklist for your next multi-day paddling adventure

We never share your information with third parties and will protect it in accordance with our  Privacy Policy

Check out these recently published articles next

Sunshine Coast Trail Huts Guide: The Best Places to Stay

Toronto to Vancouver Road Trip: 24+ Great Places to Stop

Spirit Island: Complete Guide with Map, Paddling Details, Boat Tour + More

One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Canada. Jean Robert (JR) is up for anything, but you’re most likely to find him either snowboarding, fishing or building something. Gemma and JR are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada.

Monday 26th of July 2021

Thanks, this site is great, we were supposed to canoe on Kootney Lake with our crew this summer but the wildfires are terrible there right now and we are are last minute canoe route "shopping" to find a new trip. You mentioned the Nation Lakes above, we did that last year, if you'd like a sneak peak of some of the route, log jams, fishing etc. Check out the video we made https://youtu.be/aXF4IBN5FKE Happy Adventures and thanks for the info!

• 2024 & 2025 Expeditions

Arctic Canoe Adventure

Upper thelon river.

2024: Aug 7-18 2025: July 30 - Aug 10

193 km (119 miles)

$12,910 CAD + 5% gst

Vessel Type

Skill level.

Novice to Intermediate

Rendezvous Point

Yellowknife, NWT

Thelon River Flat Sheet

Our guided Upper Thelon River canoe adventures offer a breathtaking wilderness experience in Canada!

We’ll be paddling the upper part of the The-lew-dezeth (Thelon River), the largest river in the Barren Lands and easily the most magnificent. The Thelon is, without question, the most remote and the most pristine wilderness river of any considerable size left in North America. Our 120 mile (193km) long route is 80% river paddling. There are eight rapids along our route but no portages at all.

Our entire route is on the tundra, south of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, and is one of the most remote places left in the world.

Big treed sandy eskers are prominent topographical features along our Thelon River canoe route. They stand out many miles away and greatly enrich the landscape. Scattered along these eskers are spike-shaped spruce trees and below their sheltered flanks grow stands of robust spruce and tamarack. Exquisite aquamarine ponds and kettle lakes with beaches all around are almost everywhere you look. The scenery along these eskers is so extraordinary that it seems to belong to a surreal, fairy-tale world.

There’s a good chance of seeing a few tundra wolves on this Thelon River canoe trip. About 80% of tundra wolves are white in colour, so most of them are highly conspicuous against the green summer tundra. Sometimes, they will walk into your campsite with 10 or 20 feet of us, just to check us out! Of course, normal, healthy wolves are completely harmless.

Muskoxen and moose are large animals we can count on seeing on this canoe trip. Most herds consist of 10 – 25 animals. Often a grizzly or two or three is spotted and occasionally, a wolverine or two. This is also a wonderful trip for birds. Birds of note include jaegers, merlins, bald eagles, osprey, many species of ducks, large numbers of moulting Canada geese, and several species of loons.

Archaeological sites are abundant on the Thelon river where ancient hunters waited for the Beverly caribou herd to cross these rivers on their summer migration. It is illegal to remove any of this material, so we will take only photos and leave them as they lay. We’ll look at stone caribou fences (used to funnel caribou to killing sites), tent rings, chipping stones, arrowheads and spear-points.

You just can’t get any more remote than the Thelon, anywhere else in the world north of Antarctica. Not only is the Thelon the largest and most remote river in the Barren Lands, it’s also the easiest and safest to canoe. And nowhere else on the Barren Lands today are you likely to see a greater number or variety of birds and mammals. Arctic summers may be short, but the Thelon enjoys some of the best summer weather in North America, thanks to it’s dry, sunny climate in this deep interior location.

Contact Jackpine Paddle at (867) 445 4512 for more information about our awe-inspiring Thelon River canoe adventures in Canada!

Looking for a canoe trip on the Thelon River with more whitewater? Check out our Clarke/Thelon River trip!

Dan exhibited total commitment to the group & really went the extra mile in every aspect.

George g, canada | upper thelon river expedition.

Very well done.

All aspects of the trip were very well planned & carried out. Food was superb. Emma did an outstanding job as a guide. She & Dan were a terrific leadership team.

Stuart S, USA | Upper Thelon River Expedition

Available Dates

Aug 7 - 18, 2024, july 30 - aug 10, 2025.

We'll start this canoe trip on the Thelon River, where we will land in our float plane on Day 1. We will not likely travel far, if at all, on the first day of this trip. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our beautiful wilderness surroundings. During this evening and others on this trip, participants will have plenty of time to pursue their interests whether they be photography, fishing, hiking, birding, swimming or just taking a nap.

The Thelon is a big, shallow, clear-water river. We'll be canoeing its upper reaches but, even here, it's a big river that is very wide. The upper Thelon is easy to canoe because it's mostly fairly fast river with very few rapids. Most of the lake paddling occurs on the first few days of the trip. After that, it's nearly all swift-flowing river with only the occasional easy rapid.

The topography along our canoe route is hilly in most sections. The landscape is very scenic and is dominated in place by several spectacular sandy eskers, up to 200 feet in height. These are some of the very largest eskers in the Barren Lands. Spruce are most numerous in sandy areas, especially along the eskers, where some trees reach three feet in diameter and may be close to 1,000 years old.

Our float plane arrives around noon to take us back to Yellowknife. We say goodbye to this highly unique place of rich wildlife. Back in Yellowknife, we meet up for a farewell dinner and cold beers (after hot showers)!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included.

– Charter flight from Yellowknife to the Thelon River, return – Shuttles from the airport when in Yellowknife, NWT – Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1 – Expedition canoes – Paddles, lifejacket, and paddling helmet. – Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc) – Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit – Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff – Expedition tent (double occupancy – extra fee for solo) – hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip – Group will be limited to 10 participants + 2 guides

What's not included?

– Off-river accommodations – Commercial flights to and from Yellowknife – Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (avaliable for rent) – Meals in Yellowknife before and after the trip (Day 1 Breakfast and Day 12 Dinner) – Gratuity for guides – Wine or spirits – Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation – Northwest Territories fishing licence available online

What will the food be like?

Really good. We’ve fine-tuned a delicious, nutritious and well-balanced backcountry menu of unique and tasty dishes from years of expedition tripping – and look forward to sharing it with you. Our flexible menu can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free preferences, and will be tailored in advance for participants on each trip. Guests are always welcome to join guides in cooking and learn to cook our authentic, backcountry recipes.

Breakfast will include fresh fruit and a main course, like eggs and bacon or blueberry pancakes. Lunch features locally-smoked sausages, fruit, hummus, salads, breads and naan with a spread of cheese, jams, and a variety of nut butters. Dinner will offer an hors d’oeuvres, main course, and dessert! Snacking will take place throughout the day.

“Five-star campsites, with gourmet meals included” – Dave S, USA

Will we eat local?

We are proud show off our local fresh fish recipes while on trip. The Thelon River has good fishing for arctic grayling and lake trout.

Jackpine Paddle is excited to offer Barren Ground Coffee on all of our paddling tours. Barren Ground Coffee locally-roasts fair trade and organic speciality coffee, 5 kilos at a time, on a beautiful craft roaster in Old Town, Yellowknife. Thanks to our partners at Barren Ground Coffee, we look forward to serving you the freshest roasted coffee in the Northwest Territories.

“We picked wild blueberries to top of the cheesecake” – Sophia D, Canada.

Do I have the skills for a trip like this?

While paddling experience is an asset, this trip is suitable for whitewater canoe beginners – with the support of our experienced guides. However participants should be good flat-water canoeists, particularly when in the stern. Back-country camping experience is required as this is a remote wilderness trip.

“Our guide was always thinking, keeping the abilities of his clients in the forefront” – Kim M, USA

What do I need to bring?

A detailed personal clothing and gear checklist , specific to your trip, will be emailed to you in a registration email.

Check out the Youtube videos below with our tips and advice for packing your gear and personal clothes:

Essential Gear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip Clothes & Outwear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip

What are your booking and cancellation policies?

Before you register for an expedition, please ensure each participant for whom you will be submitting a deposit payment (including yourself) has carefully reviewed the following:

– our Safety & Risk Awareness webpage

– information on your trip webpage (inclusions, exclusions, dates, etc)

– our Liability Waiver

Once you have reviewed the information above and you are comfortable with proceeding, we require a 10% deposit of the trip fee and online booking form completed, done through the “Book Now” button on the trip webpage.

Your trip deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days prior to your expedition start date. On this date, your remaining trip fees are due and all payments become non-refundable.

Once your expedition is within 90 days of departure we are unable to offer a refund for any reason if you cancel your participation.

Please read carefully: Should your expedition departure have to be cancelled, postponed or altered by a force majeure (including but not limited to: weather causing delayed or cancelled charter flights or helicopter journeys, fire, flood, pandemic, highway closures, community evacuations, ongoing or newly introduced travel ban or government statement), Jackpine Paddle and its partner operators are not obligated to provide a refund or offer alternative travel services.

We strongly encourage you to purchase:

1) Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance,

2) Trip Interruption Insurance and

3) Trip Cancellation Insurance – so that you are covered in the event of an unexpected change of plans.

To review our complete Terms & Conditions for Booking, Payment, and Cancellation – please click here.

How do I get to Yellowknife?

Yellowknife is served by direct flights from southern hubs such as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver with Air Canada, Westjet and Canadian North.

Are we too old to go?

Age is a mindset, and canoeing is an activity that is truly for everyone. Age is not important. What counts is your spirit and that you are reasonably fit. We have had people paddle with us in their early nineties.

What kind of birds might I spot?

tundra swan, red-throated loon, common loon, long-tailed jaeger, parasitic jaeger, Arctic tern, herring gull, American Robin, Northern Pintail, long-tailed duck (oldsquaws), scaups, bald eagle, willow ptarmigan, various sandpipers, common raven, rough-legged hawk, merlin, gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, American golden plover, cliff swallow, northern shrike. white-footed goose, common merganser, white-crowned sparrow, fox sparrow, lapland longspur, golden eagle, semipalmated plover

Can I join this trip by myself?

If you are a single paddler, you are more than welcome to join us on one of our trips.

There are additional fees if you opt for a solo tent, or local accommodations when provided – as these are based on double-occupancy.

Our trips typically have 2-3 guests who are traveling alone, so you will have the opportunity to meet and paddle with other like-minded individuals. Our guides are skilled at organizing paddling partners based on skill level and personality, ensuring that each trip is safe and enjoyable for all.

One of the best parts of our guided trips is the chance to meet and get to know other paddlers. We hope to see you on one of our trips soon.

Where can I find more information?

If you have questions, we are happy to answer them!

You can get in touch with us at the bottom of this page, or at [email protected] .

To check out our detailed Getting Started trip planning resource, click here !

Need more info on this trip?

Please enter your contact details below to request a Trip Information Package, or ask a question!

First and Last Name

Choose Your Region

Northwest Territories

Central Arctic

62°52’N  105°31’W

It’s better in the Barrenlands – a remote and otherworldly zone of glacial eskers, rock-ribbed hills, and artifacts from the Chipewyan and Caribou Inuit cultures. You’ll find a treeless expanse legendary for paddling, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Great Slave Lake

62°09’N  111°52’W

The fabled East Arm is perhaps the most grandiose region of Great Slake Lake, and for good reason. It features clear waters, deep bays with tall, stark red cliffs, and world-class fishing.

Western Arctic

69°51’N 126°56’W

The Arctic Circle is a line of lore and legend – and the Western Arctic is one of the few places in Canada where you can reach it by river. You can watch the sun spin itself dizzy in the sky, never falling below the horizon. You’ve now crossed into the true polar zone, a mythic region only a fraction of the travellers on Earth have ever entered.

Mackenzie Mountains

62°59’N  129°01’W

The Mackenzie Mountains may offer the greatest whitewater canoeing left on Earth – an endless oasis of remote, rugged uplands, cut through by glacial rivers and bustling with mountain sheep, caribou, moose and other creatures untouched by the modern age.

© All rights reserved. Site by Armadillo

• Photos/Videos
• Chipewyan Lake
• Jordan Lake
• LeClair Lake
• Northern Pike
• Arctic Grayling
• Canadian Grand Slam
• Trophy Case
• Concierge Service
• What To Bring
• Moose Hunting
• Moose Hunting Results
• Bear Hunting
• Moose/Wolf/Bear Combo
• Why Big Sand

Home to the Best Fishing in Canada

Northern pike, lake trout, walleye, arctic grayling—there’s no better canada fishing vacation..

Searching for a monster fish factory? You’re in the right place. When it comes to memorable, all-inclusive fishing trips in Canada, anglers looking for a world-class fishing experience start their planning here!

It makes sense. Big Sand Lake Lodge offers premiere, complete Canadian fly-in fishing with a comfortable main lodge and remote outposts . Because we’ve practiced catch-and-release conservation for more than 30 years, the fish grow to enormous sizes. So big that it’s possible to earn your Manitoba Master Angler Certificate during any cast.

You choose what you want, and nature supplies the action: Northern Pike ,  Lake Trout ,  Walleye , and  Arctic Grayling . Plus, we treat you right with a classic shore lunch cooked over an open fire on real wood, not propane. As big as the fish are, sometimes it’s the little things that mean so much.

Go for the legendary Canadian Fishing Grand Slam … all four fish species during one trip to Northern Manitoba. Achieve that, and you’ll earn a $500 voucher toward a future Big Sand Lake Lodge visit.

The quintessential Canada experience for Big Sand Lake Lodge guests.

Yep, our lodge is the only one on a  lake that’s never been commercially fished. And, it’s all yours. Our expert guides understand exactly what is happening on the water at any given moment. And, our staff knows everything you need for THE Canada fishing trip that beats all other Canada fishing trips.

Great fishing. Delicious food. Comfy lodging. Friendly staff. Up here, there’s less traffic and more fish! When it comes to remote fishing trips in Canada, Big Sand Lake Lodge is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Discover what else sets us apart !

It’s the fishing that makes a Canada trip so incredible.

Northern Pike Fishing BIG. That’s the best way to begin talking about the monsters lurking within Big Sand Lake and other nearby lakes.

Lake Trout Fishing Trophies live here. Big Sand Lake regularly yields many of the top Lake Trout caught in Manitoba each year. Master Angler size always possible.

Walleye Fishing There must be a million hungry Walleye in Big Sand Lake. You’ll catch a lot and enjoy a bellyful during an open fire shore lunch that caps off your Canada fishing experience.

Arctic Grayling Fishing What a gorgeous fish. Although they’re not easy to find in other lakes, they’re abundant in the rivers and streams connected to Big Sand Lake.

Canada Grand Slam Fishing Few bodies of water allow you to catch all four spectacular species during a single trip to Northern Manitoba. It takes a world-class fishing destination and expert guidance.

Learn what lures and rod to bring on a Canadian fishing trip .

Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

Epic 4 Day Algonquin Portage Canoe Trip Itinerary

Last Updated January 11, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Itineraries » Epic 4 Day Algonquin Portage Canoe Trip Itinerary

If there’s a kind of trip that really builds camaraderie with friends and character look no further than going on a serious Algonquin portage canoe trip.

Being in Canada we’re graced with a lot of natural beauty and in Ontario specifically whenever anyone thinks about going up north to get away from the city, most will think of Algonquin National Park.  In the past I’ve been up to Algonquin but it’s always been car camping.  This is the cushy type of camping where you drive up to your designated camp spot, park your car and set up a tent and camping chairs around the camp fire.  It’s super easy because the comfort stations a lot of times are only minutes away which come fully equipped with hot water showers and bathrooms.  If you’ve never gone camping, i’d suggest doing the car camping to get a small taste.

Now I’ll put this out there.  I love car camping.  It’s super laid back and the days usually just consist of cooking and eating and maybe some lazy activities.  But I’ve always wanted to do something a little outback and more extreme so when Hilton said he was interested in doing a canoe trip this year, I jumped all over the idea.

Read more about Ontario

• Ultimate camping packing list
• Pinery Provincial Park review
• All the yurts in Ontario
• How to find the perfect cottage in Muskoka

How to get the best deals in travel

• Hottest deals  – Bookmark the  travel deals page .
• Car rentals  – stop getting ripped off and  learn about car rental coupon codes .
• Hotels  – Use  corporate codes  or get  Genius 2 tier  with Booking.
• Flights  – Have you ever heard of the  “Everywhere” feature ?
• Insurance  – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about  where to buy the best travel insurance

Table of contents

The preparation, algonquin portaging trip retrospective, how does an algonquin portage canoe trip look like.

We decided on The Big Trout loop which is considered to be intermediate in difficulty. The Algonquin portage canoe trip was a total of 4 days and 3 nights.

We basically started at Canoe Lake, moved up to McIntosh Lake for night 1.  From there we paddled and portaged all the way out to Big Trout Lake for night 2.  For night 3 we made our way down to Burnt Island Lake.  On day 4 we completed the circle and ended up back at Canoe Lake.

In retrospect, the direction we chose for this route was the most optimal because of the water flow of some of the small creeks we had to go through which you’ll read more about below.

At first, we were looking at two times of the year we could do it – May or late August. The main reason for these months is that we wanted to work around black fly and mosquito season.  

In the end we landed on May just because was the best for everyone’s schedule, there wouldn’t be any mosquitoes or black flies, and it also wasn’t too hot.

Here are the major things that I packed for this Algonquin portage trip:

• Sleeping bag  – Ultra compact and incredibly cheap.
• Compact pillow  – Wow I don’t know how I survived all these years camping without a proper compact pillow.
• Waterproof hiking boots – For this trip, I used the Asolo Goretex hiking boots.
• Ice fishing gloves  – AMAZING especially when it was raining.  Keeps you fully warm and dry.
• GSI Minimalist set  – Awesome all-in-one kit.
• Portable butane stove – This thing is so tiny that it fits in the GSI kit above.
• 15L dry bag
• 35L dry backpack
• Waterproof pants – Columbia makes a waterproof and breathable pant that I highly recommend.
• Sleeping bag liner – A gift from my friends and so essential to keep your sleeping bag clean.
• Geigerrig backpack – Combining this with the in-line filter , I didn’t need to worry about drinking from lake water at all!

Other than that, the preparation was pretty minimal on my end as I left most of the larger gear for my friend, Hilton, who had a lot of the communal camping things such as the tent, food, and snacks.

Speaking of snacks, you’ll want to buy a lot of trail mix and the best place to do it is at a place like Bulk Barn. You can build your own trail mix by getting an assortment of nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit, and then mixing it all together yourself.

As for other preparation, we had one group meeting the week of to double check our gear and for us to talk about tips on packing the backpack and waterproofing everything with contractor bags which are basically really thick garbage bags.

As a last minute addition, the photographer inside of me just couldn’t stand not having a camera and since I had just picked up a diving housing for my new Olympus E-PM1 I thought I might as well take it out for a spin.  I also brought along my GoPro Hero2.

The Algonquin Portage Trip Itinerary

Everyday was a different adventure for us and you can say the weather was just as different for us as well.

This was perhaps the most challenging day of all.  

I survived day one literally on only 4 hours of sleep.   On top of that I had to wake up at 4:30AM to pick up Andrew and Henry before heading up to Hilton’s house.  Luckily on the way we stopped by Tim Hortons to pick up some food and coffee.  

Once at Hilton’s we rearranged a few packs and head out packed in his car.  Our original plan was to head out by 5:45AM but it probably wasn’t until 6:15 or 6:30AM when we actually left Richmond Hill.  

Oh yeah and Andrew’s fishing rod snapped in half when we packed it in…more on this later.

The ride up to Algonquin Provincial Park is roughly 3 hours and we made pretty good time.  

When we hit Huntsville, we made use of our last chance at civilized bathroom facilities and picked up some additional food.  Sad that his fishing rod broke, Andrew bought this awesome collapsable one at the Walmart but when he was playing around with it by the car, he wasn’t able to collapse it again.  He ended up returning it and then buying another normal one.  I won’t say much more about the fishing rod on this trip but let’s just say it was dead weight the whole time and caught us no fish.

Once in the park, we stopped by the main info centre but turns out we didn’t need to go there since we could pick up our permits all at the outfitter centre at the entrance to Canoe Lake .  

At the outfitter, all was smooth as we picked up the permits, our rental gear (2 canoes, 2 bail kits, life jackets, paddles, food barrel) and started loading everything.

Now the reason I say the first day was the most challenging was because after the first portage, the second portage was a killer 2.2km.  

I thought I’d be able to handle doing my first Algonquin portage with a canoe over me + my backpack + Geigerrig + 15L dry bag + life jacket.  I even started off wearing my Patagonia shell.  

The first 500m seemed okay but there was a point when I was sweating like crazy and the canoe was digging into my shoulders big time.  I took off my jacket, took a break and kept going.  I made a total of 3 breaks along the way but wow did that kill my shoulders or what.  There was no padding on the shoulder from the life jacket so that was pretty useless.  

The whole time I was thinking…”this must be how you can make sure you stay short”.  Portaging with a canoe and bag is like the literal sense of “weight on your shoulders” and you feel like you’re being pushed down to be shorter and shorter.  

What kills you along this path is how long it is for one and two just how up and down it is.  There’s deep mud along the way, up hill climbs and then down hill drops.  It’s never a straight line nor can you see the end.  With no markers, you have no idea whether you’ve just done only another 100m or if you’ve actually completed a quarter of the length.  

When I reached the end, I felt like a million bucks.  

I would’ve gone back to help the other guys who were doing some leap frogging but I was so tired and I developed a blister on my right ankle which became quite the annoyance throughout the trip.  There was something about my Asolo’s that the back heel/ankle part was unpadded and kept chafing against me.

The rest of the way seemed to be a piece of cake after that.  I took a bunch of photos with my camera, and attempted to use my GoPro as well.  

There were a few tragic stories with my GoPro though.  

One, this being my first time using it, I thought it was automatically turning on to video mode so every time I thought I was taking a video, it was actually taking a photo.  Back at home, I was awarded with a bunch of shots of my fingers when I pulled the images from my card.  

The other tragic story behind the GoPro was that I was using my suction cup mount for some shots I didn’t really have something to tie it to the boat.  I created a makeshift strap with my dry sack.  It worked for awhile and even caught it falling off one time but the second time it happened I wasn’t so lucky.  The suction cup mount flew right off the canoe and the strap didn’t catch it.  The only good news out of that was that moments before I had just taken off the GoPro itself so really I only lost the suction mount and the 3-way pivot arm.

The scenery along the way was of course spectacular and the weather was just great as the sun was out in full force and not a black fly or mosquito was in sight.  What was a bit odd I thought was that a lot of trees still had fall colours on them.

It was always a relief to hit the water again as I really don’t know if there’s any joy in actual portaging other than feeling relieved when it was over.  Canoeing was calming and slow paced in such a vast landscape.

When we reached McIntosh Lake , it was close to 6:30PM.  

It was a perfect camp site situated on an island so we had it all to ourselves.  Hilton and I set up the tent while Henry and Andrew worked on the cooking and fire.  For our first night, steaks were on the menu which were chewy as hell but still darn delicious.  Fire was pretty easy to get going and so we did s’mores and hot chocolate to cap off the night.

Others things to note… I washed my clothes and hung them to dry on our line and Andrew seemed to enjoy using our blunt axe to cut up some wood.

We woke up on Day 2 to the joy of rain droplets.  The good thing was that we were relatively sheltered with the trees that surrounded us and I was able to grab my clothes on the line before it really started coming down.

Breakfast included oatmeal + banana + bagel with peanut butter.

Oh and I also got to use a “biffy” for the first time.  I thought taking a #2 out in the wilderness would’ve been a pain but it was actually quite comfortable.  These boxes are complete with it’s own toilet seat and when you open it up it doesn’t particularly smell.  You just do your business and you go.

Decked out in all of our waterproof gear we hit the lake at around 9AM and started making towards Big Trout Lake .  

The big challenge for today were the two beaver dams we had to get over.  Luckily we were travelling in the direction of the water flow and always going downstream.  So we would try to build as much speed to the opening of the dam, get stuck, one of us would have to get out to push us off (thank goodness for Goretex boots) and then jump right back in.  

I was pretty nervous about this as canoe flipping is always on your mind but we conquered both roadblocks.  The portaging was pretty light on this day with nothing really over 500m.  Honestly, anything under 2.2K at this point seemed easy.

The great thing was that towards the end of the day, the sun broke out and we got some fantastic weather to guide us to our campsite.

You’ll notice I also took less photos on this day because near the end of day, the battery warning light was already flashing.  Day 3 and beyond I was only able to snap 2-3 photos a day.

We reached Big Trout Lake by 4:30 so we got an awesome jump to the evening to set up and start cooking.  

This campsite was probably the best as we were again on an island.  It had two biffy’s that were in it’s own little outhouse which was awesome.  

The only problem we had was sustaining a good fire.  I was responsible for fire duties and I was pretty proud of being able to start it using flint alone but because all the wood was wet, nothing would ever really catch fire.  You just had to continuously feed it or else it would die.  Thank goodness we had a pack of fire starter sticks to help get things going.

For dinner we 4 packs of Sidekicks which were pretty awful.  They were way too salty and just not good.  Don’t ever get Sidekicks for your portaging trip.

I washed my clothes again but like my clothes after Day 1, they never really fully dry so I ended up having to just lay them on my packs in the canoe.

Day 3 was a portage heavy day as we moved from Big Trout Lake to Burnt Island Lake .  

We had a total of 6 portages to do and some in rapid succession.  By the 4th or 5th portage I was already pretty exhausted.

To start the day as well, we thought we had gotten lost trying to find out first portage spot because we could hear crazy rapids ahead of us so we doubled back to the entrance of the river but turns out we were right all along and all we needed to do was go a little deeper in.  That killed about 45 minutes of time.  As a result, we didn’t get to camp until 6:30PM.  

We didn’t have too many choices for camp sites for this part of the Algonquin portage trip since it was getting late and we were stuck with one that had an uphill incline and since it was near a swamp, there were black flies galore.

The campfire layout wasn’t that great as we didn’t have too much bench area to work with to cook our food but we made do.  Black flies were all over us too so I had to cover up everything.  It was probably on this day that I got all my bites.  I totally imagined “black flies” to be your usual house fly but these guys are pretty tiny and once they latch onto your skin, even blowing at them won’t get them off.  You literally have to flick them off.

The saving grace of the day was the awesome dinner we had.  Because this was our last night, I made sure we threw in everything into this dry-food pasta package we got.  We threw in the spam, sausage and zucchini.  This package is made by Harvest Foodworks and the flavour we got was Alfredo Primavera (available at MEC) and seriously the best dinner we had aside from the steaks.  Delicious!!

Fire of course wasn’t very sustainable as everything was still wet, but we managed to get something big going for a little while to be able to do our s’mores which became our nightly ritual.

The other annoying thing about this campsite was, as I said, situated on an uphill.  With no real other space to use, that meant our tent was also on an uphill angle.  Sleeping was so awkward as in the middle of the night I woke up to find the other guys almost halfway down from where they first started.  I also had to constantly climb back up.

By 8 or 9PM, we could see a lot of dark clouds rolling in and thunder crackling in the distance.  We made sure we put everything away as we were for sure in for a wild one.  Sure enough in the middle of the night the sky unloaded on us cats and dogs.  Luckily our tent held up pretty well and nothing got wet.

Oh the joys of rain while on an Algonquin portage trip.

We woke up in the morning and it was foggy everywhere you looked.  At least it wasn’t raining right?  We did our usual breakfast and even tried to kill one of our butane canisters by toasting our bagels but even that wasn’t enough to finish one.  We probably only needed 2 butane canisters at most for this trip.

We hit the lake and we slowly made our way back home.  This leg wasn’t too strenuous as we had to do a couple of portages that at most was 800 metres long.  We were even able to cut out a few portages along the way as we bumped into this other group that said the water levels were high enough to paddle it straight back home.

The fog had lifted but by about 12PM we could see that the dark clouds were rolling again and we could hear some rumbling in the air.  

We decided to forego lunch and just paddle it hard back home to Canoe Lake .  

With a good 5 kilometres left to go, just like the previous night, it started raining huge bulbs of water on us that kept getting harder and harder.  At this point there was nowhere to go and we were committed to gun it straight back.  We usually paddled pretty lackadaisically but this day was like we had a gun pointed at our heads.  

I never had to paddle this hard in my life and for this long of a stretch.  

The good thing out of all of this was that my Patagonia jacket held up incredibly well though my Goretex pants didn’t that well but still kept me warm and dry in certain places.  The ice fishing neoprene gloves also did fantastically well.

In record time, we made it back to our starting point before 3PM.

What a way to end right?

On the way home we enjoyed a nice burger at Webers and after dropping off the guys at home, I made it home for dinner no later than 6:30PM.

Now I can’t say that I felt particularly relaxed during the trip so that’s where car camping wins but I had a fantastic experience doing something that was truly “roughing it”.  When you’re on a canoe trip like this, you really have a chance to really bond with nature and live free of technology (minus my cameras).  The daily cycle of breakfast -> paddling -> portaging -> finding next camp site -> setting up camp -> dinner -> sleep is almost therapeutic.  

The simplicity of it all takes you away from all the annoying distractions of life in our real world.  

It’s also true that a trip like this builds character.  It’s not easy most times and so you really have to dig deep to push through.

Gear-wise, I felt that I was pretty well equipped to handle the trip.  

For the camera gear I brought, I probably could’ve brought a few backup batteries but I guess it was good that it forced me to be more selective with my shooting.  

The waterproof backpack was pretty key for me as it allowed me to travel a lot lighter.  

I also didn’t bring a lot of backup clothes as some of the others did.  Instead, I relied on hand washing which worked to a certain degree but ended up having to dry them during the day by laying them on top of our packs in the canoe.  I seriously think 2 pairs of underwear, socks and 2 sets of shirts should be good enough.  I brought backup shorts but I ended up wearing my Goretex pants the whole time which held up surprisingly well.  

With the on-set of black fly season, getting one of those fly net things for your head might’ve been a good idea.

I thought the most important piece of gear for me was definitely the hiking boots.  You’re constantly faced with muddy conditions and the chance of having to step into ankle high water to push your canoe away from shore or out of sticky situations.  

Lastly I thought my set up of a 35L waterproof backpack + 15L dry sack was great because I never needed to touch anything in my backpack while on the canoe but everything else that I needed to be accessible I could get to with my 15L dry bag.  Super convenient.

Where I did feel bulky was with my Geigerrig, as I typically had to wear it on my front to be able to carry everything.  If I could re-do it I’d probably try to figure out to consolidate this a bit better with the 15L dry bag.  

For our collective gear, we pretty much had what we needed to survive but it definitely would’ve been nicer if we had 2 more additional water buckets for miscellaneous use as it seemed like we were always waiting for someone to finish using the bucket whether it be to wash the dishes, wash clothes, showers, brushing teeth, water for boiling, etc.  

Another thing we ran out of pretty quickly were the spices and salt.  Hilton bought this GSI kitchen set that came with some sort of condiment “rocket” but  it was so tiny and ran out after the first day.  

Oh and yes we probably didn’t need to have that much trail mix though I guess I can’t complain because I killed my bag pretty quickly.

What you should read next

• Extreme Doesn’t Even Begin To Describe Ice Canoeing
• Whitewater Paddling At Madawaska
• Winter Adventures In Muskoka
• How to Hand Wash Your Clothes When Travelling
• Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” Search Feature To Find Cheapest Flights

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

Find us on social media

Win a Free Northern Ontario Gift Cooler

Share your thoughts on travel and enter to win a Northern Ontario gift cooler valued at over $2000!

• About Northern Ontario
• Canadian Canoe Culture
• Explore Indigenous Culture
• Group of Seven
• How to Fish
• Plan A Road Trip
• Plan Your Fall Trip
• Plan Your Summer Trip
• Plan Your Winter Trip
• Where to Eat

Algoma Country

Northeastern ontario.

• Sault Ste. Marie
• Sunset Country
• Superior Country
• Thunder Bay
• Motorcycle Touring
• Outdoor Adventures
• Snowmobiling

10 Easy Canoe Trips in Ontario

A canoe camping trip is the ultimate escape for a weekend or short getaway. Find solitude and discover the wonders of nature. It’s important to realize backcountry paddling (travelling by canoe and paddling to your campsite) is different from car camping. It requires specialized skills, preparation, respect and knowledge.

If you are a first-timer, we recommend you take a guided trip to gain valuable experience. Safety is the utmost priority in the wilderness.

With the help of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll develop paddling, map-reading, weather-watching, portaging and backcountry camping skills. Plus you’ll enjoy hassle-free planning. Ultralight canoeing and camping equipment is supplied, plus delicious backcountry meals. Just book and go.

If you have acquired basic canoing and camping skills and want to explore on your own, check out the list of Ontario Parks below that offer beginner backcountry canoe camping routes. Local outfitters can get you geared up and help you plan your trip.

Easy 2-, 3- or 4-Day Beginner Guided Canoe Camping Trips—No Experience Required

Try one of these trips. It’ll be a great way to get your feet wet and learn how to safely enjoy a canoe trip.

Grand River

Located in southern Ontario, within a one-hour drive from GTA, the 290-km Grand River and its major tributaries are the perfect waters for a beginner-friendly weekend canoe trip. Designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1994, the Grand meanders past towns and winds its way through wetlands and rare Carolinian forests. See lots of birds and wildlife.

Paris to Brant Park Route (Very Easy)

Grand River Rafting offers the perfect introductory canoe trip . Start with a one-hour lesson, then set out on a scenic, leisurely 13-km paddle from the quaint town of Paris into a pristine wilderness. Highlights of this two- to four-hour trip include perfect swimming areas, natural spring water and picnic stops.

All canoeing equipment is provided. Add a river guide to learn more about the valley. Campsites are available at the end point. A variety of routes are available for more paddling adventures.

The Grand Canoe Camping Experience (Easy)

This fully outfitted two-day, two-night guided canoe camping trip with Grand Experiences makes it easy for you and your family to experience a safe and unforgettable adventure. Develop your canoeing and camping skills in the heart of southern Ontario’s largest nature region.

Trip includes a Paddle Canada-certified interpretive guide, all canoe and camping equipment, and shuttle rides. Check out their two-day Big Creek Eco-Adventure for more fun.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Known as one of the most beautiful and historic parks in Canada, Algonquin is a popular destination for canoeing, wildlife-viewing, hiking and outdoor adventures. Located an easy drive from Toronto and Ottawa, the park is a perfect choice for a beginner overnight canoe trip.

Classic 3-Day Algonquin Park Guided Canoe Trip (Easy Wilderness)

Voyageur Quest has created a perfect three-day beginner canoe trip for those who want a safe, easy and authentic wilderness experience in Algonquin Park. Your guide will help you develop your backcountry skills as you paddle and portage through beautiful lakes and rivers in Northwest Algonquin Park.

Sleep comfortably in top-quality tents. Feast on delicious meals cooked over a campfire. Trip includes all the canoe and camping equipment, park permits and meals. Available Monday to Wednesday or Friday to Sunday from June to September.

Guided Canoe Camping Trips Designed Just For You (Easy Wilderness)

Ideal for families or groups, a customized Algonquin Outfitters guided trip will teach you the basics of wilderness canoe tripping plus an extra level of comfort and safety to make your wilderness trip more enjoyable. Choose the Algonquin Outfitters guiding service that best suits your needs and budget.

• Greenhorn Service : If you need just a little help, this is a cost-effective option that will start your trip off right. A guide will go over the gear and lead you on a “mini-trip” to cover skills like camp setup, food storage, portaging and paddling.
• Guide for a Day : An experienced guide will travel with you on the first day of your canoe trip. Learn basic paddling strokes, portaging techniques, navigation, campsite selection and setup. Once you are safely on your first campsite with dinner cooking, the guide will depart, allowing you to finish the trip on your own.
• Custom-Designed Guided Trip: This guided trip allows the first-timer to comfortably experience a true backcountry wilderness trip that meets your expectations, experience, abilities and interests.

Customized Learning Canoe Trips For Adults, Youth and Families (Easy Wilderness)

Paddlefoot excels in organizing and guiding safe customized learning canoe trips for beginners to experts. They provide all the canoeing and camping gear and delicious meals. They will plan a route that suits your skill level and will teach you about the wonders of nature that you experience along the way.

French River

The French River , part of Ontario Parks, was designated a Canadian Heritage River in recognition of its natural and historical value. Paddle the route of Indigenous people, French Explorers, fur traders and voyageurs. Learn more at the award-winning French River Visitor Centre with its “Voices of the River” exhibit.

Beginner Canoe Trip for Families (Easy Wilderness Whitewater)

Black Feather offers exceptional wilderness holidays for families with lots of opportunity to learn and practice new whitewater canoeing skills on this fun, four-day canoe camping trip. Camp each evening at a new site, dine on exceptional meals and share stories about the day’s adventures. Enjoy swimming and exploring this beautiful natural setting.

Introductory Whitewater Canoe Trip (Easy Wilderness Whitewater)

With some fun and fairly easy rapids, there are lots of opportunities to learn and practice whitewater canoeing skills on this fun four-day canoe camping trip with Black Feather.

Starting at Wolseley Bay, you’ll paddle the most scenic section of the French River. There’s lots of time for photography, swimming, sharing laughs and enjoying gourmet campfire meals. A Women-Only Adventure is also available.

Killarney Provincial Park

Killarney ’s iconic landscape captivated artists including The Group of Seven. The La Cloche Mountains’ white quartzite ridges and over 50 clear, sapphire lakes surrounded by Jack pine hills is like no other place in the world.

3-Day Canoe/Hiking Trip (Easy/Moderate Wilderness)

Leave the city behind and join Overhang Adventures for a memorable three-day canoe/hiking trip . After a quick canoe lesson, you’ll start paddling on spectacular Bell Lake. Your expert guide will teach you backcountry camping skills before being wowed by millions of stars.

After a short paddle, you’ll hike to the top of Silver Peak to enjoy stunning views before returning to your campsite.

Madawaska River

The Madawaska River is celebrated as one of the best places in North America to learn whitewater paddling. Rapids range from a gentle class I to a splashy class III.

Weekend Whitewater Learning Vacation (Easy Whitewater)

Madawaska Kanu Centre offers an excellent introduction to the exciting world of whitewater paddling for adults and whole families. Learn the basic strokes and boat control on flatwater, then use your knowledge on easy current in the afternoon. By day two, you’ll be paddling up to class II rapids. A variety of camping and accommodations is available.

Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal is a 202-km-long scenic waterway running from Kingston to Ottawa. It is a National Historic Site of Canada, a Canadian Heritage River and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maintained by Parks Canada, it is one of the most scenic and historic waterways in North America.

Beveridges Locks Overnight Canoe Trip (Easy Heritage)

Get fully geared up with Perth Outfitters and launch from their docks on the Tay River. Paddle through the renowned Tay Marsh to the Beveridges locks. Go through the locks and explore the lower Rideau Lake. Camp overnight in a Parks Canada unique accommodation called oTENTik , a cross between a tent and a cabin. Paddle back the next day.

Ontario Parks Backcountry for Beginners—Some Experience Required

If you have learned the basic skills for wilderness canoe tripping and now want to explore on your own for a weekend getaway or longer trip, these Ontario Parks offer incredible beginner-level backcountry paddling experiences. Learn about safety and etiquette .

Northwest Ontario

Neys – Located on the shore of Lake Superior, enjoy an incredible sand beach.

Fushimi Lake – Offers exceptional fishing and wildlife viewing.

Wakami Lake – Paddle through boreal forest with old-growth white pine.

Esker Lakes – Explore dozens of kettle lakes, formed when glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago. Enjoy great bird-watching.

Halfway Lake – See bald eagles and great blue herons on the Two Narrows Canoe Route.

Killarney – Paddle this iconic park, known for its beautiful quartzite mountains and sapphire lakes.

Mississagi – Paddle and portage through a rugged landscape of ancient hills and sparkling waters.

Restoule – Explore the pristine waters at the base of a 100-metre-high bluff.

Explorers’ Edge

Algonquin Park – Paddle the painted landscape, made famous by Tom Thomson.

Grundy Lake – A short five- to 20-minute paddle will get you to your backcountry campsite.

The Massasauga – offers 135 backcountry campsites accessible by water only.

Southeastern Ontario

Charleston Lake Provincial Park - With 10 interior campsites, it’s a perfect place to develop your backcountry canoe camping skills.

Ontario’s Highlands

Bon Echo – See one of Canada’s largest visible collections of Aboriginal Pictographs.

Murphys Point – Paddle five to 45 minutes to access a backcountry campsite on Big Rideau Lake.

Kawarthas Northumberland

Kawartha Highlands – Explore the largest park south of Algonquin. Enjoy solitude, tranquility, wilderness and dark night skies.

If you are new to canoe tripping or just looking for a quick, hassle-free weekend adventure, it’s easy to explore Ontario’s beautiful landscapes with a two- or three-day guided canoe trip. Just pick your trip, book and go paddling.

Find Great Paddling Adventures

Showing 'edited body' is no longer supported..

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Ontario’s blue-water lakes, easy river tripping, paddling laws, it's time for a paddle, best family canoe trips, killarney canoe trips, 10 best all-inclusive canoe trips, philip edward island camping guide, learn or improve your paddling skills, ontario’s moose hotspots, ultimate paddling day trips, songs about canoeing, best canoe maps in ontario, find wilderness south of algonquin, temagami canoe trip routes, 9 best day trips by canoe and kayak, the spanish river, paddling in lady evelyn smoothwater, missinaibi river canoe trip, mattawa river canoe trip guide.

• Request a Map
• Search for Lodges & Resorts
• Lodges & Resorts Profiles
• Testimonials
• Travel Articles
• List of Fishing Lakes
• Search for Businesses & Attractions
• List of Businesses & Attractions
• Northwest Ontario Festivals
• Realtors & Banks
• Fishing Articles
• Fishing Regulations
• Fishermen's Checklist
• Hunting Articles
• Hunting Regulations
• Firearm Regulations
• Trip Planning Guide
• Driving Directions
• Air Connections
• Crossing the Border
• Local Weather
• Guide Services
• All Articles
• Wildlife Recipes
• Photo Gallery
• About Canada's Heartland
• Member Services

Canada Wilderness Canoe Trip

View More Articles

History of Canada Wilderness Canoe Trips

!Canoeing has been a large part of Canadaʼs history. The original Canada canoes were first used by Canadaʼs First Nationʼs people for transportation, hunting and war through Canadaʼs wilderness. Waterways across Canada served as wilderness highways. Europeans also used canoes once they came to Canada, and used canoes and the waterways as their main means of transportation during the fur trade. The Canada canoe was perfected by Canadaʼs First Nations. They constructed birch bark canoes that were light, durable and streamlined for navigating the many waterways in the area. Some of Canadaʼs wilderness canoes were also made of hollowed out trees. Birchbark canoes weigh less than 300 lb, however they can double their weight when wet. They are capable of carrying many times their weight in luggage. Canada birchbarkcanoes were fairly fragile and were easy to tear if they were hit against a rock. There were two canoes commonly used to make a wilderness trip. The “canot du maitre” or Montreal Canoe was rather large. It carried a crew of 12 paddlers and got up to 12 meters long. The smaller canoe was the ”canot du nord”. It was about 7 meters long, however it was still light enough that it could be carried by the crew. The usual speed for Canada voyageurs was about 40 strokes a minute which allowed the canoes to go about 5 miles per hour.

Types of Canada Canoes

Wood canoes are still available, even in todayʼs market. They are the most aesthetically appealing of all. However wooden canoes can be quite pricey and fragile. They are also not very light. Wooden canoes are good for short trips to the cabin on a peaceful wilderness lake where you can avoid rocks and not have to carry it everywhere.

A wood and canvas canoe can be quite quiet in the water. They stay cool in the hot sun and they are still very high in demand. Although pricey, they are very deep rooted in history and are quite aesthetically pleasing. Wood and canvas canoes are great also great for a trip to the cabin in the wilderness. They are ideal for fishing or wildlife spotting because of their ability to be so quiet.

Kevlar canoes are woven from a fiver developed by the Dupont company as a tire cord. Kevlar 95 provides strength without weight, making them ideal for a portaging and canoeing trip to the wilderness.

Royalex Canoes are nearly indestructible. They are very flexible. However, portaging would not be fun as they are fairly heavy on land and slow in water. On the plus side, they are durable which makes them ideal for a wilderness whitewater canoe trip.

Types of Kayaks

Recreational kayaks can accommodate from one to three paddlers. Single (1), tandem (2) tri-yak (3).Kayaks are a wider width for stability. They are usually less than 12 feet in length making them slower but lighter to lift. They have limited cargo capacity. Usually made of rotomolded plastics that keep their cost around $300-$800. These kayaks are great for wilderness fishing trips.

Tandem kayaks accommodate two paddlers. They can be manufactured in a variety of materials. They usually either have one very large cockpit or two separate cockpits. Tandem kayaks, as well as tri-yaks, require team work to synchronize paddling and maneuver. They are also very useful for moving gear or luggage during a trip as they have the extra space needed for storage.

Sit-on-top-kayaks are kayaks that work just like their name – you sit on top! They do not have a cavity to sit in, but rather and seat on top of a closed in kayak. They are ideal for youth sized paddlers or beginners. They are very easy to flip over if you tip them because they are filled with air and do not fill with water. They are also easy to keep upright because they have a wider beam which adds stability. They are not recommended for long trips as their is little to no room for storage of equipment. They are only sold in solo or tandem.

Inflatable kayaks are highly engineered, lightweight, durable and easy to use providing a great kayaking experience during a trip. A simple foot pump is used to fill them with air. Because they are filled with air, they are the most buoyant and lightweight of all kayaks. They come in solo or tandem style. Theyʼre lightweight and ability to be compacted makes them very easy to travel with. These would work well on a trip if you are willing to deflate and reflate it as you portage.

Folding kayaks have a collapsible frame which makes for easy storage and trips. They are as sturdy as a hard shell kayak and very versatile with ample storage for trips. Folding kayaks are easy to assemble. They generally are sold in solo or tandem styles.

Choosing a Paddle

Choosing a paddle is just as important as choosing a canoe or kayak; you simply canʼt go on a trip without one. A good paddle can make all the difference on your Canada wilderness canoe trip. A good paddle is not to heavy, and not to light. It is not too long, or too short. A good paddle is a magic wand that guides you through the water with

ease and comfort. There are three main parts to a paddle: the grip, shaft and blade. Choosing a material should be based on your taste and how much money you are willing to spend. There are good and bad paddles of every material. A good paddle is light, strong, comfortable and within your price range. It is unlikely that you will find a paddle that fits all of these characteristics, so you need to decided what you value more.

If you want a light weight, high strength paddle your going to have to pay a bit more, defiantly over $100.00. If you can settle for a slightly heavier paddler you will find less expensive choices. When choosing a paddle, consider the conditions you will be paddling in. Wooden paddles retain hand warmth. Fiberglass paddles are virtually maintenance free as well as lightweight ad durable. Carbon fiber paddles are the lightest by far but cost a little more. Aluminum and plastic paddles are durable and cheap but much heavier.

Your hand size also may help you choose your paddler. Small hands may tire and get sore holding onto a thick paddle all day. Holding your paddle should feel comfortable and natural. Paddles also come in many different sizes. Paddle blades vary greatly in size and shape. Large symmetrical blades power through water quickly but each stroke requires a lot of energy. Asymmetrical blades paddle the most efficiently. They allow a more horizontal stroke which uses less energy. These paddlers are ideal for long trips. Blades can be either flat, cupped or dihedral. Cupped blades are curved like the head of a spoon, which helps the blade remain stable as you paddle. Dihedral blades help water flow smoothly and evenly over the paddle to prevent fluttering or twisting.The most important dimension is the paddle shaft. Solo paddlers in wider canoes may want longer paddlers than a canoeist in a slim canoe or kayak.

Canada Canoe Routes/Path of The Paddle

Ontario has many canoe and kayak routes which are spread out among many Canada lakes and rivers. A Canada canoe wilderness trip is the ultimate adventure. Path of the Paddle is an organization based around the sport of canoeing and kayaking. In the upcoming years, they intend to make a new wilderness trail system called the TransCanada Trail that will be able to connect a 900 km water based trail from Shoal Lake, Manitoba to Thunder Bay, Ontario. The entire route will flow through Thunder Bay, Atitkokan, Dryden, Ignace, Kenora as well as many other first nationʼs communities and provincial parks. When the trail is completed, it will be known as on of the longest water trails in the world. This trail will allow canoe and kayakers to discover all sorts of new and uncharted territory as well as travel paths used many years ago by fur traders and first nations people. Once the trail is completed it will span 22,500km and will connect the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Arctic Ocean, linking nearly 1,000 communities. The proposed completion of the trail is 2017.

Canoe Day Trip Vs. Long Trip

A day canoe trip can give you the fun experience of canoeing, without the hassle of portaging and camping. A wilderness day trip is great for beginners or people just wanting to get out on the lake and enjoy Canada wilderness. Many people also go canoeing in the rapids for a day. Although more dangerous, this is a very thrilling and amazing experience- for those canoeists and kayakers that want a challenge. It is a good idea to learn about the rapids you will be canoeing through ahead of time, to ensure you donʼt put yourself in danger. When going on a day trip is a good idea to wear appropriate clothing. A T-shirt and quick dry shorts are good, pack an extra sweatshirt and jacket incase you get chilled. Snacks are also a good idea and fresh water. If you are going for a fishing day trip, along with your rod and tackle you might also want to bring supplies for a classic Canadian wilderness canoe trip shore lunch. Many resorts, lodges and provincial parks in Canada offer canoes and kayaks that are available to rent for a short day trip on the lake.

What to Bring On a Canada Canoe Wilderness Trip

Trying to figure out what to bring when you are packing for a camping trip can be daunting. What will you need? What will you need to just leave home? To help you pack for your Canada wilderness canoe trip, we have put together a list of things to consider bringing.

• a canoe and paddles (1 extra)
• life jackets
• a tarp and rope
• large lightweight backpack
• a sleeping bag
• map and compass/GPS
• cooking gear (utensils, pots, plates, etc)
• a foldable saw
• waterproof matches and a lighter
• first aid kit
• sunscreen/bug spray

Tips for your Canada Canoe Wilderness Trip

It is a good idea to load and unload your canoe while itʼs still in water. While canoeing, keep all of your equipment safely secured to the canoe incase you experience waves or rocking. When deciding where to sit, it is a good idea to put the more experienced or stronger person in the back. The back has more control of direction and speed. While canoeing, stay low and steady. Do not stand up or move quickly as the canoe may tip. Canoeing close to shore is a good idea as it is easier to swim to land if you capsize, there are likely less waves and currents and if you capsize it may not be very deep making it easier to find any items gone overboard. Also the scenery by the water edge is much more interesting. Leave space around your feet incase you capsize. You donʼt want to be stuck upside down. If you are canoeing in a current and capsize, do not try to stand. You may get your foot stuck and drown. If the water is calm and you capsize, try and stay as close to the canoe as possible. If there is a current go upstream as a canoe full of water can get very heavy, and you do not want to get in its way. Always wear your lifejacket, and do not canoe under any influence.

Similar Articles

Vacation planning made easy.

Chip Lear, of Midwest Outdoors, give a good overview of everything there is to do and see in Canada’s heartland, the Patricia Region from the time he spent here on his trip.

The Last Resort (Part II)

“The Last Resort” is a book written by Irene Williams and outlines her life story as she travels from England to the great Canadian North. She recants the tales of coming to Canada and working at Wine Lake Camp – a primitive, remote tourist lodge in Northwestern Ontario. Her writing captures the many adventures and thrills she and her family experience over several decades at the camp and how she comes to love the lifestyle.

The Last Resort (Part I)

Snowmobiling.

One of the greatest joys of snowmobiling is the exhilaration experienced deep into the wilderness. Few places offer the quick and ready access to winter wilderness like the Patricia Region of Northwestern Ontario, does.

Patricia Vacationland…Don’t Forget us in the summer

Article that gives a brief overview of the geological history of the Patricia region. as well as a general description of the towns and activities you can currently find in the area.

Ontario Campgrounds

Camping in Ontario is a great way to spend time with your family during the summer, or just as a way to get away from it all and enjoy the beauty of Ontario’s nature. There are many campgrounds in Northwestern Ontario. Each camp will offer different experiences, and options. Knowing how you would like to spend your vacation will be beneficial when planning your trip! Northwestern Ontario offers campgrounds with spots for both RVs and tents. Campgrounds have many different activities that can provide fun for the whole family. Ontario campgrounds also offer different amenities to suite your needs. If you are looking for a more rugged experience, you can also try backwoods camping. When camping in Ontario, the possibilities are endless.

Northwest Ontario Eco Tourism & Activities

A Overview of Northwest Ontario’s Eco Tourism and Activities

Northwest Ontario Canoe Tour

A man describes, with photos, his first canoe trip through Northwestern Ontario. Great adventures can be had canoeing across the Canadian wilderness in Canada’s Heartland. The following is a documented account of one of these adventures. In the summer of 1998 Nicole Lyotier of Vancouver, B.C. and Olaf Stroeble of Germany took one week and paddled through Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, north-west of Red Lake in Canada’s Heartland. All photos have been taken by our two travellers. “

How to Avoid Attracting Bears While Camping

Camping is a large part of the Canadian experience. Camping is a great opportunity to get some fresh air, enjoy nature, and make lasting memories. However, with nature, comes wildlife. While wildlife is fantastic to view from a distance, precautions must be taken to insure you have a safe camping experience. Bears are fairly common in Northwestern Ontario. They are typically timid and keep to themselves. Most bears fear humans and will do their best to avoid them. However, food may lure bears to your campsite. The bears can do damage to your property, eat your food, and potentially be dangerous. There are steps that can be taken to assure your campsite stays bear free.

High Heels to Hip Waders

A PRTC staffer shares stories of her many outdoor adventures in her varied footwear collection.

Featuring WPMU Bloglist Widget by YD WordPress Developer

• Privacy Policy

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Canoe the Wild

Bonaventure River Canoe Trips

One of Eastern Canada’s finest rivers with lots and lots of lively and class I-II whitewater with no portages and only a few linings. There are several class III ledge drops that can be lined or paddled. The Bonaventure starts out as a swift moving mountain stream with many sharp turns growing in size as we descend through a valley of Black Spruce.

Scheduled for 2024

Video of in the Gorge, 2019 Bonaventure River Canoe Trip

The Bonaventure is a great choice for groups & individuals with good paddling skills. The views of the surrounding hills are spectacular. Trip is 7 days and we paddle 80 miles. Typically not a physically demanding trip unless the water is on the high side. Note: In the case of very high water, we offer paddling the lower Bonaventure then shift over and paddle the Cascapedia River.

• Day 1: We meet up in Houlton, Maine for the 6 hour drive to the town of Bonaventure, where we tent overnight in a local campground.
• Day 2: We meet our shuttle drivers for breakfast, then head into the headwaters of the Bonaventure in the Chic Choc Mountains. On this day, we only paddle a short distance and set up camp.
• Days 2-4: The Bonaventure starts out as a swift moving mountain stream with many sharp turns, growing in size as we descend through a valley of Black Spruce. The views of the surrounding hills are spectacular.
• Day 5: We are in the gorge with several ledge drops and numerous class II rapids.
• Days 6-7: The river is much wider, and we paddle over many beautiful salmon pools on our way to the Bay of Chaleur.
• Day 8: We take out mid-morning, grab a quick shower, hit the road, arriving back in the Houlton area early evening.

Outfitted and guided: We provide all meals while on the river, overnighting a campground in Bonaventure prior to the trip, transportation to the headwaters of the Bonaventure, all canoeing and camping equipment necessary to make your trip comfortable and safe, first aid kit, and for peace of mind, a Satellite phone and Garmin IN Reach satellite two-way communicator. For those who prefer to bring some of their own equipment, please be sure to indicate what you will be bringing on the trip application. For those that desire to bring their own canoe, please contact Dave to discuss.

Register For This Trip:   Online Trip Application

Photos of Past Trips

• Pictures o this trip, June 17-24, 2019 
• Pictures of this Trip, June 9-16, 2019
• Video of Trip #2 in 2018 
• Pictures of this June, 2018 trip
• Vance Gustin Blog Post, 2017
• Bonaventure Trip Pictures, 2017
• Bonaventure Trip on Facebook, June 2016
• Bonaventure Word Blog Pictures, June 2016
• Bonaventure-Cascapedia Trip #2 on Facebook, June 2016 
• Bonaventure-Cascapedia Trip #2 Blog Pictures, June 2016
• Student Bonaventure Canoe Trip
• Adult Bonaventure River Canoe Trip

• First Timers
• Maine Trips
• Canada Trips
• Custom Trips
• Moose Hunting
• Reservations

Connect Online

• Dave's Trees
• Testimonials

• Our Resort on Lac La Croix
• Resort Pricing
• Wilkins Bay Cottage
• Private Pine Island Tent Camp
• Fishing Guide Service
• Resort Packing List
• Fishing Gear to Bring
• Entering Canada
• Zup’s Canoe Outfitting
• Quetico Permits
• BWCAW Permits

Canoe Trip Routes

• What to Pack
• Boat Shuttle Service
• Why Zup’s?
• Photo Gallery
• News & Updates
• Sport Show Schedule

Canoe Trip Route A

Tow boat shuttle will drop you off at Bottle Portage.  A great “loop” About 35-40 miles total – super 5-7 day fishing trip. You’ll experience the beautiful Curtain Falls, and super small mouth bass fishing! Bottle Portage, Iron, Crooked, Roland, Argo and Darky (Darkwater) Lakes to Minn Lake and on to Lac La Croix and we’ll pick you up at Black Robe Portage.

Canoe Trip Route B

Tow boat shuttle will drop you off at McAree or Black Robe Portage.  Reverse of Canoe Trip A with pick -up at Bottle Portage.  A great “loop”. About 35-40 miles total – super 5-7 day fishing trip. You will enter the Park through  either McAree or Black Robe Portage. From Minn Lake through the Darky River to Darky Lake (Darkwater) and onto Argo. From Argo you can head into Crooked Lake or through the Roland Chain.  Majestic Curtain Falls will welcome you at the portage into Iron Lake. Your pick up will be at Bottle Portage.

Canoe Trip Route C

A more difficult river route and combination of lakes canoe trip. Great walleye lakes! Twin Falls, Maligne River, Tanner Lake, Maligne River and east to Poo Bah Lake or Wink Lake. Continue north on the Maligne River to Sturgeon Lake, ideal for basecamp exploring, return to Twin Falls for pick-up.

Canoe Trip Route D

Snake Falls (whitewater,) Three Mile Lake to Wolseley Lake, onto Wisa-Vie Lake, Thompson Lake to Lac La Croix and paddle back to lodge. For another variation of trip D try our van shuttle service to Wisa Lake landing then onto Woolsey, Bear Pelt Creek, Bear Pelt, Sturgeon, then down the Maligne River and be picked up at beautiful Twin Falls. This is a very quiet and untraveled route. For a longer version of this route we recommend heading north from Three Mile to the Quetico River, Beaverhouse, Quetico, Conk, Jean, Budside Lakes to Jean Creek, Rouge to Sturgeon Lake, then down the Maligne River for pick-up at Twin Falls. This longer route is a fabulous 10-12 day excursion with time for relaxing, sightseeing and plenty of world class fishing!

Canoe Trip Route E

BWCAW – Lac La Croix (Snow Bay), North South Lake, Steep lake, Eugene, to Fat, catch rainbow trout on this route. Beartrack to Gun Lake, to Lac La Croix. You can reverse this canoe trip route by starting at Gun Lake.

Canoe Trip Route F

With Tow Boat Service and a van shuttle you will arrive on Beaverhouse Lake and terminate at Twin Falls.  Beaverhouse, Quetico, Conk, Jean, Budside Lakes to Jean Creek, Rouge to Sturgeon Lake, then down the Maligne River for pick-up at Twin Falls. This longer route is a fabulous 10-12 day excursion with time for relaxing, sightseeing and fishing galore!

A great way to begin or end your canoe trip is with an overnight stay at the resort. Lack of knowledge and experience presents no problem, as we pass on to you our lifetime of knowledge and wisdom in the ways of the wilderness. Because of our “know how” and strategic location, we take you in and out of the wilderness without a struggle or mishap and on schedule!

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Outpost Trip Planning

What to bring.

The following are recommended checklists to provide you with guidelines in packing for your trip. Please pack your personal gear in canvas or nylon duffel bags and pack your groceries and beverages in sturdy boxes or coolers. Please do not use plastic or paper bags. Download this list as a PDF.

• Bacon, sausage
• Pancakes, French toast
• Hot & cold cereals
• Luncheon meats, cheese
• Chili, soups, crackers
• Bread, buns
• Steak, chicken, pork chops
• Hamburgers, hot dogs
• Spaghetti, macaroni
• Potatoes, rice
• Canned vegetables
• Corn, beans, onions
• Breakfast drink
• Coffee, tea
• Cocoa, dry milk
• Cooking oil
• Salt & pepper
• Fish breading
• Peanut butter, jelly
• Margarine, butter
• Ketchup, mustard
• Mayonnaise, salad dressing
• Kool-Aid, soda
• Desserts, Jell-O, applesauce
• Cookies, snacks, candy
• Beer, liquor
• Fishing tackle
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit
• Life jacket

Personal Care

• Scouring pads
• Dish soap, dish towels, dish cloth
• Garbage bags
• Paper towels
• Sleeping bag
• Toilet paper
• Bar soap, bath towels, face cloths
• Boots & runners
• Cotton & wool socks
• Light jacket or sweater
• Rain gear & windbreaker
• Sturdy trousers
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Additional change of clothes
• Long underwear (cool seasons)
• Gloves & rubber boots (cool seasons)
• Wool cap (cool seasons)

Cabin Amenities

All cabins have:.

• Solar powered light
• 1 or 2 refrigerators depending on cabin size
• Hot and cold running water
• Wood-burning heater
• Double sleeping bunks with mattresses
• Tables and chairs
• Cookware and dinnerware

Cabins are equipped with:

• Heavy-duty 14’-16’ Lund and Naden boats (provided on a two-person per boat basis)
• Yamaha motors — 6, 9.9 and 15 h.p.
• Minnow buckets
• Boats are equipped with cushions, boat seats, paddles and landing nets

Cabin Policies

• All outpost trips have a “no fish” fly-out policy
• Fish can be eaten while you are here, but try to maintain a balance of CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release)
• Each person is allowed 100 lb. of gear
• An extra flight can be arranged for overloads: $300 up to 500 lb. and $420 up to 1,000 lb.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

62-year-old alone on camping trip found dead in water near canoe, Minnesota cops say

A 62-year-old man on a solo camping trip in northern Minnesota has been found dead near a partially sunken canoe, officials told news outlets.

The man, later identified as Duluth resident Mark Ham , was discovered in the water by a group of outdoorsmen at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness before 5 p.m. Friday, May 10, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office told Northern News Now.

The BWCA encompasses more than 1 million acres of forest, rivers and lakes — and 1,200 miles of canoe routes, according to the U.S. Forest Service, adding that the area “offers freedom to those who wish to pursue an experience of expansive solitude, challenge and personal integration with nature.”

Ham’s family told authorities he set out to the BWCA alone for a solo canoeing excursion , KSTP reported. His body was found close to a capsized canoe, on Lake Agnes, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities say a life jacket was also found but Ham wasn’t wearing it, Fox News reported.

“With the opening of the Minnesota fishing season this weekend, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue Squad would like to remind everyone to please wear their life jackets while out on the water enjoying their favorite water recreations this summer,” the department said, the station reported.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area is roughly 100 miles north of Duluth.

18-year-old swimming with friends vanishes under water at Utah park, officials say

Man is fishing with woman when acquaintance approaches, beats him to death, IN cops say

‘Strong foul odor’ leads to discovery of three bodies in Texas apartment, cops say

Bizarre tornado witnessed in Oklahoma among ‘most impressive’ of its kind, experts say

Recommended Stories

Your favorite wnba rookies didn’t make the cut. so what’s their path back to the league.

For rookies who were waived, the climb to their pro dreams is steeper, but the path ahead is well-worn with trail markers of established success.

Dyson’s first dedicated hard floor cleaner doesn’t suck

The Wash G1 is the company’s debut hard-floor cleaner, and it swaps suction for high-speed rollers, water and nylon bristles. It’ll go on sale later this year for $700.

How risky is it to eat raw oysters? Here's how you can safely consume them, according to experts.

Raw oysters can harbor bacteria that can make you sick, but you can take steps to reduce that risk.

Olivia Munn and John Mulaney weren't 'done growing' their family when she was diagnosed with cancer — so they froze embryos. Here's how the process works amid treatment.

Munn and Mulaney were able to freeze two healthy embryos.

From Miles Grimshaw to Eva Ho, venture capitalists continue to play musical chairs

When Keith Rabois announced he was leaving Founders Fund to return to Khosla Ventures in January, it came as a shock to many in the venture capital ecosystem — and not just because Rabois is a big name in the industry. It was surprising because unlike in many other fields, venture capitalists don't traditionally move around very much — especially those who reach the partner or general partner level as Rabois had.

New Orioles owner David Rubenstein is making a splash at Camden Yards and beyond

The Baltimore billionaire is taking steps to become the most public, accessible, front-facing owner in Major League Baseball.

Suns hire Budenholzer, Nuggets take over & Knicks falling apart | Good Word with Goodwill

Vincent Goodwill is joined by Jake Fischer to recap the NBA Playoffs action from the weekend before talking with Krysten Peek about the 2024 NBA Draft.

White House proposes up to $120M to help fund Polar Semiconductor's chip facility expansion

The Biden administration announced Monday that Polar Semiconductor will receive up to $120 million in federal funds to expand its chip manufacturing facility in Minnesota. The funding stems from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which Biden signed into law in August 2022 to strengthen the U.S. supply of semiconductors. The expansion of Polar Semiconductor’s facility would enable the company to double its U.S. production capacity of sensor and power chips within two years, the U.S. Department of Commerce said in a press release.

This bestselling hair-strengthening oil has 62,000+ fans: 'Fuller than it has been in years'

It includes rosemary and mint, which users say not only bolsters strands, but leaves them soft and shiny.

Man who received 1st pig kidney transplant has died. Why experts say animal organs could still 'turn medicine on its ear.'

Despite the patient's death, experts say transplants like this could someday help solve the ongoing organ shortage.

Amazon workers become the first to unionize at one of the company's Canadian warehouses

Amazon workers at a Quebec facility have become the first to form a union at one of the company's Canadian warehouses.

Tesla rehires some Supercharger workers weeks Musk cut them

Tesla has begun hiring back some of the almost 500 members of its Supercharging team that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk dismissed late last month.

The Rogue Prince of Persia is delayed because Hades II is a juggernaut

The Rogue Prince of Persia was supposed to debut in early access on May 14, but Evil Empire and Ubisoft have delayed it to get out of the way of Hades II.

Subaru to lean on Toyota for three new EVs by 2026

Toyota will help Subaru with manufacturing of three new electric crossovers in the next two years.

Google I/O 2024: What to expect

Developer season has officially commenced, and we’re just one day away from Google I/O 2024. More like Google A/I. There’s been an element of artificial intelligence/machine learning in almost every Google announcement for the past several years, but this time, you’re going to be sick of the subject by the time CEO Sundar Pichai leaves the stage. “Discover how we're furthering our mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful,” Google says.

Ineos expansion plans include 2 more SUVs and maybe a U.S. factory

After the Fusilier launches, Ineos's expansion plans includes two more SUVs, one SUV larger than the Grenadier and one smaller, and maybe a U.S. factory

Tiger, Rory, Ryder Cup headline Valhalla’s tales of triumph and heartbreak

The last time Valhalla hosted the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy emerged victorious. To date, it's his last major victory.

Juan Soto: 'It's an honor' to be chosen as Topps Series 2 cover player

Juan Soto loves Yankees fans, especially how loud they can get during games.

Healthy growth helps B2B food e-commerce startup Pepper nab $30 million led by ICONIQ Growth

Pepper, the e-commerce platform for food distributors, continues to edge into Sysco and US Foods territory by giving smaller, independent distributors a technology leg up. The company developed an ordering system specifically for independent food distributors that supports catalogs of over 100,000 items, and enables these companies to launch mobile apps and websites so they can accept orders and payments online. Co-founder and CEO Bowie Cheung, who previously worked at Uber Eats, said the company now has 200 customers among a market of 25,000 food distributors.

Autoblog's Editors' Picks: Our complete list of the best new vehicles

Here are all the pickups, SUVs, sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, minivans, wagons, sports cars, convertibles and electric vehicles we recommend.

New 2024 Walleye Fishing Regs for Ontario Side of Lake of the Woods

The 2024 walleye opener in Minnesota is Saturday, May 11th.  The 2024 walleye opener in Ontario Zone 5 (Lake of the Woods) is the 3rd Saturday in May, or this year, May 18th.

New Walleye Size Limit Changes, Ontario Zone 5, Lake of the Woods

For non-Canadian anglers, the sport fishing license allows a daily catch and retain limit of 2 walleyes.  All walleyes between 43-70cm (16.9 inches – 27.6 inches) must be released.  Not more than 1 walleye greater than 70cm (27.6 inches).   The possession limit is 4 walleyes, none between 43-70cm, and not more than 1 greater than 70cm.

For non-Canadian anglers with a conservation fishing license , the daily catch and retain limit is 2 walleyes, none greater than 43cm (16.9 inches).  The possession limit is 2 fish, none greater than 43cm.

Boating from the U.S. into Canadian Waters

Boating from the U.S. into Canada and back into the U.S. has never been easier.  Basically, when you boat into Canada, as long as you don’t touch land, anchor, moor, or exchange good or services, you can boat into Canada from the U.S. without calling in to clear Canadian Customs.

The same is true upon your return journey to U.S. waters, there is no need to check in with U.S. Customs as long as you didn’t touch land, anchor, moor or exchange goods or services.  Easy!

Traveling via Ice from the U.S. into Canada

The same is then true on your return trip into the U.S., you must clear U.S. Customs.  Most NW Angle resorts now have an iPad in which you can clear customs if you are ice fishing out of the Angle.

The other option is using the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) ROAM App which is available on both Google Play and Apple Store .  This app allows a U.S. resident to clear U.S. Customs in remote areas, such as the NW Angle.

Other Things to Consider when Traveling via water from the U.S. into Canada

Sliding over the border from the U.S. into Canadian waters offers some great fishing opportunities.  There are additional rules to consider.  It is your responsibility to be dialed in with the rules and regulations.  Also know, for the sake of this article, we are discussing the walleye rule changes for the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods.

-If you are fishing, make sure everyone fishing has a non-Canadian Ontario fishing license.  Each province has their own fishing license.

-When looking at rules and regulations, the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods is Zone 5 in the Ontario Fishing Regulations

-No alcohol allowed

-There is a small part of Lake of the Woods in Manitoba as well called Buffalo Bay.  It is located adjacent to the NW corner of Big Traverse Bay.  A great piece of Lake of the Woods, but small in comparison to the U.S. portion, and even larger Ontario portion.  Different fishing regs apply as each province is different.  In Manitoba, one difference hooks have to be barbless.  There are others, read up on regs if fishing Buffalo Bay.

Many visitors to Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods will slide over and fish Ontario.  It provides a plethora of world class fishing opportunities.  There are differences in regs, licensing and general rules one must know, however.  For many, especially staying at a NW Angle resort, sliding into the abyss of 14,552 islands is just what the doctor ordered!

Info about the NW Angle

NW Angle Lodging

General info about Lake of the Woods

• State Hwy 11, Baudette, MN 56623
• 800-382-FISH (3474)
• info@lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Click here to see our Live Facebook feed .

Start typing and press Enter to search

Press Herald

Account Subscription: ACTIVE

Questions about your account? Our customer service team can be reached at [email protected] during business hours at (207) 791-6000 .

9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

You are able to gift 5 more articles this month.

Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more .

With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.

It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page .

Loading....

Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

______________

ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

______________ Advertisement

SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.

Enter your email and password to access comments.

Forgot Password?

Don't have a commenting profile? Create one.

Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login. Already have a commenting profile? Login .

Invalid username/password.

Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.

Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. You will receive an email to complete the registration. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate.

Already registered? Log in to join the discussion.

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why .

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

Send questions/comments to the editors.

Member Log In

Please enter your username and password below. Already a subscriber but don't have one? Click here .

Not a subscriber? Click here to see your options

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Yes, You Love Pasta. But Do You Know the Difference Between Anolini and Pansoti?

From the size of a bottle cap to “large like a fist,” seven classic stuffed-pasta shapes that go back generations — and how to make them.

By Rachel Roddy

T’s May 19 Travel issue is dedicated to pasta in Italy, diving deep into the culinary traditions, regional variations and complicated history of the country’s national symbol. Here, to complement Dawn Davis’s essay on Piedmont’s agnolotti del plin, is a list of seven other stuffed pastas — and where to find them.

Round or crescent shaped, filled with slow-cooked meat, Parmesan and bread crumbs

Provenance: Emilia-Romagna

While anolini are closely associated with Parma — where they’re mentioned in local court documents from the middle of the 17th century — they’re also typical in Piacenza, 40 miles northwest. Although the name is widely believed to derive from anello , which means “ring,” anolini can be half-moons, too. Whatever the shape, they’re defined by their filling of stracotto: beef braised in wine until surrounded by a gravy-like sauce called a fondo. At Osteria del Trentino, near the old armory in Piacenza, several hundred anolini are prepared every other day in the restaurant’s small kitchen. The minced stracotto is mixed with bread crumbs, Parmesan and some of the fondo, then enclosed in fresh egg pasta. Each anolino is the size of a bottle cap, with a similarly serrated edge, and is cooked in what’s called brodo di terza (“broth of thirds”), the name referencing the three types of meat — beef, veal and chicken — that are simmered in water to produce a golden, flavorful broth.

2. CAPPELLACCI

Hat shaped, filled with pumpkin and Parmesan

“Potbellies,” “donkey ears,” “pants,” “shoes,” “cockscombs,” “slaps” — English translations of filled pasta names are often entertaining but not entirely accurate. Translating gets even clumsier when suffixes are involved: “tortellini” (“little filled things”); “tortelloni” (“big filled things”); “cappelletti” (“little hats”). And then there is “cappellacci,” which is difficult to translate because “accio” is a pejorative suffix. “Ragazzo,” or “boy,” for example, becomes “ragazzaccio” (“bad boy”), while “cappello” (“hat”) is degraded to “cappellaccio” (“scruffy hat”), in line with the folk theory that the round, folded form of a cappellaccio is like a farmer’s straw hat.

In reality, cappellacci, with their filling of pumpkin, formaggio grana and nutmeg, have courtly origins, first mentioned in 1584 in a recipe book by a steward to the Duke of Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna. Five centuries later, cappellacci di zucca are a pillar of Ferraresi gastronomy, made at home or bought from fresh pasta shops and a fixture on every osteria menu. Of note are those made and served with butter and sage at Hostaria Savonarola in the middle of the city.

3. CJARSONS

Trouser shaped, with various fillings

Provenance: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Depending on where you are in the northeastern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, cjarsons are also known as cjalsons or cjalzòns. The word “cjarsons” shares etymology with the term “calzoni,” or “pants.” Angelo Negrini, who runs the restaurant Al Castello in the region’s village of Fagagna with his brother, Stefano, uses flour, potatoes and water to make dough, which he rolls thinly before cutting it into three-inch rounds. The filling depends on the season but always reflects the landscape and woodland beyond the kitchen door. In autumn, it might be prunes and pumpkin; in winter, fermented cheese; in spring, it’s invariably a mixture of cheese and wild herbs. Negrini puts a spoonful of filling at the center of each round before folding one half over the other and sealing the edges. To finish, he twists the corners away from the curve, giving them tapered ends.

4. CULURGIONES

Fig-like parcels filled with potato, two sorts of cheese and mint

Provenance: Sardinia

Homesick Sardinians will cross Rome to visit a shop called Pane e Vino Di Antonio Marchione. At first glance it seems like an ordinary, slightly spartan grocery store selling pasta, cereal and tubes of mayonnaise, with wine at the back. But then un-Roman things come into focus: the seven types of pebble-shaped fregula pasta, the stack of crackerlike pane carasau, the jars of bitter honey and bottles of myrtle liqueur. And then there’s the Sardinian owner taking orders for fresh-made culurgiones.

While all pasta shapes are edible sculptures, the description is particularly appropriate for Sardinian culurgiones. Especially culurgiones ogliastrini, from the province of Ogliastra on the island’s east coast, which are filled with potato, two kinds of cheese (pecorino and the soft, acidic casu axedu), mint and maybe garlic. They’re closed with a series of pleats and pinches that make the culurgiones look like plump figs with seams like wheat sheaves.

Traditionally made for feast days, culurgiones are surprisingly delicate and need only a few minutes in rapidly boiling water before they puff. Once plated, they’re topped with a spoonful of tomato sauce.

Belly shaped, filled with greens, Parmesan and ricotta

Provenance: Liguria

“Pansoti,” also written as “pansotti,” means “potbellied” in Ligurian dialect. Because they don’t contain meat, they were most likely made for Lent and are mentioned in a 1931 travel guide as hailing from a city called Rapallo, just east of Genoa. It appears that at some point they were forgotten, only to be introduced as new at a 1961 gastronomic festival held in a Ligurian fishing village called Nervi.

Pansoti are now a fixture on osteria menus in and around Genoa and on the Ligurian coast. Each is stuffed with ricotta, Parmesan and greens, including a blend of local herbs, both wild and cultivated. Traditional recipes call for a mix of foraged plants — notably borage, dandelion and poppy — called preboggion. (These days, spinach or chard are often added, as well.) At Il Genovese, an informal osteria in the center of Genoa, pansoti are typically served in walnut sauce, in which the nut is blended with bread, milk, garlic and Parmesan cheese for a pesto.

6. SCARPINOCC

Shoe shaped, filled with cheese, dry bread crumbs, garlic and spices

Provenance: Lombardy

In the filled-pasta galaxy, there are constellations of related shapes, often from the same region, sometimes with similar names. There’s one such cluster in the province of Bergamo, in northern Italy’s Lombardy region: Casonsei, bertù and scarpinocc all share a half-moon shape, but each has its own idiosyncratic trait.

In the case of scarpinocc, which is a form specific to a town called Parre in the Alpine Seriana Valley, that distinction is a deep indent on the flat side that makes the scarpinocc look like a canoe or squashed sweet, although it’s meant to recall the scarpa (or “shoe”) historically worn by the town’s inhabitants. The filling of cheese and bread crumbs also reflects an area in which sheep rearing was the main form of subsistence for centuries. These days, scarpinocc di parre are largely made in local pasta factories and sold at small grocers, including Alimentari Scainelli, which supplies pasta for the Scarpinocc Festival held every August.

7. TORTELLI MAREMMANI

Large squares filled with chard, ricotta, Parmesan and nutmeg

Provenance: Tuscany and Lazio

In Maremma, a region straddling Tuscany’s southwest and northern Lazio, tortelli are often filled with greens and ricotta — a pairing born of the rural poverty that persisted in the area until just a few decades ago.

The term “tortello” derives from the word “torta,” used since antiquity to describe both cakes and things (usually pies) enclosed by two crusts. According to the historian Massimo Montanari, during the late medieval period (1300-1500), when the arts of torta and pasta making were developing side by side, there was a kind of synthesis of the two skills. A cook familiar with pies might have applied the same principle to a sheet of lasagna, folding small pieces around a spoonful of filling, deciding to seal it and wondering what would happen if it was boiled.

Tortelli can come in all sizes, ranging from that of a small stamp to that of a postcard, but the tortelli maremmani at the family-run restaurant Gli Attortellati in the Tuscan town of Grosseto are “grandi come un pugno” (or “large like a fist”), as the owner says. Each one is a four-inch square, with an impressive dome of filling, its edges sealed with a fork. Once boiled, two tortelli per person are topped with a small mound of slowly cooked pork-and-veal ragù.

Explore T Magazine

Venice Biennale Highlights:  The art world’s most prestigious exhibition opened to some fanfare, some criticism and a number of protests. Here’s a look at some of the standouts from the 2024 edition .

A Guide to Antwerp:  Five locals — including three of Belgium’s most influential designers — shared their favorite stores, museums, restaurants and more .

Turning a Broadway Theater Into a Queer Club:  The set and costume designer Tom Scutt has conjured a surreal, New York-inspired version  of the fictional Kit Kat Club for the latest revival of the 1966 musical “Cabaret.”

A Party In Milan:  To toast the Salone del Mobile and the 20th anniversary of T Magazine , the designer Ramdane Touhami transformed the Villa Necchi Campiglio into an ode to the letter T.

The Beginners Issue:  From debuts to do-overs, here’s what it means to start an artistic life  — at any age.