The name Samuel de Champlain may sound familiar to you, particularly If you’ve been to Quebec. He’s the same one who was labeled “The Father of the New France”.
So, what’s the connection to this park?
It turns out that the Mattawa River, which runs across the park, was a waterway used by many fur traders, including the one and only, Samuel de Champlain.
We had only a few hours to spend here as a road stop on our way from Callander to Ottawa, so we decided to do two short trails and visit one of the beaches.
The park is only a 2-hour drive from Algonquin Park so you can easily combine a trip to both parks.
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The Wabashkiki Trail
To find the trailhead go to the Bagwa picnic area, at the end of the parking lot.
You’ll enter a boardwalk that sits above wetlands (Anishinaabe people use the word wabashkiki for marsh) where you’ll see tons of wildlife. A fantastic place for birding.
The trail will ultimately take you into a forest.
The jewel of the crown is the breathtaking view of Moore Lake, which duplicates countless pine trees on its mirror-like waters.
Wabashikiki Trail is an easy walk through a 1.0 km loop.
The Kag Trail
This trail takes you through a red pine forest with tall trees that seem to touch the sky.
On the way up to the cliff, you’ll find all sorts of curious shapes and colours of lichens, moss, and wild mushrooms growing on the barks, like tiny houses for microscopical people. I love looking at them, what can I say.
Once I reached the top it was time to sit on the rocks and peek through the trees at the canoers and kayakers paddling away on the lake far below, resembling tiny toys on a miniature landscape.
The Kag Trail is a 2.5 km loop with moderate difficulty. It requires 1.25 hours.
Beaches
As long as you don’t expect a Caribbean-like experience, you’ll be fine taking a plunge in the cold waters of Moore Lake beaches near the campsites. I just quietly sat on the shore and enjoyed the mountain views while taking my hat off to those braver than me.
If you don’t want to feel like a penguin either, you can get in the water from the dry comfort of a canoe or a kayak.
Samuel de Champlain Park also has bicycle trails and stand-up paddleboards for rent.
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
6905 Highway 17, Mattawa; 1.705.744.2276; Daily Vehicle Permit: CAD$12.25 to CAD$21 (varies per season); Additional fees apply for special activities (camping, cross-country skiing, and others).
The North Bay area is a nearby popular destination for fans of winter activities: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiles, and the likes.
Hungry after exploring the outdoors? The food at Station Tap House + Steak Co., in North Bay, is nothing short of delicious and, despite the name, I found tasty vegetarian options, good desserts, and the best beer on tap.
Station Tap House + Steak Co.
603 McIntyre St. East, North Bay; 1.705.478.6999
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, with its beautiful tree-covered hills and lakes, is an excellent addition to your outdoor itinerary across Ontario. Share this with a friend who is planning a road trip around the province.
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