French River — Pine Cove to HWY 69
The French is a Canadian classic for good reason: pink rock, wind-twisted pines and an exciting introduction to white water (or portaging). It’s also friendly to a wide range of paddlers.
Put-in / Take-out: Commonly put in at the Lodge at Pine Cove and take out at the French River Supply Post and Marina. Ideally leave a vehicle at the French River Supply post to get back to your other vehicles at Pine Cove.
Trip Length: 3-to-5 days.
Portages: Short carries around ledges and falls depending on water; expect well-used trails at and portages around all major rapids.
Camping Permits: French River Provincial Park backcountry permits are required; reserve or self-issue as directed at access points.
Difficulty: Easy to intermediate. Most rapids are runnable swifts at summer levels, but others require a quick portage if you don’t have whitewater experience.
Why Go: Classic shield scenery, easy logistics, plenty of campsites and route options. If you only have a long weekend, this is your Northern Ontario sampler.
Outfitters: Black Feather Wilderness Adventures have been running French River trips for decades.
The French is a Canadian classic for good reason: pink rock, wind-twisted pines and an exciting introduction to white water (or portaging). It’s also friendly to a wide range of paddlers.
Put-in / Take-out: Commonly put in at the Lodge at Pine Cove and take out at the French River Supply Post and Marina. Ideally leave a vehicle at the French River Supply post to get back to your other vehicles at Pine Cove.
Trip Length: 3-to-5 days.
Portages: Short carries around ledges and falls depending on water; expect well-used trails at and portages around all major rapids.
Camping Permits: French River Provincial Park backcountry permits are required; reserve or self-issue as directed at access points.
Difficulty: Easy to intermediate. Most rapids are runnable swifts at summer levels, but others require a quick portage if you don’t have whitewater experience.
Why Go: Classic shield scenery, easy logistics, plenty of campsites and route options. If you only have a long weekend, this is your Northern Ontario sampler.
Outfitters: Black Feather Wilderness Adventures have been running French River trips for decades.
Spanish River — Sinker Creek to Agnew Lake
The Spanish strings together lakes, swifts and honest rapids through deep, empty country. It’s a favorite for first “real” river trips and never feels overbuilt. Plus, you get to use a train as your shuttle vehicle. If you’re doing the West Branch, Sinker Creek is a great place to put in for a week-long adventure.
Put-in / Take-out: Sinker Creek to Agnew Lake. The best way to do this is to leave vehicles at the Agnew Lake Lodge then catch the train in Sudbury.
Trip Length: 4–7 days.
Portages: Frequent but reasonable carries around named drops; expect trails at key sets such as Cliff Rapids, Agnes Rapids and others depending on branch.
Camping Permits: Spanish River Provincial Park backcountry permits are required.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Continuous current, cold water and a handful of rapids that demand proper scouting. Levels rise quickly after rain and drop a lot in mid-summer. Best to check with local outfitters like Spanish River Outfitters.
Why Go: Although the train ride isn’t long, there’s something about being left in the wilderness alongside a train track that is quintessentially Canadian. Plus, the campsites are incredible and the river itself is “just spicy enough” without being a sufferfest.
Outfitters: Spanish River Outfitters.
Moose River — Moose River Crossing to Moosonee
Big skies, big water and a surprisingly approachable northern journey if you’re prepared for weather. This is a current-assisted glide to the edge of the salt.
Put-in / Take-out: Moose River Crossing (rail flag stop) to Moosonee/Moose Factory. Many paddlers use the train to reach the put-in and to return from Moosonee to Cochrane.
Trip Length: 2–4 days, ~95–120 km depending on start and meanders.
Portages: Generally none on this reach. The hazards are water level, wind, tide and sheer volume, not ledge drops.
Camping Permits: Predominantly Crown land. Check current requirements before departure.
Difficulty: Intermediate with caveats. Navigation, tides and weather matter more than technical whitewater. Strong wind can pin you onshore; a rising tide can reverse flow near the end. Plan camps with changing water levels in mind.
Why Go: Experience the feel of the true North without weeks away. It’s a different kind of challenge; this is true wilderness which makes it truly rewarding.
Outfitters: MHO Adventures run regular trips on the Moose.
Algonquin Park — Canoe Lake to Burnt Island Lake loop
Algonquin is one of the most historic, accessible and time-tested canoe regions in the country. For many paddlers, it’s the gateway to everything that comes after. The classic 3-to-4-day loop from Canoe Lake touches Tom Thomson country and gives a perfect mix of open water, sheltered creeks and short portages.
Put-in / Take-out: Put in and take out at the Canoe Lake access point (Hwy 60 corridor). There’s easy parking, permits and rentals available on-site through Algonquin Outfitters.
Trip length: 3–4 days.
Portages: Several carries under one km. Short, well-travelled and well-signed. Portages into Joe, Littledoe, Baby Joe and Burnt Island are maintained and wide.
Camping Permits: Algonquin requires advance reservations with specific lake-by-lake bookings. Provincial park interior camping fees apply. In some ways booking is the most difficult part of this trip; you’ll need to plan your entire trip from campsite to campsite. If you want to be there on summer weekends, you’ll need to book months ahead.
Difficulty: Novice to intermediate. Watch for big winds on Canoe, Joe and Burnt Island Lakes. They can be serious, but all routes are straightforward. Great for families, first-timers or shoulder-season trips.
Why Go: Algonquin delivers that Canadian Shield immersion with none of the logistical headaches. There are excellent portages, marked campsites and great outfitters in the area. It’s busy in summer, but still magic at dawn when the mist sits low and you realize why people have been paddling this exact route for more than a century.
Outfitters: Algonquin Outfitters, Algonquin Basecamp, Opeongo Outfitters, Algonquin Bound Outfitters.
Wabakimi Wilderness — Canada’s Quietest Canoe Kingdom
If you’re looking for true northern solitude, Wabakimi Provincial Park is the definition of it. Located northwest of Thunder Bay and accessible primarily by floatplane or train, Wabakimi is 13,000 square kilometers of pure, roadless boreal wilderness. It’s larger than Algonquin but with only a fraction of the visitors.
Classic route: Allanwater Bridge to Little Caribou Lake
This is the most iconic Wabakimi route. A remote, rail-to-rail journey through lakes, swifts and winding river systems. You start by boarding VIA Rail and getting dropped off at Allanwater Bridge, then paddle south through the Allanwater River chain and exit at Little Caribou Lake near Armstrong Station.
Put-in / Take-out: Allanwater Bridge (via VIA Rail flag stop), Armstrong Station
Trip Length: 7–10 days
Portages: Regular but short. Classic Canadian Shield terrain
Camping Permits: Ontario Parks interior permit required
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced. Remote, whitewater experience strongly recommended.
Why Go: Wildlife sightings are common: moose, bald eagles, woodland caribou. And you can realistically be here for a full week without seeing another paddler. This is true solitude, where self-sufficiency matters. Satellite communications, solid weather planning and whitewater judgment are essential.
Outfitters: Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters can provide everything you’ll need for a trip in this massive wilderness. They’ve mapped out tons of routes and between Bruce Hyer and his son Micheal, they’ll be able to get you all set up with shuttles, routes and everything in between.
Trip Logistics and Planning Tips
Maps & Navigation: Carry large-scale topo or adventure-series maps for all routes.
Water & Levels: Snowmelt and rain change everything. Spring brings pushy water and colder swims; late summer can mean exposed ledges and more lining. Check gauges if available and talk to local outfitters.
Bugs & Bears: Expect both. Pack head nets in June/July and follow standard food-storage practices everywhere.
Permits & Rules: Provincial park interior permits and Crown land regulations can change. Confirm current requirements, especially if any party members are non-residents.
Shuttles: The French and Algonquin are straightforward by road. The Moose involves the Polar Bear Express, the Spanish and Wabakimi require Via Rail journeys. It’s good practice to book trains and coordinate pickup windows well in advance.
Experience Level: Be candid about skills. It’s easier to portage a rough section than go for a swim and lose your gear.
Outfitters Are Your Friends: If you don’t know, call the local outfitters. Not only do they know the area, the water levels and the current condition of rivers and lakes, they’re also open to creating custom trips for paying customers. Or join one of their regular trips. There’s no better way to get to know a bunch of people than spending a few days on the river with them.
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