A Family's Canoe Trip On The Moose River

Canoe tripping in Northern Ontario delivers perfect moments—it’s just part of the experience. No matter the rain, the bugs, or the tough portages, there’s always that one moment that makes it all worth it. For us, it happened where the Kwetabohigan River meets the Moose River, four days into our backcountry canoe trip. We had just paddled through the Kwetabohigan rapids—something we’d spent three days dreading. But like many so-called challenges on wilderness paddling routes, it turned out to be a gentle swift we handled with ease.

And just beyond it, we discovered one of the most beautiful places on our journey: a gravel bar beach where the Kwetabohigan flowed peacefully into the Moose. Under warm, bug-free sunshine, we relaxed, shared stories, and felt our group truly come together. It was one of those unforgettable moments that define backcountry canoe trips in Canada. For paddlers looking to explore similar terrain in Algoma Country, outfitters like Forest the Canoe and Naturally Superior Adventures offer guided trips, gear rentals, and expert advice for navigating the wild rivers and remote lakes of Northern Ontario. For those planning even bigger expeditions, James Bay canoe routes remain some of the most remote and rewarding in the province.

Moose River Crossing: Where The Wilderness Begins

We’d started as strangers a few days earlier. 13 people on a family adventure with MHO Adventures. We met in Cochrane, loaded onto the Polar Bear Express, then after a short ride north, the train left us in the wilderness, on the side of the tracks at Moose River Crossing. It was a massive bridge that spanned the width of this mighty river. Surrounded by wilderness. There was no more civilization between us and Moose Factory 70 km downstream. 

Building Bonds And Sharing Chores

Over those few days, we all got to know one another. Our guides cooked fantastic meals for every meal and kept the kids entertained. We developed a shared language. Shared jokes. And we learned to share in the daily chores. 

The Magic Of A Bug-Free Campsite

So when we arrived at this perfect campsite, with perfect weather, we all set about our chores, setting up camp, gathering firewood and casting fishing rods. The kids played with rocks, flowers and driftwood. The adults sat in camp chairs, wrote in journals and read. It was absolutely glorious. It was a perfect canoe trip moment.

The Allure Of Canoe Tripping

And it is these perfect moments that those of us who love canoe tripping are always chasing. Because they always happen. After a few days away from life’s everyday hustle, away from screens and social media, away from bills, car payments and traffic, everyone relaxes. Everyone settles into mother nature. We rebuild our relationship, re-examine our priorities and reconnect with who we are. 

Northern Lights: A Perfect Ending

As we all settled into our tents for a lovely night of sleep with the sound of a trickling stream and the silence of nature, the stars began to appear in the clear night sky. And then true perfection occurred; the Northern Lights appeared. While some of the kids were already asleep the adults stood outside mesmerized by the light show. Blues, purples and greens undulated across the night sky, reaffirming for us that every decision we’d made to get here was the right one. Every moment spent packing, planning, stressing and questioning was worth it. This day was the perfect day we’d been looking for. It would be a core memory for our children and for ourselves. 

The Enduring Magic Of The Wilderness

And once again, the magic of the Ontario wilderness gave me something so few places can; happiness, gratitude and peace.

No matter what, I’ll drag my family on another canoe trip again next year. Because I know these perfect moments are inevitable.

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