How To Plan A Weekend Getaway To Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park

If you like quiet campgrounds, gorgeous waterfalls and a weekend of scenic hikes, then this park is for you. Here's a 3-day itinerary to help you plan your trip.
High Falls; a high-volume, thundering waterfall surrounded by high rock banks covered in dense green forest.

Located smack in the middle between the towns of Kirkland Lake and Temiskaming Shores in Northeastern Ontario lies one of Ontario's best-kept secrets.

Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park was established in 1957 and, after being downgraded to a non-operational park, was returned to operating status in 2020. Since then, it's been steadily gaining popularity among nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, especially those making the epic Boreal Route drive that connects ten magnificent provincial parks across Ontario's wild northern reaches.

I made my first visit to Kap-Kig-Iwan on a family road trip in 2021, and since then, I’ve been raving about the beauty and remote feel of this Northeastern Ontario gem. The road trip took us through some of the region's most incredible parks, including Esker Lakes, Fushimi Lake, and Kettle Lakes, and if you’ve got a week or two to spend on the road, I highly recommend making this drive. Each park is unique and beautiful, and far less crowded than the provincial parks south of The Seven.

Tiny but mighty, Kap-Kig-Iwan is a picturesque escape whose name means "water falling over the edge" in Ojibwe. A name that perfectly captures the vibrance of the magnificent series of waterfalls that tumble through the park along the Englehart River.

Raw beauty, peace and quiet, and a multitude of outdoor experiences, both in the park and nearby, draw visitors to the park. But its centrepiece, a 12-metre-high waterfall, makes the park's diminutive size the perfect backdrop for hiking, photography, and picnics.

The park's tall trees are part of Canada's extensive Boreal Forest, the longest uninterrupted forest on the planet. Its rustic and serviced campsites make for a tranquil weekend escape or a relaxing stop along a more extensive Northeastern Ontario road trip.

If you're looking to spend a weekend at Kap-Kig-Iwan, you'll find a perfect escape to experience some of Ontario's most beautiful natural splendour.

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

a boy lays in a hammock strung between two trees in a forested campsite. He has his hands clasped behind his head as he looks contentedly up at the trees.
Kap-Kig-Iwan offers a small campground immersed in beautiful scenery—the perfect place to unwind. // Photo credit Kevin Wagar

Morning

Arrive at Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park in the morning. If you’re camping, set up your campsite at one of the park’s many beautiful spots. Kap-Kig-Iwan camping offers both non-serviced and serviced options available.

There are 42 campsites. Ten serviced campsites and 32 non-serviced campsites. The park has no group campgrounds or backcountry camping. If you prefer comfort, consider staying in a nearby hotel in the town of Englehart, such as the Englehart Motel or Rose Point Lodge.

Once your camp is set up to your liking, it's time to hit the trail. Grab a trail map from the helpful park staff at the Kap-Kig-Iwan entrance. This is a good time to get to know the park layout, which is divided into two campgrounds: the Pine Grove campground, set at the top of the park, not far from the entrance, and the Aspen Crescent campground, further east toward the river.

Afternoon

High Falls; a roaring, whitewater falls throwing a large amount of mist into the air.
Hike over to Kap-Kig-Iwan Falls for a peaceful picnic. Bring a camera! // Photo credit Kevin Wagar

The biggest draw of Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park is its glorious series of waterfalls, so after a tasty camp lunch, it's time to experience them firsthand!

Head out for a hike along the High Falls Trail. This rough-and-tumble trail is short and in need of some maintenance, but it offers the best views of multiple waterfalls, including the park's namesake, Kap-Kig-Iwan Falls. If you love photography, nature, or just the sound of rushing water, this is a wonderful spot to sit down and relax for a while.

Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife while on the trail. Kap-Kig-Iwan is home to a number of animals, including beavers and moose. But the park's biggest wildlife draw is its birds. During the summer season, you may see Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and woodpeckers.

Evening

High Falls Lookout; a view of a thundering waterfall surrounded in all directions by thick green forest on a summer day.
Head up to High Falls Lookout for a stellar view of the park. // Photo credit Kevin Wagar

As the end of the day approaches, head to the High Falls Lookout Trail, an offshoot of the western road down to the bottom of the park. It's a gorgeous place to take in the sunset over the Engelhart River.

Once the sun has dipped below the horizon, make your way back to your campsite for a hearty camp dinner and some smores. You'll need the energy for a full day at the park tomorrow!

If you still have some energy, head down to the riverfront for some late-night stargazing. It's hard to beat those dark Northeastern Ontario skies.

Day 2: Adventure and Relaxation

Morning

After a tasty breakfast at your camp, grab your fishing rod and head down to High Falls to try your hand at catching Northern Pike, Walleye, Small-mouth Bass, and Brook Trout. There's a fantastic picnic area just a few steps from the pond that offers a quiet place to set up your chair and cast your line.

If you still have energy, grab your hiking shoes (or rubber boots if you have them) and head for the 2.4 km Hell's Gate Trail. This ominously-named hike isn't as vicious as it sounds, but it can get muddy and overgrown. The trail follows the Englehart River past waterfalls, rapids, and deep ravines.

A family of four stands side by side on a rock bank looking at the whitewater river surrounded by green forest on the Hell's Gate Trail.
Hell's Gate Trail is actually a serene hike, full of scenic river views. // Photo credit Kevin Wagar

Afternoon

Enjoy a relaxing picnic by the river. There are BBQ facilities, picnic tables, and a covered shelter available for campers or day-use users.

Evening

After you get cleaned up from your hike in the park's well-laid-out comfort stations with showers and flush toilets, make the five-minute drive to the town of Englehart to enjoy dinner and one of the town's small selection of great restaurants such as Sisters', or Blue Cherry Kitchen, which serves up the best pizza in town.

Day 3: Final Exploration and Departure

Morning

It's your last day at the park, but there's still some adventure to be had. Before packing up, it's time to go to the inland Upland Circle Trail. This 2.3 km loop trail is an easy stroll, but it's a paradise for bird-watching and nature lovers. It's a year-round trail as well. If you're visiting Kap-Kig-Iwan during the winter, it's absolutely lovely.

Afternoon

After one last lunch at the park, take down your camp or check out of your hotel and begin your journey home with wonderful memories of one of Ontario's best-preserved hidden gems.

About Kevin Wagar

Kevin Wagar is a family travel expert and award-winning travel writer and photographer. He explores the world with his wife and children seeking out adventurous experiences, cultural immersion, and opportunities to learn from the local people that he visits, and shares his stories on his website Wandering Wagars - Adventure Family Travel. Kevin is also a co-founder of Ultimate Ontario, a digital publication with a passion for sharing the stories of Ontario's travel, food, and beverage experiences.

Recommended Articles

The Seven's Best Hikes, Biking Trails and Lakes

Scenic vistas, white pine, and waterfalls await!

7 Best Spots to Check Out in The Seven

From Killarney to Kirkland Lake, Mattawa to Manitoulin, here are all the best things to see and do in Northeastern Ontario.

No Hustle

These budget-friendly spots in The Seven offer affordable (and sometimes free) fun for everyone.

Bring Your Fam!

7 family-friendly places to explore in The Seven.

Time to Unwind: 6 Spa Havens to Discover In The Seven

Check out these next-level ways to pamper yourself on your Northeastern Ontario getaway

5 Amazing Places to SUP in Northeastern Ontario

From Stormy Lake to Marathon Beach, there's an incredible SUP adventure waiting for you here.

5 Amazing Bike Rides to Discover

Varied terrain, quiet roads, and flowy trails—The Seven is calling.

Northern Lights in Northeastern Ontario

5 great spots in The Seven to find the Aurora Borealis.

Northeastern Ontario's Best Pride Festivals

Get ready to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and community in these vibrant Canadian areas.

Fish for one of the World's Rarest Species of Trout

Found only in 12 remote Ontario lakes–and nowhere else in the world–the aurora trout is a special fish.

An Insider's Guide to Manitoulin Island

12 communities, sights, hikes and experiences that most first-time visitors miss!

6 Small-Town Gems to Explore in Northeastern Ontario

Award-winning distilleries, quirky theatres, boating adventures, and historic museums, Northeastern Ontario is yours to explore.

11 Best Things to Do in Kapuskasing, Ontario

Gourmet cheese, hammocks in the park, and Canadian-Szechuan cuisine await in this historic lumber town

Best Things to Do in Kirkland Lake: The Town that Gold Built

Check out a self-guided gold mine tour, a northern chateau museum, and get some beach time!

Search Northeastern Ontario