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