Complete Guide to Moosonee & Moose Factory Island
12 essential experiences for visitors.
By Mitch Bowmile
Explore Epic Mattawa Voyageur Country
This friendly community is the oldest settlement in the Nipissing District—home to a colourful history it's also surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Upper Laurentian Mountains
The picturesque town of Mattawa is situated at the junction of the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers. It just so happens that name Mattawa, derived from the Ojibwe "Mahtahwan" means "meeting of the waters". This friendly community is the oldest settlement in the Nipissing District. Not only is it home to a colourful history, but it is also surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Upper Laurentian Mountains.
For those hoping to enjoy a piece of local history, Mattawa's Explorer's Point resembles it's 1600's self. It was a Hudson Bay Trading Post used by settlers and voyageurs, including Samuel de Champlain and Etienne Brule. Visit the Mattawa and District Museum, a lovely two-storey structure made of red pine logs, located right at Explorer's Point.
Today, you'll find a party where the rivers meet, every July for the annual Mattawa Voyageur Days. The festival showcases everything from local talent to high profile rock bands, and hosts a multitude of activities for all ages.
The fun of Mattawa Voyageur Country is not confined to Mattawa's town limits. By exploring more than 3000 km's of Voyageur Multi Use Trail System (be it by mountain bike, horseback, ATV, or off-road motorcycle), you'll find breathtaking vistas and points of interest like Eau Clair Gorge and the Mica Mine.
For those who love camping - Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is located 14 kilometers west of Mattawa, offers scenic camp sites among towering hemlocks, red and white pines. Some sites are located near rivers and lakes that are part of the historic voyageur canoe routes system.
While in the park you may want to visit the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) located near the park's Campion Rapids. This centre is an Environmental Science, Research and Outdoor Education Facility that provides a variety of outdoor education programs.. Visit the Voyageur Museum which features outstanding exhibits on Voyageur life, the fur trade and history of the Mattawa Valley.
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