8 Idyllic Places to Paddleboard Near Timmins

Paddleboarding near Timmins: Where to Go & Rentals

Picture-perfect paddleboarding near Timmins? You bet! This friendly Northern Ontario city is surrounded by lakes, rivers, forest, and wilderness, with the serene Mattagami River offering a peaceful escape right in town. Whether you’re passing through or planning a longer stay, Timmins’ friendly outfitters will help you discover the region’s best paddleboarding locations and get you set up for a fun day on the water.

Mattagami River

Winding its way through downtown Timmins, the Mattagami is a historic waterway that has served as an important transportation route for thousands of years—first by indigenous travellers and later by fur traders, loggers, and prospectors. Though dammed in places, so not the same 400-kilometre river route to James Bay it once was, the Mattagami remains ideal for shorter outings—making it perfect for an hour or an afternoon of casual paddleboarding. 

• Timmins Adventure Tours offers paddleboard rentals and self-guided paddleboarding trips on the Upper Mattagami River, with departures from their riverside location in central Timmins.
• Rebel Soul is Timmins’ very own mobile SUP service provider, with guided SUP social paddles on the Mattagami River scheduled throughout the summer.
• Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa is nestled on 70 peaceful riverside hectares just four kilometres from downtown Timmins. Stay and play with comfortable accommodations in spacious suites or cozy chalets, an on-site restaurant, and relaxing day spa with Nordic baths.

Mountjoy River

Offering a more intimate day trip within Timmins city limits, the meandering Mountjoy River boasts forested, largely undeveloped shorelines, trout fishing in season and a good chance of spotting wildlife. Plan an out-and-back trip, or use a local outfitter to shuttle your vehicle for a one-way paddle.

• Timmins Adventure Tours offers easy half- and full-day trips on the Mountjoy and can set you up for a day of exciting trout fishing.

Hersey Lake Conservation Area

The focal point of this pretty conservation area just north of Timmins is Hersey Lake, where paddleboarders can enjoy placid waters and a fine, sandy beach in a natural setting of jack pine forest. The lake’s small size and warm waters make it especially well suited to paddleboarding families, SUP with your pup or enjoy a tranquil session of SUP yoga. While you’re here, take a stroll along the scenic interpretive trails that ramble through the surrounding forest.

• Join Rebel Soul for a SUP yoga session at Hersey Lake Conservation Area; all equipment is provided and each session is led by a certified SUP yoga instructor and tailored to suit your level of experience.

Kettle Lakes Provincial Park

Named for the 22 spring-fed, glacially formed lakes nestled among jack pine forest, lovely Kettle Lakes Provincial Park is a local favourite just 40 minutes east of the city. The park offers standup paddleboard rentals, two vehicle campgrounds with spacious sites, and two family-friendly beach areas to enjoy the clear water. Many of the park’s small lakes are stocked with brook and rainbow trout, and paddleboard anglers can also cast for northern pike and yellow perch.

• Reserve a Campsite at Kettle Lakes Provincial Park’s Island Lake or The Pines campgrounds. Both camping areas accommodate vehicles, tents, and RVs.
• Rent SUPs, kayaks or canoes at the park store and choose from seven peaceful lakes with easy access.
• Explore the park’s four short hiking trails and 14 kilometres of bicycling trails. Bike rentals are available at the park store.

Kenogamissi Lake

Less than 30 minutes south of Timmins, Kenogamissi Lake is a popular summer destination with plenty for paddleboarders to explore. Surrounded by boreal forest, the lake is actually a reservoir created by the damming of the Mattagami River at Wawaitin Falls. Much of the shoreline remains wild, with a few comfortable outposts offering enticing options for an overnight stay.

• Wild Exodus specializes in a range of outdoor adventure holiday packages, including delicious local eats and glamping in luxurious canvas tents on the shores of Kenogamissi Lake. Ask about their paddling eco adventure packages.
• The Cache Campground offers a large, sandy beach and family-friendly camping experience on Kenogamissi Lake. This traditional campground is best suited to campers who already have their own paddleboards, as no rentals are available.

Grassy River

The highlight of this lovely river paddle is High Falls, a cascading series of swirling rapids and waterfalls with a total drop of 40 metres. Most day-trippers begin their paddle just below the lower falls; leave your board here and take the short trail upriver to view the upper cataracts. From the falls, paddleboarders can continue 12 kilometres down the meandering and, at times, swift-flowing river to a take-out at Dalton Road bridge for a scenic half-day adventure.

• Timmins Adventure Tours can get you set up with a board rental and shuttle to High Falls.

Dana-Jowsey Lakes

Situated 30 kilometres west of Timmins off Highway 101, this non-operating provincial park rewards independent paddleboarders with a pair of pristine, quiet lakes cradled in mixed boreal forest. The shoreline of Dana Lake is distinguished by several mature stands of good-sized red and white pine. A smattering of islands and protected bays make for an enjoyable day paddle or even a relaxing overnight for touring paddleboarders.

Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park

Although it’s a longer drive from Timmins (just over one hour west on Highway 101) than the other places on this list, Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park is well worth the trip. Explore the wide-open waters of Ivanhoe Lake; spot eagles and moose along the fertile shoreline of the slow-moving Ivanhoe River; or paddle the quiet waters of serene Saw Lake, whose glacially formed waters gleam a greenish hue on a sunny summer day. On-site paddleboard rentals and four beautiful campgrounds make it easy for visitors to plan a longer stay and enjoy everything the park has to offer.

• Reserve a campsite at one of Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park’s four campgrounds. All camping areas accommodate vehicles, tents and RVs, and many campsites provide a spectacular view of the lake.
• Rent SUPs, kayaks or canoes at the park store.
• Explore the park’s four hiking trails for panoramic views of emerald green kettle lakes and mature boreal forest.

Where to Rent Paddleboards in Timmins

• Timmins Adventure Tours
  567 Pavilion Drive, Timmins
  705-268-8069

Located in the heart of Timmins, right on the Mattagami River, offering rentals and sales of kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards, and mountain bikes. They also offer kayak lessons, guided tours, shuttles, and packages on the Mountjoy, Mattagami and Grassy rivers and Kenogamissi Lake.

• Rebel Soul
  Timmins
  705-465-6306

Timmins-based, mobile SUP service provider; offering SUP yoga, social paddles and private group paddling adventures.

• Dumoulin’s
  1008 Riverside Drive, Timmins
  705-264-8098

If you’re ready to make the plunge and purchase a paddleboard, Dumoulin’s offers a selection of recreational paddleboards for all budgets.

• Kettle Lakes Provincial Park
  1350 Municipal Road, Connaught
  705-363-3511 (summer) / 705-272-9117 (winter)

Rent kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards, and mountain bikes at the park store.

• Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park
  170 Ivanhoe Lake Road, Foleyet
  705-899-2644 (summer) / 705-272-9117 (winter)

Rent standup paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks at the park store.

Discover exceptional paddleboarding near Timmins

Base yourself in Timmins for easy access to northeastern Ontario’s varied and beautiful waterways. Whether you are seeking solitude on a serene lake or looking for a more challenging river journey, Timmins offers something for paddleboarders of every skill level.

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