The Top 10 Types Of Canoe Trips Offered In Ontario

Paddling connects us intimately with the land, the water, each other, and ourselves. The adventures we have while paddling are unique in how we experience the Canadian Canoe Culture and the natural wonders of the wilderness. In Northern Ontario you have seemingly endless options to explore our cultural routes, serene routes, and exhilarating routes. We've rounded up the top 10 types of canoe trips offered in Ontario to suit your personal sense of adventure. 

Pick your adventure now and #PaddleON

1.  FLY-IN CANOE ADVENTURES

This is the ultimate wilderness escape. Start your custom backcountry canoe trip from deep in the wilds, after being dropped off on a remote lake or river by a floatplane. Enjoy awesome fishing, wildlife viewing, stargazing, and the Aurora Borealis.

• FIND YOUR GREAT FLY-IN ADVENTURE
• Remote Wilderness Retreat – Wilderness North, Wabakimi Provincial Park
• Journey to the Northern Sky – MHO Adventures, Lower Missinaibi River

 

2.  TRAIN-IN PADDLING ADVENTURE

Canoes, gear, and paddlers—all aboard! Hop on the Via Rail at Armstrong Station and take an epic journey into the boreal forest of Wabakimi Provincial Park, accessible only by train, plane, or paddle. Or, board the Polar Bear Express in Cochrane, then unload at Moose River Crossing to begin your adventure on the Moose River to the historic Cree settlements of Moosonee and Moose Factory.

• FIND YOUR GREAT TRAIN-IN ADVENTURE
• Waterfalls & Wilderness Paddling Adventure – Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters, Wabakimi Provincial Park
• Moose River Crossing to Moosonee – Howling Wolf Expeditions, Cochrane to James Bay Lowlands

 

3. CANOE & HIKE ADVENTURES

Killarney Provincial Park is a rugged, mountainous wilderness of sapphire lakes, jack pine, and majestic vistas to hike to. Or visit the Temagami Region, which has incredible backcountry paddling and hiking in old growth forests.    

• FIND YOUR GREAT HIKE & CANOE ADVENTURE
• Paddle and Hike to “The Crack” or Silver Peak – Killarney Outfitters, Killarney
• Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Wilderness Park Adventures - Cabin Falls Ecolodge, Temagami
• Grey Owl Paddling Adventure – Smoothwater Outfitters, Temagami
• Diamond/Obabkika Adventure – Temagami Outfitting Co., Temagami

 

4.  VOYAGEUR CANOE ADVENTUREs

Retrace the route of the fur voyageurs on guided adventure along the north shore of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake. Fur trade life comes alive at the incredible Fort William Historical Park.

• FIND YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE
• Guided Voyageur Canoe Brigade Adventures – Naturally Superior Adventures, Lake Superior
• Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, Sault Ste. Marie 
• Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay

 

5.  AUTHENTIC INDIGENOUS ADVENTUREs

Discover Ontario’s rich and diverse Indigenous history and culture with a guided tour. Experience a deep connection to the land and water through their traditions, knowledge, and stories.

• FIND YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE
• Bay of the Beaver Canoe Tour, Wikwemikong Tourism, Manitoulin Island
• Paddling, Hiking and Cultural Experiences, Point Grondine Park, Killarney
• Voyageur Wilderness Programme & Ecolodge, Quetico 

 

6.  FAMILY & YOUTH PADDLING ADVENTURES

Simply put, kids are happy in nature. They quickly forget about screens and video games. They'll make new friends to paddle and swim with, and you'll see non-stop smiles. Take a guided trip or stay at an ecolodge.

• FIND YOUR GREAT FAMILY ADVENTURE
• French River For Families – Black Feather (Read Colin Field's story)
• Family Eco-adventure - Voyageur Wilderness Programme, Quetico

 

7.  FIND YOUR ZEN  

Take your zen to a new level. Instead of doing your yoga in a studio, paddle into the wilderness and experience the powerful energy of doing your practice on an ancient rocky shore. Be inspired on a paddling photography workshop. Discover a new sense of zen on a combination adventure.

• FIND YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE
• Wilds of Temagami or Franklin Island Photography Workshops – Outdoor Photo Journey
• Paddlepalooza Kayak Festival - Ontario Sea Kayak Centre
• Georgian Bay Kayak and Yoga Trip - Wild Women Expeditions

 

8. WHITEWATER ADVENTUREs

Looking for a challenge? Feel the rush as you test your paddling skills on our whitewater rivers.

• FIND YOUR GREAT WHITEWATER ADVENTURE
• French River, Magnetawan River, Petawawa River or Bloodvein River – Black Feather
• Missinaibi River – MHO Adventures

 

9. PADDLE WITH PURPOSE – RACES AND FESTIVALS

Not everyone goes canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding to escape the clock—sometimes they try to beat it. Challenge yourself at a paddling race, or celebrate paddling at a festival.

• FIND GREAT FESTIVALS AND RACES
• Temagami Canoe Festival (Postponed until July 2024) Temagami
• Great Canadian Kayak Challenge (August), Timmins
• Mattawa River Canoe Race (Postponed until July 2024), North Bay to Mattawa
• Muskoka River X (September), Huntsville 

 

10.  COOL LODGINGS – COMFORTABLY WILD

Want to experience nature but not rough it? Go glamping and get the best of both worlds. Enjoy exciting paddling, hiking, or wildlife viewing during the day, but sleep in comfort in a well-appointed, pre-pitched platform tent, teepee, or yurt.

• FIND YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE
• Mongolian Yurt – Nature’s Harmony, Mattawa
• Yurts – Ontario Parks

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