A Father-Son Bonding Trip to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

During the summer, on our way to go trout fishing in Northwestern Quebec, my father and I spent two wonderful days camping at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Nestled between beautiful Lake Moore and the fabled Mattawa River, in Northeastern Ontario’s historic Voyageur country, this provincial park proved to be a real hidden gem!

We booked an electrical hookup site at the Park’s Babawasse Campground for the tent trailer I owned at the time, very close to Moore Lake. This two-day, spur-of-the-moment trip was perhaps one of the best father-and-son bonding trips ever, while offering a wonderful glimpse into Voyageur culture.

Dual Campgrounds at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

Two main campgrounds are located within Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park: Jingwakoki Campground and Babawasse Campground. Both campsites are located on the northern banks of Moore Lake at the fork of the Amable du Fond River. The Park offers sizable sites with electrical hookups and water nearby which are perfect for either tenting or trailer/RV camping like we were doing.

Babawasse Campground

Babawasse Campground offers 74 campsites, a comfort station with flush toilets, showers, and a laundry facility as well. The name “Babawasee” is of Ojibway origin meaning “a lake seen through the woods”. Our campsite #7 was very close to the water and boat launch area of the park, and perfect location indeed.

Jingwakoki Campground

The other side of the park across the Amable du Fond River is Jingwakoki Campground, which offers 137 more campsites, mostly nonelectrical hookups, and some pull-thru sites. This campground also has a comfort station near the park entrance with flush toilets, laundry, and showers. The Ojibway name Jingwakoki describes this campground as “tall pine forest” which was appropriate given the stand of pine trees here.

Mattawa River Visitor Centre

The onsite Visitor Centre was super interesting and comprehensive, with a period display offering a glimpse into the complex history of indigenous cultures. My Dad and I are Canadian history buffs, on top of both being actively involved in the fur industry for many years. The park staff provides interactive programming, guided hikes, spirit nights, campfire sing-alongs and children’s programs later in the summer. Visitors can also try paddling a replica Voyageur canoe, which we agreed would be amazing. The Mattawa River Visitor Centre showcases this region’s importance during the fur trade and voyageur days.

Hiking Opportunities at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

For campers who enjoy a stroll through the backwoods as we do, there are a variety of hiking trails to choose from throughout the park. The trails loop around the different lakes and rivers in the park and range from easy to moderate with some offering steeper climbs. There are a total of 7 hikes to choose from. There are three trails close to the campgrounds:

The Forestry Research Trail: 1 km long, less than 1 hr hike, easy walk.

The Kag Trail: 2 km, 1.25 hr hike. Moderate with some steep climbs

The Wabashkiki Trail: 1 km hike, 30 mins. Easy hike

The rest of the trails are part of the Etienne Trail System and meander around the Mattawa River and Long Lake. They include the 5.5 km Geology Loop, an approximately 3-hour walk with some steep cliffs and climbs. The History Loop measures 8.5 km in length and could take upwards of 5 hours to complete. The Nature Loop is an 8 km hike also with moderate steep cliffs. Finally, the Red Pine Loop (the one my dad and I walked) is a 3 km trail which takes about an hour to complete. All the trails are well-marked and easily completed with basic walking equipment.

Learn About Voyageur History at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

Reliving the voyageur lifestyle was an experience I will never forget. For those who aren’t aware of their place in Canadian History, Voyageurs were licensed travellers who transported goods such as furs, blankets, and tobacco throughout the New World in exchange for implements like axes, muzzleloaders and muskets. These brave men, like Samuel de Champlain himself, moved thousands of pounds of cargo down rivers and across large lakes using huge birchbark freighter canoes, like the one displayed at the Park’s visitor centre. The Mattawa River and adjacent lakes and rivers facilitated trade by canoe. The enormous 36’ birch freighter canoes of the Anishinabek were used to help satisfy the demand for Canadian fur, a business this country was founded upon.

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Final Word

My father and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park that year— Dad and I still talk about it. The river and surroundings were inviting and memorable and the facilities were very clean and well laid out. Learning and experiencing this region’s voyageur history is something we will never forget, and the campground was one of the nicest we’ve seen yet! Do yourself a favour and plan your own father-son historical bonding trip; you will not be disappointed!

For more information on camping at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, visit the Ontario Parks website. 

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