Mattawa River Provincial Park — Attraction in Bonfield Township

We paddled from North Bay's Turtle Lake to the town of Mattawa. The river had some great sections, though you need to go through a few lakes with lots of cottages and motor boats. Campsites are generally not maintained and not marked. Boom boxes (lavatories) are not present except for in one large campsite.

One major red flag if you're planning this canoe trip is near the end at the Hurdsman Dam. The portage is terrible and dangerous, inviting injuries (which we experienced). A section of boulders needs to be crossed, and it seems there is no local authority responsible for maintaining this portage and making it safer. The result is the town of Mattawa never got our overnight business as tourists since we had to abort the trip...

To follow a part of the route of the Voyageurs is truly amazing. This is an inspiring trip down one of Canada's Heritage Rivers. The large square concrete stands along the way used to have beautiful hand carved plaques created by a local carver commemorating Canada's centennial. What a shame people have no respect. Limited campsites, will get very busy in the summer especially on long weekends. Take at least three days or more to paddle the full route from North Bay to Mattawa in able to take in all the beauty...

if you camp on the river and get picked up at Champlain they make you pay but if you are out in 1/2 hour you get a refund. rapids between pimisi and Champlain are awesome but not for beginners in loaded canoes try kayaks and you have to portage the parisou waterfall or take the 20' fall. don't bring glass bottles. take your garbage out otherwise the mattawacker will get you. true story...