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Samuel de Champlain
Overview
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park offers a deep dive into Canada’s storied fur-trading history along the banks of the historic Mattawa River. Nestled within a lush landscape of mixed forests and ancient rocky outcrops, this park serves as a bridge between the past and present. Visitors can explore the same routes used by indigenous peoples and early explorers while enjoying modern camping facilities. It is a place where the sound of the river provides a constant, calming backdrop for an immersive outdoor getaway that feels worlds away from the city.
Location & Surroundings
Located just west of the town of Mattawa, Ontario, the park is situated on a legendary waterway that once served as a primary transportation route connecting the Ottawa River to Lake Nipissing. The surroundings are characterized by the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield, featuring steep hills, thick pine forests, and diverse local wildlife. The proximity to both the Mattawa River and the calmer Moore Lake ensures that water activities are always accessible, providing scenic vistas and refreshing breezes for RVers.
Amenities & Park Features
RV travelers will find several well-organized campgrounds, including the Jingwakoki and Babawasse areas, which offer electrical hookups suitable for various rig sizes. The park features a variety of amenities designed to make your stay comfortable and educational:
- Large electrical sites for motorhomes and trailers.
- Access to the Mattawa River Visitor Centre and museum exhibits.
- Clean comfort stations equipped with hot showers and laundry.
- An RV-friendly sanitation station and multiple boat launches.
There are also designated sandy swimming areas at Moore Lake and a network of scenic hiking trails that loop through the forest.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for many is paddling the Mattawa River, a designated Canadian Heritage River known for its historical significance and striking natural beauty. Hikers can tackle the Etienne System of trails, which offers four loops ranging in difficulty and providing panoramic views of the river valley. Just a short drive away, the town of Mattawa offers charming local shops and the Mattawa Museum. For those looking for more adventure, the northern access point of Algonquin Provincial Park is close enough for a rewarding day trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal match for history buffs and nature lovers who want to combine education with outdoor recreation. Families often gravitate toward the calm waters and sandy beaches of Moore Lake, as well as the engaging interpretive programs offered during the summer. It is a fantastic destination for those who prefer a scenic and quiet retreat over a crowded resort atmosphere. If you enjoy canoeing, birdwatching, and learning about heritage from the comfort of your RV, this park provides a perfect setting.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
bikesh prajapati
Great place and quiet as well. If you love hiking best place to explore for moderate hike. They have activities canoeing, water tubing and other activities. More lake to explore near by.
M
This is one of our top 5 Ontario parks! We had a great time. The washrooms were always clean and never too busy! Beaches are small but clean and shallow great for kids! There are swings and seesaw at all beaches so kids always had some to do. The trails are some of the best we've done, there is a lot of rough terrain so wear proper shoes and some have quite a lot of steep climbs so they willt ake more time/effort. We will be back for sure!! The staff were friendly and helpful.
michaela pitman
One of my new favourite provincial parks for the beauty and great trails! Our campsite was on a rock so we couldn’t peg our tent or fly tarp down. But other than that the site was great! It feels like there is a good distance between sites so it felt quite private. The bathrooms were clean. People were having fun tubing down the rapids. We did the Kag trail and history trail. History was beautiful but very tiring in the heat and lots of mosquitoes. Took 4 hrs to complete. Make sure to take lots of water and start early in the morning.
Brent
What a beautiful park. Located right along the mattawa river, this park has a little bit of everything. Lots of trails to hike, out favorite was the Kag trail. It's under 3km but has lots of elevation. The facilities were very clean. The park store had some merchandise and the staff were extremely. The gate house to pay for day use is located in the park store. The mattawa river is breathtaking, there are two hidden waterfalls along it. The one is massive and you can hike most of the way up. Beautiful park, great for a day trip or a weekend of camping. I'll be back:)
Ramkumar Pande
Hello, This provincial park is one the best we have camped so far. It has a lake to canoe/Kayak, rapids to do tubing, shallow waters at the end of the rapids is a must for playing in water. We didn't hike much due to smaller kids but the area is very scenic. The Visitor center offers a ton of information about the local indigenous culture and history and is a must visit. The camp store has essentials wood, milk and other items. The sites are clean, water taps and clean flush toilets in camping areas, comfort stations were closely. The electric supply didn't work and I heard from someone that it did not in any one of the sites. The nearby town of Mattawa is also must visit. Over all a fantastic experience.