Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is at 6905 Highway 17 East, Mattawa, on the historic Mattawa River fur trade route in the Mattawa Valley. Ontario Parks lists a car campground on Moore Lake, canoe and kayak rentals, a visitor centre and trails with views of the river. This guide uses the park’s own Ontario Parks pages.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | 6905 Highway 17 East, Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0 |
| Phone | 705-744-2276 |
| Size | 2,550 ha |
| Established | 1967 |
| Class | Natural Environment |
| 2026 operating dates | May 8 to October 13, 2026 |
Quick answer
Camp at Babawasse Campground on Moore Lake, rent a canoe or kayak at the boat launch and paddle Moore Lake or the Amable du Fond River. The Mattawa River Visitor Centre explains the river’s natural and human history. Check the 2027 dates on Ontario Parks, since the dates above are for 2026.
Camping
Babawasse Campground has 74 campsites and a small central comfort station with flush toilets, showers and laundry. The small private camper’s beach has playground equipment. The Neiashi group campsite is for larger organized groups, takes trailers and tents, and sits on the Amable du Fond River with a water tap and basic toilets. One barrier-free site is close to the comfort station. Reservations go through the Ontario Parks reservation service.
Water and paddling
Motorboats are allowed on Moore Lake with a maximum of 10 horsepower, and the boat launch in the campground gives access to the lake. Ontario Parks says Moore Lake and the upriver section of the Amable du Fond River offer quiet canoeing. At Long Lake you can paddle beside large cliffs on a motor-free lake. The Mattawa River Provincial Park and Canoe Route runs from Trout Lake near North Bay to the town of Mattawa through the centre of the park, and the stretch from Pimisi Bay to the park has the most challenging rapids and Parreseux Falls.
Rental canoes and kayaks are kept at the campground boat launch; arrange them at the Park Store, and rentals include life jackets, paddles and a boat safety kit. The park runs a free life jacket loan at the Park Store. You can try a replica Voyageur canoe in the park’s Discovery program in July and August.
Beaches, trails and fishing
Small camper beaches are in Babawasse Campground, and the Bagwa day-use area has a large sandy beach, playground equipment and a grassed picnic area. Ontario Parks lists the Etienne System Trails, four strenuous loops of 2.5 to 9 km with views of the Mattawa River, and the Wabashkiki Trail, a 1 km easy loop and boardwalk through a marsh on a peninsula in Moore Lake. Moore Lake holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge, per Ontario Parks. Cycling is popular on the main park roads, and warblers, Bald Eagles, hawks and Great Blue Herons are regularly sighted. You can buy a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance.
Visitor centre and store
The Mattawa River Visitor Centre has exhibits and a large birchbark freighter canoe. Regular hours and a naturalist are available on weekends in spring and fall and daily in July and August. The Park Store sells souvenirs, books, maps, ice, firewood and basic camper supplies and is open daily while the park operates.
Park rules
Pets must be on a leash of no more than 2 metres and are not permitted in the swimming area or on the beach; Ontario Parks names a pet exercise road near Jingwakoki Campground. Adults 19 and over may have alcohol in most areas of operating provincial parks. Fireworks are prohibited, off-road vehicles are not permitted, a campsite holds at most six people and the longest campground stay is 23 consecutive nights.
FAQ
Can I rent a canoe or kayak?
Yes, through the Park Store. Checked November 4 2026.
Are motorboats allowed on Moore Lake?
Yes, up to 10 horsepower. Checked November 4 2026.
Is the visitor centre open every day?
Daily in July and August, weekends in spring and fall. Checked November 4 2026.
Cottages on the water
Browse cottages in Northern Ontario. See also French River.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check. The municipalities around Mattawa are not in our rules dataset yet, so we state no short-term rental rule here. Confirm with the municipality before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phone 705-744-2276; 2,550 ha; established 1967; Natural Environment; 6905 Highway 17 East, Mattawa P0H 1V0; 2026 dates May 8 to October 13; historic Mattawa River fur trade route | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain | 2026-11-04 |
| 2 | Motorboats up to 10 hp on Moore Lake; Moore Lake and Amable du Fond River canoeing; Long Lake cliffs, motor-free; Mattawa River route Trout Lake to Mattawa; Pimisi Bay rapids and Parreseux Falls; fish species; Etienne trails 2.5 to 9 km strenuous; Wabashkiki 1 km easy; Bagwa beach; free PFD loan; Discovery and Voyageur canoe in July and August; visitor centre exhibits and birchbark freighter canoe; cycling on park roads; birds | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain/activities | 2026-11-04 |
| 3 | Babawasse Campground 74 sites; comfort station; Neiashi group site on Amable du Fond River | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain/camping | 2026-11-04 |
| 4 | Daily permit up to five days ahead; coin-operated laundry; boat launch in Babawasse; Bagwa day use with large sand beach, playground, picnic; Park Store items and rentals with PFDs, paddles, safety kit; pet exercise road; barrier-free site; visitor centre exhibits, birchbark freighter canoe and hours | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain/facilities | 2026-11-04 |
| 5 | Pets on 2 m leash, not on beach; alcohol for 19+ in most areas; no off-road vehicles; fireworks prohibited; six campers per site; 23 consecutive nights | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain/rules | 2026-11-04 |
Photo: Christopher Ritter, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).