Special Insider Offers

Follow the likes of Mackenzie, Champlain, Thompson, Father le Caron and others by exploring one of the most historic waterways in Canada, the Mattawa River, with your FREE Chrismar Adventure Map (Value $12.95). Then experience the Mattawa Bonfield ARTventure tour, where you will receive 10% off on the unique Canoe on a Lake Dip Set” at Maxwell Pottery.

Click here for details on these special autumn offers.

Ask an Expert

While family camping will be different than those trips you made before becoming a parent, with the kids you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.

Here’s what well-known canoeist and author, Kevin Callan, has to say about camping with kids.

Be realistic:
Know your children’s limits. Most kids under five will spend only thirty to forty minutes in a canoe or on a hiking trail. So, ease your children into the experience, first by taking shorter excursions and then gradually increasing the length of time. This will help them to adjust and become more comfortable with extended outings.

When to take them:
Kevin’s experience suggests the earlier the better. The sooner your children are introduced to the natural environment the chances are much greater that they will develop a keen appreciation and love for the outdoors. And this will likely last through those more difficult teen years!

Be a parent and a leader:
Offer your children direction. Explain everything to them, communicate clearly and involve them in all activities around the campsite and park. This way, they’ll gain a better respect for nature.

Be as Creative as a Camp Counsellor:
Have games, songs and activities prepared in advance, and know how to make them fun. A helpful resource is www.Campsite24.ca. Kids want to play on a beach, go swimming, burn marshmallows on a stick and listen to scary stories before bed. They’ll want to ride their bikes through the campground and learn to paddle a canoe. And remember, help them to open their eyes to the wonders of nature by taking in the park’s education programs or just exploring a trail on your own.

Once again, you’re making memories for a lifetime.

Did You Know?

The Mattawa was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1988, to commemorate its role in history. The river was a gateway to the west and was travelled by men who became giants in history. Explorers such as Etienne Brule, Samuel de Champlain, Father Jean de Brebeuf, Pierre-Esprit Radisson, Medard Chouart des Grosseilliers, Pierre de la Verendrye, Alexander MacKenzie and David Thompson all followed the Mattawa. But before the Europeans, the Mattawa River was a main travel corridor for Native peoples. The evidence from several sites shows that the area was first inhabited at least 6,000 years ago.

One of the most notable discoveries was an ancient Aboriginal ochre mine located at the base of Porte de l’Enfer – a place the 17th century Jesuits labeled, “Hell’s Gate.” It’s one of two sites found in Ontario where this red mineral was gathered. We see it most commonly on Aboriginal rock paintings.

Follow in Famous Footsteps

Perhaps the most important figure in Canadian history to have travelled the Mattawa River was a man often called the Father of New France - Samuel de Champlain.

Born around 1567, in the town of Brouage, France, he learned about navigation, map-making and chart-reading, with his first major expeditions to the West Indies from 1601-1603. He became the Royal Geographer to the King of France, and later the Governor of New France.

Champlain founded Quebec City in 1608, and once the fledgling colony was established, he set about exploring deeper into the continent. Through his Algonquin allies he learned of a great river, the Ottawa, which led to a huge sea. Champlain believed this was the route to China, as many geographers of the day believed the Orient was only a short distance beyond North America.

In 1613, Champlain and a few of his men paddled up the Ottawa River for the first time. They were stopped by some Algonquin, who warned that the route farther upriver was “a wicked place”. This was reference to the Mattawa River, with the most difficult rapids and portages on the way to the Great Lakes.

Finally in 1615, Champlain was able to make the entire trip to the land of the Huron people on Georgian Bay, the “Freshwater Sea”. He made an alliance with them, and the Huron became the most important French allies in the early Canadian fur trade. The fur trade was important to the colony of New France because it provided most of its trade and revenue. The significance of furs to the Canadian economy continued after it became a British colony.

Talon Chute

Mattawa River’s Talon Chute, named for the governor of New France, Jean Talon, is located upstream of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Stories say it was a place of great importance to Native peoples.

According to Alexander McKenzie’s journal, the portage avoiding the chute was one of the most dangerous to walk across, "where many men have been crushed to death by canoes." The rock formation above the potholes, called the Dog Face, appeared in Ripley’s Believe It or Not in the 1950s. Well-known canoeist and cinematographer, Bill Mason, shot footage here for the portage scene in his film The Voyageurs.

Recipe - Pita Pizza

Ingredients:
2 pita breads (more if needed)
1 can of tomato paste
1 green and red pepper
1 fresh red onion
1 salami (or other dried meats)
grated cheese (any kind)
1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:
Coat pan with olive oil. Prepare toppings on pizza. Place pizza in pan and cover for five to seven minutes on a cook stove (longer over the fire). Cut up into pieces and share while the next pizza is being prepared and cooked.

Feel free to change the toppings.

Nearby and Interesting

Mattawa Voyageur Country provides visitors with excellent four season outdoor recreation opportunities on uncrowded, unspoiled land and water trails. It’s home to:

• Voyageur Multi Use Trail System, a 200 kilometre trail system designed for ATV, equestrian and mountain bike adventures.
• Eau Clare Gorge Conservation Area, a hikers paradise.
• Brent Crater, in Algonquin Provincial Park (north).
• Algonquin North Wilderness Outfitters

The Town of Mattawa is known for its wooden sculptures of voyageurs who travelled through the area. The sculptures were inspired by internationally renowned artist Clermont Duval, who has his own gallery in town. Explorer’s Point, site of the former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, is home to a 5.5 metre tall statue of legendary Big Joe Mufferaw and the Mattawa Museum.

The City of North Bay, 45 minutes west of Mattawa, offers all the amenities and comfort a traveller could ask for.

For other interesting places and activities in the area, visit Near North Travel Association or call 1-800-387-0516.

Share a Tale or Say It with Photos

Neil from Simcoe writes, "while camping at one of our all time favourite parks, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, I took a day trip in my kayak along the Mattawa River. After completing the Portage des Paresseux, I took this photograph of these impressive falls, before continuing my paddle down the historic Mattawa."

For a chance to have your story or photo featured in an upcoming issue of the Insider, email us your story or photos today! Everyone who makes a submission will also be entered into a monthly draw for great parks gear!

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