The Civic Holiday weekend is the perfect time to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature. This year, I decided to spend the long weekend camping at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, a gem nestled along the banks of the Mattawa River in Ontario. This park, rich in history and natural beauty, offered the perfect backdrop for a memorable outdoor adventure.
We arrived at the park on Friday evening, eager to set up camp and start exploring. The drive from Toronto took about 4 hours, but the journey was scenic, with the landscape gradually transforming from urban sprawl to the lush greenery of Northern Ontario. As we pulled into the park, we were greeted by the towering pines and the sound of the river rushing nearby.
Our campsite was nestled in the Jingwakoki Campground, known for its spacious sites and proximity to the Moore Lake and the Amable du Fond RIver. Our site had a beautiful view of the river and right next to us was the launch for the lazy river. After setting up our tent and organizing our gear, we built a fire and settled in for the night.
Saturday morning greeted us with clear skies and the promise of adventure. We decided to start day with a hike along the Kag trail. This is a 2.5 km trail that is rated difficult. This trail travels through several ecosystems, including tall majestic Red Pine forests, Gem Lake and oak highlands. There were lots of steep climbs on this trail. Once we made it to the top, we were slightly disappointed that there was no lookout or anything to see. The hike down was just as hard as the hike up.
After the hike it was time to try out the lazy river and cool off. Floating down the Amable du Fond River was so much fun! It is a very rocky trip down the river so make sure you have your water shoes on so you can push yourself off the rocks if you get stuck. At the end of the river, there is a small beach and parking lot that is perfect for someone to meet you and drive you back to the top so you can do it again.
Sunday we got up and headed to check out more of the park. We headed over to The Bagwa day use area beach and did the Wabashkiki Trail. This trail was a 1 km loop trial through the marsh where you can explore resident wildlife on this trail and boardwalk set on a peninsula in the middle of Moore Lake. After our hike we headed back to the campers beach and spent the afternoon playing frisbee and floating in the lake.
As we sat around the campfire on our last night, reflecting on the weekend, we were grateful for the time spent in nature. Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park had offered the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, making it a Civic Holiday weekend to remember.
Camping at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park was a fantastic way to spend the Civic Holiday weekend. The park’s natural beauty, rich history, and variety of activities make it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re paddling on the Mattawa River, hiking its rugged trails, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest, this park has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a place to disconnect and recharge, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park should be at the top of your list.
Next weekend we will be heading off to Kingston to revist Charleston Lake Provincial Park! We spend Canada Day long weekend there last year and loved it, so I can't wait to make more memories at this beautiful park.
If you have been to Samuel de Champlain Provincial park, leave me a comment and let me know what your favourite part of the park was.
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Happy Camping 🏕️
Love,
Liz
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