Paddle the Historic Mattawa River

The Mattawa River isn’t just any waterway—it’s a designated Canadian Heritage River where Indigenous peoples and fur trade voyageurs once traveled the same routes you’ll paddle today.

Best for: Intermediate paddlers and history enthusiasts

Perfect Paddling Day Trips:

• Beginner route: Pimisi Bay to Talon Chutes (2-3 hours)
• Must-see highlight: Paresseux Falls cascading through ancient rock formations
• Full-day adventure: Pimisi Bay to Samuel de Champlain Park (6-8 hours with easy portages)

Pro tip: Book guided tours through local outfitters for historical insights and equipment rental.

Paddle the Mattawa River – credit: Ed Regan

Chase Waterfalls at Duchesnay Falls

No summer trip to North Bay is complete without visiting Duchesnay Falls. This series of multiple cascading waterfalls carved into the Laurentian Escarpment is easily accessible via a short hike from Highway 17 and offers beautiful forest hiking trails that are perfect for nature lovers and amateur photographers alike.

Photography tip: Visit early morning for the best lighting and fewer crowds.

Discover Local Flavours at the North Bay Farmers’ Market

Get a taste of local life at the North Bay Farmers’ Market, where you’ll find fresh produce, artisan goods, baked treats, and handcrafted gifts. Held weekly in the downtown core, it’s the perfect way to support local and enjoy a community vibe.

When: Every Wednesday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:30pm during the months of May to October

Where: In front of the North Bay Museum, 100 Ferguson St.

Insider tip: Arrive early for the best selection and bring reusable bags to support local sustainability efforts.

Catch Live Music Under the Stars

North Bay’s summer music comes alive with weekly free outdoor concerts at the Kiwanis Bandshell as part of the Summer Concert Series on Wednesday evenings or the Arts and Culture nights on Tuesdays. Check out our events calendar for full details.

What to bring: Picnic blanket, snacks, and your camera for stunning sunset photos over Lake Nipissing.

Venue spotlight: Check local pubs and eateries that offer weekly live performances and emerging Canadian talent, like Cecil’s Brewhouse & Kitchen, The Fraser Tavern, Lou Dawgs, Match Eatery & Public House, The Block Public House and Gateway City Brewery.

Soak Up the Sun on North Bay’s Beaches

North Bay is home to some of Northern Ontario’s most beautiful freshwater beaches on the sandy shores and clear waters of Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake.

Highlights:

• Perfect for freshwater swimming
• Sandy shorelines perfect for beach volleyball and sandcastle building
• Water sport rentals (kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats)
• Beachside amenities
• Quieter and more secluded beach experiences
• Excellent for fishing

Explore the Kate Pace Way by Trike or Bike

Explore the scenic Kate Pace Way, a paved multi-use trail that stretches from North Bay’s waterfront all the way to Callander. The popular trails celebrates Olympic skier Kate Pace and is also designated as part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Unique experience: Rent fun trike bikes for a memorable family adventure

Alternative activities: Cycling, rollerblading, walking, or jogging

Scenic highlights: Waterfront views, forest sections, and small-town charm in Callander.

Cruise Lake Nipissing Aboard the Chief Commanda II

Experience North Bay from the water aboard the Chief Commanda II, a local favourite activity aboard a 320-passenger, all-aluminum twin-hull vessel.  The ship is equipped with two bars, accessible washrooms, snack bar, and open-air BBQ.

Popular cruise options:

• Manitou Island exploration: Learn about Indigenous history and local ecology
• French River sightseeing: Discover pristine wilderness and historic fur trade routes
• Callander Bay sunset cruises: Romantic evening excursions with dinner options

Booking tip: Reserve sunset cruises early—they’re North Bay’s most popular summer activity!

Chief Commanda II – credit: withlove_duquettes

Enjoy Family Fun at North Bay’s Waterfront District

North Bay’s waterfront is a summer highlight for all ages. Stroll through lush flower gardens perfect for photos and peaceful strolls, let the kids loose at the beachfront playground at Shabogesic Beach, and don’t miss a ride on the nostalgic Heritage Carousel and Mini Train, operated by volunteers with love.

Accessibility: All attractions are wheelchair accessible and family-friendly.

Explore North Bay’s Rich Military and Cultural History

A variety of museums can be found in North Bay providing a glimpse into the region’s rich history, cultural and heritage.

Must-visit are:

• North Bay Museum: Local history from Indigenous peoples to modern times
• Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence: Interactive exhibits showcasing Canada’s military aviation history and NORAD operations
• Dionne Quints Museum: Step inside the original 1930s home of the famous quintuplets and learn their remarkable story

Take Free Self-Guided Tours with Driftscape

Download the Driftscape app and discover North Bay with free self guided tours at your own pace, with GPS navigation and audio commentary included in both French and English.

Two of the most popular tours are:

• Holiday Film Tour: Visit locations where popular Christmas movies were filmed
• North Bay Public Art Tour: Discover murals, sculptures, and installations throughout the city

Shop Local & Support North Bay Artisans

North Bay is filled with boutiques, vintage shops for your one-of-a-kind treasures and antiques, art galleries, and great eateries including farm to table and craft breweries.

Best shopping district: Downtown core offers walkable access to multiple shops, restaurants and the waterfront.

Join North Bay’s Vibrant Summer Festival Scene

North Bay’s summer festival calendar is packed! Don’t miss these favourites:

Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow Wow: Indigenous culture celebration with traditional dancing, music, food and vendors

Boatapalooza: Waterfront festival featuring boat displays, live music, and family activities

Bay Block Party: High-energy street festival with live bands, food trucks, and local vendors

Planning tip: Check the complete summer events calendar when booking your visit

Ready to explore

North Bay perfectly combines outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and small-town hospitality. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping water sports, peaceful nature escapes, or vibrant community festivals, this Northern Ontario gem delivers unforgettable summer memories for everyone.

Start planning your North Bay adventure today and discover why this hidden gem is becoming Ontario’s must-visit summer destination.

Sunsets over Lake Nipissing – credit: Scott Edworthy

The post 12 Fun Ways to Explore North Bay In Summer appeared first on Tourism North Bay.

Canoe Racers Run a Set of Rapids on the Mattawa River – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

The Mattawa River is an ancient water highway that served as an important trade route for indigenous nations for thousands of generations before European contact in the 1600’s. And, for another two centuries, the Mattawa River was the primary route for exploration and the fur trade for voyageurs, couriers de bois and lumberman as they ventured deeper into the wilds that would become Canada.

Portage at Campion Rapids in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

Today, the 64 km canoe race from Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake in North Bay to Mattawa Island in the Town of Mattawa celebrates the Mattawa River’s long human history. With five mandatory portages skirting waterfalls and dams, and up to 7 other portages depending on water levels on race day, the Mattawa River Canoe Race is a challenging test of endurance, perseverance and determination. A shorter, 13 km Family/ Junior Race is also on the roster for burgeoning paddlers from Campion Rapids at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park to Mattawa Island.

Start of the Family/ Junior Race at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

The race attracts all levels of paddler with categories for the fastest Pro (Marathon) racers to recreational paddlers. Marathon canoers have the advantage of a longer, sleeker, feather-weight canoe to keep them cutting the water at top speeds. Equally as fast on portages, these racers are a sight to see sprinting with canoe overhead over rocks and roots that are plentiful on the many portages on the race course. The record set for the fastest finish was in 1995 at 5 hours, 27 minutes and 53 seconds! To put that in perspective, recreational paddlers finish the race on average in 10 to 14 hours.

Marathon Canoe Racers at Checkpoint One – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

The race has evolved over the years with new categories added like Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board. In celebration of the river’s heritage, there is even a Voyageur Canoe category where eight brave souls take on the challenge using a 300 pound replica voyageur canoe. A slight advantage would be that the modern-day voyageurs aren’t hauling an additional 160 pounds each of provisions and trade goods like their ancestors 400 years ago.

Modern-day Voyageurs Take on the Mattawa River Canoe Race in a Replica Voyageur Canoe – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

Other modern-day luxuries plentiful in North Bay are the many eateries offered in the city whether fueling up the night before the race, a treat for non-paddling companions during the race, or as a welcoming place to share stories post-race.  A popular lakeside experience is Average Joe’s Eatery & Patio with delicious food and stunning views of Trout Lake. Ice-cream, homemade fudge and local treats are available at The Green Store also on Trout Lake. Or, for a quick grab-and-go snack Orchards Fresh Food Mart has prepared meals, fresh produce and delectable treats for every palette.

An early start at Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake – Photo Credit: North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

The Mattawa River Canoe Race has become a tradition for many paddlers with a handful of seasoned paddlers participating in 30+ races over the years. It is the stunning scenery, comradery with fellow racers and the physical challenge that keeps paddlers coming back. Whether it’s a bucket list challenge or an annual tradition, this is the canoe race of the summer.

The post Mattawa River Canoe Race: a North Bay Tradition for 49 Years appeared first on Tourism North Bay.

Mattawa River looking downstream from Talon Chutes; photo by Skye McCourt

The storied past of the ancient waterways began as it always does with the deep ancestral connections of the region’s first inhabitants. Long before European contact, an extensive exchange system existed between the Anishinabek and the Huron and other Iroquoian groups to the south. What is believed to be an ancient red ochre mine and refinery used by the Indigenous people can be seen today on the northern banks of the Mattawa River downstream from Paresseux Falls. The ochre deposit is one of only a small handful of known sites in Ontario. One can imagine that ochre would have been a valuable commodity to trade for its deep red colouring used for pictographs and dying clothing. The site is protected within the Mattawa River Provincial Park, so best to admire it from the water’s edge.

Porte de L’Enfer ochre mine on the Mattawa River; photo by Chris Mayne

The French explorer Etienne Brule was the first European on record to arrive at the area in the early 1600s learning the route from Indigenous guides. And over the next two centuries, history books show a veritable who’s who of French and British figures passing through the region as the waterways became a well-established trade route from Montreal up the Ottawa to the Mattawa River and La Vase Portages into Lake Nipissing, then down the French River into the Great Lakes. La Vase Portages in present-day North Bay cross the watershed divide between Trout Lake and Lake Nipissing. This area was infamous amongst the Voyageurs as the “mud” river with approximately 7km of “land” travel thought to be the most difficult in the entire cross-country route. Remember, these guys were carrying 600-pound canoes laden with supplies and goods to trade for beaver pelts and other furs. Parts of the historic portages have been restored today by a group of local citizens, the Friends of La Vase, with the help of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority. Each year in July, the Friends organize a Canoe Day open to paddlers that would like to experience firsthand this unique piece of our heritage.

For those who prefer a more leisurely option, a hiking trail within the La Vase Portages Conservation Area is a great place to spend the afternoon and just imagine the ancient curses of our forefathers echoing across the quiet ponds.

La Vase Portages; photo by Chris Mayne

Next to arrive en masse to the area were loggers with their sights on the largely untouched stands of white and red pine. The waterways were valuable assets to the burgeoning timber industry used to transport logs to sawmills further downstream. The frequent drops along the Mattawa River created a new challenge overcome by building log slides to bypass obstacles like the Talon Chutes. The remains of an old timber chute are still visible at Paresseux Falls on the Mattawa River.

Paresseux Falls; photo by Chris Mayne

One of Canada’s most famous lumberjacks and folk hero Joe Montferrand aka Big Joe Mufferaw spent time in the area in the early 1800s. Exaggerated tales of Big Joes exploits have become the stuff of legends, with Stompin’ Tom Connors immortalizing Big Joe Mufferaw for paddling into Mattawa “all the way from Ottawa in just one day”! A 16-foot wooden statue of Big Joe stands tall at Explorer’s Point in Mattawa, where he is joined by 20 or so other historical figures scattered around the town.

Mattawa River Canoe Race on Trout Lake; photo courtesy of North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority

Today, these spectacular waterways continue to hold great value in the community inspiring recreational pursuits, festivals, competition and comradery. The annual Mattawa River Canoe Race is one such event that is a four-decade-old tradition and has drawn the attention of paddlers from across Canada and the US as Ontario’s most challenging race. Only a global pandemic was able to put this race on hold. The North Bay Canoe Club is another cornerstone of tradition in North Bay and has produced several world champions. From dragon boat festivals to triathlons, competition to leisure, the waterways are celebrated for the profound influence they continue to have on our lives. While the pandemic has created an upheaval in so many aspects of our lives, it is a comfort to know that these great waterways continue to flow and that they will always be around to welcome the next great adventurer.

Photo of Mattawa River; photo by Shockwaves Paddle Adventure

Where to start your own waterway adventure

Discovery Routes, a local charity supporting a thriving volunteer trails community, produces an Adventure Trails Map detailing parking and launch areas for day trips along the waterways and many hiking trails in the area. For more detailed portage and camping information, the Mattawa River Adventure Map is a great resource. For those that prefer to have someone else do the planning, Shockwaves Paddle Adventures organizes guided kayak trips on Lake Nipissing and the Mattawa River. And for a really unique and authentic experience, Voyageur Adventure Tours are offered out of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and provide an opportunity to paddle a Voyageur Canoe on the Mattawa River.

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