Mattawa River: Paddle Through Time | 5-Day Family

Adventure Overview

*No trip dates scheduled for 2027 yet, contact us if you are interested.

Follow the water. Discover the stories. Make a little history of your own!

Imagine paddling the same waterways that people have travelled for thousands of years, following ancient portage trails, discovering beautiful hidden lakes, and sharing a wilderness adventure with your family.

Welcome to Paddle Through Time, a 5-day family canoe adventure along Ontario’s historic Mattawa River!

At just 76 km long, the Mattawa may be relatively short, but what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in natural beauty, fascinating history, and opportunities for adventure. Flowing east from Lake Nipissing toward the Ottawa River, the Mattawa winds through a spectacular Canadian Shield landscape of towering red and white pines, rocky shorelines, peaceful lakes, and playful moving water.

Designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1988, the Mattawa has been an important travel corridor for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests Indigenous peoples have used this waterway for more than 6,000 years, connecting communities and trade routes between the St. Lawrence Valley and the upper Great Lakes. Later, European explorers, fur traders, and voyageurs followed these same waterways, carrying canoes and supplies over portages that paddlers still travel today.

And now, it’s your family’s turn to follow in their footsteps!

Our 5-day adventure begins at the eastern end of Trout Lake, just outside North Bay. From here, we’ll paddle eastward through a beautiful network of lakes, winding channels, and historic portages, gradually making our way toward the narrower, faster-flowing sections of the Mattawa River.

Along the way, families will have opportunities to experience gentle moving water and playful rapids, with hands-on instruction from our experienced guides. Whether you’re learning to read the river, practicing new paddling techniques, or navigating your first rapid, there’s plenty of opportunity for both youth and adults to build confidence and develop their skills together.

But Paddle Through Time is about so much more than paddling!

This is a journey filled with opportunities to explore, discover, and connect with the incredible history of the river. We’ll follow historic portage routes, imagine the travellers who came before us, and experience firsthand what it means to journey through the wilderness by canoe.

And of course, there’s plenty of time for the simple pleasures of river life, too! Think refreshing swims, beautiful sunsets, wildlife watching, delicious backcountry meals, and evenings spent sharing stories around the campfire beneath towering pines.

Keep your eyes open for moose, black bears, and some of the more than 200 bird species found throughout the region!

Like every great wilderness adventure, this trip comes with a few challenges. Families will work together to paddle, carry equipment across portages, set up camp, and take on the everyday responsibilities of expedition life. Along the way, young adventurers will have opportunities to develop independence, teamwork, resilience, and confidence in their own abilities.

Our 5-day itinerary is designed to balance adventure, learning, and time to enjoy being together. Whether it’s the excitement of navigating a rapid, the satisfaction of completing a historic portage, or the quiet moments watching the sun set over the river, these are the experiences that make family canoe trips so memorable.

Paddle Through Time is more than a canoe trip. It’s a chance to explore the past, discover the wilderness, and create a few unforgettable family stories of your own.

Is This Trip Right for Your Family?

Perfect for adventurous families who love exploring, discovering, and learning together!

Paddle Through Time is designed for families who are excited to experience wilderness canoe tripping, explore a historic Canadian waterway, and take on new challenges together.

Previous canoeing experience is an asset, but you don’t need to be an experienced whitewater paddler to join us! Our experienced guides will provide instruction and support throughout the expedition, helping everyone develop their paddling skills, build confidence, and learn to navigate moving water.

This is a true wilderness canoe expedition, and families should be prepared for full days on the water, several portages, and the physical demands of travelling and camping in a remote wilderness environment. Some portages follow historic routes over uneven terrain, and everyone should be ready to lend a hand carrying equipment and supplies.

Everyone will have opportunities to participate in expedition life, from paddling and carrying gear to setting up camp and helping with meals. It’s all part of the adventure, and often where some of the best learning and family bonding happens!

If your family is ready to trade screens and schedules for paddles, portages, and five days of exploration, it’s time to Paddle Through Time on the Mattawa River!

We acknowledge that the Mattawa River is located on the traditional territories of the Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki and is recognized under both the Robinson-Huron (Treaty 61, 1850) and Williams (1923) Treaties.  We recognize that we are visitors to this land, and will treat it with respect and dignity. 

What's Included