Petawawa River: Whitewater Playground | 5-Day Adult

Adventure Overview

Big splashes. Playful rapids. Five days of pure whitewater fun!

If you’re looking for a river that delivers plenty of excitement, beautiful wilderness scenery, and endless opportunities to develop your whitewater skills, the Petawawa might just be your perfect playground!

Tucked into the northeastern corner of Algonquin Provincial Park, the Petawawa River has long been considered one of Ontario’s classic whitewater canoe routes. With its beautiful Canadian Shield landscape, towering pines, and seemingly endless stretches of fun, splashy rapids, it’s easy to see why paddlers keep coming back for more.

Our 5-day adventure begins at Lake Traverse, where we’ll set off on a roughly 50 km journey through one of the most exciting sections of the Petawawa. Along the way, we’ll encounter numerous Class I and II rapids, offering a fantastic mix of playful whitewater, beautiful wilderness paddling, and opportunities to challenge yourself on the river.

But the Petawawa isn’t just about running rapids. It’s about learning to love whitewater!

Whether you’re relatively new to moving water or looking to refine your skills, this river offers an incredible outdoor classroom. Our experienced guides will provide hands-on instruction throughout the trip, helping you develop your ability to read the river, choose your lines, and confidently navigate rapids. From practicing technical maneuvers to discovering the thrill of a perfectly executed run, there’s always something new to learn.

And when we’re not making waves, there’s plenty to enjoy off the water, too!

We’ll spend our evenings camping beneath the pines, sharing stories around the campfire, and enjoying the simple pleasures of wilderness life. With beautiful campsites, rugged scenery, and plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge, the Petawawa offers that perfect balance of adventure and escape.

The river itself has a rich history, having served as an important travel route for Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Later, it played a role in the fur trade and logging industry. Today, it continues to draw paddlers from near and far, all eager to experience its beautiful wilderness and legendary whitewater.

And just when you think the fun might be winding down, the Petawawa has one more treat in store!

One of the highlights of this adventure is a spectacular 3 km stretch of continuous Class I whitewater that provides a playful and memorable finish to our journey. It’s the kind of paddling that leaves you grinning from ear to ear and wishing the river would keep going!

Whitewater Playground is more than just five days of paddling. It’s an opportunity to build skills, challenge yourself, connect with fellow adventurers, and rediscover just how much fun messing around in a canoe can be!

Is This Trip Right for You?

Perfect for adventurous paddlers looking to build their whitewater skills and have a whole lot of fun!

The Petawawa is a fantastic choice for paddlers who are comfortable in a canoe and ready to explore the excitement of moving water. Previous whitewater experience is an asset, but you don’t need to be an expert to join us!

Our experienced guides will provide instruction and coaching throughout the expedition, helping paddlers develop their skills and confidence while making the most of the river’s many learning opportunities.

This is a true wilderness canoe expedition, and participants should be prepared for full days on the river, navigating Class I and II rapids, portaging when necessary, and participating in the physical demands of wilderness travel.

As with all our expeditions, everyone will have opportunities to participate in camp life, from carrying equipment and setting up camp to helping with meals. It’s all part of the experience!

If you’re ready for five days of splashy rapids, skill-building, beautiful wilderness, and plenty of laughs along the way, the Petawawa River is calling. Come out and play!

We acknowledge that the Petawawa River flows through the traditional territories of the  Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabek Nations and is recognized under both the Williams (1923) and Robinson-Huron (Treaty 61, 1850) Treaties.  We recognize that we are visitors to this land. 

What's Included