Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Park Riverside provincial park commemorating explorer Champlain
Along Ontario’s Ottawa River corridor, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park offers camping, canoe routes and hiking beside scenic rivers and rolling forest.
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is a provincial park in Ontario on the Ottawa River, named for the explorer Samuel de Champlain. It protects river shoreline and forested land along a scenic stretch of the Ottawa River.
The park offers front-country camping, day-use beaches, boat launches and canoeing opportunities along the river, plus a network of short walking trails and viewpoints of the water. Outdoor recreation is the primary draw rather than developed attractions or museums.
The site is administered as an Ontario provincial park and managed for recreation and shoreline conservation. The park’s facilities and trails have been developed to support camping and river access over time.
The park sits on the north shore of the Ottawa River near the town of Mattawa in northeastern Ontario, adjacent to Highway 17 and within the Nipissing District.
- Activities: Park facilities include front-country campsites, day-use areas and boat launches on the Ottawa River; summer weekends are the busiest time for camping and paddling.
How to Get to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park #
From North Bay or Ottawa, drive along Trans-Canada Highway routes and follow signage to the park’s access points. The park is reachable by car; paddlers typically launch from designated put-ins maintained by the park authority.
Tips for Visiting Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park #
- Reserve camping spots in advance during peak summer months.
- Bring insect protection for evenings-black flies can be persistent in Ontario's boreal zones.
- Check park advisories for fire regulations and bear-safety guidelines.
Best Time to Visit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park #
Summer for paddling and camping; autumn for foliage and solitude.
Weather & Climate near Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park #
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -18°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (889 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -17°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
