Paddling — Flatwater.
Mowat Landing puts you onto the Lady Evelyn River — a waterfall-lined wilderness river whose north and south branches and pool-and-drop geology let you paddle upstream on one and downstream on the other for a seven- to ten-day round trip. Lake Temagami fans out to the south past Bear Island into the 100 km Diamond–Wakimika–Obabika loop, four portages all under 900 m, and the Sturgeon River system runs the southern edge of Temagami's roughly 2,400 km canoe network.
The brief.
Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is the wilderness-class centrepiece of the canoe network, with five backcountry access points and motor restrictions across its lakes — interior travel is canoe-only. The park's Mowat Landing access opens the most-trafficked Maple Mountain loop (six to seven days, novice-friendly with a day hike to the 642 m summit).
The 100 km Lake Temagami → Diamond → Wakimika → Obabika circuit is the standard intermediate introduction. Friends of Temagami maintains canoe-route signage and portage clearing across the broader network, including the Lady Evelyn River corridor.
Best window is late May through early October — late June through early September is the easiest conditions window once bug pressure eases. Note that Ontario Parks documents the formal park/reserve canoe network at roughly 2,400 km; third-party tripping resources cite a higher 4,700 km figure that includes full Crown-land mileage.
5. places.
- 01
Lake Temagami
Deep cold-water shield lake with island-dotted bays around Bear Island; multi-day base for the 100 km Diamond–Wakimika–Obabika loop and shorter regional routes.
- 02
Lady Evelyn River (north and south branches)
Central feature of Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater PP; pool-and-drop geology supports a seven- to ten-day combined-branch trip; carries the region's whitewater.
- 03
Mowat Landing → Maple Mountain loop
Novice-friendly six- to seven-day route via Lady Evelyn Lake, smaller lakes and creeks, with a day hike to the 642 m Maple Mountain summit.
- 04
Obabika Lake / Wakimika Lake / Diamond Lake circuit
Classic intermediate route through the Obabika old-growth forest country.
- 05
Sturgeon River system
Multi-day southern Temagami route for stronger paddlers.
Today's read.
Temperature (6.4°C) below the typical range.
By the book.
- 01Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park has motorboat restrictions in effect across its lakes; backcountry-only camping with 5 access points and 25 interior earth-pit toilets.Source ↗
- 02Friends of Temagami volunteer-maintains canoe-route signage and portages across the broader network; route conditions are best confirmed via the FOT canoe-route page.Source ↗