Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide (After the Storm)

---

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Reservations – What You Need to Know Before You Go

Making a reservation to camp at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is pretty easy.

Just like all the other Ontario Park campsites, you can book your campsite up to five months in advance of your arrival date through the Ontario Parks reservation system.

In order to make a reservation online, you will first need to have an Ontario Parks account.

Registrations begin at 7 am EST.

We booked our stay at Samuel de Champlain for July and had a pretty easy time getting a site for the days we wanted. Surprising, considering this park seems to be quite popular.

I’m guessing that this was because not too many people are aware that the park had partially reopened.

With limited sites available, I’m assuming that it will be a little more difficult moving forward, since the park was full during our entire stay.

☑️ Expert Tip – Be sure to pre-register and check in online before arriving at the park. It definitely expedites the process once you arrive. This can easily be done by logging into your Ontario Parks account and heading to your reservation.

The park is open for camping from the beginning of May until mid-October after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Address:
6905 Highway 17 East Mattawa, ON, P0H 1V0
https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/samueldechamplain

---

Arriving at the Park

When you pull into the park entrance, it’s just a quick drive to the Park Store where you will need to check in.

While there is plenty of regular vehicle parking there, there are no designated spots for RVs.

This is when having a small teardrop trailer comes in really handy! We were able to find a spot off to the side to park while we took care of business.

While at the Park Store, we picked up a printed map, grabbed some firewood, and I added a park patch to my collection.

We arrived after the 2:00 p.m. check-in, so once we were done checking in, we could head straight to our campsite.

---

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Map

---

Navigating the Park

Samuel de Champlain is a decent-sized park, so you really need to depend on the signs to navigate.

Fortunately, there are enough posted signs pointing you toward the campgrounds, Park Store, Visitor Centre, and hiking trails.

We also noticed many sandwich board signs pointing towards the day-use beach and other points of interest.

The main park road was paved, and awesome to drive on with a trailer in tow

The campground roads are one-way, fairly narrow, and made of packed dirt and gravel. They were in ok shape during our visit, with potholes in some areas,

We still found them easy enough to navigate with a small trailer.

---

Parking

The parking lots at Samuel de Champlain were a good size. We never had trouble finding space to park.

There were parking lots at the Park Store, Visitor Centre, one at the comfort stations, a small one at the beach, and of course, at the day use area.

---

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Camping

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park supports a wide range of camping options.

You can book sites for car camping, tenting, and RVs up to 32 feet (9.7 metres).

Of course, you can choose between electric and non-electric campsites as well.

Just note that not every campground section fits every style of camping, so pay close attention to the site details when you book.

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park only has 2 main campgrounds.

The Jingwakoki Campground offers a mix of powered and non-powered sites, and Babawasse Campground which only offers powered sites.

Unfortunately, due to the storm damage, only the smaller Babawasse Campground is open at this time. It is still not known when Jingwakoki will open.

One thing I wasn’t sure about was the row of cabins we noticed just outside of our campground.

A couple of them looked like they were occupied, however nowhere on the Ontario Parks website does it mention them.

You can even find them in a Google search! If anyone knows the answer to this mystery, I would love to hear it!

All in all, Samuel de Champlain is home to 160 campsites.

---

Campgrounds at a Glance

---

Our Campsite Experience

During our visit to Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, we stayed in the Babawasse Campground.

Our campsite was pretty spacious, with more than enough room for us to set up our dining tent had we chosen to do so.

While the sites were not very private (I could still see my neighbours), there was more than enough shrubbery between sites to provide a good buffer.

We also backed onto the river, so aside from a few people walking the waterfront path, we had plenty of privacy and even a small view of the water!

On the downside, our site was a little wonky with rocks and roots that made the parking pad a little uneven. Not too big of a deal however.

We were a short walk to the beach as well as to the comfort station and nearest water tap.

It was also obvious that many of the trees and shrubs in the campsite had been damaged in the storm. It was sad, as you could imagine how pretty the park was prior to the damage.

---

What Amenities Does Samuel de Champlain Offer?

Comfort Stations

There are 2 comfort stations with showers in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

One comfort station is located in the Babawasse Campground, with the second being shared between the two Jingwakoki Campgrounds.

Even though John and I chose to shower early in the evening, we did not have to wait even once for the showers to be free.

We found the comfort stations to be really clean and well-kept. In fact, I joked with John that the tiles in the shower were in better shape than the tiles in our own shower at home!

The water was hot, and the pressure in the showers was decent.

I’m wondering if the comfort station was totally redone after the storm.

Vault toilets were also located near the beaches, as well as in each of the campground areas.

I also wanted to mention the fact that during one of the days we were staying in the park, signs were posted on EVERY door of the comfort station warning of an incoming thunderstorm.

The sign advised visitors to seek shelter in the comfort station. Great advice (a result of experience, no doubt) and something I have not seen anywhere else!

---

Laundry

A coin laundry is available in both comfort stations located in the campgrounds.

The laundry room in our campground was clean and in great condition. It had two washers, two dryers, as well as a large laundry sink and folding counter.

All machines were in working order during our visit.

---

Park Store

The Park Store is located just before the entrance to the Babawasse Campground.

Inside, you will find a variety of Ontario Parks merch, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, stickers, water bottles, camping cups, and more.

You will also find a small variety of snacks, an ice cream freezer full of novelty ice cream, a coffee station, as well as some camping essentials that you may have forgotten.

Not only did I buy my patch, but I also picked up a Croc Jibit that was a replica of the park patch!

Considering all I wear is Crocs around the campground, I was pretty happy to find this. And to be honest, this is the only park that I have seen custom Croc Jibits (Outside of the Ontario Parks set).

There is plenty of parking at the Park Store as well as an outdoor patio with umbrellas and seating.

---

Visitor’s Centre

The Mattawa River Visitor Centre is a great place to learn about the natural and cultural history of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and the Mattawa River valley.

John and I spent a good hour in the Visitor’s Centre admiring the huge canoe, checking out the animal furs, and reading through some of the displays.

We thought it was well put-together and a great way to learn about the history of the Mattawa area.

If you are interested in speaking with a Park Naturalist, head over on weekends in spring and fall, and daily during July and August.

---

Day Use Area

Bagwa beach is where you will find the day-use area at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

There, you will find a playground, picnic tables, and a trailhead.

There was a large parking lot located adjacent to the main beach, as well as a vault toilets.

The only signage we saw pointing you towards the day use area was a small sandwich board sign with the word “Bagwa” at the side of the main road nearest to the Visitor Centre.

It wasn’t until John and I went out for a paddle that we realized what “Bagwa” was.

And I’m not even kidding when I say that the day use area was deserted! Not a single person was in the area! This made us unsure if we were even allowed to go there!

The beach seemed nice enough with a large roped-off swimming area and soft sand to relax on.

We did end up coming back the next day to hike the trail off the parking lot, but still, not a soul on the beach!

There is a small road that takes you from the visitor centre to Bagwa Beach.

If you want to visit the park for the day-use area only, you can reserve your daily vehicle permit to guarantee your day-use spot.

Permits can be obtained up to five days in advance.

---

Boat Launch

There is one boat launch at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Located in the Babawasse Campground, it provides access to Moore Lake.

We found it to be rather basic with a small parking lot and dock.

---

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Beaches

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is home to three sandy beaches.

As I mentioned earlier, Bagwa Beach is located in the day use area and is marked with buoy lines. We visited this beach briefly on our last day at the park.

The swimming area was clean and did not get very deep, making it perfect for families with young children.

The water was tea coloured and pretty warm during our visit in July.

The second beach is located in the Babawasse Campground.

This beach is much smaller, but also has a roped-off swimming area. The area is nice and sandy with a pretty gradual drop-off.

We were able to easily launch our paddleboards into the lake from this beach.

The third, located in the Jingwakoki Campground remains closed due to the storm damage.

While the main beach had a pretty sizeable parking lot, the beach in our campground did not. There was a small grassy area that would only fit maybe 5 cars.

You will also find a small set of swings at the Babawasse Beach.

The comfort station was about a 5-minute walk from the beach.

---

What Services Does Samuel de Champlain Offer?

You will find all the usual Ontario Provincial Parks services at Silent Lake.

Water

You will find 2 water fill stations at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

The first is located within the sanitation area. There is a single lane with a single water fill station.

That said, there is also a separate water fill area that is located right off the main road.

This one was pretty nice and much easier to get to. There was even a park bench right at the tap, so that you could sit while your rig was filling.

You will find water taps located throughout the campgrounds, as well as in the day-use area.

There are no water hookups at the individual campsites.

---

Dump Station

There is only one sanitation station at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

The dump station is located just before you get to the Park Store.

The sanitation area consists of a long single-lane loop with one dump station.

The dump station is located after the fill station and is on the driver’s side, which is where most rigs have their tanks.

And just like at other parks, expect the sanitation area to be busy around check-out time.

---

Garbage and Recycling

You will find a small garbage and recycling area at the entrance to each campground.

In this area, you’ll find multiple recycling containers, a bin for refundable cans, and a designated bin for small empty propane canisters.

There is also a shed for you to put your garbage bags in.

---

Cell Service

If you need to stay connected during your time at Samuel de Champlain, we found the cell service to be really decent.

I could make calls, answer emails, send texts, and even stream my TV shows from almost anywhere in the campground.

I was also able to write this blog and get some other work done with absolutely no issues.

It’s always nice when I get to have a pretty view while I work!

---

Things to Do at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park

I’m sure that Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park used to be an awesome place for outdoor recreation.

With the heavy storm damage, expect to have fewer options while the clean up operations continue.

1. Go for a Paddle

One thing John and I always look forward to when we’re camping is paddleboarding. And Moore Lake was definitely a great spot for it.

While the lake itself was not too big, we were able to continue along the Amable du
Fond River. There were quite a few small offshoots of the main river to explore!

But just a heads up, Moore Lake, as well as the Amable du Fond River, are quite marshy in many areas.

During our stay, the current in the lake was also quite strong. John and I would stop paddling for a couple of minutes and that would be enough for us to end up in the weeds along the shoreline!

---

2. Enjoy a Refreshing Swim

Moore Lake is a great spot for swimming, as long as you remain in the roped off areas.

The tea-coloured water is clean and warm enough for a comfortable dip.

It stays fairly shallow, which makes it a good option if you’re visiting with younger kids.

But as I mentioned above, the lake is quite marshy with plenty of plant growth lurking just below the surface.

Even John, who makes a point of jumping off his paddleboard to dip in every lake we visit, chose not to do so here.

---

3. Go for a Bike Ride

There are no dedicated bike trails at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. That said, you are welcome to bike on the main road as well as the smaller campground roads.

The main road is incredibly smooth. And due to the decreased park capacity, it wasn’t too busy to bike on.

The campground roads were a little rough, but we saw plenty of kids zipping past our site on bikes.

---

4. Take Part in the Discovery Program

During the summer months, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park runs a full schedule of educational programs.

Guided hikes, children’s programs, spirit nights, musical performances and campfire sing-alongs are just a few of the programs provided during the months of July and August.

You can also try your hand at paddling a replica Voyageur canoe!

Check the weekly events calendars posted throughout the park for details on upcoming opportunities.

You can also pick up a Discovery Book at the gatehouse and explore the park on your own.

---

5. Try Your Hand at Fishing

For anyone who loves fishing, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is a wonderful spot to indulge in a favourite pastime.

Moore Lake is home to a variety of fish species including Large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye (Pickerel), Northern Pike and muskellunge.

We saw people fishing from boats, canoes, and from the water’s edge.

---

6. Do Some Birdwatching

John and I are slowly allowing our inner birders to come out! As such, we appreciate some of the amazing birds that we see while camping.

And Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park had plenty to see!

You can regularly spot a variety of songbirds, such as warblers, and other avian species such as Bald Eagles, hawks and Great Blue Herons in the park.

---

7. Enjoy a Hike

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park is home to 3 campground hiking trails as well as access to the Etienne Trail System.

During our stay, we hiked the only campground trail that was open. We did not have time to hike the much longer Etienne Trails.

The trailheads are spread out across the park and clearly marked with large signs, so they’re easy to find.

There are also decent-sized parking lots adjacent to the trailheads.

Set on a peninsula in the middle of Moore Lake, John and I enjoyed this short trail.

We were able to explore the marshy area while comfortably walking along a wooden boardwalk.

If you just want to get out for a peaceful stroll, this is the trail for you!

The trail also makes its way to higher ground where you get a few really nice glimpses over Moore Lake and the Amable du Fond River.

I have to admit, though, it was sad to see all the mature trees that had been damaged or destroyed by the storm.

---

CLOSED

---

CLOSED

---

8. Try Out Tubing

While tubing is not listed on the Ontario Parks website, and tubes cannot be rented from the Park Store, we saw a ton of people partaking in this fun summer activity.

We saw campers accessing the Amable du Fond River right by the waterfall. The water was just deep enough for the tubes to get started on their trek down river.

That said, I honestly can’t tell you how deep the river is or how far you can ride it (we couldn’t solve that mystery in the couple of days we were in the park).

I would recommend wearing a lifejacket and having a sturdy tube (rather than just a pool floatie). We even saw some people wearing helmets.

---

Is Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Accessible?

We found the buildings at Samuel de Champlain to be very accessible.

The comfort station allowed for barrier-free access to both flush toilets and showers.

The Park Store and Visitor Centre were also barrier-free.

That said, I found the placement of the beach accessibility mat at Babawasse to be quite odd.

You would have to make your way from the grassy parking lot, over uneven grass, and around the swings just to get on the mat. The did not even reach the water either.

Definitely the strangest placement of the blue mat that I have seen in ANY park so far!

---

Are Pets Allowed at Samuel de Champlain?

Yes. Dogs are welcome at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

Pets are allowed at the campground and in the day-use area, but must be leashed at all times.

Apparently, there is a small dog exercise area which we did not come across in our travels through the park.

From the Ontario Parks page, you need to find a road that that is not well-travelled that leads from Jingwakoki Campground out to our group camping area.

The road then makes its way back out along the Amable du Fond River to a gate at Highway 17. There you will find the pet exercise area.

Considering it is not marked on the park map, you may have to ask a staff member to point you in the right direction.

Just a reminder, dogs are not allowed at the main beaches.

---

Is There Winter Camping at Samuel de Champlain?

Unfortunately, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park does not offer winter camping.

They also do not offer winter activities in the park such as cross-country skiing, tobogganing or snowshoeing.

---

Our Park Rating

We give this park 3 out of 5 stars for having:

---

Final Thoughts

We had a lot of fun during our visit to Samuel de Champlain.

We made the best of the available amenities and activities that the park was able to offer.

Unfortunately, due to the storm damage, it is going to take quite some time before this park can operate normally.

So, if you do decide to visit, manage your expectations, and definitely give the park staff kudos for all the hard work that has gone into being able to partially open this park.

We have no regrets!

---

Pin This Post for Later!

---

More Campground Reviews:

• Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Mikisew Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Killbear Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Restoule Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Arrowhead Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Grundy Lake Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide
• Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park Review & Campground Guide