Marten River Provincial Park, located in Marten River, Ontario, Canada is a riverfront park offering abundant water activities for people of many ages and interests. The park is both the hub for outdoor adventure as well as a location nestled in the heart of the historical logging region of Ontario. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to explore the wild as well as to educate themselves on the logging industry of the early 1900s.
RV campers staying at the park will find the large campgrounds comfortable and accommodating, with many of the sites offering shade and views of the river. Marten River Provincial Park is temperate during the summer with average highs of 73 °F (23 °C) and nighttime lows of 49 °F (9 °C). Campers get the best of warm days to spend outdoors and cool nights that are perfect for sleeping with the windows open.
Marten River Provincial Park is located in an area called the Temagami Region. The Temagami Region is called the gateway to the north, and it is known for its interconnected waterways, its abundant wildlife, and its old growth forests. People visit the Temagami Region to escape into the wild and experience nature and outdoor activity in a beautiful setting that’s a mixture of wilderness and more populated areas. RV campers who want scenic campsites with water activity should add Marten River Provincial Park to their list of must-see places in the Temagami Region.
Marten River Provincial Park is located 259 miles (417 km) north of Toronto, and 257 miles (414 km) northwest of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Some of the routes may require tolls.
If you are coming from the United States, the park is located 275 miles (442 km) northeast from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This route crosses international borders, so visitors coming from Michigan should be familiar with policies on crossing international borders in an RV, as well as rules on bringing pets into Canada if you are traveling with a dog. Don’t forget your passports!
Guests visiting the park must pay a daily vehicle permit fee as well as an overnight camping fee for more than one vehicle. Prices vary depending on the residency and ages of the guests. Fees are payable upon entry.
The Assinika Campground, located along the banks of the Marten River, is a pet-friendly campground that offers wooded, waterfront camping during the operational season. The sites in this campground range in size, with some spaces accommodating RVs and trailers over 32 feet in length. Campers may choose from nonelectric sites, or 15 and 30 amp electrical hookup sites, and regardless of the services you pick, all campers will have a fire pit and a picnic table. The campground is close to bike trails and boat launches, and registered campers have access to vault toilets and drinking water. A dump station and a comfort station with showers, flush toilets, and a laundry room are located between the Assinika Campground and the Chicot Campground. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
The Chicot Campground, located along the banks of the Marten River, is a pet-friendly campground that offers wooded, waterfront camping during the operational season. The sites in this campground accommodate smaller RVs and trailers under 32 feet in length. Campers may choose from nonelectric sites, or 15 and 30 amp electrical hookup sites, and regardless of the services you choose, all campers will have a fire pit and a picnic table. The Chicot Campground offers its guests a comfort station with flush toilets and showers, a laundry room, vault toilets, and drinking water. The sanitary dump is located in the southern section of the campground, and there are two boat launches as well as a pet-friendly beach area. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
Summertime is the best time for swimming at Marten River Provincial Park because the water is still refreshing but not too chilly. The park has three natural sand beaches with swimming areas, so you can choose to relax riverside, take a dip in the water, or plan a mixture of both activities! The swimming areas are marked with buoys, so swimmers know the safest places to enter the water. The designated swimming areas have gradual drop-offs, so swimming in the marked sections of the river is safer than swimming in other sections that may have steep declines and rushing water. There are no lifeguards on staff, so all swimmers should bring a friend and exercise caution when entering the river.
The Marten River is known for its swift water, long stretches of shoreline, and interconnected waterways. Whitewater rafters, kayakers, and canoers come to the vicinity to explore the river on short day trips and overnight expeditions. Marten River Provincial Park has four boat launches throughout the facility, so accessing the water is as simple as walking to the launch in your camping area. If you don’t have a boat, visit one of the outfitters nearby and ask about guided tours and excursions. If you are ready to hit the water when you arrive, ask about purchasing a map detailing the canoe routes so that you can get started on your paddling right away!
If history interests you, visit Marten Provincial Park’s Logging Camp and Museum and learn about the logging industry. During the early 1900s, this area of Ontario was an active logging facility. The park’s Logging Camp and Museum showcases logging artifacts, building replicas, and celebrates the life of a lumberjack. The museum offers guided tours, and throughout the peak season, the park’s events showcase the importance of a lumberjack’s job in the logging industry. Although it’s not a requirement, it is always fun to visit the facility showcasing your best flannel shirt. Don’t forget to pack your favorite buffalo checked flannel!
Fishing is not just a peak-season activity in and around Marten River Provincial Park. The Marten River and many of the lakes surrounding the park offer excellent fishing opportunities, especially during the spring, summer, and fall. Fish for walleye, Northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass and smallmouth bass in the river, or if you prefer lake fishing, you will find trout, whitefish, and brook trout in many of the nearby lakes. If you plan on fishing, make sure you have the proper fishing license and are aware of fishing limits and restrictions.
Whether you like to explore long and strenuous hiking trails, or you prefer short walks through nature, Marten River Provincial Park has a path for you. Before you arrive, plan out your trip by preparing your hiking gear and trail necessities. Once you arrive at the park, you can explore the Nature Trail, which connects to the southern section of the Assinika Campground, or you can take the Hiking Trail which begins at the northern part of the Assinika Campground, near a parking area. The Nature Trail is rated as an easy hike, and the Hiking Trail is rated as a moderate hike.
Birdwatching in Ontario is exciting, educational, and it costs very little to take part in the activity. If you are a new or an experienced birder, the landscape surrounding the Marten River is ideal for birding because the habitat creates a mix of wetlands and trees. Bring your bird guides, your cameras, and look and listen for different species of birds. Marten River is a nesting area for ducks, owls, hawks, warblers, and flycatchers, so you might be able to spot multiple species of adult birds as well as their babies all in one visit!
