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Restoule Upper French Route

Location 

Restoule Provincial Park

Ownership

MNR - Ontario Parks

Management

Restoule Provincial Park

Length

72 km (4 - 6 days)

Difficulty (1-easy; 2-moderate; 3-difficult)

river/lake travel - 2; portaging - 1

C Classification

Number of Portages

12 (plus 2 optional)

Description:

This is a flat water route.  The Restoule Upper French Route follows the route the Ojibwa took with Samuel de Champlain to the French River and into Lake Nipissing.  The return voyage takes you through a seldom-traveled backwater to the park.  Please visit the Restoule Provincial Park website for more information. 

West through Restoule Lake
Portage 35 m (optional - can paddle around the point instead)
North on Restoule River
Portage 90 m around Grawbarger Rapids (or CBR)
West on Patterson (Stormy) Lake
West on Restoule River
Portage 270 m around Scott`s Dam
West through Lennon Lake
Portage 270 m around McArthur`s Rapids
West on French River
Portage 730 m around scenic waterfall & gorge
West through Restoule Bay
Northeast along French River
Portage 55 m across Keso Point
(optional - if current is strong between Boom Island and mainland)
Northeast on French River
Portage 900 m around east channel contol dam of Chaudiere Falls
East through Frank`s Bay
South through Bass Creek (marshy, flooded area)
Portage 90 m (L)
Portage 55 m (L)
Portage 45 m (L)
South through Shoal Lake
South on Bass Creek
Portage 810 m R around Bass Lake Dam
South through Bass Lake
Portage 900 m from Bass Lake to West (Clear) Lake
Southeast through Watt Lake
South through Stormy Lake
Portage 90 m around Grawbarger Rapids
Portage 35 m (optional - can paddle around point instead)
Finish at Restoule Provincial Park

Directions: (to start of route)

From the HWY 11/17 junction near Seymour Street, head southeast on HWY 11 for 14.7 km.  Take the HWY 654/ Lake Nosbonsing Road exit towards Nipissing, turn right at HWY 654/Lake Nosbonsing Road and continue on HWY 654 for 23 km.  Turn right at HWY 534, after 21.4 km, stay right and continue on HWY 534 for another 9.2 km.  Turn left and you will see Restoule Provincial Park 92 m later.