Samuel de Champlain Provincial Parl

	Our stay at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park (Sams) was way too short. This lovely little gem of a park is conveniently located just off the TransCanada Highway (Hwy 17) between Mattawa and North Bay. Although the park has historical significance, it also has some very lovely scenery. We did stay long enough to enjoy some hiking and kayaking and some great photography.
The Mattawa River Provincial Park is a waterway that connects to Sams. It starts at Trout Lake and runs through 37 kilometres of scenic paddling . This historic river was a highway for generations of native people. It was also used extensively by fur traders and explorers and is used today by many outdoor enthusiast as a popular canoe route. Interior campsites are scattered throughout and has some very rugged rapids and waterfalls. Canoeist can paddle the same waters and travel the same portages as the natives, voyageurs and explorers of the past.
	Our trip included a kayak adventure down the Amable du Fond River. It is a nice easy leisurely trip indeed. Around one of the bends, we startled a mother black bear with her two young twins. They were resting on a small peninsula trying to stay safe. Since we enjoy wildlife, we weren't aware at the time that there was an open season on killing these beautiful creatures. This probably explains why all the bears we seen during our three week Northern Ontario tour we so frantically skittish.
Sams has a few hiking trails: Kag Trail (2.5km), Wabashkiki Trail (1km), and the Etienne Trail (series of loops). The Etienne Trail is has many options including some great views of the Mattawa River. The park's main beach is on Moore Lake at the day use area complete with change rooms and picnic tables. The Voyageur Heritage Museum is worth stopping in. It features a replica of a birch bark freighter canoe and is an excellent place to learn about the history of Samuel de Champlain and the voyageurs.
	The park has two campgrounds: Jingwakoki and Babawasse. Jingwakoki is an Ojibway word meaning "pine forest", and when you see the campground you will see that it is aptly named. The mature pines tower over the campsites. We can't vouch for Babawasse Campground as it was closed at the time of our visit.