Explore Your Passion for Paddling...

Canoe, Kayak & Mountain Bike Rentals
We have top-of-the-line equipment for your complete backcountry needs. All gear can be accessed at either our Backcountry Store in Temagami village or our Ecolodge on James Lake. For flatwater trips we rent versatile kevlar canoes by various manufacturers, including Scott, Arrow, Langford and Nova Craft. They are available in two weight categories: Standard (56 to 62 lbs) and Extra Light (52 lbs or less). All of our canoes are equipped with comfortable carrying yokes and your rental includes one paddle per person, PFDs, a bailer and floating bow and stern lines.

A note about our canoes and their rental prices: Each year we renew a portion of our canoe fleet and we meticulously maintain and repair all of our canoes so that they are in excellent condition for all of our customers. Despite what some people may tell you, there is no magical way to make canoes 'light'. While composite materials and manufacturing techniques such as vacuum bagging can reduce weight while maintaining hull stiffness, durability is sacrificed. Bottom line: less material = less weight AND reduced durability. Consequently, lighter canoes are less able to absorb wear and tear, particularly in an area like Temagami, which is characterized by rocky shorelines and rugged portages. The higher rental price of our Extra Light kevlar canoes reflects their higher purchase price, their greater maintenance cost and their shorter rental lifetime.

Route & Trip Consultation
Whether you are interested in exploring Temagami's famous old growth pine forests, remote ridges or quiet fishing spots, we want you to have a fabulous trip. Talk to us about your route - we know Temagami intimately, and can recommend countless routes, on or off the beaten track. Each summer, a number of old, under utilized routes are restored by canoe rangers employed by Friends of Temagami. We're the best source of info about these 'new' routes. We also record your float plan to ensure that your whereabouts are known in the event of an emergency.

Smoothwater Outfitting & Homemade Campfire Cuisine
Since 1984, Smoothwater has built its reputation by providing friendly, professional service emphasizing backcountry ethics and personal safety. Complete outfitting is a convenient way to enjoy a worry-free Temagami adventure. All you bring are your personal effects, we provide the rest: state-of-the-art canoes and kayaks, high quality equipment for your creature comforts, fantastic food and route planning. In keeping with our ecotourism mission, we provide field guides with our complete outfitting packages so that you can better understand the flora and fauna of the area you're about to explore.

We understand the demands of wilderness travel and we've developed our campfire cuisine to deliver the tastes you crave, the energy you require, while addressing the need for reduced volume and weight. We lovingly prepare meals on the premises in our famed kitchen, most often with organics. We then dehydrate these foods and portion them specially for you. Fresh meats, vegetables and fruits are added to complete a balanced, nutritious menu. We'll go out of our way to accommodate your needs - from packing a diverse vegetarian menu to dehydrating chicken for your canine companion! Just let us know.

Contact us for a sample menu and equipment list. Partial food and/or gear outfitting is also available.

WEEKEND ADVENTURES AND CANOE TRIPS
We're like proud parents when it comes to Temagami and we we want to show the area off. Accordingly, Smoothwater offers many themed trips, lead by experienced guides who offerr keen insight into specific aspects of Temagami's natural, cultural and historical values. While trip participants come from many different locales and often represent a wide age range, all share a curiosity about Temagami, a sense of adventure and respect for Nature. We want you to enjoy your experience and learn within a supportive, friendly atmosphere.

The cost of our guided trips include the leader/instructor, all equipment, food and shuttles from Smoothwater.Prices are in Canadian funds and 7% gst is extra.

SONGWRITING & HIKING with Charlie Angus
April 27-29 $225 pp Bring your love of music to explore tried and true songwriting styles with journalist, author and lead singer-songwriter of the Canadian folk-rock band the Grevious Angels, Charlie Angus. Hike the boom-bust silver town of Cobalt and bring the place back to life with easy exercises that develop your songwriting skills.

TEMAGAMI ANIMAL TOTEMS & RAKU POTTERY
May 4-7 $385 pp Busy as a beaver, soar like an eagle, loyal as a dog. Based on North American native symbolism, find your totem spirit and learn your animal lessons. Build your totem with Raku clay and firings into a whistle to take home and treasure.

WILD EDIBLES, WILDLIFE, WILD PAINTING
May 25-27 $250 pp A unique weekend of guided nature hikes, herb walks, birding, paddling, a visit to the fish hatchery and a wild game dinner. Try your hand at watercolour painting and turn your experiences into an unabandoned celebration of spring colour and vitality.

MOTHER & DAUGHTER CANOE TRIP
July 16-21 $517pp/kids $430 An easy, fully guided and outfitted canoe trip for moms and their girls to explore the wonders of nature, the lore of canoe tripping, and the joys of self reliance. Singsongs, storytelling, crafts, painting, and food that kids and moms are known to love.

WOMEN'S QUEST BY CANOE WITH YOGA & PAINTING
August 12-19 $750pp Savour nature's majesty and learn no trace camping skills as you explore some of Temagami's famous natural and cultural features. Try drawing, watercolour painting, meditation, yoga and gourmet trip food to further your inner harmony and balance in this fully guided and outfitted trip.

WALK THROUGH TIME:TEMAGAMI ARCHAEOLOGY TOURS
Sept. 10-14 $499pp Walk, paddle and motor to significant cultural sites under the guidance of Temagami heritage archaeologist David Cooper. Learn first hand about aboriginal people, fur traders, pioneers, loggers and miners. By night, return to the lodge for an evening of comfort, conversation, and superb organic cuisine.

ZEN WILDERNESS RETREAT
Sept. 18-22 $375pp Calm and clear your mind with meditation in this self-directed retreat with a focus on Zen spirituality. Involves discussions, sitting, chanting, solo times, hiking and canoeing.

SONGS, ANCIENT PINES & A CANOE with Ian Tamblyn
Sept. 14-17 $375pp A mini canoe trip to the ancient pine forests where natural sounds are married to your words, songs and music in this workshop with one of Canada's best known folk musicians.

NORTHERN INDUSTRY TOURS
Sept. 21-23 $240pp Get behind the scenes and see what makes the north tick. Visit traditional and modern canoe builders, a forestry harvester, and an aggregate quarry. All this with time to hike, canoe and enjoy fine cuisine.

THE BEAVER: RECREATING GREY OWL
October 12-14 $250pp A weekend exploring the life and work of Grey Owl. Includes canoeing to beaver lodges, a tour of Lake Temagami, discussions with a beaver expert and an intimate look at Grey Owl's contribution to the conservation cause. Special guest, author William Plumstead.

REMOTE RIVER TRIPS TO JAMES BAY AND LAKE SUPERIOR
Those who have a good understanding of canoeing eventually yearn for higher adventure. Remote river trips lead by expert guides answer the call for exotic scenery, different cultures, safety measures, and the thrill of an unparalleled white water experience. The cost of our guided canoe trips includes the leader/instructor, all equipment, food and transportation from Smoothwater to river locations and back. Prices are in Canadian funds and 7% gst is extra.

THE DOG RIVER
May 19-27 $000 A gorgeous rugged river carving through the Canadian Shield, featuring the spectacular Denison Falls and ending on the remote shoreline of Lake Superior. One of Bill Mason’s favourites.

THE WAKWAYOKASTIC RIVER
June 18-28 $1595 A fun James Bay river that starts small but grows in volume as it passes over class 1 and class 2 rapids, and a series of waterfalls. The trip ends at Moosonee with the Cree.

THE KATTAWAGAMI RIVER
July 3-15 $1975 Wild and little travelled, this is one of the best whitewater trips in Ontario. You'll experience lots of runnable rapids and great scenery as you paddle north to James Bay.

THE HARRICANAW RIVER
July 23-Aug. 2 $1875 This remote James Bay river offers dozens of Class II and III rapids, flat rock campsites and stirring northern vistas, all on a grand scale. Ends in Moosonee with the Cree.

THE MISTISSIBI RIVER NORTH EAST
Aug. 6-16 $000 Beginning in the taiga of northern Quebec, the Mistissibi flows south into Lac St. Jean and features seemingly endless runs of Class II and III rapids. An extraordinary adventure with french cultural immersion.

The Smoothwater Family of Guides
We are very proud of our wonderful guides. They are first and foremost professionals, hand picked for their life experience, tripping skills, knowledge of Temagami, safety credentials and bon-vivant spirit. Think of a guide as your very own private tutor. Whether your trip be a class three whitewater river or remote flatwater route, hiring a Smoothwater guide is a sensible way to improve your skills and enhance your understanding of Temagami. We enjoy matching each guide to your group's dynamic, be it a single woman or a German speaking trip of 22 soccer players.

The cost of our guided canoe trips includes the leader/instructor, all equipment, food and shuttles. Please consult our Schedule for the coming paddling season.

OLD GROWTH FOREST DAY HIKES/SUNDAY PICNICS TO HIGH PLACES/AFTER EIGHT SPEAKER SERIES Every Saturday and Sunday in July and August

A perfect way to see Temagami's most famous natural and cultural features is to join us on one of our guided day trips. Rely on our expertise to take you to places you might not be able to get to on your own. You need no experience paddling, nor do you require any equipment. We take care of all the details and provide one of our wonderful trail lunches.

OLD GROWTH FOREST DAY HIKES
Saturdays are popular for our guided canoe and kayak excursions to the famous old growth forests. These are full days, complete with an ecological interpretation and a wonderful trail lunch. $85pp

AFTER EIGHT SPEAKER SERIES
We've invited the most fascinating people to come to speak to our guests after dinner. Historians, canoe gurus, archaeologists, authors, native dancers, each sharing their views on wilderness, conservation and philosophy. There is no charge for our dinner guests. As if you need a reason to dine at Smoothwater!

SUNDAY PICNICS TO HIGH PLACES
Short hikes will take you to prime vistas where you will enjoy an old fashioned Temagami style picnic with wonderful food, tea and yes, fine bone china. $85pp

CANOE CERTIFICATION by ORCA REQUIRED BY SCHOOL BOARDS
Smoothwater is a professional canoe trip outfitter that provides high quality instruction in paddling skills and canoe tripping practices. Our instructors are highly skilled and certified by the Ontario Recreational Canoe Association (ORCA).

Smoothwater ORCA canoe tripping courses provide participants the opportunity to receive certification that is mandatory for teachers planning to canoe with students.ORCA certification is also a common requirement for employment with camps and outdoor recreation facilities. These courses involve rigorous, rewarding instruction at Smoothwater plus canoe trips of varying duration. Contact us for our next course or bring us a group of 10 or more.

Shuttles & Parking
We service all the major and lesser known access roads in the Temagami region, many of which are rough and difficult to navigate. Our shuttle service saves you time, hassle and potential damage to your vehicle. Secure parking is available free of charge at Smoothwater. Costs vary according to distance AND the quality of road (from paved roads to bone jarring logging tracks).

Smoothwater Backcountry Store
The Smoothwater Backcountry Store is our in-town depot for canoe, kayak and mountain bike rentals and sales. We carry excellent tripping canoes and kayaks by a variety of manufacturers, including Scott, Langford, Arrow and Walden. If you are in the market to purchase a new canoe, please consult us. We can advise you on the designs and makes that best suit your needs and can often provide a better price than you'll find elsewhere.

At the Store, you will find a quality selection of proven tripping gear -- everything from candle lanterns, rope and truly eco-friendly toilet paper to canoe packs, wannigans, stoves, paddles and tump lines. We also stock maps for the entire Temagami region and have a nice selection of cotton t-shirts, hats, bug shirts and hand knit sweaters. We support the hemp industry by offering you long wearing, pesticide free, clothing. Our cottage gifts include handcrafts such as hooked rugs, stained glass, wooden burl bowls and beaded quill boxes.

The Smoothwater Backcountry Store is made from squared timbers of sustainably harvested hemlock. It sports a bright red roof and a life-sized moose out front. You can't miss the Backcountry Store.

Maps & Temagami Paraphernalia
Books and maps help you visualize and plan your Temagami trip. We highly recommend the Temagami Canoe Route map which shows all portages and campsites plus the books Temagami Canoe Routes and Temagami Experience. Maps and books can be ordered through Smoothwater's Online Store.

Pick-up and Drop-off
We have two locations available for you to pick up or drop off your canoes. The Backcountry Store is our town depot, or come to the Ecolodge, 14 km north of Temagami village on Smoothwater Rd.

Smoothwater's Trail Network
We maintain a 60 km network of trails for cross-country skiing--they're great for hiking or mountain biking, too! Highlights include a turn-of-the-century iron mine, an old timber camp, small remote lakes, and hushed forests. Our two ski cabins can be booked for spring or fall stays (summer not recommended). Click here for a map of our trail network.