r/canoecamping

What is the solution...

Keywords: crown land, junk, canoeing, best backcountry practices, Madawaska Valley

It's not unusual while camping on Crown Land to encounter abandoned junk. These articles are usually left by previous campers who arrive with outboards and who use the same site habitually.

Occasionally junk like a blue thread- bear tarp, is left to mark their territory to give them first dibs if, and when they return the subsequent weekend. Sites often include; foldable yard chairs, tarps, tent poles, bungees, rope, large water bottles, metal grills, and the ubiquitous shelving from abandoned refrigerators. More serious junk involves full size propane BBQs, and an assortment of poorly designed homemade experimental toilets. Derelict picnic tables are the only contributions I find of use which are usually securely chained to a tree by the owner.

The public have a tendency to treat public land differently than their own and have no hesitation with leaving garbage behind.

It could be they rationalize that the chanterelles could be of use to subsequent campers but the yard furnishings are usually broken and have little intrinsic or utilitarian value.

Needless to say, novices and rookie campers who are not familiar with Backcountry etiquette transport inappropriate domestic items abandoning them at campsites after the realization they did not contribute to their backcountry experience.

How can we educate campers that Crown Land belongs to everyone and at the same time nobody? The old adage of pack it in - packet it out seems lost to the current generation.

Photos by the author: Bark Lake September 2025

A friend and I are looking to find maybe 5 days this summer to do a portage trip in New Brunswick and I was wondering if there were any routes you recommended. I see there is this circuit: https://www.canoekayaknb.com/ancient-portage-trails. But of course that is 4 to 6 weeks. Maybe we could do part of it, but I just wanted to ask if anyone has any recommendations for routes

I had an amazing 5 day solo trip.

My Algonquin Park route: Magnetawan-Queer-Tim R-White Trout-Misty-Magnetawan.

I experienced thunderstorms, rain, snow, ice pellets and plenty of wind!

Learned a few things along the way to adjust next time and thought I’d share my experiences and a few pics (including one of all the clothes etc I didn’t use).

Weather and conditions can drastically affect travel time. Build in a buffer for early season tripping. I put in some 7 hour days, which is fine but I generally like some camp chill time. Or alternatively, build in a rest day along the way.

With rain, portage trails become water runoff management paths. I had Sealskinz waterproof socks and they worked great excellent with some wool socks underneath for keeping my feet dry and warm.

Portage trials and river sections - expect blowdowns that have not yet been maintained. Most of this was experienced along the Tim River section.

Overpacked clothing - opportunity to pack less.

Done with my solo tent especially early season trips. I will use my 3 man or get a 2 man tent. Need more space in shoulder seasons for changing and…………trying to use a urine bottle (found it easier to just go outside in the cold). Need to be a contortionist with no head clearance. Head to toe, I cover the entire length of my tent. (TNF Stormbreak 1p)

My canoe pack got heavy soaking up water with the rains and all the internal dry bags add weight as well. Considering moving to a 115L dry pack. Again, might force some more mindful packing.

Reducing food/cooking things and using my 30L food barrel over my 60L when soloing for a shorter trip like this 5 day. Not much lighter but with the extra space, I tend to pack extra things.

Wearing padding gloves BEFORE the blisters happen. Mostly when using the double bladed paddles for wind and upstream currents.

Sleep system was solid for the sub zero night temps. Even dialled it back a bit on slightly milder nights.

Sleep system:

-7 down bag (MEC)

Waffle sleep pad (just a cheap Woods brand one) under my inflatable pad (MEC Vectair).

Bag liner

Merino wool base layers and wool socks.

Merino wool toque

Neck gaiter

Canoe trimming. Couldn’t seem to get it right with loading. Typically my stern was sitting higher so any side wind load, I was getting pushed off line. I was in a 15’ H20 solo. Got better as the food etc was depleted from the food barrel which was positioned in front of me.

First time using my ZOLEO satellite communicator. Was awesome for nightly checkins and for weather checks. And the fact that I can pause it for $5/month is a good feature.

Already looking at another trip!

This is a quick follow up to my previous post. We ended up paddling our original planned route around the island. Chikanishing trail was closed due to a wash out, but we were able to park at the George lake parking after dropping our canoes at the top of the road, and portaging the 1600m to the put in. We were able to get on the water by noon on Friday. We didn't expect to be able to make it all the way around the island by Sunday based on the trip reports that we read. The weather was in our favor and we were able to easily make it around by 10am on Sunday without paddling terribly hard. Overall it was an amazing trip with some great paddling.

I also got to test out my new canoe packs and both were resounding successes. I might do away with the side torpedo pockets on the big pack because they ended up feeling underutilized. I may also remove a few of the lash points. The under seat packs were fantastic. They gave me a place to stash snacks and a way to hold my water bladder.

Keywords: Bark Lake, Madawaska Valley, North Lakewoods Estates, Madawaska Kanoe Center, Owl Rafting

It's not often that you find entrepreneurs who make their fortune introducing visitors to the wilderness, turn around and destroy the same paradise.

That is the history of North Lakewoods luxury estate development along Skead Road of HWY 60 on the east shores of Bark Lake in Madawaska Township.

The project was spearheaded by the owners of Owl Rafting, one of the largest white water rafting companies operating in Canada. The same owners established the Madawaska Kanoe Center where thousands of young people have been introduced to competitive whitewater kayaking and canoeing along the Madawaska River off Siberia Road

These were major achievements for the white water and paddling industry since the late 1970s and these entrepreneurs should be highly commended.

This is why the revelation is all the more shocking that their financial fortune was invested in a 1,500 acre luxury estate development which is gobbling up 5 km of waterfront along pristine Bark Lake, in the Madawaska Valley.

The project has a long history and initially the first developer for Lakewood Resort cleared land for a luxury hotel, Villa, and private airstrip.( See: last two photos)

Bark Lake until recently was surrounded by Crown Land. The legal transfer of this land to the private sector still remains a mystery. Bark Lake is comparable in size to Algonquin Park's Lake Opeongo. It would have made a significant contribution to the region's recreational economy by being designated a Provincial Park. It also would have relieved some of the pressure and crowding typical of Algonquin Park. That Park designation didn't happen.

Madawaska Valley inspectors have followed up past complaints of heavy shoreline clearing and other ecological destruction. The paved road pushed through the wilderness servicing the lots was also controversial.

I am profoundly disappointed that the people who have promoted wilderness recreation could in clear conscience turn around and exploit it for profit. This is a profound betrayal of the wilderness ethic.

How can we reverse the loss of 5 km of waterfront? How can we be assured the shoreline is not sacrificed by heavy equipment for the wealthy?

Is it right that disillusioned individuals like myself who sacrifice a lifetime attempting to protect wilderness, witness it fall into the hands of the financially elite and privileged instead of being enjoyed by the common people?

Photos; by the author Bark Lake 2025

Booth Lake (Algonquin Provincial Park) One of the best experiences of my life.

Copernicus Browser is an awesome resource for fresh satellite imagery

First ever canoe camping trip. Got an 18’ Wenonah Champlain this winter and went out for our spring camping trip, this year’s destination after a few last minute changes was Sylvania Wilderness in Michigan. We knew it would be cold and packed accordingly. Spent 5 days there, 14 miles and 10 portages to see what we could do. It was beautiful, windy, and cold, usually all at once. One day was truly wonderful, one of those magical early spring days, but that didn’t last. We were thankful for snow because at least it wasn’t rain. We almost ran out of fuel for the jet boil. We were stuck for a day from the wind. But it was the best trip ever, can’t wait to go out again.

Just picked this 17’ Grumman up on Craigslist yesterday for $150, feel like I got a hell of a deal. This is mine and my fiance’s first canoe, so currently taking paddle recommendations if anyone has a good resource.

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on which of these two would be a better buy for lake tripping.

Use case:

1 adult + 2 kids + camping gear.

Will be used for camping - minimal/no portaging as I'll be bringing my 5yo and 7yo with me.

The Winisk is asking 1300 and the Destiny is asking 900. ($CAD - Southern Ontario)

Winisk has had a repair in the hull, the Destiny hasn't but has a few hairline cracks in the gelcoat.

The Destiny is also about 3 hours further away from me.

Edit: currency & region