[one_fifth]

Address:

GPS:

Telephone:

Website:

Operating Dates:

Our last visit:

[/one_fifth]

[four_fifth_last]

2860 Highway 11 North, Marten River, ON P0H 1T0

Latitude: 46.733831 Longitude: -79.803357

(705) 892-2200

http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/martenriver

Camping Dates – May 20, 2016 – September 25, 2016

Opening and Closing (Day Use) – May 20, 2016 – September 25, 2016

Early 2000’s

[/four_fifth_last]

Marten River Provincial Park was founded in 1960 and covers 400.25 hectares in the Temagami area in Northeastern Ontario. There are 216 campsites in four separate campgrounds – over 100 of which are electrical. The park has a boat launch, park store and a day-use area. The park has 3 natural sand beaches along the Marten River. There is no designated pet exercise or swimming area.

What Makes The Park Special?

Marten River is the gateway to the Temagami area and is a great park for canoeists, boaters, hikers and anglers. You can easily explore a variety of bays and shorelines along Marten River by boat and the river offers an excellent opportunity to fish for Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

The park was very hilly and challenging to take a trailer in, although almost everyone there had trailers in all shapes and sizes. There was one central comfort station and then a few flush toilet bathrooms throughout the park. The park offered a nice number of waterfront sites and the beaches were pleasant, although the motorboats on the river can be disruptive.

We did not enjoy the 3 trail loop and only completed sections of it because it was so overgrown and buggy. I think the trails would be really enjoyable if they had been maintained a bit more. On the second loop of the trail there were some old White Pines and the brochure says there are 350 year old pines, especially in the farthest loop.

Maya swam at the boat dock, which was decent. There was a large rock under the water but it did get deep enough for her to have a good swim. Pets should be able to swim anywhere that isn’t designated as a beach but some spots are safer than others.

The park was definitely in need of some work, upgrades and maintenance. Even the newer comfort station already needed to be repaired. The park office didn’t even have a regular Ontario Park brochure/map and we were given a poorly copied sheet with the park on it – minus any information on trails. We ended up getting one from Findlayson Provincial Park when we went in to check it out (just outside of Temagami).

The park itself does not sell ice but there is a General Store just north of the park entrance. We saw many campers walking there to get supplies and ice cream. The General Store had quite a few stables, plus fishing equipment, souvenirs and a LCBO.

The Logging Camp was quite interesting, even though we didn’t get to go on one of the tours. If you do want to go on a tour make sure you check the hours because it doesn’t operate on a daily basis.

— Check out our 2016 Marten River Campsite: Assinka Campground, Site #137 —

Transition Trail • total 5 kilometre trail that can be done in three different length loops • variety of forest types – mature white pines to Black Spruce bog • Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers

[one_third_last]

Boating

Hiking

Natural Heritage Education

Other

[/one_third_last]

[one_third_last]

Boat Launch

Day Use Area

French

Non-Electrical Sites

Pet Swimming Area

Rentals

[/one_third_last]

Lumberjack Days – middle of July – Logging contests, lunch, fiddlers, carvers, etc.

Temagami Canoe Festival – middle of July – indoor, outdoor, multistage activities – canoe races, historical talks, guided hikes, live music and food. See their website for more information.

Natural Heritage Education – offered once a week in the summer at the park. Check the Park Tabloid, online or the Park Store for details.

Provincial Parks (non-operating) – Temagami River (Latitude: 46.69111522 Longitude: -80.00448541), Kenny Forest (Latitude: 44.41721843 Longitude: -80.46596941).

Smoothwater Adventures – outfitting company, canoe rentals, package trips, accommodations and meals. More details.

Temagami Old Growth Forest – can be accessed from the following points: White Bear Trail, Rabbit Lake Road, Lowell Lake Road – Trail maps, information and history.

Temagami Wilderness Adventures – offers a variety of packages, lead by personable, certified guides – backpacking, bird watching, camping, canoeing, cross country skiing, fishing, ice fishing, nature photography, snowshoeing, etc. More information.