French River Map

French River access

Ontario Parks publishes a position for the French River Visitor Centre, which sells permits but has no river access. Otter Bay is the only access point inside the park; other launches are marinas and public boat launches outside the park.

Not on the map: Otter Bay (no position published). Source: Ontario Parks · Permits: Ontario Parks camping page · No river access: facilities page · Otter Bay: activities page

Before you go

• The French River was the first river designated a Canadian Heritage River. (Ontario Parks)
• Ontario Parks counts 291 backcountry campsites along the river, and you reserve a specific site for each night. (Ontario Parks)
• Your reservation letter, printed or on your phone, is your backcountry camping permit. (Ontario Parks)
• In flood, usually early spring, the river can run 4 m higher in places than at low flow, and Recollet Falls has no passable portage in high water. (Ontario Parks)
• All fast-moving water on the river is marked, with maintained portages around it. (Ontario Parks)

French River canoe routes

• French RiverOntario · drawn on the map
• French River Eastern OutletNorthern Ontario · drawn on the map
• French River Old Voyageur ChannelNorthern Ontario · drawn on the map

Frequently Asked Questions

Where this map comes from

• Park boundary: Land Information Ontario, Provincial Park Regulated. Open Government Licence - Ontario.
• Access points: Ontario Parks. Positions as published.
• Rapids, falls, portages and campsites: CanVec and the Canadian Geographical Names Database, Natural Resources Canada. Open Government Licence - Canada.

All sources and licences