Magnetawan River

Information on planning a canoe trip down the Magnetawan River.

The Magnetawan is a punchy little whitewater river northeast of Parry Sound. By the time summer rolls around, this river is barely runnable (so I'm told) so those chasing the huge water flock to it in May. Huge water is not really our jam so we wait for the sweet spot in June. It's more technical and there's a risk of it being too bony, but when the conditions are right, it's an incredible little run.

We've never actually done the whole length of it from Algonquin to Georgian Bay, but for a two-night trip, Ahmic Lake to Wahwashkesh is a fantastic stretch with plenty of rapids. Check out the videos below to see what it's all about.

Route options

Ahmic Lake to Wahwashkesh Lake

This is a section we do every June and love it. We're really getting to know the great sets of rapids in this relatively short section of river.

Nights: 2-3 (depending on how much you want to spend at the rapids)

Paddling distance: 29 km

Shuttle distance: 32 km

Put in: Near Ahmic Lake Resort. You can leave cars overnight for free at a little parking area off of Hwy 224 west of the put-in. Or you can pay to leave your cars at Ahmic Lake Resort really close to the put-in.

Take out: Indian Narrows Public Boat Launch. There's free public parking at the take-out. If you only have time for a shorter run, you could take out at Maple Island).

Wahwashkesh Lake to Byng Outlet

We haven't paddled this section yet, but plan to some day. For a long trip, you can paddle from Ahmic Lake to Byng. Once you're past Wahwashkesh though, you're committed. There are no roads or other means of ending the trip early beyond a helicopter. As far as Ontario goes, this is barely the north, but it might feel like it being that far away from roads. The 1.5 hour shuttle which goes way out of the way due to the lack of roads up there makes this trip a bit more of a time commitment logistically.

We're not yet sure where to suggest to get out, but I see some trips end at Magnetawan River Resort, so I think parking can be arranged there.

Nights: 2-3 (depending on how much you want to spend at the rapids)

Paddling distance: 44 km

Shuttle distance: 109 km

Put in: Public boat launch

Take out: Magnetawan River Resort

Planning resources

Outfitter and shuttle service: Magnetawan River Resort

River data: There isn't a flow gauge for the section from Ahmic Lake to Wahwashkesh, but you can get an idea based on the Britt station gauge, which is much farther downriver and has a large lake between the two sections mentioned above. But still, if you see a very large spike at Britt, it will likely mean the water is also higher Ahmic to Wahwashkesh.

Summer low-flow is 15 cms. The WCA says the ideal range is "40-60 cms".
Just for comparison, the spring flood flow rate can get as high as 341 cms (as it did in the spring of 2026).

Old map: Here's an old map with some useful information, especially about campsite locations.

Alternative loop: There's also a loop you can do that has part of this west portion in it. You can learn all about it from Canoe Daddy's Magnetawan River - Thirty Dollar Rapids Loop trip report.

Shortcut: If you're paddling down from Ahmic lake, watch for the shortcut through a culvert (assuming water levels are low enough that it's safe) at the town of Maple Island. It will shave off almost a kilometre of a section that's mostly a lot of cottages. See the map below for its location.