HOME > Routes > Upper Madawaska
Due to the water levels, this river can only be run in the spring. It's a great 22km day trip filled with whitewater. The Upper Mad and the Opeongo can be run in a weekend, but with two long days. "Base-camping" a motel makes it an easier go.
Best resource: If you're new to the Madawaska, you really should pick up George Drought's Madawaska and Opeongo Guide Book. It's got everything you need for this river.Â
Nights: There is one official campsite in the middle of it, but it's generally done as a 22km day trip.
Paddling distance: 22 km
Put-in: Upper Madawaska Canoe Launch
Take-out: Major Lake Road bridge
Shuttle distance:Â 29 km
Outfitter: We shuttle ourselves on this river.
River data: There isn't a gauge right on this section, but you can get a rough idea from the lower Madawaska gauge. Madawaska Real-Time Hydrometric Data
I highly recommend the classic guidebook for the Madawaska by George Drought. You can remove a lot of the guess work around what is runnable and what is not. It's available from The Friends of Algonquin Park site.
