Massasauga: Moon River Loop (3 days / 33 km)

This great little trip in the Muskokas is a fantastic weekend getaway that has all the hallmarks of a northern wilderness trip in the heart of cottage country. The chutes and falls along the lower Moon River provide an incredibly scenic backdrop for those looking to do a short trip without a lengthy drive from southern Ontario. It is not nearly as busy as Algonquin, the neighbouring Massassagua, or Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park which are a similar distance from the GTA. Best of all, the route is entirely on crown land and no permits or bookings are required. 

The route begins and ends at a public landing at Kapikog Dam between Healey and Kapikog Lakes.  

Trip Completed: June 2021

Trip Summary

Starting Point: Kapikog Lake Dam. (45.161361, -79.904486) Parking and launching are free since this is a public boat launch. Drop your canoe and gear off at Kapikog Lake and then drive back down to the Healey Lake parking lot to park your vehicle. Walk the 400m back to your canoe and portage your gear 70m to put in above the dam on Kapikog Lake.   

Ending Point: As it is a circuit route, the trip ends again on Healey Lake where you can take out on the dock at the public boat launch. It can be done in either direction, but it is recommended to go clockwise to follow the flow of the Moon River. 

Total Distance: 33 km

Duration: The trip can be done comfortably in 3 days, but could also be done in 2 long days. 

Difficulty: Novice, though there are ten portages to contend with. One of them is over 1200 meters long.  

Location

This route is located in Muskoka cottage country about 15km west of of the town of Mactier. The address for the parking lot is: 100 Kapikog Dam Rd., The Archipelago, ON P0G 1G0 

Refer to the map below for starting point, portage and route information. 

Tradition: This route is on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki and Mississauga. (...