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Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park adventures

Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park Adventures

Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is a vast wilderness area in northeastern Ontario known for its pristine boreal forests, rugged terrain, and extensive canoe routes, offering remote backcountry adventure and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.

173,000
Acres Protected
50
Miles of Trails
5,000
Annual Visitors
1989
Year Established

About Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park

 

Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park covers over 70,000 hectares of protected wilderness in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The park features a rugged landscape of rocky ridges, clear lakes, and dense boreal forests dominated by spruce, fir, and pine. This park stands out for its network of interconnected lakes and rivers that are popular for canoe tripping, including the well-known Obabika River and Lady Evelyn River. Wildlife is abundant and includes moose, black bear, woodland caribou, and a variety of bird species such as spruce grouse and peregrine falcons. The park's history is intertwined with indigenous communities and early explorers, and it remains largely undeveloped to preserve its natural state. Visitors primarily come for backcountry canoeing, fishing, hiking, and camping in an environment free from roads and modern infrastructure. The Smoothwater region is especially renowned among paddlers for its challenging portages and remote lake circuits. The park also shares a border with the neighbouring Lady Evelyn Lake Old Growth Forest Conservation Reserve, providing visitors access to some of Ontario’s oldest and rarest forest ecosystems. Visitors seeking solitude, rugged wilderness skills, and pristine natural beauty will find Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park an outstanding destination.

Highlights

Highlight

Lady Evelyn River Canoe Route — a scenic and challenging paddling circuit

Highlight

Old-growth forest stands featuring ancient white pine and spruce

Highlight

Remote backcountry campsites along lakes and rivers

Highlight

The invigorating Smoothwater Lake with rugged granite shorelines

Notable Natural Features

Lady Evelyn River

A key waterway with stunning rapids and interconnected lakes, popular among experienced paddlers.

Old-growth Forest

Contains some of Ontario's oldest and tallest white pine and spruce trees, providing critical habitat.

Smoothwater Lake

A large, remote lake known for quiet paddling and rugged granite shorelines.