Major city · Canada
Matagami
Use Matagami as a one‑night fuel and supply stop before the Billy‑Diamond Highway; 1 night, 2‑3 h of driving from Val‑d'Or.
Matagami is the last service town before the 620‑km Billy‑Diamond Highway north. Most travellers spend a night to refuel, stock supplies and rest before the remote drive. One night is enough for the town’s sights and a quick hike.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (check)
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- YVO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Matagami911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Matagami, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyMatagami is safe for daytime travel; remote highway has no mobile coverage and wildlife crossings; keep headlights on and carry emergency kit.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYVO Val-d'Or Airport (about 180 km (112 mi) north, 2 h drive via Route 109).YVO Val-d'Or Airport (about 112 mi (180 km) north, 2 h drive via Route 109).
- Getting aroundTown grid is walkable; a high‑clearance 4×4 is needed for trailheads and the lake overlook.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YVO Val-d'Or Airport (about 180 km (112 mi) north, 2 h drive via Route 109)YVO Val-d'Or Airport (about 112 mi (180 km) north, 2 h drive via Route 109)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
Feb
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Mar
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Apr
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
May
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Nov
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Matagami: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
5 rd
Feb
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
5 rd
Mar
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Apr
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
May
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Oct
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Nov
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Dec
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town grid is walkable; a high‑clearance 4×4 is needed for trailheads and the lake overlook.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Radisson
overnightDoor to door: ≈7 h
Drive north on Billy‑Diamond Highway, 620 km (385 mi), about 7 hDrive north on Billy‑Diamond Highway, 385 mi (620 km), about 7 h
Only reachable after refueling in Matagami.
Val‑d'Or
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Drive south on Route 109, 180 km (112 mi), about 2 hDrive south on Route 109, 112 mi (180 km), about 2 h
Airport and larger services.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Matagami
Central, heated rooms, free Wi‑Fi, parking for rigs.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–$80 CAD (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–$120 CAD (≈ US$60–90) excl. bed
- High
- $120 (≈ US$90)+ CAD excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Matagami room1 × 1 night × C$120 | C$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × C$95 | C$95 |
| Fuel (full tank for Billy‑Diamond Highway)1 × C$200 · check | C$200 |
| 4×4 rental for lake access (1 day)1 × C$150 · check | C$150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$57 |
| Trip total≈ C$622 per person per day, bed included | C$622≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in CAD; flights and long‑distance fuel not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–$3 CAD (≈ US$2–3) |
| Burger | $8–$12 CAD (≈ US$6–9) |
| Fuel (per litre) | $1.45 CAD (≈ US$2) |
| 4×4 rental (per day)check | $150 CAD (≈ US$110) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mobile data drops to zero once you cross the highway gate; download offline maps.
- Fuel prices are higher than in southern Quebec; fill up before heading north.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MatagamiMatagami
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire/ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Quebec City (check address); Canadian embassy in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Val‑d'Or → Matagami (car): ≈2 h, 180 km (112 mi), fuel stop≈2 h, 112 mi (180 km), fuel stop
- Matagami → Radisson (car): ≈7 h, 620 km (385 mi), fuel needed≈7 h, 385 mi (620 km), fuel needed
Say or show
- Excusez‑moi — Excuse me / Sorry (exkusez mwa)
- Merci — Thank you (mehr-see)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the restroom? (oo son lay twah-let)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much does it cost? (kohm-byen sah koot)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Matagami. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (check) · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fuel‑and‑supply contract for Matagami hotel stay.
- 4×4 vehicle recommendation for lake and trail access.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Matagami
- secondaryWikivoyage: Matagami, revision 5326107 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Matagami
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