Major city · Canada
Mattawa
Stop for 2–4 hours if you are driving Highway 17: the wooden statues, the museum and Explorer's Point. Sleep one night only if you are paddling or riding the trails.
Mattawa is a town of about 2,000 people where the Mattawa River meets the Ottawa River, 60 km east of North Bay and roughly 300 km west of Ottawa on the Trans-Canada Highway. It was a canoe route and fur-trade junction for two centuries, then a logging town, and it still works as a launch point for the Ottawa River, the Voyageur trail network and the north side of Algonquin Park. Sights are few and close together; the reason to stay is water, trails and the drive itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for water and trails; late Sep–early Oct for the Highway 17 drive
- avoid Nov–Apr unless you are here for snowmobiling or skiing
- Airports
- YYB · YOW
- 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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mattawa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Ontario Provincial Police (non-emergency)1-888-310-1122
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 Mattawa, 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
- SafetySmall-town Ontario, low street crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-888-310-1122 Ontario Provincial Police (non-emergency)
- 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.
- AirportcheckYYB North Bay Jack Garland (Nearest airport, about 60 km (37 mi) west; check current carriers and schedules).YYB North Bay Jack Garland (Nearest airport, about 37 mi (60 km) west; check current carriers and schedules).
- Getting aroundNo local transit.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedCampsite, unserviced, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$130 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$190 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- YYB North Bay Jack Garland (Nearest airport, about 60 km (37 mi) west; check current carriers and schedules) · YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (About 300 km (186 mi) east; the bus from Ottawa takes about 4.5 h)YYB North Bay Jack Garland (Nearest airport, about 37 mi (60 km) west; check current carriers and schedules) · YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (About 186 mi (300 km) east; the bus from Ottawa takes about 4.5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best*
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Mattawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
14 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
11 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
14 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
15 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
No local transit. Walk the centre in 15–20 minutes; drive for the ski hill, the trails and the park. Ontario Northland coaches stop in town on the Ottawa–Sudbury run.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive east on Highway 17, about 15 min
Hiking trails, a visitor centre and canoe access; day-use fee applies.
North Bay
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive west on Highway 17, about 45 min; Ontario Northland coach also runs it
The next real city: groceries, hospital, more beds.
Algonquin Park (Kiosk or Brent access)
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Drive via Highway 533 and back roads
Rustic access points; check road and permit conditions before you commit.
Ottawa
skipDoor to door: 4–4.5 h
Drive Highway 17 east, or Ontario Northland coach
Too far for a day return; make it a separate stop.
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.
Highway 17 strip (east end)
Motels and the adventure camp; you need a car for everything.
Valois Drive
Motel with a licensed restaurant on site; walkable to the river.
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park area
Cabins at the ecology centre and campgrounds; book ahead in summer.
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
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$130 | C$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Voyageur trail day pass2 × C$12 | C$24 |
| Voyageur Days festival pass2 × C$40 | C$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$60 |
| Trip total≈ C$332 per person per day, bed included | C$664≈ US$500 |
Rates rise and restrictions apply during Voyageur Days (check)
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and long-distance coach fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Diner lunch | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Motel double, summer | C$90–190 (≈ US$70–140) |
| Trail day pass | C$12 (≈ US$9) |
| Festival pass, Voyageur Days | C$40 (≈ US$30) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances between services are long: fuel up in North Bay or Pembroke.
- Cell coverage is patchy on Highway 533 and the back roads.
- Black bears and moose are real on the highways at dawn and dusk.
- Winter driving on Highway 17 is snow tires and daylight only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Ontario Provincial Police (non-emergency)
- 1-888-310-1122
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MattawaMattawa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- OPP non-emergency1-888-310-1122
Embassy
No consulates here. Nearest hospital and services: North Bay, about 60 km west.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ontario Northland, North Bay → Mattawa: about 45 min
- Ontario Northland, Ottawa → Mattawa: about 4.5 h
- Fuel, North Bay → Mattawa and back: about 120 km (75 mi) round tripabout 75 mi (120 km) round trip
Say or show
- Merci — Thank you
- Bonjour — Hello
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it?
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet?
About a third of residents speak French; English works everywhere.
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 Mattawa. 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–Sep for water and trails; late Sep–early Oct for the Highway 17 drive · avoid Nov–Apr unless you are here for snowmobiling or skiing · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares