French River Provincial Park

French River Provincial Park protects the river between Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay, the first Canadian river designated a Heritage River, in 1985. Ontario Parks describes a 105 kilometre canoe route of connected lakes, gorges and rapids that follows the path of Indigenous peoples, French explorers, fur traders and voyageurs.

Destination Ontario suggests a four to five day loop through the river's channels from Hartley Bay Marina, just off Highway 69, with a short portage on the return, and Kevin Callan's guidebook covers weekend trips down remote stretches of the river. The French River Visitor Centre on Settlers Road holds the Voices of the River exhibit, and backcountry sites are reserved through Ontario Parks.