Ashuapmushuan* River, Quebec, Canada

Canoeing and the art of living in the Boreal Forest. 

adults and families, august 23 - 28, 2026

Activity level: Beginner. No prior canoeing or canoe-camping experience is necessary.

*Ashuapmushuan loosely translates from Innu as “A place where I lay, waiting for Moose”

Limited availability - inquire
““Going on this trip was like reconnecting with my long-lost love of voyaging through the wilderness in community. I loved every minute of it, soaking in the calming and vivifying effects of backcountry living. I loved the challenges, the blessings, the gratitude sharings, and the community building. I feel settled, renewed, and I already sense the call to return. A thousand thank yous from both of us for Ashuapmushuan!”
”

Ashuapmushuan is a pristine Northern River that drains the vast area of the Canadian Shield south to the mighty Lake St. Jean and from there to the Gulf of St Lawrence via the famous Saguenay Fjord. On this trip, we will explore the upper reaches of the river, characterized by beautiful lakes connected by stretches of moving water and class I – II rapids. You will experience the Northern wilderness, largely unchanged by humans. We will pick berries and mushrooms, fish for Northern Pike and Walleye, and fall asleep to the howl of a wolf. We will follow an ancient migration water route that connected Hudson Bay and St. Lawrence, dating back thousands of years. This trip is an accessible introduction to traditional canoe camping and will touch the soul of both the beginner and the experienced adventurer.

cost: $1550 per person

Ashuapmushuan 2025 blog

  • Price includes guiding, instruction, group facilitation, canoes, group gear, specialty items of personal gear, expedition meals, and National Wildlife Refuge permits.s

  • Day 1

    Our journey starts in St.Felicien, a fishing and farming village on the shore of an impressively giant Lake St. Jean at the mouth of Ashuapmushuan. We will meet at 6 PM at a local inn, sharing an authentic French-Canadian meal, followed by a pre-trip meeting.


    Day 2

    In the morning, we will carpool to the put-in, some 170 kilometers up the river. Once we leave the last village behind, we will drive through the vast boreal wilderness of Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve, where moose and wolves commonly cross the road. We will put in our canoes at kilometer 170, where the road comes close to the river, and glide away. In the afternoon, we will set up our first camp and gather around a campfire for a meal, stories, and songs.


    Days 3 – 6

    Each day, we will wake up to the sounds of nature and have the opportunity for yoga and a morning swim before breakfast. We will paddle an easy 10 kilometers through lakes and moving water interspersed with small rapids. We will demystify swift-water paddling, teach you how to read the river, and confidently navigate your canoes through the stretches of fast water. As we move downstream, we will fish the eddies for Northern Pike and Walleye and stop to rest and swim at the sandy beaches and rock outcrops. In addition to fishing and wild food (berries, mushrooms, and herbs) gathering, we will offer opportunities for learning the Boreal Forest ecology and the use of knife, axe, saw, and fire for making simple necessities as a way of paying tribute to indigenous people, and Coureur Des Bois, who traveled these waters for the past 4000 years.

  • The best time to visit the Boreal Forest by canoe is late summer and early fall. The multitudes of biting insects are typically kept down by the cool nights, while the water and daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm. We will catch the tail end of the blueberry season (if we get it right, you will not believe the abundance!), and fishing is good. Expect the daytime temperatures in the sixties and seventies and the nights in the forties. Should a cold front pass through, the nighttime temps could drop down to freezing. While the rain is “business as usual,” the end of August is typically characterized by dryer weather. You can expect to see very few or no other humans while on the trip and experience nature in its wild state, you can even drink water directly from the river!

  • St. Felicien is reached by a pleasant 7.5-hour drive from the Mad River Valley.

  • There is so much to see on your way home! From whale watching in Saguenay Fjord to hiking the rugged domes of Laurentian mountains to walking the quaint cobble-stoned streets of fortified Quebec City, Quebec has many unique cultural, and natural wonders, rich in history of its Indigenous nations and the new France. We love Quebec, know it well, and will be happy to make further recommendations for your extended stay.