This page was created before the "spotlight" and "species" sections were introduced. We will update once we revisit.
This page was created before the "spotlight" and "species" sections were introduced. We will update once we revisit.
Marten River P.P. is located on address 2860 Highway 11, in the town of the same name. The park is located on both sides of the Marten River and features numerous opportunities for paddling, boating, and fishing. We visited in August 2023.
The land surrounding the Marten River where it was nearest Highway 11 was owned by the Department of Highways up until 1956, when the Department of Lands and Forests (equivalent to the Ministry of Natural Resources) bought it for a recreational area. The park was developed in the late 50s and opened in 1960.
Marten River offers:
- biking on a 2km bike desginated trail
- fishing for pike, bass, pickerel, trout, etc
- boating throughout the river system
- swimming on one of 4 beaches
- birding for notable perching birds (warblers)
- paddling throughout the river system; including the entirety of the Temagami cluster of parks. See here >> Lady Evelyn Smoothwater
Note: there are Logging Museum trail guides available at the front office.
The best trails are:
- Transition Trail 4.2km easy; this trail highlights old growth white pines before arriving at a rocky viewpoint of a marsh
- Logging Museum Trail ~1km easy; this trail transports you to the days of the winter logging camp. See replicas of the buildings that were once necessary for the success of one of Ontario's largest industries - forestry.
Enter the park and the road curves right, bringing you to the park office. The road curves you left again, seeing the dump on the right, logging museum on the left. Cross the bridge and see Chicot Campground on the right, Assinika Campground on the left. There is a day use beach by the logging museum, a beach in each campground, and the hiking trails (except Logging Museum) are accessed via Assinika Campground. See the map supplied below for more details.
Skip the Old Growth Trail, do the Transition Trail instead.
Trapper's Gas Station next door has some good ice cream.
Get a trail guide for the Logging Museum.
Ask the assistant at the main building of the Logging Museum to watch "the Winter Camp". It's a 20 minute film about a man who spent his first winter at the camp. It goes into great detail on the history and the anecdotes of the camp.
Love this park. Nice beaches and great paddling. The history guide from the park store about the Winter Camp was amazing, along with the film and the park itself. Great Highway 11 stopover if you're doing a northern trip. I give it a 8.3/10.