Dog River

Dog River

Skill Level: Advanced

Dog River Since
dog river


Distance: 37-65 km (river only)
Number of Days: 3-7

Season: Spring


Route Description: The Dog River is the most challenging whitewater trip on the north shore of Lake Superior. It's a remote, wilderness river that falls in a series of class I-IV rapids and spectacular falls, including awesome 40-metre-high (150 foot) Denison Falls, before emptying into Lake Superior, 25 km west of Michipicoten.

This is a river trip for advanced paddlers only. Portages are virtually non-existant. Rapids are long and technical. Campsites are undeveloped. But for the skilled whitewater paddler, the Dog is a trip of a lifetime.

It's possible to access the lake-to-lake headwaters of the Dog at Hammer Lake, just north of Obatanga Provincial Park on Highway 17. From here, it's about 65 km to Lake Superior. For a whitewater-only trip, put-in at the Dog River bridge on Paint Lake Road, off of Highway 17. Those familiar with the river have paddled from here to Lake Superior in l2 hours. Mere mortals are advised to plan on 3 to 4 days to afford the time to scout rapids and navigate portages. The 25 km section on Lake Superior takes 1 to 2 days to complete. Be prepared to be windbound on Superior.
Maps and Guide Books: NTS (1:50,000) 42 C/6 (headwaters), 42 C/3, 41 N/14, 41 N/15 (Lake Superior section)

Great videos on the Dog may be found here:


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