Trying to outsmart the rain, we left Sudbury, where we’ve had our base for four nights, quite late in the morning. Getting to French River park was an easy one-hour drive South from Sudbury (or 3.5 hrs North from Toronto).
The Visitor centre is near the highway and was closed due to covid situation, but the bridge we’ve seen from Hwy was right there, a two-minute walk, never mind the light drizzle that has just started. The lonely bridge was waiting for us: it is the best outlook point where one can admire the canyon that French river forms here.
It became known as “French River” because of some of the first explorers, and missionaries in this area. Driving quite a bit in this area, we found that there is also a Spanish River, and cities like Espanola, and Spanish, to name a few.
But more impressive were the 2 littles canoes that seem lost in the grandeur of the canyon. Though a relatively small river, it is famous in Canada’s history, serving as major canoe route of the fur trade, reason the French River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1986.
Intense interest in fishing and logging led to the reason it is a protected area now, most of the park has undeveloped back-country campsites, and some remote cottages. And maybe this is the main reason the park attracts hikers, canoers, and boaters, nature lovers who enjoy clear waters, rocky shores, and mature forests.
The spectacular rock formations looked even more impressive under the overcast sky, and we decided to go hiking to Recollet Falls, even tough small drops were coming down from the swollen clouds.
Recollet Falls trail begins at the Visitor Centre, and follows the forest along the French River Gorge for 4 kilometers. The nature was all refreshed by the light drizzle and perhaps not only. We had to walk carefully over the slippery rocks, and enjoyed a lot the design and intricacies of the tree roots for most part of the trail.
After about an hour on the trail, we saw the waterfalls, which resembles more like some rapids.
That is a great spot to take a rest, and even tough we didn’t really meet people on the trail, we were suddenly surrounded by few small groups. But plenty of space for all of us, as the shore is wide, allowing all of us to keep the distance.
We stayed around for awhile, as the two little canoes we saw earlier at the bridge, were just portaging around the falls.
We watched until they were off on the other side of the falls: father, son and grandson. I guess some boys time😊 isn’t that amazing? We wished them great time!
Tip(s) of the day:
* sturdy footwear is recommended, as quite rugged parts of the trails;
* insect repellent is needed for merciless mosquitoes;
* attention to wet surfaces, and the tree roots.
~ visited in August 2020
1000 Places and Memories 
The Visitor Centre at French River offers an interesting presentation of the Voyageur period when furs and everything that had to be transported passed through the lakes and rivers and roads of the past. It was interesting to visit. Thanks for the hike.
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Thank you for your comment; that’s what I understood too. Unfortunately the centre was closed this summer, due to covid. Have a great weekend!
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We visited the French River back in August too, also on a rainy day. Maybe our paths crossed. It’s too bad that the visitors centre was closed as I’ve heard such great things about it. I would love to come back one day and try canoeing along the river to see the gorge from a different angle. Looks beautiful.
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I like to think this was not our last visit there, hopefully the visitor centre will be open next time. Canoeing in the gorge would give you a totally different perspective for sure, though not sure it is for me LOL
Thank you for stopping by, have a lovely day!
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We went canoeing on French River for a 3 day trip a few years ago. Your pictures look very familiar so we may have been in the same place. It’s such a pretty area, we loved our trip.
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Canoeing on French River must have been amazing, to look up to the tall walls of the canyon must be impressive. Thank you for your note, have a great afternoon!
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Would love to be canoeing on this river about now!
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Maybe next summer😉 Thank you for stopping by! xx
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This trail looks wonderful, with such beautiful scenery!
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Thank you Nilla, indeed the whole area is so beautiful! My plan is to return one day, with a motorhome😉 So much to explore in the Northern Ontario..
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I love travelling in a motorhome, it’s lush!
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Hey Christie, I’ve nominated you in the 10-day travel challenge. Hope you can participate! Cheers Nilla 🙂
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Thank you!!! I do appreciate the nomination, I will look into that over the weekend🙂
Cheers, xoxo
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No problem and great you can keep this going! 🙂
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Wow, what a scenic place to explore. It looks amazing even on a rainy day! I would love to go canoeing on the French River and take in all the natural wonders along the way. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day. Aiva
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Canoeing is a different thing for sure, giving you a totally new perspective, especially in a canyon. I’m not such a great paddler, but I would love to be able to do that one day. Thank you for stopping by, have a great evening🙂
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Beautiful area, great pictures!
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Thank you!
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I sure enjoyed these photos and narrative on the French River, Christie. What a gorgeous place! I espec. liked the photo from the bridge of the two canoes, for it showcases the size and magnificence of this river.
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I like that too, you can see actually how big the canyon is. I would have liked to explore more this area, for sure the canyon looks totally different from below. I have a photo with the little boy in the canoe and I could see his wonder on his face, but the pic was not very clear.
All the best, xx
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