Route Description

From Lloyd Lake to its confluence with the Athabasca River at Fort McMurray, the Clearwater provides approximately 295 km of canoeing with between 8 and 14 portages.

During the Clearwater to Whitemud Fall or Contact Rapids expedition you will experience waterfalls, canyons, rapids and lots of wildlife. This is a wilderness trip and requires that participants are skilled paddlers and totally self-sufficient. Rapids range from Class I-III with one waterfall. This trip will take you 164 km down the beautiful and remote Clearwater River. Your trip will begin with a 45 minute floatplane trip from Ft. McMurray. You will paddle and hike over the same routes used by early explorers and fur traders. The 6 day trip ends at Whitemud Falls. The 8 day trip allows a chance to hike the famous Methye Portage and includes one mandatory portage that bypasses the beautiful Whitemud Falls.

During the Clearwater River to Warner Rapids expedition, you have a chance to experience a longer adventure on the river. This is a wilderness trip that does not allow for easy outside assistance and requires that participants have whitewater paddling abilities and are self-sufficient for unassisted travel. Rapids range from Class I-IV with two watefalls. This 10-15 day canoe trip is 210 km down the Clearwater River and begins with a one hour floatplane trip from Ft. McMurray. Along the canoe route you will experience waterfalls, canyons, rapids and wildlife. This trip requires from 3-6 portages, depending on water levels and paddling skills. Around every corner lies a new vista and great fishing hole.

The lower section of the river is the easiest to paddle, suitable for intermediate canoeists, but may only be reached via the Methye Portage

Season: Mid May to Mid September

Difficulty: Intermediate. This trip is suitable for experienced whitewater paddlers with wilderness camping experience, because of its wild nature and relative inaccessibility..

Transportation: Trips originate and end in Ft. McMurray, Alberta. Ft. McMurray is accessible by road and air from Edmonton and Calgary. Float plane shuttle transportation to put-in location is provided. Highways 155 and 955 (the Cluff Lake Road) provide road access to this part of northwestern Saskatchewan. River access is possible at the bridge crossing at Warner Rapids and via a short trail from Highway 955 into Lloyd Lake. But for most of those exploring Clearwater River backcountry, float-plane charters to fishing and hunting camps on lakes on or near the river are the preferred means of beginning or ending trips. Access to the river by water is also possible from the north end of Lac La Loche across the bay but this requires the strenuous, 19 km trek in the steps of the voyageurs over the Methye Portage.

Accommodations: Accommodations in comfortable tent campsites along the river. Some sites may have outhouses, fire rings and picnic tables. Roadside camping is provided at a 20-site provincially operated campground near the bridge at Warner Rapids. Canoeists are presently permitted to camp at any suitable sites along the river. Accommodation may also be arranged at a commercial fishing lodge on Lloyd Lake and at several other fishing camps, which altogether provide accommodation for about 50 people.

Weather Information: Daytime temperatures in the summer average between 10-30 degrees celsius.

Links to Information

 Trip Logs

 Contact Information

Horizons Unlimited/CRCO (Ric Driediger)
Box 1110
LaRonge SK S0J 1L0
Telephone/Fax: (306)635-4420
Toll Free: (877) 511 2726
email: ric.crco@sasktel.net
web site: www.churchillrivercanoe.com

Points North Adventures Ltd. (780) 743-9350

John runs the jet boat service.  He takes 3 canoes/6 people back to Ft. McMurray from the falls for $500.

Float Plane Companies

Voyageair (780 743-0255 Fort McMurray or 306 235-4664 Buffalo Narrows)

Other Contact Information

Clearwater River Wilderness Park Services, Permits and Regulations:Director, Parks, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 5W6.

Tourist Information: Tourism Saskatchewan, Bank of Montreal Building, 2103 11th Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3V7.

Canadian Heritage Rivers System: Secretary, Canadian Heritage Rivers Board, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0M5

Additional Reading

Maps

Topographic Maps: The section of the Clearwater River designated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System is covered at the 1:250,000 scale by four maps in the National Topographic Series: Mudjatik River (74 B), La Loche (74 C), Fort McMurray (74 D), and Lloyd Lake (74 F). These maps may be obtained from the Canada Map Office, 615 Booth Street, Ottawa, K1A 0E9 and from the Central Survey and Mapping Agency, Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation, 2nd Floor, 2045 Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3V7.

 Itinerary