Non Guided
From about mid-June, depending on the year and sometimes by the end of May, the French River warms up to allow you to swim without feeling cold. By early July the water is usually about 23c - 24c (71F - 72F).
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The French River is an incredible kayaking destination. Huge expanses of flat water that you can paddle for hours whilst exploring wild shorelines, islands, bays and channels. Bring your own kayak or we can outfit you with one. Discover the French River and it will keep you coming back.
One of our most popular guided excursions is our “history” tour. If you wish to spend a pleasant morning or afternoon cruising the French River, please ask us and we can arrange this for you. We are allowed a maximum of 12 persons plus crew, on the “Birkin” at one time.
Visit a waterfall, jump from cliffs into deep waters (swim the area first before you jump, to look for rocks), explore a secluded island on the French River, then dry off in the sunshine while getting caught up on your summer reading.
Guided
A warm-water fishery, the French River around the Lodge at Pine Cove is rich with pike, walleye, bass and muskie. Pros and amateurs alike have been known to catch some fine specimens. To increase your chances of catching one or more fish, we suggest that you hire a local fishing guide (We have good suggestions for guides).
Beavers, maple syrup and canoeing are about as Canadian as Canada can get. Kayaks, used by Canada's Inuit shouldn't be forgotten either. If you have always wanted to paddle a canoe or kayak, but haven't had the opportunity, this is your chance. In the protected waters of Pine Cove, we will provide you with the basics of paddling and paddling safety.
Imagine an island to yourselves, peace, beauty and time to explore. With a scrumptious gourmet picnic prepared by the Lodge at Pine Cove's chef, you will climb aboard our Water Taxi at the Lodge's main dock. During the trip to a secluded island, we will entertain you with a brief introduction to the French River’s history of voyageurs and fur traders.
In July and early August, Doctor's Island is a favourite blueberry-picking spot, but there is a lot more to do on this large island. Explore the forest, warm yourself on the enormous granite rocks or sit on a cliff and watch the world go by.
Five Finger Rapids is the most popular destination from the Lodge at Pine Cove. Located on land owned by the Dokis First Nation, it is a lovely spot where rapids meet pristine ponds and jump-from cliffs complement a walking trail. You can swim, dive, picnic, read a book or simply breathe the fresh air. This magnificent spot will not disappoint. Your adventure begins as you board our Water Taxi at the main dock.
This trip shows off the truly beautiful North Channel of the French River. We leave the Lodge, paddling down Wolseley Bay to the point where it meets the North Channel. Sticking close to shore, we paddle the inside passage exploring several small bays and inlets. When the wind picks up on this route, you will better understand the conditions experienced by the Voyageurs who travelled the French River in the 17th century.
This half-day, guided trip is especially suited for early birds and photographers who know that true peace only comes just after dawn. We will transport you and a kayak or canoe - your choice, to the top of Wolseley Bay - the mouth of the Wolseley River.
Our most popular guided excursion is our ‘History’ tour (please go to the explore more button below for further details). If you wish to spend a pleasant afternoon cruising the French River, please ask us and we can arrange this for you. We can take a maximum of 12 persons plus crew, on the “Birkin” at one time.
The French River offers wonderful paddling opportunities and for those who don’t want to paddle we offer tours on our lodge motor launch. To take advantage of our knowledge of the river or if you are not an experienced canoeist or kayaker, you can hire one of our guides to accompany you for an hour, half-day or full-day outing.
Our water taxi service, can take you with canoes/kayaks and personal belongings, to wherever you wish on the river. We can drop you off on an island or at a beautiful rapid. You can paddle home or we will arrange to pick you up.
There are many First Nation Pow Wows within 50 minutes to 3 hours drive from the lodge. The Dokis First Nation Pow Wow, can be paddled to from the lodge. That is, if you are up for a wonderful but longish paddle.
The French River is known for its blueberries. From late June to early August - it depends on the season - blueberries grow in profusion. Ask at the front desk for a pot to put them in. Delicious and rich in antioxidants.
The French River is alive with mammals, birds and reptiles. The French does have a huge diversity of wildlife; moose, black bear, lynx, timber wolf, fisher, mink, beaver, otters, bald eagles, osprey, several turtle varieties and many other species. The trick however is to know where, when and how to look for them.
French River is home to many species of birds including; various warbler migrations, sandhill cranes, many species of duck, bald eagles, ospreys, merlins, coopers hawk, merlins, pileated woodpeckers, blue herons and many other varieties. Birding on the French River is a joy.
Lodge at Pine Cove has a 36-foot-long Montreal Canoe that can be rented by groups. Seating capacity for about 20, 18 of whom can paddle simultaneously, this great boat is rented with paddles. A reproduction of the actual canoes used by Canada's voyageurs, it has enormous capacity to hold gear, and when paddled by 10 or more, travels at twice the speed of a typical 16-foot canoe.
The French River, was a larder for millennia, for the First Nations peoples that fished its rich waters. Today, sport fishing is one of the French River’s main activities and attracts fishers for; muskellunge, northern pike, walleye (or pickerel as it is known in Canada), large and small mouth bass and other varieties of fresh water fish. Ask us about hiring a guide, bring your own boat or rent one from us.
Hike Lodge at Pine Cove, on our well marked trails. From a twenty minute stroll to a three hour hike across the rugged Canadian Shield, you will find plenty of trails to interest you. Beaver ponds, wonderful rock formations, huge lichen beds, a cranberry bog, immense pine trees and plenty of other flora and fauna. Hike Pine Cove and discover the French River.
For centuries the French River was one of the worlds great trade routes. Canoes plied its waters in search of beaver pelts, to export to Europe. Today you can canoe those waters from the Lodge at Pine Cove. Explore flat water, rapids, bays and wonderful places to stop and eat a gourmet picnic from the lodge’s kitchen.
From time to time we will interest you with developments at the lodge - projects, competitions, the river & the environment.
