Bazin River, QC

The Bazin River includes several rapids and waterfalls, and passes through the beautiful mixed deciduous trees of the southern boreal forest. The river will test your whitewater skills, but also includes spans of flat water paddling. The remote and limited access options mean that there are few paddlers who visit this river every year. When the Bazin meets the Gatineau the river widens and becomes a meander around sand flats until you reach your exit point.

Moderate white water skills required

120 km; 10-14 days

• Avoid at low water levels.

• Majority of rapids are C2-3, and the majority are less than 100m, with calm water afterwards. Attention: An old broken dam along the river is missing a safety boom upriver.

• The last few kilometers of the Basin are a nearly continuous series of C1s to C3s with several ledges. This ends in a C5 Waterfall with a dangerous refill hole at the bottom. Keep an eye on where you are and eddy out before you reach this point.

• This is an isolated river with no cell reception. All paddlers are encouraged to bring a satellite-enabled communication device.

• The Gatineau River can be shallow at lower water levels and require careful navigation.

• Campsites and portages are rustic and not professionally maintained.

• Black bears are present throughout.

Access: Most paddlers take the train towards Parent. Talk to your conductor for the best drop off before the bridge.

Egress: The river ends at the confluence with Gatineau River. There are several access points to the river to organize a pick up; ZECs may require drivers to pay for road access. Paddlers may also continue down the Gatineau.