Black River Kayaking - Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands

This kayak trip happened a couple of weeks ago.  We’ve been wanting to go kayaking in the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands along the Black River for a number of years.  Never got around to it. I finally made sure I loaded the kayak racks into the car.  And made sure they made it up to the cottage.

Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park - Getting there!

Coming from Housey’s Rapids:  The road changes into Cooper's Falls Rd (or vice versa) at Black River Rd.  At that point turn onto Black River Road which takes you into Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands.  A few minutes from where you turn onto Black River Road, you will come to a fork in the road, or a turn off if you may.  A bridge to your right onto a road called Chisholm Trail (Route 6).  Don’t cross the bridge because you’ll be going the wrong way :)!  The rest of the road is pretty rough, consequently, really shouldn’t be called a road.  About half way to Victoria Falls, you will come to Rosebush Landing.  It’s easy to miss, so keep an eye out.  If you come to a wider section with a decent size, sandy parking are on the right, you have gone too far.  It is possible to put down there, if the water level is right.

Loading into the Black River in Queen Elizabeth Wildlands

At Rosebush Landing there is a winch and stairway/ladder designed to help get boats into the river.  There is enough of a bank at the bottom of the stairway to make is safe getting into the kayaks and into the water.  Thank you to the person or persons that installed this. We had a 12 foot and an 8 foot kayak, so we didn’t really need the which.  Though is was a lot of fun using it. 

As I mentioned there a couple of other spots that one can get in but at this point the Black River was several feet low making them a bit too difficult to access.

Below are three images of the area, each one drilled in a bit closer in to the launch site.

The Actual Kayak Ride Down the Black River

Our trip total was about 12 Kilometres.  At about the 9010 K mark, there are water falls. At a place called Big Eddy.  There is a 2-3 drop before the major falls which drop 10-15 feet or so.  Definitely a portage moment.  It was suggested that one climb down the left side which we did.  We parked the kayaks and did a little exploring on the little island in the middle of the falls. 

From there it was about 2 kilometres to Cooper’s Falls.  I tried to call my wife to come pick us up as we were close to the end.  Because the river was so far below the road level at this section, I got no reception.  Had to wait until we climbed out!

We'd done about 12km at this point and because it was getting late we exited the river just before Cooper's Falls.  Also, after Cooper’s Falls the river turns south and I'm pretty sure there are very few places convenient to exit. The river, from that point goes south then west then north and ends up near Washago or Severn Bridge.  No road alongside, as we had. 

I’m guessing it's at least another 20 plus Kilometres!

End of the Day

If you do this in the summer, bring bug spray.  We did this trip in the middle of September thus no bugs!   Earlier there would have been for sure.  Plenty of shade so not a big deal for the sun.  But even middle of September it was hot, so bring plenty of water.

Have fun.

More about Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Here

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