Wilderness in the Heart of Cottage Country: The Upper Gibson River

Ontario's Muskoka region is a breathtaking landscape of windswept pines, imposing rocky knolls 

and countless lakes, rivers and streams. The area can be a paddler’s paradise if you don’t mind 

sharing your trip with power boats, cottagers and long weekend revelers. While it's true that 

many of the ‘wild’ Muskoka routes are dotted with millionaire’s summer retreats or choked with 

boat traffic, one can still escape to a few secluded regions where peace and solitude awaits. The 

Severn River Conservation Reserve near Bala is one such region and it contains one of my 

favorite Muskoka canoe routes; the Upper Gibson River loop. This large tract of land protects the 

upper reaches of the Gibson River and is dotted with numerous long, finger-like lakes. The only 

development you will find in this area are a few remote hunt camps and a handful of perfect 

campsites. 
 

 Shallow water on the upper Gibson 
 

The journey begins at the Nile Mile Lake Marina located 7km south of the quaint town of 

Torrance. On our exploratory trip to the area, my father and I arrived to the marina by 9am on a 

late August Saturday and sure enough, the public lot was completely full. Thankfully, you can 

spend a few dollars and park your vehicle at the marina. Waving goodbye to marina attendant, 

we soon found ourselves gliding across the placid waters of Nine Mile Lake. The southern 

reaches of this elongated lake are encompassed by typical Muskoka cottage development, while 

the northern reaches are comprised of crown land. Our 'wild' route would see us paddle south-

east towards the inlet of the Gibson River. Once you reach the Gibson, you leave the cottage 

traffic behind and begin a scenic paddle through extensive wetlands and lush, vegetated 

shorelines. 
 

Heading downriver, we quickly lifted over a small dam and entered a narrow stretch 

blocked by several beaver dams. In higher water, this section could be easily paddled with 

minimal difficulty, but a bit of hard work is required when the levels drop. As we found 

ourselves traversing the route in late August of a dry year, we resorted to lining the canoe 

through a few tight sections where the river was reduced to a trickle. 
 

The Gibson gradually widened as we paddled downstream towards Bridge Rapids, a rock 

garden requiring an easy liftover. When levels are higher, you may be able to run the set or opt to 

take a short 20m portage on river left. As we paddled further downriver, we were startled by a 

deafening clap of thunder. Quickening our pace, we hastily portaged past another parched rapid 

and headed out across a small pond towards the Beaver Dam Falls portage. Shimmering forks of 

lightening danced across the horizon and within a few short moments, the full brunt of the storm 

was upon us. Reaching the portage landing, we jumped out of our canoe and sought shelter in the 

woods. As the rains pelted down with a tenacious ferocity, we reassured ourselves that this was 

merely a brief summer storm as the pre-trip forecast had indicated a weekend of sunny skies. 

Rain was an unwelcome occurrence, especially on this trip, as I quickly realized I had forgotten 

to pack my waterproof rain pants; a rookie mistake. I was forced to make due with a combination 

of my rain jacket and a bathing suit. 
 

The electrical storm eventually abated, but the rain persisted as we pressed onwards 

towards Woodland Lake. The short portage around Double Duty Rapids proved slippery and 

challenging in the rainy conditions but, as we entered Woodland Lake, the rains finally gave way 

to a thick blanket of fog. 
 

 Brotherson's Lake

The Gibson exits Woodland Lake by means of Woodland Rapids. In high water you may 

be able to run the rapids; unfortunately for us, they were reduced to a mere a trickle. The 

adjacent portage was heavily overgrown and it was obvious most choose to run or line the rapids. 

Opting to line, we soon reached the confluence with picturesque Brotherson’s Lake, wherein we 

paddled to a perfect island site nestled among towering pines. Following a successful fishing 

outing to nearby Narrow Lake, we headed back to camp and prepared a scrumptious supper of 

fresh caught fish and rice. As the day wound down, the rains returned and we retired to the tent, 

drifting off to the soothing sound of raindrops dancing on the fly. 
 

We awoke the following morning to a landscape immersed in a thick blanket of fog. 

After spending an hour taking pictures and video of the mesmerizing scene, we packed up camp 

and headed towards the Turtle Lake portage. The steep portage skirts Scenic Falls, an aptly 

named set of cascades which make for a great photography opportunity. We would have stayed 

to photograph the cascade ourselves had the persistent rains not returned. Pressing onwards to 

Nile Mile, the rains became heavier. By the time we had completed the final portage of the trip, 

we found ourselves soaked from head to toe. 
 

Fresh caught fish 

As we journeyed back to the marina, a passing boater spotted our canoe and slowed 

down. We must have looked a pair of drowned rats to him as he shouted though the downpour 

asking if we needed a tow back to the marina. We thanked him for his kindness but continued 

onwards under our own power. In hindsight, the tow would have been a good idea as the next 

few kilometers were met with driving rains and a chilling headwind that sent shivers through our 

rain sodden bodies. By the time we reached the marina, I was thrown into a fit of uncontrollable 

shivers that lasted for quite some time even after I had changed into dry clothes. 
 

Despite the un-forecasted rainy conditions, the Upper Gibson River loop had established 

itself as one of my favorite 'wild' Muskoka Routes. The mixture of lake and river travel, scenic 

lakes, lack of cottages, excellent campsites and prime fishing made for an excellent weekend 

getaway. I will likely return to the area in the future, hopefully under sunnier skies.

In the five years since this trip, I've never forgotten my rain pants!

 Our 2011 video of the route!

This post orignially apeared on Paddle Canada and in Rapid Media's Magazines