The Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area is a hidden gem near Mattawa, managed by the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority. It sits on Graham Road in Calvin Township, not far from the northern edge of Algonquin Park. The main attraction is the gorge itself, where the Amable du Fond River drops through a narrow rocky pass in a dramatic series of rapids and waterfalls. It is free to visit, which makes it one of the best value outings in the region.
A self guided interpretive trail of about two kilometres winds through the property and tells the story of the area’s natural and human history. Millions of years ago, the bedrock here split and dropped on one side, creating a fault ridge. Glaciers and river erosion carved the gorge into the shape you see today. In the 1870s, the Mackey Lumber Company built a log slide and dam on the river to move timber downstream. You can still see the remains of their work along the trail. There is also a logger’s cabin that was reconstructed in 1989, giving a sense of what life was like for the lumbermen.
The star of the show is the waterfall. It drops 40 feet through the narrowest part of the gorge, and you can hear it roaring before you see it. The trail has some steep and uneven sections, with boardwalks and makeshift stairs in places, so good footwear helps. It is not recommended for very young children because of the height of the gorge walls. In winter, the access road is gated, but the snow covered gorge is beautiful for those willing to snowshoe in. Bring a picnic, take your time, and enjoy one of Ontario’s most striking natural sights.