Mattawa sits on Highway 17, the Trans-Canada Highway, about 60 kilometres east of North Bay and 330 kilometres north of Toronto. The drive from Toronto takes about four hours. There is no rail service and no scheduled bus. A car is effectively essential.
North Bay is the nearest city with regional air connections and a full range of services. Most visitors to Mattawa are road-tripping along the Trans-Canada or coming specifically for the Mattawa River canoe route.