Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park sits on the north shore of the Ottawa River about 30 kilometres west of Mattawa along Highway 17. The park covers classic Canadian Shield terrain — boreal forest, rocky outcrops, lakes, and the wide Ottawa River — and provides a good base for canoeing, hiking, swimming, and fishing in the area.
The park's Etienne Trail follows the Ottawa River and offers views across to Quebec. Backcountry canoe routes extend into the lakes to the north. In summer the park fills with Ontario cottagers; spring and autumn are quieter and good for wildlife — moose, beaver, and otters are regularly seen on the quieter lakes and river sections. The campground has drive-in sites suitable for families with vehicle camping gear.