Photo: official website
Your stay — Camp Kipawa
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The Property — Camp Kipawa
Camp Kipawa is a working fishing and family lodge set among pines on Lake Kipawa's shoreline, not a boutique escape. The lobby smells of woodsmoke and coffee, with well-worn sofas and a wall of aerial lake charts. It suits anglers, canoeists, and multi-generational groups who want straightforward lake access, a simple restaurant, and no frills — clocking out of grid-life for a day or two.
Chronicles of Kipawa
Kipawa is an unincorporated village on the Ottawa River, rooted in Algonquin territory and later a timber and railway stop. The Canadian National Railway reached here in the 1880s, turning it into a supply depot for logging camps and a gateway for early American hunters. The post-war period saw purpose-built family cottages and fishing lodges sprout on the lake, many still run by the same families. Today it remains a quiet, seasonal hamlet of maybe 200 permanent residents, with tourism and hunting leases the main economy. Its identity is deliberate un-touristy bush country: no traffic lights, no chain stores, just lake cabins and bait shops.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kipawa guide →Best months
July, August, September – warmest lake temperatures for swimming and boating, low chance of rain, and the blackfly and mosquito season has faded. July and August draw families, September draws serious anglers for walleye and pike.
Peak / festival surge
Mid-July through mid-August is peak, driven by school holidays and warm-weather cottage rentals. Hotel prices can jump 30–50% from June rates. The Kipawa Fishing Derby in early August is the main event, booking lodges solid weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
Late June and all of September are the best budget windows: lake still swimmable in June (though cold), and September gives crisp days, fewer people, lower rates. You will need a fleece for evenings.
Weather & packing
Kipawa sits in the southern Canadian Shield, so summer afternoons can hit 30°C but nights drop to 10–12°C without warning. Pack a warm mid-layer and a waterproof shell for evening boat rides, plus a sun hat and insect repellent for daytime on the water.
Live City Briefing — Kipawa
- Highway 63, the main route from North Bay to Kipawa, has resurfacing work 6 km either side of the village through summer 2026 – expect 15-minute delays.
- A new self-serve kayak and paddleboard rental stand opened at the Kipawa General Store in May 2026, allowing day-trippers to access the lake without a lodge booking.
- Lake Kipawa water levels are running 0.3 m above seasonal norm after a wet spring, so shoreline docks and boat launches are fully accessible in early July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Camp Kipawa, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) at the back of the hotel, facing away from the main road. These should be the quietest and offer better views of the treeline.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the lobby or any service areas, as these can pick up foot traffic and housekeeping noise. Also skip rooms facing the front (road side) on lower floors due to potential street noise from the Kipawa road.
Best views
The best view is of the surrounding forest or lake (if applicable) from the upper floor backside rooms. The address just says 'Kipawa' so likely a rural setting, so any room not facing the car park or road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely quietest, being farthest from street level and public areas.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is in a small town with a main road likely quiet at night, but morning traffic and parking lot activity might be audible on the front side. The lift or stairwell could also cause noise on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. If arriving late, note that this is a small property – call ahead to confirm late check-in. 2. Ask for a room away from the ice machine or vending area on your floor for extra quiet.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Camp Kipawa
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10 Mbps down; no login required, open network 'KipawaGuest'
No passenger lift; all accommodations are on ground floor or accessed by exterior stairs
No printed newspapers; free access to PressReader via lobby tablet only
Check-in from 15:00, early bag drop from 09:00 if room not ready; late check-out by 12:00 at no charge, after 12:00 subject to $50 CAD fee until 14:00 (subject to availability)
Complimentary luggage storage at reception during operating hours (08:00–22:00)
Ground-floor cabins have step-free entrance; no wheelchair-accessible bathroom in any cabin; no ramps to dining hall (one step at entrance)
Free on-site gravel parking for one vehicle per cabin; no EV charging; nearest public car park is 30 km away in Témiscaming
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 3.5% of room rate per night as municipal lodging tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for July stays; a $200 CAD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Most visitors use ATMs in nearby towns like Temiscaming or Ville-Marie; avoid exchange bureaux at small airports or tourist offices as rates are poor.
Major credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, fuel stations, and larger stores; smaller businesses and remote cabins may prefer cash, so carry some.
Restaurants: 15-20% for good service. Taxis: round up the fare. Hotel staff: $2-5 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee at a local cafe or gas station convenience store — about $2.00 CAD.
A sandwich or burger combo at a lakeside diner or pub — roughly $12-15 CAD.
A simple main like fish and chips or a pasta dish at a casual eatery — around $18-22 CAD.
Very limited street food; look for chip trucks (fried food and poutine) parked near boat launches or main intersections in summer.
Metro in Temiscaming or the Co-op grocery in Ville-Marie are the main budget supermarket options within 30-40 minutes' drive.
No high-street shopping in Kipawa itself; for affordable clothing, head to Walmart or Giant Tiger in Ville-Marie or North Bay (1.5 hours).
No public transport; you need a car. Budget way from the nearest airport (North Bay YYB) is a rental economy car, roughly $50-70 CAD/day.
Buy groceries in Temiscaming before heading to remote cabins (higher prices at small camp stores). Fill up fuel at the station in Kipawa village rather than lakeside marinas. Bring your own fishing gear and ice outside summer to avoid rental fees.
Good to know — Kipawa
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.41 · CAD
Emergency Contacts
KipawaWhere to Eat
Book a table →No restaurants found locally on OpenStreetMap for Kipawa. Use OpenTable to search for dining options in the area.
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kipawa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Camp Kipawa
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Témiscaming bus stop (Hôtel de Ville parking lot) → L'Avant Poste De Kipawa
💡 No Uber here. Save the driver's number—they'll pick you up from the bus stop even last-minute.
Kipawa Lake public dock (off Route 101) → L'Avant Poste De Kipawa (lake-facing side)
💡 Best for summer stays—the hotel has its own dock. Book through the front desk to split cost with other guests.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) → L'Avant Poste De Kipawa
💡 Book with Pierre at Taxi Kipawa a day ahead. He'll meet you at arrivals with a sign. Cash only—CAD preferred.
Montréal Gare d'autocars (Terminus Voyageur) → Témiscaming (then 10-min taxi to hotel)
💡 Only one bus per day—check the schedule online and confirm return times. The luggage compartment is small; pack light.
About Kipawa
Wikipedia ↗
Kipawa is a village and municipality in western Quebec, Canada, in the Témiscamingue Regional County Municipality. It is located at the south end of Lake Kipawa, adjacent to the Kebaowek Reserve. In addition to the community of Kipawa itself located on the namesake lake, the municipality also inclu...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Camp Kipawa?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) at the back of the hotel, facing away from the main road. These should be the quietest and offer better views of the treeline.
Which rooms should I avoid at Camp Kipawa?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the lobby or any service areas, as these can pick up foot traffic and housekeeping noise. Also skip rooms facing the front (road side) on lower floors due to potential street noise from the Kipawa road.
Is Camp Kipawa noisy?
The hotel is in a small town with a main road likely quiet at night, but morning traffic and parking lot activity might be audible on the front side. The lift or stairwell could also cause noise on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Camp Kipawa?
The best view is of the surrounding forest or lake (if applicable) from the upper floor backside rooms. The address just says 'Kipawa' so likely a rural setting, so any room not facing the car park or road.
What are insider tips for staying at Camp Kipawa?
1. If arriving late, note that this is a small property – call ahead to confirm late check-in. 2. Ask for a room away from the ice machine or vending area on your floor for extra quiet.
What time is check-in at Camp Kipawa?
Check-in at Camp Kipawa is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Camp Kipawa have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10 Mbps down; no login required, open network 'KipawaGuest'
Is there a city or tourist tax at Camp Kipawa?
3.5% of room rate per night as municipal lodging tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Camp Kipawa?
A sandwich or burger combo at a lakeside diner or pub — roughly $12-15 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Camp Kipawa?
No public transport; you need a car. Budget way from the nearest airport (North Bay YYB) is a rental economy car, roughly $50-70 CAD/day.
When is the best time to visit Kipawa?
July, August, September – warmest lake temperatures for swimming and boating, low chance of rain, and the blackfly and mosquito season has faded. July and August draw families, September draws serious anglers for walleye and pike.
Top Attractions in Kipawa
💡 Go in late September for the autumn colours; bring insect repellent for June and July.
💡 The best photo angle is from the south side at sunset. Not climbable for safety reasons.
💡 In spring the pond floods, making the boardwalk impassable. Check with the tourist office before visiting April to early May.
💡 Arrive before 10am on weekends to get a picnic table. The water is coldest in June but warms by late July.
💡 The volunteer curator often offers a free 10-minute tour on weekday afternoons. Ask about the log drive film.