Nipissing River – High Falls – P1300 – Site 1

This site exists. That is the best thing I can say about it. It’s one of two sights along the portage that takes you around High Falls on the Nipissing River. It’s at the top of the initial climb up from the upstream portage landing, and it’s not worth the effort. It’s hemmed in on all sides by trees, without a view of the water (for anyone who’s inclined to say something along the lines of “it’s flat, it’s got a fire pit, seems fine to me”, no water view is a deal breaker for me.  

Ok, fine, if you want a less subjective review, here it is: This site is a good sized clearing beside the portage path. Unlike a lot of portage sites, there is a decent footprint here. You can put up a couple of tents and have room to spare (like all portage sites, you will have passers through as the portage trail goes directly through the site). There is no direct access to the water from the site. You’re going to be going up and down the hill to fill your bottles. It’s a very enclosed spot, as forest clearings tend to be. Not the end of the world, but might feel claustrophobic if you’re here for any length of time. 

While there’s no view from the site to speak of, you’re only a short walk from an awesome view over High Falls on the Nipissing. That’s probably the highlight of this site. Otherwise, meh.