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That Time I...

Explored Every Inch of Deer Marsh

Deer Marsh, located in the Ottawa National Forest a little bit south of Sidnaw, isn't exactly a popular destination for adventurers.  For one, it's a marsh.  The wetlands are often full of impenetrable clouds of mosquitos, particularly in summertime.  And with so many lakes around that are prime for proper adventures, it's easy to overlook.


That changed for me in the spring of 2024.  I was desperate to get out paddling after a nearly snow-free winter.  I figured (correctly) that the shallow wetlands would thaw out more quickly and made tracks for the swamps.  I was not disappointed!  The waters were almost totally open at the put-in so I chomped down my burrito and got to business.


The marsh is beautiful at this time of year.  Lingering ice in the shady corners made for slow going as I put on my best icebreaker impression and kayaked into the mire.  The water was super clear and allowed me to peer deep enough to see entrances to beaver lodges and other hidden underwater features.  Water levels were also a little higher than usual during the spring melt, making it easier to scrape through shallow areas to places that were normally inaccessible.


I camped out on a grassy slope about midway through the marsh.  This was a super good call.  Once evening hit, hundreds of waterfowl landed on the marsh for a nightly pitstop as they migrated north!  Talk about perfect timing.  Deer Marsh was the only open water for miles (besides Lake Superior), providing a welcome respite for these high flyers.


The next morning, I hiked around the Deer Marsh interpretive trail, which circumnavigates the wetlands and encounters some nice forest along the way.  It also connected up to Lake Ste. Kathryn in case you're interested in camping in a campground near RVs and other noisy neighbors.  I'll take tail-slapping beavers and honking swans over barking dogs and screaming kids any day.

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