The Rivière Noire is one of Quebec's best-kept wilderness canoeing secrets, flowing through pristine boreal forest with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. This challenging yet rewarding route features 11 rapids (R1-3) and 6 portages, offering the longest distance of runnable whitewater with sandy beach campsites at nearly every bend. The river's dark waters wind through remote wilderness where moose, black bear, and diverse birdlife thrive, providing an authentic backcountry experience. Best experienced from late May to September, access is via shuttle services from Black River Inn with comprehensive outfitter support available.
The document describes 11. The map shows 6, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.
| Rapid | Class | Portage | Surveyor's note |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-3 au camping | R-3 R3 | manoeuvrier commence au camping, deviennent moins difficile ensuite, on discerne mieux les passages, ça frotte moins | |
| R-2 | R-2 R2 | Rapide de classe 2 sur la rivière Noire | |
| R-1-2 | R-1-2 R1-2 | Rapide de classe 1-2 | |
| R-2 90M | R-2 R2 | Rapide de classe 2, longueur 90 mètres | |
| R-2 | R-2 R2 | ||
| R-3 | R-3 R3 | ||
| R-2 | R-2 R2 | ||
| R-1 | |||
| R+2 | |||
| R-2 | |||
| R-3 |
This table publishes no position for any rapid. Where a surveyor's note mentions a kilometre, those are their words quoted as written, and the figure was read off a scanned map: use it to follow their description, not to navigate. Most of these surveys were written in French.
Surveyed by Pierre Clermont, 2002-06. NoireCharlevoixClermont.pdf
The document describes 6 portage(s).
| Portage | Length | Bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| barrage au km 13 oblige à un court portage | not stated | à gauche | court |
| seuil 5 au km 12 se cordelle facilement | not stated | à gauche | se cordelle facilement à ce niveau d'eau |
| 100M | 100 m | ||
| 200M | 200 m | RIVE GAUCHE | |
| 360M | 360 m | ||
| 50 M | 50 m | rive gauche |
The document describes 1 campsite(s).
Noire River is rated Intermediate. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.
The best time is May-September.
Noire River is located in the Charlevoix region of Canada.
cartespleinair.org · voyageurtripper.com · myccr.com · paddling.com · whitewater.ca · mhoadventures.com
Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use
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