All About

Churchill River Canoe Outfitters

Est. 1968

Celebrating 60 Years on the Churchill River

Our History

In 1959, four partners leased the property that CRCO is now on. That first summer, 1959 they built the Fox Den and the office. They called this new place Pawistic Lodge. In the summer of 1960 they build the Lodge and the old Log Cabin. 1960 was their first summer of operation.
They sold to Doug Hill in 1963. Doug's dream was to make Pawistic Lodge into a canoe place. He hired Peter Whitehead to run the place. They agreed to change the name to Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in 1964. Peter ran CRCO for the Hill family until 1975. Peter was an avid canoeist and a member of the Historic Trails Canoe Club of Regina. Peter made a film in 1974 called 'Canoeing the Churchill'. It's worth watching.
Doug sold, then it sold again and Paul Wilkinson became the owner in 1976. Paul along with his family ran Churchill River Canoe Outfitters until the fall of 1987 when Ric Driediger and family purchased it.

Ric has run CRCO until 2023 when he sold the canoe outfitting portion of the business to Martin Bernardin and family (Montreal River Outpost & Kisseynew Canoe Company) of La Ronge.

About CRCO

Churchill River Canoe Outfitters (CRCO) is located in Missinipe, Saskatchewan, on the Churchill River, 80km north of La Ronge in the heart of the Precambrian Shield. CRCO has been around for approximately 60 years and is a well-established and trusted canoe outfitter that offers guided and self-guided canoe trips, canoe rentals, canoe clinics and courses, canoe route maps, and much more.

CRCO guides are certified canoe instructors with a vast knowledge of northern Saskatchewan canoe routes and cook up some great meals at the end of the paddling day. The Churchill River offers canoe experiences for any skill level, from school groups, bucket list adventurers, families, to expert paddlers. Thousands of canoeists stop into CRCO every summer to ask for information on canoe trips they are planning or to swap stories of past canoeing adventures.

At the Missinipe base camp, there are eight comfortable cabins available for daily, weekly, or even monthly rental. With names like Silver Birch, the Lodge, Log Cabin, Fox Den, Aspen, Hideaway, Ravens Loft, Loon's Lookout, and Eagles Nest, each cabin is designed to be unique, warm, cozy and ready to become your home away from home.

Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure with our guided canoe excursions on the Churchill River in Saskatchewan. Our experienced guides will lead you through stunning natural scenery and share their knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Guided Canoe Excursions

Make the most of your Churchill River adventure with our cozy lodging options. Our cabins are the perfect place to rest up and prepare for an active day exploring the natural wonders of the Saskatchewan wilderness.

Lodging/Cabin Rentals

Experience the thrill of guided fishing trips on the pristine Churchill River in SK. Our expert guides will take you on an adventure of a lifetime, showing you the best spots to catch a variety of fish species. Book your trip today and get ready for a day full of excitement and stunning scenery.

Guided Fishing Trips

Explore the wild beauty of the Churchill River with our top-notch canoe and equipment rental service. From solo expeditions to group outings, we have everything you need to make the most of your adventure.

Canoe & Equipment Rentals

Our canoe shuttle service makes it easy for you to explore the beauty of the Churchill River. We'll transport you and your equipment to your chosen drop-off location, so you can focus on experiencing the breathtaking scenery and wildlife we have to offer.