The Burntwood River in Manitoba is a remote boreal shield route running through northern Manitoba, typically paddled as a point-to-point trip ending at Nelson House (Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation) on the north shore of Footprint Lake. Nelson House is accessible via Provincial Road 391, roughly 80 km west of Thompson, and a public dock serves as the standard take-out. A supermarket is a short walk from the dock. The upper portion of the route involves a significant crossing of Burntwood Lake, approximately 60 km of open water that is exposed to northwest winds and can pin paddlers for hours or an entire day.

Two common put-in options exist. One approach begins via railway between Takipy and Charles, where the Kississing River turns sharply northeast, with the put-in at small rapids near an old cabin. A second option involves a fly-in to File Lake from Snow Lake, Manitoba, with Gogal Air Service operating out of Snow Lake, approximately a seven-hour drive north of Winnipeg on Highway 6. The flight to File Lake takes roughly 20 minutes.

From the outlet of Burntwood Lake, the river runs northeast through scattered riffles and past high rocky cliffs for approximately 35 km before reaching Carrot Rapids, described as heavy rapids with no maintained portage trail due to old burn damage. Wading and lining on river right is the recommended approach. Camping at Carrot Rapids is poor. The upper rapids, including Carrot and Eagle, demand caution given the absence of maintained portage trails and strong currents among boulders. Standing waves at the tail of some rapids can swamp a loaded canoe.

The terrain between rapids tends to be low-lying and less visually interesting, while the rapids themselves offer good camping, particularly at Driftwood and Gate Falls. The 2,000 m Burntwood Carrying Place portage begins at high ground on river left and involves a wet, confusing trail with misleading side trails; paddlers should allow approximately four hours. The stretch between Nelson House and Thompson is not recommended for paddling due to major hydroelectric development in that corridor. For the return, a shuttle from Nelson House to Paint Lake is possible, connecting to the lower Grass River or road transport to Thompson for rail connections.