The Rivière Saint-Maurice is a major river in the Mauricie region of Quebec, flowing southward and emptying into the St. Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières. The river is large and wide throughout much of its length, offering a variety of paddling experiences from flatwater touring to sections with fast-moving current and rapids.

One well-documented access point is the Secteur Beaurivage area near Grand-Mère, where a boat ramp and parking are available. This section runs from below the Grand-Mère dam downstream to the Rapide des Hêtres. In Shawinigan, paddlers can launch from the boat ramp on Chemin de la Berge in the Shawinigan-Sud sector, with parking available nearby. Parc de l'Île Melville in Shawinigan also serves as a launch point and offers canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, pedalo, rabaska, and rowboat rentals. In Saint-Jean-des-Piles, Marina du Quai sits on the western bank of the river and offers a free launching ramp, with the site located approximately 8 km from La Mauricie National Park.

A significant safety consideration throughout the river is the presence of hydroelectric dams and their associated infrastructure. Near Shawinigan, paddlers must verify that spillway valves are closed before launching. A flashing light indicates open valves, and a siren sounds 30 minutes before valves open, at which point Hydro-Québec requires all users to leave the water. Paddlers are advised to stay near shore to reach it quickly if needed, to avoid motorized boat traffic, and to exercise extra caution when winds exceed 20 km/h. The river's currents can be unpredictable.

A recommended intermediate route near Shawinigan covers approximately 6 km round trip, circling Île Melville, crossing to the dock on Avenue du Capitaine-Veilleux, continuing along the shore to Baie à Giguère, and returning via Île Chapdelaine. This section is known for great blue heron sightings and views of downtown Shawinigan. Further upstream, a multi-day sea kayak trip departing from La Tuque has been documented covering 78 km over three days, with wild camping along the way. The river also hosts one of Canada's oldest canoe races, running from La Tuque to Trois-Rivières on Labour Day weekend, with festivities in Shawinigan and Trois-Rivières. At the river's mouth, the delta area near Trois-Rivières features the Île Saint-Quentin recreational site and marina.