NORTHERN ONTARIO: THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
But it is also where you’ll find people who are unhurried and unassuming, friendly and welcoming. Urban gateways such as Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay and Sudbury make perfect access points to all the area has to offer. The towns and cities present fantastic amenities, museums, unique shopping, festivals and happening food scenes. It’s the best of both worlds.
You’ll hear it from outfitters, guides and people on the street: all four seasons, these recreational experiences lure visitors to explore an unspoiled playground. There are paths to hike, streams to fish, trails for snowmobiling in winter and lakes for boating in summer. At night, the sky is peppered with brightly shining stars, an astronomer’s dream (www.northernontario.travel).
IT’S A GREAT BIG AREA
Northern Ontario begins along the upper shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, including Manitoulin Island, and stretches in its northern reaches to the borders of Québec and Manitoba. It is less than a three-hour drive north of Toronto and, as you travel north, the more developed cottage country gives way to lush stretches of boreal forest and the craggy Canadian Shield.
GETTING TO NORTHERN ONTARIO
Air connections are through Toronto in the south and Winnipeg in the west. Both major air hubs connect daily to the gateway City of Thunder Bay on the northern edge of Lake Superior.
Sault Ste. Marie is a convenient gateway for visitors travelling by car, RV and by boat from the U.S.
The MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry provides a relaxing water crossing of Georgian Bay from Tobermory/Bruce Peninsula to Manitoulin Island.
MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train departs from Sault Ste. Marie for daylong wilderness tours.
The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie is dedicated to the history of float planes, water bombers and aerial firefighters.
Science North and Dynamic Earth—both in Sudbury—tell about the geology, mining history, waterways, forests and wildlife of the north. Fort William Historical Park, a living history museum with dozens of historically accurate buildings, recreates the days of the Canadian fur trade.
The rocky ridge and sheer granite cliffs of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park give the Thunder Bay area landmark its name. The park is a favourite with canoeists, anglers, hikers and swimmers.
Paddle some of Ontario’s best routes along waterways like the Abitibi River, French River and the open waters of Lake Superior.
Take the winding and scenic RV-friendly routes with dozens of provincial parks and private campgrounds. Go Tour Ontario provides an interactive planning tool with information on 7 to 21 day tours (www.gotourontario.ca).
Explore the intense splash of foliage colour in September and October—timing varies so check the Ontario Fall Colour Report for peak viewing (www.ontariotravel.net).