25 Must Do Things In And Around Dryden

While Dryden is a smaller city, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a ton of things to do there and in the surrounding area. The entire region is nestled in the heart of Sunset Country and boasts scenic countryside, dense forests, crystal waters, and skies that come alive. The fishing in the region is world-class. There is so much countryside just waiting to be explored. Dryden and the surrounding area is rich in history and heritage and boasts many exciting festivals throughout the seasons, plus a whole host of other things to do and places to take in.

1. Beautiful Blue Lake

Located just a short drive from Vermilion Bay is the Blue Lake Provincial Park. People of all ages will be sure to be enjoy the huge stretch of sandy beach at the park. There is also a giant playground area, picnic tables, and watercraft like kayaks and paddle boards available for rent. The lake itself is incredible, perfect for water sports, and swimming. The lake is also weedless, with a nice sandy bottom, so you can swim and splash around without worrying about the creepy ick factor of mud and seaweed. The park as well is legendary for its beauty and Blue Lake is a popular place to camp in the area.
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2. Cross the river – Roy Wilson Suspension Bridge

Located not far from downtown Dryden, just off part of the city’s walking paths, is the Roy Wilson Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans the Wabigoon River. Depending on the time of year or the recent weather, the rapids that rush under the bridge can be running quite fast. If it’s a dry year, they might be running more slowly, but then all the rocky ridges and outcrops are visible. Either way, it’s quite scenic, and the bridge is a unique and fun experience.
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3. Bringing the past to life

The Dryden & District Museum, located in the downtown area, is a wonderful place to come and learn all about the history of Dryden and area. The museum is said to explore over five thousand years of history. The exhibits in the museum are all very informative and there is a good collection of artifacts, photographs, minerals, and textiles on display. The museum does offer tours and has special features throughout the year, so be sure to consult the website for more information.
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4. Score a unique treasure

For a fairly small city, Dryden has a surprising amount of thrift stores. Shop for that unbelievable deal, that interesting score, that vintage treasure. From clothes to artwork, dishes to knick-knacks, antiques and collectibles to books, you’re bound to find a unique score. The Dryden Mission has a huge selection of everything, but there are shelves and shelves of books and vinyl records that are the real find there. The Salvation Army has a good variety of absolutely everything, and across the street, Treasures has a wide and varied selection of goods as well. All the proceeds from the shop go directly to helping homeless dogs and cats in need.

5. Spend an afternoon helping out

Getting a pet should never be a spur of the moment decision, but whether or not you’re looking for a new family member, you should still inquire about stopping in at the Second Chance Pet Network shelter in Dryden. The incredible volunteers there run an amazing organization. They do an incredible job serving the area. The cat room is totally cage free and is just amazing, and they’re always looking for people to help clean or even just to spend some time socializing, brushing, and playing with the cats. They do boarding as well, so if you happen to need it, they’re great to work with. They also operate a thrift store in downtown Dryden, where all the proceeds go towards helping care for the animals, so if you have time, stop in there too!
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6. Find some toothy critters

Located about an hour east of Lake of the Woods is Eagle Lake. The small town of Vermilion Bay is located right on the lake. There is a public dock right in town for you to use if you’re brought your own boat and aren’t staying at a lodge or resort. Eagle Lake is a large lake, at 70 miles long. Eagle’s claim to fame is the massive muskies that lurk in its depths. Trophy sized fish aren’t uncommon on the lake. The best time to muskie fish is definitely in the fall. The lake does boast pretty impressive walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass as well. Lake trout, perch, and rock bass can also be fished. There are quite a few lodges and resorts on and around Eagle Lake where you can stay. There is a gas station in Vermilion Bay that has a huge tackle store where you can also buy licenses and bait, and a store in Eagle River where you can buy bait and tackle as well.
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7. Sample some seriously awesome fish and chips

In downtown Dryden is a hidden little gem. The chip box is perhaps one of the tastiest fish and chip places in the whole region. They also make things like hot dogs and fries, but seriously, the fish. The fish is to die for. They serve it with vinegar too, if you ask. If you’re just not a fish person, no matter how insanely tasty it might be, try the poutine. There likely isn’t a better poutine on the entire planet. The gravy and all that cheesy goodness! You haven’t truly had poutine until you’ve poutine at the Chip Box.
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8. Fish the day away

The city of Dryden is located right on the north shores of Wabigoon Lake. The lake is a just as gorgeous as other northwestern lakes. It’s dotted with scenic islands and framed by picturesque shoreline. The lake is a larger network of bays, islands, and larger, more open areas. If you’re chasing toothy critters, there have known to be some large sized muskie swimming in the lake’s depths. Wabigoon is also an excellent lake to fish for walleye. Pike, smallmouth bass, and crappie can also be fished in the lake.
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9. Rainy Lake’s Sentinel

There perhaps isn’t a better Easter egg in the entire region than the Rainy Lake Mermaid. Yes, she really is real, though she sounds like the stuff of legend. Rainy Lake is located right near Fort Frances. The mermaid is nearly one hundred years old, and she’s truly worth taking a trip to see. (Okay, Rainy Lake is a pretty beautiful lake too, and the fishing is great!) The mermaid was constructed in the 1930’s by an American architect from Minneapolis. He used to come visit family who had a cabin on Rainy Lake. The mermaid is made up of steel rods, old boat props, and concrete. She stands like a sentinel watching over the lake. She’s exceptionally picture worthy and definitely worth framing a whole adventure around.
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10. An impressive dam

Located just off the highway, about fifteen minutes east of Vermilion Bay, right by Eagle Lake, is the community of Eagle River. If you stay on the main road instead of turning off into the town and go over the small bridge, be sure to look to the left and the right. The dam on the river is absolutely a hidden gem. The bridge is quite high up. The dam and the bridge are quite an experience and the whole site is pretty breathtaking.
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11. Experimental Lakes

There’s really nothing quite like the Experimental Lakes area. The Experimental Lakes area has been located approximately fifteen minutes from Vermilion Bay for fifty years now! The area plays a vital role in understanding the impact that people have on the environment and in many other studies. If you consult the website, you can find information about visiting for recreation or educational purposes.
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12. A teeny-tiny church

This tiny little church, located in Emo not far from Red Lake, has a really interesting history. The steeple of the church actually belonged to the church that was originally built. It ended up being struck by lightning and burning down in the 1970’s, but the steeple was salvaged, and was used when the church was rebuilt. The Norlund Chapel is actually one of the smallest churches in the world, and is a pretty cool place to go and see if you have the time.
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13. In celebration of blueberries

The Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival is held every year. The festival runs for nine days and features a host of fun events for people of all ages. Games, competitions, performers, artisans, great food- the festival has it all. Oh, and of course, it has blueberries! The berries grow so abundantly in the area in the summer months that you can find them sprouting up just about anywhere and everywhere. There really isn’t anything like eating fresh wild blueberries, so it’s fitting that there’s a festival dedicated just to them. If you can’t make the festival, and don’t have time to pick berries, they can often be found for sale at gas stations in the areas, at the farmer’s markets, or there are always plenty of people selling buckets full on local classified sites.
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14. A piece of aviation history

If you’re interested in aviation history, you can’t miss the Norseman Festival in Red Lake. Every year, Red Lake celebrates the history of the Noorduyn Norseman plane. The plane was a bushplane which played a vital role not only in transportation in the area, but of the development too. You can see one of these celebrated planes on display in the park. The festival runs this year from July 17-19th and includes a ton of fun events for the entire family, including live music. Even if you don’t think you’re interested in planes or if you’re not a history buff, if you’re in the area, you should definitely check out the celebration.
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15. A REALLY big moose

You can’t drive through Dryden or stop in the city without seeing the giant Max the Moose statue. At over twenty feet high, the moose really is something to behold. Max is always photo worthy. Highway 17 cuts through Dryden heading east, and Max is located directly on that road. Also stop in and check out the Naked North Art Gallery & Gifts, located directly beside Max. The amazing shop features the works of many different local artisans. It’s an impressive display, so if you want to view the artistry or want to add to your collection, it’s the perfect stop.

16. Launch your canoe

If you’re a canoeing or kayaking enthusiast or looking to plan your next wilderness adventure, consider Sandbar Lake Provincial Park. The park, located not far from Ignace, isn’t just great for camping, excellent fishing, or for its sandy beaches, though those are great too. It’s known for its spectacular forests featuring three hundred year old red and white pines. Hiking and biking trails run through the area so you can experience these gigantic wonders of nature first hand. The lake is perhaps best known for its crystal clear waters and the canoe routes that extend from it. The lake serves as a gateway for longer trips, some of which can last for up to two weeks or more. From campgrounds to backcountry camping Sandbar Lake has you covered.
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17. Pack your tents

If you’re looking for a great spot to plan your family camping trip this year that isn’t too far away from a small city with conveniences and other things to do, you should consider the Aaron Provincial Park. The park is located just twenty minutes east of Dryden. It’s right on the shores of Thunder Lake, which is a beautiful body of water that’s just perfect for swimming, watersports, and spending a day paddling on. The beaches around the lake are a great spot to enjoy just relaxing in the sun. The park also features a small waterfall and an area for viewing.
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18. A spectacular falls

Located just west of Ignace are the Raleigh Falls. These falls are quite breathtaking. If you happen to be staying in the area, at Sandbar Lake Provincial Park, or even in Dryden, they’re worth taking a day trip out to see. The countryside between Dryden and Ignace is quite scenic and beautiful. You can plan a picnic lunch or dinner and make a day of it, or stop in and see other sites in the area and have lunch at one of the local restaurants in town.
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19. The finest of festivals

If you’re from northwest Ontario, you know what a big deal the Trout Music Festival is in Ear Falls. If you’re not from this part of the province or even this part of the country, you can take our word for it. The festival is great! Held in August (this year it’s from Aug 7-9th), the festival provides the perfect opportunity to get out doors and celebrate summer. With a lineup of over twenty-five performers, there’s sure to be something for everyone. You can come for a day or you can camp out and stay all weekend long for the entire authentic experience. Not only are there tons of things to do and see, you’ll also be supporting many local artists. The tickets for the festival are quite affordable, so the whole family can get in on the experience.
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20. A visit to the farm

Egli’s Sheep Farm is located on Highway 17, about twenty minutes to the west of Dryden. Look for the giant sheep statue right beside the entrance and you’ll know that you’ve found it! Egli’s farm features self-guided tours where you can see all sorts of different animals. There are over two hundred and fifty acres to view and explore. There’s a play structure outside the store for the kids (it’s the cutest little barn), and there are public washrooms on site. The admission to the farm is very inexpensive, so it’s totally worth taking a morning or an afternoon to check it out. Egli’s also boasts an expansive store located right on site that features many different sheep skin products, most made and sewn right there! The store carries many other products as well. It’s quite extensive and people come from all over just to shop there. Be sure to look for the cute little handmade sheep magnets at the counter!
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21. Take in a show

Located in Dryden, the Centre offers a variety of entertainment and special events throughout the year. They do normally take a short break for summer, but if you’re in the area in the spring, fall, or winter, there is generally some great shows playing. From dance to live music, they’ve had some big name events at the Centre over the years. No matter what you’d like to see, there is programming available for the whole family to enjoy. The tickets are always quite affordable. As a bonus, many of the shows have snacks served for free during the intermission, and they’re always a real treat.
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22. The most delicious fudge

If you’re going to be in the Vermilion Bay/Eagle Lake area during the spring, summer, or early fall months, you have to stop in at the Moose Creek Trading Company store. It’s located right off Highway 17. Look for the impressive totem pole standing outside the building. Not only does Moose Creek feature a large variety of goods and souvenirs, they also have soft serve and hard ice cream, making it a popular destination in the hot months. It’s perhaps best known for its homemade fudge. Even people who don’t like fudge will like this fudge! It’s that good! The sea salt chocolate caramel is seriously out of this world!
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23. A wetland to remember

If you have a few hours to spend in Dryden, you can’t miss the Laura Howe Marsh. The Conservation Area is popular within the city for the amazing flora and the different wildlife and species of birds. You might even be lucky enough to see a Great Blue Heron in the area. The wetland has a short loop that goes around the area, which takes under half an hour to walk, and a longer loop which takes around an hour to get all the way around. There are viewing platforms around the marsh. Be sure to bring your camera for your chance to snap an amazing photo.
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24. A gem in Wabigoon

If you’re passionate about live music and supporting local artists, then Pappy’s Café and Green Achers of Wabigoon is the place to go. Not only are the shows and performers pretty awesome, the café serves a mean dessert and an even better cup of coffee. Wabigoon is located just a short fifteen minute drive east of Dryden.
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25. Angler’s delight

Located just south of Ear Falls (about half an hour north of Vermilion Bay), is Perrault Falls. There area is a true gem if you’re looking for outdoor and wilderness adventures. If you’ve been dying to plan your next canoe trip or kayaking trip or some backcountry camping, the Perrault Falls area has many different lakes that are sure to be exactly what you’re looking for, and so much more. If fishing is more your game, then we have a real treat for you. The lakes in the Perrault Falls area are teeming with all sorts of species of fish. There are also many lodges and resorts for you to book your stay. Oh, and of course, you should also see the falls in the area!
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