25 Things to Do in Northeastern Ontario

Northeastern Ontario is vast, and as you can imagine, there is a never-ending list of things to do. We did manage to pick twenty-five. The region is home to outstanding natural scenery and the iconic unspoiled Canadian wilderness. Whether you’re just taking your first steps towards outdoor adventure or you’re a seasoned expert, Northeastern Ontario is sure to amaze. Even if you’re not huge into the outdoor exploring, there are still plenty of amazing experiences to be had!

1. A bear-y good time

The non-profit Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is currently home to five polar bears. The habitat has 24 acres of natural environment which closely resembles their home in the wild. The habitat plays an important role in research, education, and conservation in the face of climate change. You can come see and learn all about the bears in their unique environment or watch videos of the bears online.
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2. Point Grondine Park

Point Grondine Park, owned and operated by Wikwemkoong Unceded Territory First Nation, is pure bliss of  7000 hectares of scenic natural and wilderness landscape. Hike, explore Wemtagoosh Falls, paddle through traditional routes of the Anishnaabek people and more this secret destination. There are over 22 camping sites located in this fabulous wilderness park.

3. Ride the rails

The Polar Bear Express Train has been touted as one of the few great rail excursions still running in the world. Travel the Arctic Watershed. You’ll be travelling through and across many of the paths of the once thriving historical fur trade. The trip allows you to see much of the unspoiled Canadian Wilderness. You’ll also be able to spot hydroelectric dams, and you might even catch a glimpse of wildlife. The train runs between Cochrane and Moosonee four days a week and leaves two times a day.
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4. Catch the big one

For all the fishing enthusiasts out there, it doesn’t get much better than the renowned French River. Known as a world-class sport fishing destination, the French River boasts superb largemouth bass, walleye, and muskie fishing, and many other species can be found as well. The river flows from Lake Nipissing down to Georgian Bay. The river played a key role in the fur trade for hundreds of years. There are numerous Provincial Parks in the area, as well as a whole host of different outfitters, so you can plan your trip with confidence.

5. Wilderness adventure awaits

Chances are you’re already starting to plan your wilderness vacation for the summer. Northeast Ontario is the perfect outdoor playground and it doesn’t get much more spectacular than Killarney Provincial Park. The park is 645 sqkm of some of the most scenic and diverse landscapes you’ll ever encounter. From the Georgian Bay coast to the La Cloche Mountains, the park has inspired outdoor enthusiasts and artists alike, including members of the Group of Seven. The park boasts 50 lakes, outstanding hiking trails, beautiful beaches, great fishing, campgrounds, and even yurts! The town of Killarney, created in 1820 as a fur trading post, is only 10km away.
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6. A historic sentinel

The town of Killarney was established in 1820 as a fur trading post. If you’re in the area taking in the incredible sites and soaking up the history, you have to work seeing the lighthouse into your visit. The Killarney East Lighthouse is located just east of Killarney. The lighthouse overlooks the North Channel of the Georgian Bay at Red Rock Point. It was built in 1909, making it 111 years old this year!
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7. An iconic bridge

The Swing Bridge at Little Current was originally built for rail traffic, but in the 1940’s began to be used by the public. The bridge spans the North Channel between the mainland and Manitoulin Island. The bridge is now over a century old and still stands and is used right now, though there have been talks recently about the safety of the bridge and a possible replacement down the road. If you want to see the iconic bridge, you should do it soon!

8. Walk a famous trail

The Cup & Saucer Trail is located 18km west of Little Current. The trail is famous for the incredible scenery, including the view from the towering 70 meter high cliffs. There are over 12km of trails in the area, all with different degrees of difficultly, so you can choose which trail is best for you. Spend as little has twenty minutes on the trail or up to four or five hours- the choice is yours. One thing is certain, though, you’ll understand why the trail is such a popular destination when you experience the breathtaking area for yourself.
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9. Experience a historic getaway

If you’re looking for an exciting and historic getaway this summer, the Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park has everything you could imagine. The park is located on the historic Mattawa River trade route in the Mattawa Valley. The park is the perfect destination for all the regular fun summer adventures, like camping, fishing, hiking, and canoeing, but there is so much more you can experience. Through the voyager adventure interactive experience you can try paddling a voyager canoe. You have to check out the Canadian Ecology Centre, located right in the park. The Centre offers a ton of different programs that will be fun and educational for the entire family.
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10. Explore world-famous trails

Bordered by the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, by the community of Mattawa, the Voyager Mulit-Use Trail System offers more than 300km of trails that connect to a much broader network beyond. People come from all over the world to experience and ride these trails, including pro riders. Whether you’re biking, bringing your dirt bike, or your ATV’s, you’ll find that the experience of riding these trails is unrivalled. See the Canadian wilderness like you’ve never seen it before!
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11. See the wooden statues

The town of Mattawa is home to many different wooden statues of figures both from Mattawa and the surrounding area. You’ll be able to see statues of Champlain, Groseilliers, Radisson, and more. The most famous statue is undoubtedly the one at the Mattawa District Museum. The 17ft tall statue of Big Joe Mufferaw, a local folk hero, is a must see. Yes, this is the same Big Joe Mufferaw that was immortalized by Stompin’ Tom Connors.
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12. Explore Moosonee

Moosonee is a unique town at the edge of the Arctic, settled in 1903 as a fur trading post. The town’s claim to fame is that it has no road access. You have to get to the town either by train or plain. If you want to do some remote exploring, don’t bypass Moosonee. The train ride that runs from Cochrane to Moosonee is incredible scenic. The experience really is like no other, as you’ll get a first-hand view of some of Northern Ontario’s unspoiled wilderness. It might just be the most incredible landscape you’ve ever seen.
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13. Duchesnay Falls Trails

Located near the town of North Bay, which is situated between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake, are the Duchesnay Falls Trails. While the 3km loop of trails is rated as moderately difficult, you can do some more extreme exploring to get up close and personal with the falls area. The falls split into different branches, and if you want a closer look, you can step out onto the bedrock, but it can be slippery and there aren’t any fences or barricades. Be sure to bring your camera to capture your memories of the falls and the trails along the way. The trails do meet up with other trails in different spots, but there is good signage, so you don’t have to worry about getting confused.
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14. Take a cruise

Nothing lets you experience the best of the beauty of Northeastern Ontario like a cruise on Lake Nipissing and the French River in North Bay. The Chief Commanda II offers a host of different cruise options to help you make the most of your getaway. See all the spectacular sights and the breathtaking scenery and enjoy the live entertainment and dining options right onboard. You can even book a sunset cruise and experience the way the skies come alive in the evenings.
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15. A historic museum

There really isn’t anything like the North Bay Museum. Built in 1903, the fully restored Canadian Pacific Railway train station is located in downtown North Bay. Learn all about the history of North Bay and the surrounding area. The exhibits are made for interaction and are both informative and interesting. You can walk through at your own pace or book a guided tour. The museum offers fun programming and different events throughout the year, so be sure to check their website for details.
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16. Fish Lake Nipissing

Whether you’re more of a solo adventurer or you’re planning a memorable family vacation, Lake Nipissing is the perfect place for exploration. The area features four different Provincial Parks that are just right for all you’re the usual summer adventures like camping, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and swimming. The lake is massive, at just under 900 sqkm. Lake Nipissing is known for the abundant wildlife and the many different species of birds that all it home. The fishing is also excellent, as the lake is home to 44 different species, but is best known for walleye, muskie, pike, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. Be sure to visit the Maskinonje area, a diverse system of wetlands along the west arm of Lake Nipissing.
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17. Northeastern Ontario’s adventure playground

The Algonquin Provincial Park is truly the playground of adventurers. You can design your getaway to include everything from the more hardy outdoor experience like backcountry camping, hiking, and white water canoeing, to less rustic activities like camping out in the campgrounds, hitting the beach, swimming, boating, and fishing. The park truly has everything on the spectrum and is set in some of the most picturesque landscapes that you could imagine. If you’re visiting the park, you have to hike to the Brent Crater, located near Cedar Lake. The meteorite crater is world famous. You can venture right down to the floor of the crater or get a bird’s eye view of the area from above at the observation tower.
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18. A big nickel

If you’re going to be in the Sudbury area this summer, or are planning a trip that includes some unique and interesting stops the whole family can enjoy, you should include Dynamic Earth/Science North. If you enjoy taking photos with statues, signs, or large objects, you have to get one of the big nickel outside the building. In addition, the Dynamic Earth is a huge science centre that promises to be a fun, interactive, innovative experience that people of all ages can enjoy and a memorable part of any trip.
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19. Experience art and culture

Established in 1967 as a Centennial Project, the Art Gallery of Sudbury is quite an experience. The gallery is located in a historic turn of the century mansion, which once belonged to the lumber baron, William Joseph Bell. The gallery offers diverse and exciting exhibitions, as well as special events, lectures, classes, and a boutique that features works by local artists and artisans. If you’re in Sudbury, the gallery is a great way to learn about local history and culture.
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20. Backcountry adventure

There really is no better place to experience outdoor adventure that Northeastern Ontario. Temagami has been called the gateway to the wilderness and has also been touted as an adventurer’s mecca. Whatever you enjoy doing, from remote canoeing and kayaking to ATVing, backcountry camping and hiking, to fishing, Temagami should definitely be the destination for your next wilderness escape. The interconnected network of lakes and rivers, the amazing white pines which can be 350 years old, and the Caribous Mountain lookout and fire tower should all be on your adventure bucket list this summer.
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21. Visit the area Grey Owl called home

Temagami was once the home of the famous author and conservationist, Grey Owl. If you visit Finlayson Point Provincial Park, you can actually see the plaque erected in the park in his honor. The park is also an incredible place to play and explore this summer. The area is ancient and you can see everything from historic shoreline to 350 year white pines. The wilds of the Temagami region are well-known, but the park also offers adventures for the more moderate outdoor enthusiast including camp grounds, sandy beaches, clear waters, endless canoe and kayak routes, and tons of hiking trails.
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22. Hike to an iconic rock

Devil’s Rock can be reached from the highway by a short 2km trail or by a scenic climb from Bucke Park. Devil’s Rock is located 5km south of Haileybury on the shores of Lake Timiskaming. The granite cliff is 2.2 million years old, with a cliff face that is 600 feet tall, 300 feet above Lake Timiskaming. The area is incredibly scenic and it’s not hard to see why it’s a popular destination with hikers of all ages. It’s also becoming increasingly popular with rock climbers. It really is one of those once in a lifetime experiences and can be easily worked into any getaway in the area.
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23. An exciting museum and a huge cow

If you’re planning on exploring the Northeastern Ontario this year, be sure to include the Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum in Temiskaming Shores on your list of things to see. The museum is located in a gorgeous building and proudly contains many interesting displays that tell the story of the early history of the area and of pioneer life. The main exhibit logging display is filled with unique and interesting artifacts, and there are so many other exciting things to see. The museum also has a display of paintings by local artists. The gift shop includes different local history books for sale. Don’t forget to snap a photo with or of Ms. Claybelt, the huge model Holstein cow!
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24. The silver rush

You’ve heard about the gold rush, but what about the silver rush? The Great Cobalt Silvery Discovery of the 1890’s saw the town of Cobalt spring up almost overnight. The town has been named Ontario’s Most Historic Town and is also a Park’s Canada National Historic Site. This interesting little town is a can’t miss. You can explore the town’s many historic sites and buildings at your own pace or book a guided tour in the summer. The Cobalt Mining Museum is the home of the largest display of native silver ore in the world and also contains a large display of mineral samples which can be viewed under black light.
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25. Pamper yourself

If roughing it or even glamping isn’t exactly your idea of an idea getaway, or maybe you do want to get out in nature and experience some of the rugged beauty of Northeast Ontario, but you still want to do it in style, then you should consider Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa. Located in Timmins, the resort boasts beautiful rooms, luxurious dining options, and of course, spa services, but they also offers wilderness tours and access to biking, walking, canoeing, and snowmobiling trails. You have to try the Nordic Baths, or enjoy a facial, a laser treatment, the saunas, or a relaxing or therapeutic massage. No matter what time of year you decide to visit, the resort is sure to be a memorable experience.
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