A road trip is a relaxing way of getting to know Ontario beyond Toronto and the urban settlements of the province’s southern extremes.
Ontario is an easy destination to drive in, with multi-lane highways and wide roads in and around Toronto which soon give way to the quieter roads outside of the city.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Just 3 hours drive from downtown Toronto is Algonquin Provincial Park, covering 7,653 sq km (2,955 sq miles), the park is larger than Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, and is accessible throughout the year. Lying at the transition zone between deciduous forests to the south of the park and coniferous forests to the north, this is a rewarding destination for anyone trying to get a view of the explosion of fall colours in the Autumn, with the regions rich biodiversity also resulting in frequent animal sightings – everything from moose and black bears to white-tailed deer and beavers!
Like much of Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park is dotted with lakes. Canoeing is a pleasant way of experiencing the landscape and nature with rental equipment available through Algonquin Outfitters. Interpretative trails provide insights to various aspects of the region’s heritage with Algonquin Logging Museum conveying stories relating to an industry that has evolved to encompass forestry management.
Manitoulin Island
As the largest freshwater island in the world, Manitoulin has over 100 lakes of its own. Its name means “cave of the spirit”, because of its underwater cave where a powerful spirit is said to live.
A scenic boating and hiking spot, keen walkers can traverse the Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail or the vast stretches of unspoiled countryside. With a significant indigenous population calling the island home, Wikwemikong Tourism offer an array of authentic Indigenous experiences that reflect the cultural lifestyles and traditions of the Indigenous population, including year-round experiences in the Manitoulin Island and Killarney Region.
A hike along the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail will uncover natural ingredients for use in a culinary experience. Edible plants found on the forest floor combined with wild game, fish, and hot/cold teas will be prepped over an open fire for a delicious and educational tasting session.
Sault Ste. Marie
Departing from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, the Agawa Canyon Tour takes riders on an epic 10-hour train journey through northern Ontario. The ride includes a four hour climb up the canyon, followed by a 90-minute stopover to take in the wonders of the park. The first journey of the 2024 season will commence on August 1 and runs until October. This tour is very popular in the fall, reservations are needed.
From trains to planes, The Bushplane Heritage Museum pays homage to the eponymous flying machines. Twenty-four classic bush planes are on display, alongside interactive exhibits and the chance to climb into the cockpit of one of these vintage planes before having a go flying one of the planes with their flight simulator.
With air and rail covered, travellers can hit the water on a Miss Marie with Sault Lock Tours. Miss Marie Lock Tours navigate the famous Soo Locks, an engineering marvel that connects Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes, with the tours highlighting the intricate lock system and its significance to maritime navigation and trade.
For indigenous cultural experiences one can book a guided tour at Thrive Tours.
Pukaskwa National Park
Remote wilderness and the culture of the Anishinaabe First Nations awaits at Pukaskwa National Park. Windswept spruce and pine, secluded sandy beaches, and towering cliffs mingle against the foreground of the vast body of Lake Superior with its granite shores.
Spot black bears and moose on the banks from a coastal paddling route or backcountry trail, bedding down in Hattie Cove campground at the end of an energetic day. Those up to the challenge can take a day hike on The White River Suspension Bridge Trail, an 18-kilometre route through Pukaskwa’s ecoregions.
Starting in boreal forest, the path becomes a wooden boardwalk as it wanders across wetland, followed by Canadian Shield terrain. The bridge itself is set 23 metres above the churning Chigamiwinigum Falls.
Thunder Bay and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Ontario’s Superior Country is home to Thunder Bay and the famous Sleeping Giant landmark. Located at the southern tip of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, the natural wonder resembles a giant man positioned in slumber in Lake Superior. A 10.5 mile trail takes hikers to the top of the head of the giant.
According to legend, the giant is the spirit of deep water protecting the silver mine, with some stories suggesting he was turned to stone when the secret of the silver’s location was disclosed.
For a quick transfer from town to the trail head, Sail Superior offers a ride with a zodiac. They also offer a host of other tours, like half day sailing trips, at a lesser speed, or multiple day trips.
Fort William Historical Park features a recreated fur trading post from 1815, Fort William, one of North America’s largest living history sites, and the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, home to one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in Central Canada.
Fort William Historical Park offers year-round festivals and events, an RV and tent campground facilities. Allow a minimum of 3 hours to visit this site.
Their well known annual Rendez-vous Festival is held in Mid July every year. This is when hundred’s of re-enactors from all over North America converge on to the site to recreate the times of the North West Company Fur Trading Post.
The nearby Kakabeka Falls, The Terry Fox Monument and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery are just some of the other attractions.
Another place of note is the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary which protects a nationally significant collection of nearly 100 historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron off the Michigan coast. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary works to ensure future generations can enjoy these underwater treasures.
Sudbury & Lake Laurentian Conservation Area
Hiking, cycling, running, walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are available on the trails at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. Combined with numerous scenic lookouts, lakes, wetlands, and bird watching, wilderness activities are available in abundance.
The conservation area offers Forest Wellness Walks, guided by Conservation Sudbury’s Education Program Manager. Based on the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing, a slow, mindful walk of no more than a kilometre takes place over two to three hours, while walkers are invited to reconnect with their senses and the forest around them.
Sudbury is not only the birth place of the late Alex Trebec, Jeopardy Game Show Host, and is one of the larger urban centres in the North. It is one of Canada’s most important mining cities. There are a number of attractions available to visit, like the Big Nickel, the Dynamic Earth Mining Tour and Science North. A must try is award winning ‘Raven Rising Global Indigenous Chocolate’. For outdoor lovers there are plenty of trails and scenic lookouts in the vicinity.
Killarney Provincial Park
Home to sparkling quartzite ridges, pink granite, lush forests, and over 50 dazzling lakes, Killarney Provincial Park is 645 square kilometres of beautiful untouched nature. After capturing the imagination of artists such as Franklin Carmichael and A.J. Casson, they persuaded the Ontario government to designate the area as a park.
Today, it offers extensive backcountry canoeing and sea kayaking, in addition to the 80 kilometre looped La Cloche-Silhouette Trail. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is available in winter. Campers can pitch at George Lake campground, with access to beaches, trails, and canoeing, while Yurt accommodation is available year-round.
We recommend a stay at the Killarney Mountain Lodge. This historic lodge has a stunning location on the shores of the Georgian Bay. The fire places and the log cabins feel will make you right at home. Enjoy some delicious food, check out the live entertainment in the bar, and settle in for a great sleep in the duvet covered beds in one of their comfortable rooms.
History buffs can pay a visit to the Historic Village of Killarney, founded in 1820 as a fur trading post on Georgian Bay, which is a short drive from the park and home to the famous Herbert Fisheries fish and chips.
French River Provincial Park and Lake Nipissing
Birding, boating and canoeing are popular pastimes at French River Provincial Park. The French River is the first designated Canadian Heritage River, which allows canoers to paddle the route of Indigenous peoples, explorers and fur traders. Lake Nipissing is home to a wide variety of bird species including Blackburnian Warblers and Red-eyed Vireos, which roost in the towering pines right around the visitor centre.
Multiple canoe routes spanning over 60 miles across the French River from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay and interconnecting routes with the Restoule and Little French Rivers offer differing levels for paddlers. Drop by the French River Visitor Centre on Settlers Road to view its “Voices of the River” exhibit.
With authentic communities, a wealth of outdoor activities and natural landscapes, there’s much to be seen and experienced in northern Ontario.
