Mr. Bill and I just returned from an almost two-week trip to Northwestern Ontario to visit family and friends. Mr. Bill was born and raised in this region, while I spent nine years working at the Community Futures office in Dryden, travelling throughout the area to meet entrepreneurs and small business owners. Sometimes this meant flying on an 18-seat Bearskin Airlines plane to reach my destinations.
We moved to Southwestern Ontario in 2019.
Before our trip, we romantically envisioned taking our lawn chairs and a couple of coolers filled with drinks and snacks and taking our time while pausing to enjoy the beautiful vistas around Lake Superior.
If you haven’t explored this part of Ontario, you are truly missing out on a wilderness experience.
One post cannot possibly capture all of the wonderful aspects of visiting the North, but here are a couple of key highlights you might find intriguing.
Known as Ontario’s largest region, Northwestern Ontario offers opportunities for freshwater fishing, hunting, back country paddling, camping, hiking and wildlife viewing. Nestled in the heart of Canada, this region is celebrated for its natural resources, including mining and forestry.
The abundance of wildlife has probably been the principal attraction for this area as well as the untouched expanse of lakes and wilderness. On clear nights you can see the magic of the Northern Lights. This sunrise picture was taken when we lived in our Fifth Wheel for six months, from May to October.
Incredibly, there are about 70,000 bodies of water with trophy walleye, northern pike, trout, bass and more. The catch and release system are common to give all anglers a fair share of the resources. You can read more about that here.
There is also hunting, camping and houseboat rentals. The canoeing and kayaking opportunities are considered a “paddling paradise”. More details can be found at Quetico and Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.
There is even a museum dedicated to angling, the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows, the only facility of its kind in the world.
Discover a fly-in outpost lake by floatplane, or choose a tourist lodge that you can drive and/or boat into, or relax with your family at a lakefront cabin. There are over 250 lodges and other tourism businesses for your next adventure. I would suggest visitsunsetcounty.com as a good place to start your search.
There are four main regions, Lake of the Woods Region where you will find Kenora and Sioux Narrows, Patricia Region (Dryden and Sioux Lookout and six more communities), Rainy River Region and Thunder Bay Region.
Just about every community has events outside of fishing, and they include cultural events, fall fairs and festivals. You can see what is coming up in August and September 2025 right here.
The First Nations continue their proud traditions with traditional native arts, crafts and through Pow Wows.
One of the most delightful discoveries we had on our trip on Lake of the Woods, Kenora, was a floating marvel that you won’t find on a regular map. This houseboat roasts its own coffee beans on board and offers the beans for sale as well as the freshly brewed coffee. Pull up along side, secure your boat, and place your order. Nautical Coffee uses an off-grid system that “allows us to chart our course and roast coffee wherever the wind blows”.
Winter travel on the Trans Canada is a challenge, even for those that live there full-time. My strong recommendation would be to make your first visit outside of the winter months.
Here are my top ten tips gleaned from our many trips (and mishaps):
- Moose and deer are common at dusk and early mornings so keep an eye on the roadsides.
- Do not miss the scenic drive from Dryden to Kenora. The pristine lake views are breathtaking.
- Cell service can be intermittent along this stretch of the Trans Canada, but especially from Thunder Bay to Dryden.
- Do not exceed the 50km speed limit in Upsala (142 km west of T. Bay) despite the fact that it is tempting. OPP are waiting for you!
- Pack warm clothes, even in summer months, the weather can and will change!
- Investigate fishing licenses and regulations ahead of time.
- Ditto Accommodation. Book your accommodations, including the drive up and back, ahead of time. We checked the Travelodge in Marathon for the return trip and I would highly recommend it. It may sound romantic to just “wing it”. We have been those people, and it is not fun! (Spend a night in a fishing cabin circa 1960 and you will know what we mean. Lumpy bed and cheesies for dinner)!
- Pack water, snacks and emergency supplies.
- Fuel and/or charge your vehicle often. You don’t want to run out of gas/charge with zero cell service to call CAA.
- Bring a sense of humour, it is a long drive and not all of it is panoramic.
Read more about our relocation from NW Ontario to SW Ontario right here!
A Trip not to be missed
The beauty of Northwestern Ontario never gets old, but apparently Mr. Bill and I have. Our driving trip led us to unanimously decide that flying would be a better choice for us next time. Six days of travelling eats into visiting time.
I have many fond memories from my nine years spent living and working in Northwestern Ontario.
- My first flight on Bearskin Thunder Bay to Dryden and stepping off the plane in my “fancy city” boots and seeing Mr. Bill waiting for me.
- My first Moose sighting. The Moose suddenly appeared out of the swampy area next to the road, pretty sure we could have driven under the moose!
- My first winter experiencing -40C! My car tires suddenly felt square.
- My first fishing trip to a remote lake north of Sioux Lookout shared with my children and some of Bill’s family. A shore lunch is a must!
- The family members, colleagues and friends who welcomed this “city” girl into their hearts.
In spite of the long days a trip such as this, encourages you to slow down and just be with the magnificent scenery that abounds around the corner. On my first trip to the North, I was in awe of the staggering number of lakes and waterways in the Province of Ontario.
Northwestern Ontario, whether you are just visiting, or staying for awhile, has a way of settling into your heart and creating lifelong memories.
