The beauty of Northern Ontario is that its natural splendour doesn’t fade with the seasons. It merely transforms into new adventures. One day, you’ll be chasing summits on forest trails, and the next you’ll be chasing powder on ski runs. With tens of thousands of lakes, one of the world’s largest remaining intact forests, crimson sunsets, and millennia of history, this slice of Canada is the ideal escape. And opting for locally guided tours and experiences makes visiting Northern Ontario even more meaningful, with options for explorers of all adrenaline tolerances and fitness levels. Consider this your guide to getting out there.
Pause, reflect, and paddle in Sunset Country.
Photo: Destination Ontario
Anything goes in Northern Ontario’s Sunset Country, a rural region north of Minnesota and east of Manitoba that’s home to more than 70,000 lakes, rivers, and streams. All those waterways backdrop some of the best muskie fishing in North America. Look to eco-lodges and local experts for guided fishing trips and unforgettable accommodations, like houseboat rentals and fly-in cabins right on the water. As for paddling, the bucket-list-worthy routes in the provincial parks of Wabakimi and Quetico are standouts.
Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters & EcoLodge is one of the best family-friendly spots in Sunset Country to drop your bags and get out on the water. The outfitter facilitates Indigenous-led tours that give you an opportunity to see the land through a non-colonial lens while gaining a deeper understanding of your natural surroundings. There’s also the option to head out on women-only tours, which are run by and booked exclusively by women.
With over 65 years of experience in backcountry tours and canoe trips, Voyageur Wilderness and its lodge also welcome travellers looking to explore Sunset Country by water. You’ll find excursions for all different experience levels, from beginner day trips to multi-day overnight itineraries.
Book With Wabakimi Canoe Outfitters & EcoLodge
Book With Voyageur Wilderness
Hike, bike, and ski your way through Superior Country.
Photo: Destination Ontario
Located on the banks of Lake Superior within the boreal forest, Superior Country isn’t just home to the world’s largest freshwater lake. It’s a gateway to the Canadian wilderness all year long. In summer, get to know the region on two feet or two wheels. Comprehensive, self-guided Superior Road Cycling Tours make it easy to get out and explore (bring your own bike or rent one nearby) while the Wilderness North Adventures Miminiska Lodge runs expert-led hiking excursions, fishing trips, and guided canoeing and paddling itineraries.
The winter months in Superior Country are in a category all their own, especially when it comes to skiing the Superior 5 — aka Mount Baldy, Loch Lomond, Atikokan, Terrace Bay, and Manitouwadge. This is a must-do for accomplished skiers (those more familiar with the bunny hill can also opt for ski lessons). Cross-country skiing is another major activity in the region. The Superior Cross Country Ski Club oversees more than 10 kilometres (6 miles) of groomed trails in and around Rainbow Falls Provincial Park.
Get extreme in Algoma Country.
Photo: Destination Ontario
Algoma Country straddles Lake Superior and Lake Huron and stands out for its extreme-leaning sports in the summer and winter months. The four-season destination is famous for its shorelines — with over 1,000 lakes and waterways in the region — and trail network that looks as if it were pulled right out of a Bob Ross painting.
Summer in Algoma is made for exploring on the water. Check out MHO Adventures for heart-pumping whitewater canoeing or more mellow paddling. Naturally Superior Adventures is where to go for expert-led sea kayaking excursions. Come winter, biking enthusiasts (or curious beginners) should hit up Vélorution Bike & Ski for fat bike rentals and local advice on trail conditions before heading out to the nearby Hiawatha Highlands, Whitefish Island trails, or the Hub Trail. Algoma Country is also famous for its North Shore Loop, which is best explored in the winter by snowshoe or snowmobile.
Book With MHO Adventures
Book With Naturally Superior Adventures
Explore Northeastern Ontario’s untouched terrain.
Photo: Destination Ontario
Northeastern Ontario — also known as “The Seven” for its 705 area code — can only be described as an unfurling of natural wonders. It’s best explored by foot via its many hiking trails, or you can cruise through on a motorcycle or snowmobile, making it one of the ultimate Canadian getaways for choosing your own year-round adventure.
The Indigenous-led hiking tours of Manitoulin Island at Wikwemikong Tourism can be adapted to suit families, couples, and folks of all abilities. The tours highlight Indigenous culture, past and present, and how it ties into the region’s geography, including hands-on experiences and presentations like interactive dancing and drumming, as well as tastings that include wild game, fish, and traditional teas.
If you’d rather visit when there’s a steady sheet of snow on the ground, Come Play in the Snow is a family-run snowmobile and ATV tour operator with itineraries that allow you to witness the untouched Canadian winterscape — even if it’s your first time on an all-terrain vehicle. Travellers looking for a more immersive (and blood-pumping) snowmobiling experience can head to Lake Land Backcountry Adventures, which offers more comprehensive multi-day guided snowmobile tours and backcountry winter camping. Just be sure to bring your hat and gloves for that one.
Book With Wikwemikong Tourism
Book With Come Play in the Snow
Book With Lake Land Backcountry Adventures
From Sunset Country to the Algoma region and beyond, Northern Ontario is calling, whatever the weather. Pick your season, pack your gear, and go find your wild.
