You wake to the haunting call of a loon drifting across a still lake. The morning air is cool and fresh as you step onto the deck with a steaming cup of coffee. Somewhere nearby, a fish breaks the calm surface while the first rays of sunlight reach across the water.
The kids wander out, sleepy-eyed after staying up later by the campfire. Before they can say anything, they run after a frog that has just crossed their path.
After breakfast, everyone heads to the beach, enjoying the sand between their toes. Splashes and laughter fill the air. Nobody is asking for the wi-fi password.
The evening consists of corn hole or a game of cards, topped off by roasting marshmallows around the campfire.
Across Northern Ontario’s four tourism regions, these timeless summer traditions are still very much alive.
Think of your childhood. A much slower pace, nature instead of screens, and families spent more time together.
Traditions are passed between generations. Grandpa showing the kids how to cast and catch a fish, older siblings teaching the youngsters how not to burn a marshmallow, mom showing kids how to catch the minnows swimming by in a net.
The best memories weren’t planned—they simply happened.
Mornings in the outdoors hit differently. Coffee outside at sunrise as you watch the mist over the water. You cast a line right over the dock for the morning bite. Canoeing or paddleboarding the calm morning water in silence. You may even see a moose or deer along the shoreline.
Wake up on a remote lake, one of thousands in the area. It can be a fly-in on a lake all to yourself or an easy-to-get-to drive-in housekeeping cabin rental. Mornings in Sunset Country are quiet except for the call of the loon, the birds and maybe a fish jumping on the water.
Waking up to the sound of waves of Lake Superior or surrounding lakes can't be beat. Wake up in one of the Provincial campgrounds, stretch, and venture out of your tent. Look up at the Sleeping Giant from Chippewa Park Campground or wake up from your campsite right in the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Mornings are wonderful in Algoma Country, especially that magical window where the morning air is still, and the lakes look like giant mirrors reflecting the beautiful wilderness.
Wake up and head to a nearby lake in the morning for a quiet paddleboard ride. With countless lakes, rivers, and coastlines to paddle in Ontario, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to go. Toronto-based, adventure stand-up paddleboarder and outdoor enthusiast Diana Lee, shares five incredible places to SUP.
Those hot, beautiful days of summer can be topped off by spending the day at the beach. Building sandcastles in the sand, cooling off with a dip in the lake, relaxing on a floatie and stopping at lunchtime for a picnic and cold drink. People, young and old, enjoy skipping a flat rock across the water to see how many times it will skip.
Discover one of the 33 public beaches in Sunset Country, spend the day at one of Superior Country's inland lakes beaches or a beach dotting Lake Superior, or visit one of these 10 awesome drive-to secluded beaches in Algoma, From hidden sandy coves to family-friendly waterfronts, The Seven (Northeastern Ontario) is home to some of the most beautiful and relaxing beach escapes in the province.
Sometimes the best beach days aren’t planned. They simply happen after breakfast and somehow stretch until supper.
A cabin, cottage, or camp - whichever you call it - is probably one of the most iconic things about a classic summer Ontario vacation.
Kids run into the cabin, searching for the best bedroom; parents are unloading the car and putting away supplies for the week. Five minutes later, they’re already running back outside yelling, “Let’s go swimming!” You chuckle, grab the sunscreen, and head out after them. Your structured days in the city are quickly fading into a relaxing time at the cottage.
Days at the cabin are filled with walks on the beach, hikes in the forests, afternoon naps, reading in the shade, BBQ dinners, playing cards in the evening and creating many family traditions and memories.
The variety of cabin rentals in Ontario is truly wide. You can rent a housekeeping cabin with a full kitchen so you can be self-sufficient, or stay at a full-service American Plan lodge, which is like an all-inclusive; be prepared to be pampered with meals in the main lodge and sometimes even fresh coffee delivered to your cabin in the morning. You can drive-in to many cabins in northern Ontario, but other options are boat-to cottage rentals and outposts and even fly-into outpost cabins in the remote wilderness. You can also rent a houseboat - which is like a cabin on the water!
Whatever type of accommodation you choose, you are sure to enjoy your time with your friends and family.
As the heat of the day fades, docks become gathering places. Some people cast a fishing line into the evening calm. Others watch boats return while kids jump off the end one last time before supper. It’s often the quietest part of the day—and one of the moments people remember most.
Years ago, my father-in-law took all his grandchildren from across Canada on a houseboat trip on Lake of the Woods. To my surprise, one of the kids from Montreal had never roasted a marshmallow before! I guess I am lucky to have grown up in Northwest Ontario, where we often sit around a campfire, making S'mores or roasting marshmallows. Teaching him became one of my favourite memories of that trip.
Campfires are built in the evening; everyone gathers around the fire and talks about the day they just experienced. Stories about who had the biggest cannonball off the dock, the fish that got away, or even the cute boy in Cabin 5. Someone may pick up the guitar and a singalong happens around the fire.
If you look up, you'll see dark skies filled with stars. And if you're lucky, maybe even northern lights!
If you are looking for a digital detox vacation, a classic Ontario Summer vacation is perfect!
No Notifications. No meetings. No doomscrolling. For many families, that kind of escape is exactly what summer should feel like.
Kids actually playing outside. Fishing together, hiking, swimming, board games, puzzles, campfire conversations. If this sounds good to you, think Northern Ontario.
Paddle across a quiet lake before breakfast, or spend the afternoon exploring hidden bays where the only sounds are birds and the splash of your paddle.
Everyone remembers catching their first fish! More importantly, they will remember who they were with when they got it. If you are wondering whether they are too young to fish, it's never too young to learn!
Hike to one of the many scenic views in Northern Ontario. Hike up Sioux Mountain in Sioux Lookout, or the Top of the Giant Trail in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. The Lookout Trail in Pancake Bay Provincial Park, which has two lookout platforms offering spectacular views of Lake Superior and Pancake Bay, is a longer trail. Devils Rock is an easy 2.0 km hike to a 300' cliff along Lake Temiskaming with many amazing views.
When was the last time you watched a sunset? Often in the cities, we miss the glorious sunsets, especially those setting over a lake. There is something special about watching the sun set over the water. Watch, relax and breathe in the clean northern air.
Explore the many towns in Northern Ontario. Small-town charm lines the streets of many communities. Visit The Muse - Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Art Centre in Kenora, shop at The Village Trading Post in Vermilion Bay and Sioux Lookout. The Red Rock Marina Interpretive Centre, on the shores of Lake Superior, features unique, interactive exhibits that showcase the area's rich history and intricate ecosystem. Enjoy live music events across Northeastern Ontario or take a road trip and visit many communities along Lake Huron's north shore.
There are so many waterfalls throughout Northern Ontario. Visit one of 8 easily accessible waterfalls in Sunset Country. Superior Country is loaded with beautiful waterfalls. See one of 6 waterfalls in Algoma Country. Flowing from the shimmering waters of Lake Kagawong on Manitoulin Island, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in The Seven.
Starting from the Manitoba border and heading east to Thunder Bay, Sunset Country has over 70,000 lakes and rivers, making it practically built for classic Canadian summers. Whether you’re staying at a fly-in outpost, family resort or lakeside cabin, water is always part of the experience. Perfect for boating, fishing, paddling, swimming and more.
Superior Country begins near Thunder Bay on the dramatic northern shore of Lake Superior and heads east. There are many provincial parks to explore, including Sleeping Giant and Kakabeka Falls. Explore the beaches, hiking trails or view a spectacular waterfall. Head north of Lake Superior and explore the many communities perfect for a Northern Ontario summer vacation.
Algoma Country can be accessed by train, road or air. The region’s largest community, Sault Ste. Marie is located north of Michigan, and travellers can cross the International Bridge into Canada. Algoma borders two of the Great Lakes, Huron and Superior. These magnificent bodies of clear, beautiful water will offer many reasons to stop along the way.
Northeastern Ontario, known as The Seven, includes Manitoulin Island on Georgian Bay, Sudbury, North Bay, and the north, including Temiskaming Shores, Timmins, and Cochrane. There are family-friendly lakes, waterfront resorts, beaches, and relaxed communities. Northeastern Ontario is perfect for a screen-free family vacation in Canada.
The best Ontario summer vacations aren’t measured by how much you packed into the itinerary—they’re measured by the moments you’ll still be talking about years later. Whether you’re relaxing at a lakeside cabin in Sunset Country, exploring the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, paddling through Algoma’s wilderness, or discovering the welcoming resorts of Northeastern Ontario, Northern Ontario still offers the kind of summer many of us grew up with: simple, unforgettable, and wonderfully screen-free.
