Discover Manitoulin Island: Your Ultimate Guide to Ontario's Island Retreat

Manitoulin Islandis a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Lakes region of Ontario, Canada. Known locally as Mnidoo Mnising in Anishinaabemowin, this scenic destination offers a blend of natural beauty, rich Indigenous culture, and outdoor adventures. Here's a guide to visiting the world's largest freshwater island—Manitoulin Island. 

Where is Manitoulin Island?

Manitoulin Island is located in Lake Huron, Ontario, approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive southwest from Sudbury via the iconic Little Current Swing Bridge. The island separates the larger part of Lake Huron from Georgian Bay to the east and the North Channel to the north.

How To Get to Manitoulin Island

The island is an ideal destination for exploration by car, RV, or motorcycle*. From Toronto, head up Highway 400 to Sudbury, then hop on Highway 17 West to Espanola. From there, it's a straight shot down Highway 6 to the Little Current Swing Bridge.

Alternatively, you can take the full-service MS Chi-Cheemaun (Ojibwe for "big canoe") ferry from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula to South Baymouth on Manitoulin. The ferry operates from the first Friday in May until the Sunday after Thanksgiving in October. Buy tickets online here.

*Riding your motorcycle on Manitoulin? Check out these articles on riding the Manitoulin Island Loop and touring Manitoulin Island.

Regions of Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin is divided into several regions, each with its own unique character and attractions. The primary regions of Manitoulin Island include:

Outdoor Activities on Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island boasts a variety of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Visitors to the island will find many opportunities to camp, hike, fish or swim at a variety of beautiful beaches along the shores of Lake Huron. The island has four main rivers: the Kagawong, Manitou, Blue Jay Creek and the Mindemoya, each providing spawning grounds for trout and salmon. Manitoulin Island has 108 freshwater lakes, some of which have their own islands. Lake Manitou is the largest lake in a freshwater island in the world.

There are so many activities to explore on the island—take a look at these fun ways to experience Manitoulin's natural charms:

• Boating—North Channel Tours and Wass Tours

• Cycling— Feelin' the Vibe: Bicycle Touring on Manitoulin Island

• Fishing—the island is home to excellent fishing and has many guided tours and charters. Try Stillwater Fishing or Wass Tours.

• Hiking—see below for a list of hiking trails

Manitoulin Island Hiking Trails

A hiker’s dream, virtually every community on Manitoulin boasts its own unique hiking trail. Most range in difficulty from easy to moderate, with the M’Chigeeng Trail and the famous Cup and Saucer Trail being the more challenging exceptions. Here is a list of the top trails to explore:

1. Bowerman Trails in South Baymouth      
   Difficulty: Easy to Moderate       
   Waiting for the Chi-Cheemaun ferry or just disembarked? The Bowerman Trails are a great way to spend your time (about an hour), offering a delightful detour with beautiful views.

2. Manitoulin Eco Park     
   Difficulty: Easy       
   On Hwy 6, just north of Hwy 542, this private park and dark sky preserve features a nature interpretive centre and three hiking trails through five different ecosystems, offering an immersive nature experience.

3. Little Current Recreational Walking Trail      
   Difficulty: Easy       
   This 12 km path is well-lit, labelled and includes minimal elevation changes (and benches), making it ideal for a relaxing walk.

4. Misery Bay Trail     
   Difficulty: Easy      
   Misery Bay Provincial Nature Reserve, located 10 minutes west of Evansville, is an 860-hectare park on the south shore of Manitoulin Island, offering a tranquil natural escape.

5. McLean’s Park      
   Difficulty: Easy      
   Nestled on New England Road off Hwy 6, midway between Manitowaning and South Baymouth, this 100-acre park offers verdant landscapes perfect for a serene hike.

6. Bridal Veil Falls Trail System      
   Difficulty: Easy to Moderate       
   Situated in Kagawong, the Bridal Veil Falls trail system provides easy access to stunning waterfalls and scenic trails, making it a must-visit destination. Take a dip in the almost magical pool at the bottom of the falls, or enjoy a picnic at the top.

7. Noble Nature Trail    
   Difficulty: Easy to Moderate   
   This 1.1 km trail offers a pleasant stroll starting at the intersection of Water and Bay Streets on the Gore Bay shoreline, ideal for a relaxing nature walk.

8. Gore Bay Boardwalk Trail   
   Difficulty: Easy   
   The Boardwalk Trail follows the town’s waterfront and connects with the Noble Nature Trail, providing a leisurely and scenic walk.

9. Wagg’s Wood  
   Difficulty: Easy   
   Located right off Hwy 542, across from the municipal office in Mindemoya, Wagg’s Wood offers a convenient and beautiful hiking experience, with 4 distinct woodland trails including an accessibility trail for anyone with mobility issues or strollers.

10. Sheshegwaning - Nimkee’s Hiking Trail   
    Difficulty: Easy to Moderate   
    North of Silver Water off Hwy 540 in the Sheshegwaning First Nation, it offers gorgeous views of the North Channel and boreal forest.

11. Bebamikawe Memorial Trail    
    Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate    
    Located at the end of Beach Road in Wikwemikong, the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail offers 14 km of picturesque trails featuring spectacular lookouts and educational signage. Perfect for nature lovers of all skill levels. *Note: You will require a parking permit, which you can get here.

12. M’Chigeeng Trail   
    Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult   
    Short but steep, the 5-kilometre M’Chigeeng Trail offers a good workout, views of the area, and a fun photo op of the Hollywood-esque trail sign.

13. Cup and Saucer Trail   
    Difficulty: Challenging   
    Located 20 km west of Little Current, with ample parking off Highway 540, 3 km past the Bidwell Road corner, the Cup and Saucer Trail is renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views. This trail takes you to the highest point on the island (PS: Check out the ale inspired by it by Manitoulin Brewing). 

Beaches in Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island is home to numerous beautiful beaches, perfect for enjoying the island's natural beauty. Here's a list of some of the notable beaches you can visit:

These beaches provide a range of experiences, from popular and family-friendly spots to more secluded and natural areas. 

Camping on Manitoulin Island

These campgrounds offer a range of experiences from full-service sites to more rustic options, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your preferences. Be sure to check availability and book in advance, especially during peak seasons.

1. Mindemoya Court Cottages and Campground
   • Location: Near Mindemoya
   • Features: Offers a variety of camping options, including tent sites and cabin rentals. Amenities include a sandy beach, boat rentals, and picnic areas.
2. Providence Bay Campground
   • Location: Providence Bay
   • Features: A family-friendly campground with sites for tents and RVs, close to the popular Providence Bay Beach. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and picnic tables.
3. Manitoulin Resort and Campground
   • Location: Manitowaning
   • Features: Provides both cabin rentals/glamping and campground sites. 
4. Batman's Cottages and Campground
   • Location: Near Sheguiandah
   • Features: Tenting and RV amenities, cottage rentals, WIFI, store, fishing, fishing boat/kayak/canoe and SUP rentals, swimming, hiking trails, recreation hall
5. Stanley Park Campground
   • Location: Spring Bay (near Mindemoya)
   • Features: Tenting and RV facilities, swimming, fishing, store, laundromat, close to many popular attractions
6. Idyll-Glen RV Park
   • Location: Near Mindemoya
   • Features: Tenting and RV facilities, swimming, fishing, boat launch, store, cottage rentals, laundry, close to many popular attractions
7. South Bay Resort
   • Location: Near South Baymouth
   • Features: RV and tenting facilities, cottage rentals, showers, laundry, WIFI, boat/kayak/canoe rentals, swimming, close to MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry
8. Manitoulin Eco Park
   • Location: Highway 6, just north of Highway 542, near the town of Little Current
   • Features: This designated Dark Sky Preserve, nestled in a hardwood forest, offers a perfect setting for connecting with nature and some of the best stargazing around.
9. Point Grondine Park
   • Location: Near Killarney Provincial Park on the mainland, part of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
   • Features: Owned and operated by the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory as a backcountry wilderness park. It offers incredible hiking trails, canoe routes, backcountry campsites and cultural tours. 

Find more camping options:

• 6 Best Places to Camp on Manitoulin Island

• Manitoulin Island Camping and RVing Guide

Learn About Local Indigenous Cultures on Manitoulin 

Manitoulin Island is home to six First Nations communities. The island is a significant cultural and historical area for Indigenous Peoples. Each First Nation has its own unique traditions, languages, and cultural practices, creating a rich diversity on the island. You are encouraged to read about each First Nation using the links below to learn about the communities before you arrive. The Indigenous communities on Manitoulin Island include:

1. Wikwemikong Unceded Territory—Located on the eastern side of the island and home to the largest Anishnaabek community on the Island.
2. M'Chigeeng First Nation—Situated in Central Manitoulin.
3. Sheguiandah First Nation—Located near the town of Sheguiandah.
4. Zhiibaahaasing First Nation—Located on the western side of the island, next to Sheshegwaning First Nation.
5. Sheshegwaning First Nation—Located on the north-western shoreline of Manitoulin Island, approximately 112 kilometres west of Little Current. 
6. Aundeck Omni Kaning—Located in the northeastern part of the island. It is situated near the town of Little Current.

Visiting Manitoulin Island affords plenty of opportunities to learn about the cultures and traditions of Indigenous communities in the area, from the members of the communities themselves. Try participating in a guided canoe tour or spirit walk. Don't miss attending a Pow Wow for an immersive experience in Anishinaabe arts, crafts, dance, and cuisine. The Zhiibaahaasing First Nation Pow Wow and the Sheguiandah Annual Jiingtamok are a couple of the many spectacular events are held in the area in the summer. Find a pow wow to attend with this Complete List of Pow Wows in Ontario and this Northeastern Ontario Pow Wow Guide.

Festivals on Manitoulin Island

Attend the Wiikwemkoong Annual Cultural Festival to experience the vibrant culture of the Anishinaabe people. This festival showcases traditional dance, music, crafts, and local cuisine, providing a deep insight into the island’s Indigenous heritage.

Best Things to See on Manitoulin Island

• Gore Bay: History enthusiasts will appreciate the Gore Bay & Western Manitoulin Museum, housed in a former jail with exhibits about the island’s marine history and daily life in the past. You can also take some time to enjoy the scenic boardwalk.   
• Explore the many charming lighthouses in the area—beautiful and full of interesting backstories.
• Kagawong: Besides Bridal Veil Falls, explore the Old Mill Heritage Centre and enjoy local coffee at the Sugar Bush Canadian Coffee House.
• Check out the beautiful sandy beach at Providence Bay.
• In M’Chigeeng First Nation, explore the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, which hosts cultural events and workshops. The foundation also has a craft studio, gift shop, and museum showcasing Anishinaabe art from ancient times to the present.

Where to Stay on Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveller's needs. From charming bed and breakfasts to rustic cottages and modern lodges, you'll find the perfect place to stay while exploring the island. 

Many of the fishing lodges on Manitoulin offer a range of fishing experiences, from guided trips to self-guided adventures, along with various accommodations to suit different preferences. 

It’s always a good idea to check availability and book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Find more accommodation ideas on Manitoulin with this Insider’s Guide.

Dining on Manitoulin Island

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.