Northwestern Ontario has no shortage of places to stay, paddle, fish, and spend time outdoors, but some of the most memorable stops are Indigenous-owned businesses that combine hospitality, outdoor access, and cultural programming. From yurts tucked along the Winnipeg River to long-running canoe outfitters, fishing lodges, and cozy city stays in Thunder Bay, these Indigenous-owned businesses offer visitors an unforgettable way to connect with the land and traditions of the region.
Just outside the small community of Minaki, Minaki Yurt Adventures offers year-round stays in cozy, unique yurts and one tipi set along the Winnipeg River system. The property includes several yurts of different sizes, making it easy to book for solo travellers, couples, families, or small groups. Most yurts are available for four-season use with access to a wood-fired pizza oven and sauna.
The setting is part of the appeal. Trails and water access are right outside the door. In warmer months, guests head out paddling on the river, cycling local routes, or hiking nearby trails. Winter brings a different rhythm, with snowshoeing, fat biking, skiing, and quiet evenings back at the yurt.
Voyageur Wilderness is a long-running outfitter based on Nym Lake, just outside Quetico Provincial Park. Operating for decades, it has built a reputation around canoe travel, backcountry access, and outfitting for one of the best-known wilderness paddling regions in Ontario.
Voyageur Wilderness brings Indigenous canoe culture and traditional teachings into its trips through time on the water, shared stories, and hands-on guidance. Knowledge passed down through generations, including teachings from Elders, shapes how guests learn about travel, responsibility, and relationship to the land. Cultural workshops and guided experiences create opportunities to learn through doing, whether in a canoe, around camp, or at the lodge. With more than 65 years of experience, Voyageur Wilderness approaches its work with care for the land, the people who travel through it, and the connections formed along the way.
Trips are organized from Voyageur Island, where cabins and lodge rooms sit close to the water. From here, guests head into Quetico’s network of lakes and portages on guided or self-guided canoe trips, with gear, route planning, and logistics handled on site.
Located near Rainy River, Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, also known as Manitou Mounds, is one of the most significant cultural sites in Northwestern Ontario. Operated by Rainy River First Nations, the centre includes interpretive galleries, outdoor trails, and access to ancient burial mounds overlooking the Rainy River. Visitors can walk the grounds, view exhibits on archaeology and Anishinaabe history, and visit the on-site gift shop and restaurant. The site functions as both an educational space and a stop that fits naturally into road trips through the Rainy River District.
In the Red Lake area, Sunset Lodge is a seasonal, Indigenous-owned fishing and outdoor lodge that’s been serving up fishing trips, hunting excursions and family vacations since 1948. The lodge offers cabin accommodations, boat rentals, and guided fishing services on nearby lakes known for walleye and northern pike.
Red Lake is a long way from any city, and that distance shapes the experience here. Guests tend to arrive with groceries, settle into their cabins, and fall into a daily rhythm of early mornings on the lake and unhurried evenings back at the lodge.
On Lake of the Woods, Silver Muskie Lodge on Redgut Bay (Rainy Lake) is a trusted Indigenous-owned fishing and boating outfitter with lakeside cabin accommodations and dock access. Renowned for muskie fishing, the lodge provides guests with boats, equipment, and local expertise to make the most of their angling trips.
Rainy Lake supports a range of recreational fishing, including muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, and bass, and the lodge’s drive-in location allows guests to bring their own vehicles and gear. Road access and waterfront cabins make Silver Muskie Lodge an easy choice for families looking for a relaxed lakeside stay on Rainy Lake.
Also in Thunder Bay, the cozy Haven Hostel offers a mix of shared and private rooms at a budget-friendly price point. Larger groups can even book the whole place! Located in Port Arthur, it’s just one block from Lake Superior and even closer to the city’s unique art, entertainment and culinary scene. In warmer months, guests gather around the outdoor fire pit and seating area. The hostel also includes a communal kitchen and lounge spaces, making it well suited to solo travellers, cyclists, and road trippers passing through the city. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day, and the hostel includes a pet-friendly main-floor suite. Parking is available on site and is well suited to road trippers and riders travelling the Lake Superior Circle Tour. Workshops and small events are occasionally hosted on site.
The Indigenous-owned Landmark Hotel is a family-friendly hotel located at the intersection of Highway 102 and the Trans-Canada Highway in the heart of Thunder Bay. Its location makes it a convenient stop for travellers arriving by car, including those passing through Northwestern Ontario or heading to and from the airport.
The hotel offers standard guest rooms, including poolside rooms, and features an indoor pool area with a waterslide, hot tub, and sauna. An on-site restaurant and lounge provide casual dining options, and the property includes ample parking.
In late summer, visit Anishinaabe Experiences at Whitefish Lake to learn about the harvesting, preparation, and cultural significance of wild rice. Programming includes on-the-land demonstrations and instruction on traditional harvesting methods and preparation. Wild rice has long been gathered in the region’s waterways, and this experience centres on its continued use as a food source.
