The Lake Temiskaming Tour: The Ideal Fall Road Trip

Harvest season and fall colours come together to create the perfect weekend itinerary, or a week-long adventure.

By Jordan Nicksy Staff writer at Northeastern Ontario Tourism and travel enthusiast.

August 27, 2024

Whether you’re cruising in an RV, a car, or on a motorcycle, late summer and fall are fantastic times to explore the Lake Temiskaming Tour in Northeastern Ontario.

Cultural experiences, history, scenic lookouts, and fresh, local food—what doesn’t this touring loop have to offer its visitors? Covering a looping distance of approximately 450 km, this ride can be accomplished in a weekend, or extended and savoured at length. You’ll tour through vibrant communities large and small such as Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, North Bay, Mattawa, and Ville-Marie to name a few.

Devil's Rock // Photo: Lake Temiskaming Tour

Cruise along routes that hug sparkling shorelines, take in the crisp reds and russet golds of fall foliage from scenic lookouts, and taste all that the region’s agricultural lands have to offer. At the end of a day on the road, settle in and pamper yourself at any number of accommodation providers throughout the region.

This is the Lake Temiskaming Tour experience.

Route Highlights:
What’s Fall Got to Do With It?

A blue ATV parked on a forested cliff, overlooking a wide forested valley. All the trees are shades of orange, yellow and gold. — Mattawa Voyageur Country

When we said fall is an ideal time to ride this loop, we weren’t exaggerating. Although it's a popular touring route at any time of the year, the region is full of Instagram-able lookouts, popular hiking trails, guided fall colours tours, and harvest-season eats. A plus: bugs have mostly disappeared by now, so you can explore pest-free.

To the north lies the Little Claybelt region, a fertile agricultural area where you’ll notice many farms and fields as you tour. Agrotourism is a popular offering here, and there is a range of tours and activities you can participate in. Visit the Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum while you learn about the region’s history, and stop to take a photo with Miss Claybelt the Cow.

Don’t Miss: The New Liskeard Fall Fair—annually on the third weekend in September for over 100 years! Attend the Harvest Queen pageant, watch a draft horse pulling match, and hunt for local food, artwork, and products from 450+ exhibitors. This is a staple event of the region that attracts thousands.

Make sure you trek out to Devil’s Rock (on the west side of Lake Temiskaming), just 5 km from Haileybury. Have your breath taken away as you look out over the borders of Ontario and Quebec from a height of over 300 metres—the fall views are incredible.

Don’t Miss: Les Suites des Presidents, a set of historical homes that have been restored and refurbished into luxury accommodations. Offering fall colours tours, historical evenings, and wellness facilities, Les Suites des Presidents' is the perfect place to pamper yourself or a loved one.

As you travel south out of the claybelt, notice how the landscape begins to change. If you’re touring along Highway 11 on the west side of the lake, you’ll pass through the community of Temagami. This is your chance to experience an ancient virgin forest, largely untouched by the pressures of mining or forestry. Climb the Caribou Mountain fire tower for 360-degree views of the area.

The view from the Caribou Mountain fire tower. // Photo: Josie Dinsmore

Continuing south on Highway 11 will lead you to the City of North Bay, settled on the shores of Lake Nipissing. Stop in and get your passport punched at the Discovery North Bay Museum and experience North Bay’s “haunted” history for yourself. Guided historical walking tours are available.

Don’t Miss: The Chief Commanda II’s Fall Colour, Sunset Dinner, and Sightseeing Cruises on Lake Nipissing. This 320-passenger catamaran cruiser was custom-built for the region, and provides bar service, accessible washrooms, and food options.

Is your interest piqued yet? This is just a sampling of what this vibrant region has to offer its visitors. For a full list of suggested fall touring activities in both Northeastern Ontario and Quebec, click here.

Where to Stay on the Lake Temiskaming Tour
(We Know You’ll Want To)

A big loop means a wide range of possible accommodations to suit every taste. From bed & breakfasts to campgrounds to classic hotels and outfitters, you’ll find a full list of accommodations to choose from right here.

Where to Eat on the Lake Temiskaming Tour

A delicious-looking salad and chicken wings laid on a wooden table at Elk Lake Lodge — Dinner at the Elk Lake Lodge , Elk Lake.

Whether you’re a foodie (or just hungry), you won’t have to go far to find a place to snack on this excursion. Considering the agricultural farmland this loop is settled on, it will come as no surprise that local flavours aren’t hard to find. Sample craft beers from local microbreweries, indulge your taste buds at a fine dining restaurant, or get a gourmet coffee on the go—you’ll find a full listing of eateries, cafes, and more right here.

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No matter your timeline or itinerary, this loop offers something for just about everyone, whether you're planning a friend's getaway, a romantic couple's trip, or are motorcycle touring with friends.

Check out the 5 motorcycle tours in Northeastern Ontario

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About Jordan Nicksy

Jordan is a writer, digital marketer, amateur photographer, and experiences severe wanderlust. After backpacking parts of Southeast Asia, she knew she wanted to work in travel and tourism, and joined Northeastern Ontario Tourism. She is passionate about food & culinary arts, history, spending time outdoors, photography, and travel.