10 Reasons to Avoid Ontario’s Sunset Country If You Hate Beauty, Peace, and Sunshine

Looking for traffic, noise, and gloomy days? You won’t find them in Ontario’s Sunset Country. This place is practically ruined by natural beauty, with endless lakes, sunshine until 10 pm, and way too many chances to relax. If vibrant sunsets, wildlife encounters, and the haunting call of the loon sound like your worst nightmare, consider yourself warned. Sunset Country isn’t for everyone… just people who love unforgettable getaways in the Canadian outdoors.

Here are our top ten reasons to stay away.

1. Long Summer Evenings & Golden Hour Boat Rides 

If you prefer early bedtimes and pitch-dark dinners, steer clear of Sunset Country. Here, summer days last forever—with sunsets around 10 or even 11 pm. It’s prime time for fishing, paddling, or floating on the lake after supper. If long golden hours on the water sound like too much peace and beauty, you’ve been warned.

2. No Traffic Jams, Just Peaceful, Open Roads

Sunset Country has no gridlock, no rush hour, and no road rage. Instead of tail lights and sirens, expect the occasional deer crossing or fellow boater giving a friendly wave. If the sound of silence and open roads makes you nervous, this isn’t your scene.

3. Breathtaking Sunsets Every Single Night

They don’t call it Sunset Country for nothing. Every night, the sky turns into a painting, with vibrant reds, purples, and golds melting into the lake. If seeing a spectacular sunset every evening feels like too much emotional beauty, you’d better stay home.

4. More Sunshine Than Most Canadian Cities

With over 2,200 hours of bright sunshine a year, Thunder Bay ranks as one of Canada’s sunniest cities. Compare that to cloudy spots like St. John’s or London, and Sunset Country practically sparkles. If you prefer gray skies and staying indoors, this isn’t the vacation for you.

5. You'll Fall Asleep to the Soothing Call of the Loon

The soothing cry of the loon is just part of the soundtrack in Sunset Country. Paired with gentle waves lapping the shore, it’s like nature’s lullaby. If peaceful, wild sounds ruin your sleep, maybe skip this trip.

6. A Freshwater Playground with Over 70,000 Lakes and Rivers

There are over 70,000 lakes and rivers in Northwestern Ontario alone. That’s a lot of clean, swimmable, fish-filled water. If you get overwhelmed by choice or can’t stand beautiful shorelines, you’ll hate it here. 

7. Wildlife and Flora in Their Natural Habitat

Hiking through the Boreal forest allows you to come across many wild animals, including deer, bald eagles, turtles, fox, marten, grouse, beavers, snowshoe hares, or if you’re lucky, a lynx. If the thought of seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat scares you, don’t come to Ontario. 

8. Reel in a Variety of Trophy Fish Species in One Trip

Only Like Catching One Kind of Fish? Hard Pass. Walleye, pike, bass, muskie, crappie, lake trout, brook trout, perch—you name it, they’re biting. Pro Angler Jeff Gustafson caught seven species on one day in one lake. If too many fishing options stress you out, you’re not ready for Sunset Country.

9. Stunning Canadian Shield Scenery and Lakeside Highways

The roads up here wind through ancient rock cuts and hug lakeshore cliffs. Expect jaw-dropping views and the occasional photo stop. If straight, flat highways are more your thing, the Trans-Canada through Sunset Country might be too exciting.

10. Moose, Deer, and Bears—Wildlife Encounters Guaranteed

Yes, you may need to brake for moose, deer, or the occasional Tim Hortons-loving bear. In Sunset Country, wildlife isn’t in a zoo—it’s just part of the neighborhood. If sharing the road with nature sounds terrifying, you’d better skip it.

Final Call: Still Thinking of Visiting?

If you somehow enjoy long days, clear lakes, no traffic, endless fishing, epic sunsets, and peaceful wilderness... then yeah, you might survive Ontario's Sunset Country. But don’t say we didn’t warn you. 

Order your free Sunset Country Travel Guide & Map for more vacation ideas.

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