Discover Small Town Charm in Northwest Ontario

Discovering the Small-Town Magic of Northwestern Ontario

Driving through Sunset Country, you'll come across many small towns and cities. Don't just look out your window. Take some time to stop at a local store, restaurant or historical attraction. There's more under the surface if you have the time to discover the hidden gems. Things happen at a slower pace here. We take time to stop and smell the roses in Northwestern Ontario, and you should, too! 

Here are all the small towns and cities to discover on your next visit. 

The Highway 105 Corridor - Ear Falls, Perrault Falls and Red Lake

Locals call this "The Red Lake Road" because Highway 105 terminates just north of the town. Along the route are some of the most popular fishing lakes in Sunset Country, including Lac Seul, Perrault, Wabaskang, the Gullrock Chain and Red Lake. The fishing is beyond spectacular. There is an excellent selection of lodges and resorts as well as air-water bases where you can fly out to remote outpost lakes in the region. 

There are also some great places to eat—look for the two giant smokers, and you've found the Whiskey Jack Restaurant and Tavern in Perrault Falls - a must-stop if you're hungry, and there are live music events there in the summer. If you like folk music, the Trout Forest Music Festival in Ear Falls is an event that you should plan to attend. Learn about the history of aviation in this region, which is celebrated at the Norseman Festival in Red Lake. Fish, eat, and relax in lakeside accommodations or a hotel; a trip up Highway 105 is worthwhile.

Lake of the Woods - Kenora, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, Morson & Minaki

As the largest lake in Ontario's Sunset Country, Lake of the Woods is home to several well-known tourism destinations. Kenora, on the north end of the lake, is the largest and hosts many visitors every year. Many people from Manitoba, especially the City of Winnipeg, have summer properties on the lake, so the weekly Matiowski Farmers Market is a popular stop during the summer. 

There are five sand beaches in Kenora that you can enjoy. If you're passing through in the summer, cruise on the MS Kenora and see the beautiful Lake of the Woods in all its splendour. Other things to do include watching stock car races at the Lake of the Woods Speedway or, in winter, going downhill or cross-country skiing at Mount Evergreen. 

Highway 71 takes you along the east side of the lake, where the communities of Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls are. These are true tourism communities, the jumping-off point for fishing and outdoor adventures on Lake of the Woods and other area lakes. There are many lodges, resorts, and campgrounds to stay at, as well as two provincial parks. Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls are popular stopping points for those travelling on the Heart of Canada Touring Route.

If you love fishing, then learn about the history of the sport at the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows. For art lovers, the Sioux Narrows Arts Festival on the August Long Weekend is very well-attended. The Moose N' Fiddle Festival takes place in Caliper Lake Provincial Park near Nestor Falls and is another fun time if you love music. These two small towns, amalgamated under one municipal government, give you a flavour of what small-town charm really means. Some of the coolest gift shops in Sunset Country are there. 

Morson, on the south end of Lake of the Woods, offers access to a part of the lake with hundreds of islands. The fishing is spectacular in this area. A famed local attraction is the Tomahawk Island Lighthouse, a remnant of the history of commercial boat traffic on Lake of the Woods. It's been restored and is located at the end of Lighthouse Road. Sable Islands, a unique beach island ecosystem, is also situated near Morson.  

Minaki is not located directly on the Lake of the Woods but on the Winnipeg River System, into which the Lake of the Woods empties. The town got its start around 1910 when a railway bridge was built. 

In 1914, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway built a resort called the Minaki Inn. It burned to the ground in 1925 and was replaced by the famed Minaki Lodge. Minaki Lodge also burned to the ground in October 2003. The area is known for its interconnected lakes, which comprise the Winnipeg River System. The fishing is excellent, especially for bass, muskie and walleye. 

Highway 11 - Rainy River, Emo, Fort Frances & Atikokan

Along Sunset Country's border with Minnesota are four communities, each unique from the other but tied to the shared history of natural resource development. Starting in the west, the Town of Rainy River and Lake of the Woods Township run from the mouth of the Rainy River up to and including Morson on Lake of the Woods. Rainy River offers visitors a chance to enjoy the waterfront at Hannam Park and to learn more about the history of the railroad industry at the Railroad 4008 Heritage Museum. The Rainy River area is also widely known as a Birder's paradise, with hundreds of bird species nesting or passing through here each year.

In the nearby community of Stratton, the Rainy River First Nations operates the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, also called Manitou Mounds. This site is sacred to local Indigenous people and the Visitors Centre is a must-see if you are in the area. 

The tiny Township of Emo is best known for farming, specifically as a service community for this region's scattered beef and dairy farms. Located directly on the banks of the Rainy River, the community hosts the Emo Walleye Classic, one of the biggest walleye tournaments in the area. See the daily weigh-in and enjoy the boat parade. The Emo Speedway has an active summer racing schedule for racing enthusiasts and is a great way to spend an evening with your family.   You can also visit one of the smallest churches in North America, the Norlund Chapel in the nearby Township of Chapple.

The main border crossing point into Ontario's Sunset Country is the Town of Fort Frances, located directly across the river from International Falls, MN. Fort Frances is a great place to do your shopping if travelling from the USA into Canada, and the La Verendrye Parkway, along the banks of the Rainy River, is a fantastic place to take a walk. The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, the largest bass tournament in Sunset Country, is held every July. Catch the weigh-ins or enjoy the nightly entertainment. 

If you're a wilderness canoeist, you already know about Atikokan, Ontario. Located adjacent to the famous Quetico Provincial Park, Atikokan is the Canoeing Capital of Canada. Several canoe outfitters based in the area can fully or partially outfit you for a trip into this wilderness paradise. There are no motorized boats allowed in the park's interior. 

The Atikokan Bass Classic is held every August, and you'll see some of the biggest bass caught in a tournament setting here. There is also a family day, and it's great fun for everyone! The Town of Atikokan is also on the Heart of Canada touring route and Atikokan is a great place to stop for a rest break. 

Visit the Museum Of Atikokan or see the mining history exhibit and Little Falls. The Charleson Recreation Area north of Town offers year-round opportunities for fun. Snowmobiling is a popular pastime in the winter months. 

Vermilion Bay, Dryden, Ignace, Sioux Lookout & Pickle Lake 

Vermilion Bay on Eagle Lake is a busy community, especially in summer, as many pass through on their way to Ear Falls and Red Lake. Highways 17 and 105, this region of Sunset Country, are vast but offer some of the best drives. Just west of Vermilion Bay in Minnitaki is Egli's Wool and Sheepskin Shop. The sheepskin and wool articles are made on-site, are warm and wonderful, and are definitely a place to stop. 

Stop at The Village Trading Post, Moose Creek Trading Co. or Bobby's Sports Shop in Vermilion Bay. Here, you can get all the bait and tackle, souvenirs, clothing and outdoor supplies you need. The Vermilion Bay Co-op is the place to go for groceries or hardware. You could spend a day just browsing in these stores. Vermilion Bay is close to Blue Lake Provincial Park, with crystal blue water, sand beaches and excellent swimming. There are also several resorts and lodges in the immediate area. 

East of Vermilion Bay is the City of Dryden, on the beautiful Wabigoon Chain of Lakes. Try your luck fishing the chain, and you could earn big money if you catch a tagged fish! Dryden is a busy service centre and a great place to do business. There are several major hotels and many places you can shop and eat. Dryden is a great place to live and work; you can learn more about it at the My Trail Campaign. 

If you're passing through, stop at the Dryden Museum and view the exhibits celebrating local history. Nearby is Aaron Provincial Park and Thunder Lake, an excellent place for recreation in the summer months. Stop at Johnston Park and see the Roy Wison Suspension Bridge.

A little over an hour east of Dryden is the Township of Ignace, situated on beautiful Agimak Lake. The fishing around Ignace is spectacular. Don't miss the popular White Otter Days festival held in July. Winter is the best time to see the White Otter Castle on snowmobile. Recreational opportunities abound in this area.

Highway 72, a short drive east of Dryden, takes you north to the Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Lakes such as Minnitaki and Abram offer excellent fishing and outdoor recreation, and the famous Lac Seul, with its giant muskies and incredible walleye fishing, is just a short drive away. Rent a houseboat in Hudson and explore Lac Seul in all its majesty. One of the most popular summer events in Northwestern Ontario is the Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival, where you can meet Blueberry Bert!

Finally, if you have always wanted to say you've been to "the end of the road," then a trip to the small community of Pickle Lake, Ontario (population 398) will take you there. Known as "Ontario's Last Frontier". Pickle Lake is literally at the end of the road. The Highway 599 Wilderness Corridor is the most northerly paved all-weather road in the Province of Ontario. There is fantastic fishing and hunting in this area. Lakes such as Sturgeon, Savant and Lake St. Joseph can be accessed from Highway 599.

Just Scratching the Surface

So there you have it, a brief introduction to the many small towns and cities in Northwestern Ontario's Sunset Country region. We've just scratched the surface with what's listed here, so the next time you're up this way, stop and take time to smell the pine trees. You'll find unique shopping, dining, and accommodation choices that can make for a truly memorable vacation experience. We look forward to seeing you in Northwestern Ontario!

Order the free Sunset Country Travel Guide for more information on attractions and things to do

Find Your True North

Sign up now to get stories, news, and travel tips

First name

Email address

Subscribe

We will never spam you and will never share your e-mail. Please see our privacy policy.

Thank you for subscribing!

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.