10 things to do in Dryden, Ontario

Come discover Dryden, a unique destination with abundant natural beauty, where tourism and recreation facilities abound. The city is known for fishing and hunting opportunities, but it offers so much more. Dryden is centrally located in Sunset Country and is easily accessible from the Trans Canada Highway. It is situated on Wabigoon Lake about halfway between Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The following is a list of 10 things to do in Dryden. There's such a variety, you can do one or do them all:

1. Cross the Suspension Bridge Over the Wabigoon River. The Roy Wilson Suspension Bridge can be accessed through Johnston Park, located just off the Trans-Canada Highway. The park is also a starting point for some of the urban trails in Dryden. You'll find the beautiful 'Pieces of Dryden'  tile mosaic among the trees. Head down towards the river and you'll find the bridge. Cross the bridge to get a great view of the rapids on the Wabigoon River. Depending on the season, they'll either be rushing strongly or gently flowing down. After you view the rapids, head down one of the walking trails and then finish up with a picnic lunch in Johnston Park.

2. Visit the Laura Howe Marsh Conservation Area. Wetlands like the Laura Howe Marsh are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including insects, frogs, great blue herons, red foxes, and many more. Aquatic plants such as reeds, cattails, arrowheads, water lilies, and pondweeds can also be found in these areas. The marsh provides a spawning and nursery area for fish and amphibians, a winter refuge for deer and songbirds, and a food source for beavers, as well as predators such as snakes, foxes, and birds of prey. From the parking lot on Van Horne Avenue, you can choose either a short 0.4 km or a longer 2 km hike. Don't miss the viewing platforms within the marsh.

3. Explore Dryden Urban and Wilderness Hiking Trails.  There are many opportunities for hiking or strolling through the urban or wilderness trails in Dryden. There are three urban trail systems, ranging in length from 5.4 to 12.3 km. Aaron Provincial Park, located on Thunder Lake, and Blue Lake Provincial Park in Vermilion Bay, also offer trails within their respective parks. Check out the remnants of the terrific windstorm of 1973 and see the bare rock surfaces scarred by glaciers that melted 10,000 to 15,000 years ago in Aaron Park. For intermediate and advanced riders, the Ghost Lake Trails offer a sense of freedom and complexity in the wilderness, as they traverse existing bush roads and forest trails. There are 22 km of trails that run through various terrains, including rocky bedrock outcrops, wetlands, and swamps, all within the forest. Ghost Lake is also a staging lake for up to 200 Common Loons. There are also the Dryden Area Trans Canada Trails. The City of Dryden offers a comprehensive map of its trail systems on its website.

4. Watch a Pow Pow. Neighbouring First Nation communities host annual powwows, which are colourful and lively celebrations of local Indigenous culture. Complete with ceremonial dress, drums, and Indigenous cuisine, the pow wows are packed with exciting and exhilarating sights and sounds. The Eagle Lake First Nation Pow Wow is one of the largest in Northwest Ontario. 

5. Visit the Museum, home of 'the Dryden Buck'. Centrally located, the historic Hambleton House is home to the Dryden Museum, which boasts an extensive collection of over 10,000 artifacts. They have both permanent and travelling exhibits. The famous 'Dryden Buck', the unofficial Ontario record whitetail deer shot in 2003, scoring 192 7/8 on the Boone and Crockett scale, stands proudly in the museum. Call ahead to make sure he’s not on tour!

6. Go Canoeing or Kayaking. Aaron Provincial Park is located on the shores of Thunder Lake.  Spend the day exploring by canoe. Canoes are available for rent at the Park Office. Aaron can also be used as a starting point for several major canoe routes.

7. Experience Aaron and Blue Lake Provincial Parks. Nearby Aaron Provincial Park provides recreational opportunities for the whole family, from camping, fishing, boating, and canoeing in the summer to cross-country skiing in the winter. Blue Lake Provincial Park is just 45 km (28 mi) away. It boasts a long, sandy beach and water so clear you can see the bottom at six meters, and now in a sheltered cove on the northern shore, the sport of rock climbing has been introduced.

8. Treat Yourself to Nightly Entertainment. The Dryden Regional Training and Cultural Centre, or "The Centre" as it is called, is the home of entertainment in Dryden with a state-of-the-art 500-seat auditorium. The Dryden Entertainment Series hosts performances throughout the year. Pappy's Cafe in Wabigoon is also a magical place of music and entertainment. Some of the best live music is played in an atmosphere that will make you feel like you are sitting in your own living room.

9. Play a Round of Golf. Dryden has two golf courses. In 2024, the City of Dryden assumed responsibility for the operations of our municipally owned golf course and rebranded it, renaming it Sandy Beach Golf Club. Sandy Beach Golf Club, is located at 400 Sandy Beach Road, just a few minutes drive from downtown Dryden. Anderson's Homestead Golf Course is the second golf course in Dryden. It is a 9-hole, par 36 course.

10. Have Fun at the Dryden Days of Summer. Held most Thursdays in the summer, the Dryden Days of Summer takes place on King Street between 3 & 6 pm. There are vendors, artisans and crafters, a farmers market, and various entertainment and activities each week. There's often free admission to the Dryden Museum too.

If you need a place to stay in Dryden, there are hotels and resorts nearby. For more information or book a tour, contact the Dryden Visitor Information Centre at 1-800-667-0935.

Find out more about Dryden

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