Welcome to Ontario’s Wilderness Region

There’s something almost untouchable about breathing in clean, fresh air on an early summer morning. Air so clean-smelling and good, your lungs can’t get enough of it. The sun sparkles off the water as you prepare for your day out on the lake. The only sound is the wind swishing through the tree tops, the trill of the loon and the sing-song call of the chickadee. That’s when you know you’re in Northern Ontario.

Those who live here sometimes take it all for granted. Those who visit can’t seem to get enough. This is Ontario’s Wilderness Region, and it is welcoming you with open arms.

Witness the excitement of those who experience their first look at a magnificent flock of Canadian geese flying overhead in their famous V-formation. Listen to the gasp of a visitor who sees the breathtaking Aurora Borealis for the first time. Imagine the exhilaration of a rookie paddler riding their canoe through the rapids on one of our great northern rivers. Consider the excitement of hooking onto a swift Northern Pike that runs deep and fast and bends your fishing rod almost to its breaking point.

It’s easy to understand why thousands and thousands of travelers worldwide are slowly becoming aware of a fabulous experience that is Ontario’s Wilderness Region.

They’re finding it to be an amazing destination for wilderness getaways. Whether it’s for fishing, hunting, outdoor adventures, recreational motorsports, or even attractions and events – this part on Ontario has it all.

The small cities and towns nestled in this region are relatively new, all being created within the last hundred years in response to the rush for silver, gold and lumber. Mining camps sprung up across the region. There are stories of fantastic discoveries, fabulous wealth and inevitable hard times. For the most part, the history here is young, but rich. There is also the story of the fur trader and the voyageurs that arrived here centuries earlier to bring the riches of the new world back to Europe. Now as then, the northern forests were filled with wildlife. Moose, bear, beaver and wolves all thrive here.

The good life in the North goes on all year. Winter is welcomed here. The fabulous colors of the forest in the fall only serve to remind us that winter will soon impose itself with an amazing covering of ice and snow. There are those who see winter as something to be endured. But winter here is a time when the skiers enjoy their favorite hills or quiet cross country trails. The frozen lakes whisper their invitations to ice fishing enthusiasts. Even bird watchers thrill to finding those unique species that survive what winter has to offer.

Snowmobilers know this part of the country as an absolute sledder’s paradise. The backcountry trails offer spectacular scenery with open landscapes, and it’s hard to beat the rush of kicking the  throttle up a notch and skimming the machine over a vast frozen lake.  The night brings a new dimension to the huge wilderness of this region. Vacationers who spend time at one of the many resorts often marvel at really seeing the true night sky for the first time.

Although this area is only half a days drive from the biggest cities in the country, its remoteness pays off by being free of light pollution. The big cities all have zillions of particles of dust and smoke and smog that reflect the city lights back to earth.  In the North, the air is clean and clear. The night sky is wide open and glittering with the galaxies, stars and planets that inspired all the civilizations before us. The northern lights, the meteor showers and even space satellites can be seen.

By day the scenery of Ontario’s Wilderness Region can be awe inspiring. It’s no wonder that painters and photographers love this area. The huge forests are intertwined with hundreds of rivers, flowing in and out of thousands of lakes surrounded by rugged outcrops of the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield. This is the splendor of Northern Ontario.

The communities of Ontario’s Wilderness Region are as varied as the geography. There are tiny farming centres that have museums rich with local histories. There are mining towns where you can relive the boom days of the past or take a tour in a working gold mine. There are vigorous logging towns and forestry operations that harvest the northern forest and ship lumber and wood products all over the world.

One common theme throughout the region is hospitality. The people of Ontario’s Wilderness Region have landed here from around the world. Our First Nations residents have kept the lands safe and sacred for centuries. Tolerance and respect are essential. It’s easy to understand why visitors are greeted with a welcoming smile and a handshake. There are dozens of communities that cater to the needs of the traveler with excellent lodges,  resorts, hotels, motels and restaurants. Campers and RVers are just as welcome as there as numerous campgrounds and trailer facilities throughout the region.

Wildlife abounds. You can see moose, elk, bison and even polar bears in captivity, in environmentally sound habitats. In the natural setting of the wilderness, it is common to see wildlife. In fact many resorts and provincial parks in the region have wildlife watching programs.

The vacationer can also enjoy travel throughout the region. There are excursions by train, by boat and even by plane. Our flyin adventure outfitters are world class.

The people of this part of Ontario are also celebrated in several ways. The region has been home to several world renowned athletes, especially for winter sports such as  skiing, skating and hockey. You can even tour an interpretive centre dedicated to one of the world’s most famous country singers. 

History is a celebrated theme in this region. One reason is that much of our history is so recent. The railroad began moving north in 1902. The adventure seekers and pioneers soon followed and they founded the mines, the lumber mills and the farms. As the century unfolded, the region grew and prospered. The history includes some of the world’s richest mines, the world’s largest pulp and paper plant, the creation of a worldwide newspaper empire, the building of railway through nearly 200 miles of muskeg and the conception of a new model town spawned in the boardroom of the New York Times.

Traveling to Ontario’s Wilderness Region is not just a vacation. It’s an adventure.

For more information on visiting Ontario’s Wilderness Region and to obtain a free copy of our Vacation Guide please call 1-800-461-3766 or Email us at info@ontarioswildernessregion.com