Ultimate Northern Ontario Road Trip

The Ultimate Northern Ontario Road Trip is a 60 day voyage through the pristine and sometimes remote wilderness of Northern Ontario. The rag-tag band of correspondents have set out to explore every last corner of the province, using the internet to report back on our quest for the best time ever. Over the course of this epic road trip they’ll be bringing you the incredible tales of the the things they do and the people they meet with the power of photo, video and social media. Check back often for their progress, and don’t forget to add them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

The journey started June 1st and they will venture into Sunset Country starting July 7, 2012. Here's an itinerary of where they will be headed and what they will be doing:

July 7, 2012, Thunder Bay to Devlin – They will leave the Thunder Bay to begin their adventures into the depths of Sunset Country, an area they've never explored before. They’ll be taking Highway 11 into Fort Frances and staying the night at Lake Despair Lodge. They have never been this excited about Despair!

July 8, 2012, Devlin to Caliper Lake – Travelling to Sioux Narrows and what purports to be an excellent motorcycling road via the town of Stratton, they’ll be taking in a tour of the unique Manitoba Mounds. They’ll also explore one of the few agricultural areas in the North, head into the Lake of the Woods area and bed down at Caliper Lake Provincial Park.

Kay-Nay-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre (Manitou Mounds)

July 9, 2012, Caliper Lake to Kenora – Arriving in Kenora mid-morning, they will be heading up into the sky for a float plane trip (they’ll strap a camera to the bottom of the plane so they can share the whole experience), a kayak trip with Green Adventures and a cruise on the MS Kenora before hitting the hay at the Anicinabe RV Park.

July 10, 2012, Kenora – What voyage into Northern Ontario would be complete without a fishing trip to capture the elusive mystical Muskie! This should be good for a few laughs as the city slickers try their hand at angling.

July 11, 2012, Kenora to Wabigoon – After exploring the city and catching up on their posts, they’ll leave Kenora mid-afternoon. Mike and Bogdan will check out Highway 502 while Jessie and Alexe check out Minnitaki and Elgi before regrouping at night at the Polar Star Lodge, home of the world’s largest covered dock!

Oz Lake Lodge

July 12, 2012, Wabigoon to Pickle Lake – Fortified by wild blueberry pancakes in Ignace, they start a big driving day where we tackle the trip to the top of Ontario’s most northerly paved road. At night they’ll sleep at the Oz Lake Motel.

July 13, 2012, Pickle Lake to Sandbar Lake Provincial Park – After their adventure in the the deep north, they’ll take a leisurely stroll drive down the side roads to return to Sandbar Lake Provincial Park where they’ll take a nap on the beach, and keep lookout for Sandpipers and Lynx!

July 14, 2012, Sandbar Lake to Thunder Bay – Heading back to Thunder Bay via Highway 622, they’ll take in a longer sail with Capt. Greg and get some more history of Lake Superior. We’ll be staying at the KOA RV Park just outside of town.

To follow their adventure for the rest of the road trip read their itinerary  on their website. You can also see tons of photos of Northern Ontario on their website, almost as if you've done the trip as well. 

Lodges, Resorts & Outpost Cabins in Ontario

Vacations in Ontario, Canada

Everyone needs a vacation and if you are looking for a great vacation idea then we have one for you. Sunset Country is a travel region that covers most of (north) western Ontario. Situated above the State of Minnesota, this is a land with thousands of lakes and endless tracts of northern Boreal forest. Within the region you have the choice of staying at literally hundreds of different lodges, resorts and oupost cabins.

If you want to go fishing then you're in luck as that is the "star" attraction we have to offer. Lodges and Resorts in Ontario's Sunset Country provide a number of packages that you can choose from. For the more independent vacationer, one who does not want to follow a meal schedule and who wants to do what they want when they want, we recommend you look to rent a housekeeping cabin. This is where you rent the cabin only - a fully-equipped one mind you - but the key is you do your own cooking. These cabins come with complete kitchens so you can really whip up a good meal if you are so inclined. For those who really just want to relax and not worry about having to cook, then you should choose the American plan package where the lodge staff look after meal preparation for you. The American plan often includes extra amenities such as a boat and motor included with the package.

To truly escape from civilization however, there is no better choice than a Canadian fly-in outpost cabin where it is you and your party, the cabin and the lake - no neighbors! The experience of "owning" a freshwater lake for seven days is truly something else. You can fish, hike, swim - whatever you want - this is your vacation and there is nobody else around to bug you!

If any of these sound like fun to you then we have information to help you plan your vacation - enjoy!

Time to Start Planning Your Fishing Trip

Where are You Going Fishing this Summer?

Well it's January and the days are short, the temperature outside is chilly and there isn't much on TV. This makes it a perfect time to plan your Canadian Fishing Trip. While we admit to bias, we think you should be looking to Ontario's Sunset Country as your destination. We have 70,000 lakes for you to choose from and a list of over 260 lodges, resorts, campgrounds and other places you can stay. We have information on the towns and cities in Northwestern Ontario and we're here to help you plan your trip. The fishing of course is great and so are the people. Enjoy a Canadian fishing trip that you'll remember for years to come.

The best place to start is to order your free travel guide and fishing map which is loaded with helpful trip planning information including a directory of resorts and lodges in Ontario.

Family Fishing Vacations

Take Your Kids Fishing in Sunset Country

Between video games, Internet chat rooms, television and mp3 players, kids today don't get to experience the outddors the same way we did. Yet, it is the outdoors and the activities you can do there that will teach them lessons no electronic device ever will. The simplest of pastimes - fishing - is probably one of the best activities you can do with your kids to get them away from the TV and into the great outdoors.

Sunset Country in Northwestern Ontario, Canada is an ideal destination for a family fishing vacation. With thousands of lakes, beautiful forests and hundreds of lodges and resorts to choose from, you can be confident a trip to our travel region will make your kids say "I can't believe this place".  This is even more the case if your family lives in a big city where concrete is the dominant landscape feature. 

Your children will be in awe of the birds and wildlife in our area and they will see things that just are not available back home. Maybe it will be a moose feeding in a shallow bay or a bear along side of the road as you drive to your destination. These experiences are invaluable for kids whose understanding of nature is limited because they seldom get to experience it.

As for the fishing, well it is simply second to none up here in Canada. Your kids won't complain that fishing is boring or that it takes forever to catch something. Within minutes your kid could land a beautiful Ontario walleye, a trophy northern pike, a smallmouth bass that jumps a foot above the water's surface or who knows, maybe even of of our famous Ontario muskies that will make their eyes open wide and their insides stir with excitement!

In addition to great Canadian resorts and lodges, there  are over 100 RV Parks and campgrounds you can go to if you want to experience something different. For true adventure, consider taking your  children on a Canadian fly-in fishing trip where you'll be the only people on the lake. The ride in on a bush plane will only make it that much more exciting and memorable for your kids. Catching over 100 walleye in a day may also stick in their minds for a while....

In addition to the great fishing your kids will enjoy swimming in the lake, hiking down a nature trail or just riding in a boat across the water.

Sunset Country Travel Association is a non-profit organization that promotes travel to our part of Canada. We have all the information you need to plan your trip so contact us and we'll be glad to help.

Sunset Country - A Place Like No Other

Wilderness Next Door

Sunset Country in Northwestern Ontario really is a place like no other. Located in the central part of North America, Sunset Country offers thousands of square miles of wilderness, much of it pristine and untouched by modern civilization. This is a landscape with almost 100,000 lakes rivers and streams, vast stretches of woods and abundant wildlife and fish.

You can see the likes of moose, deer, and bear in our forests as well as dozens of species of songbirds and large birds of prey such as bald eagles and osprey. We can offer you some of the best freshwater fishing on the planet with trophy-sized muskie, pike, walleye, trout and bass in our lakes. Bring your camera to catch images of the area's wildlife, scenery and of the many big fish you'll catch.


For those who want to paddle across the water, Sunset Country was made for the wilderness canoeist. Do names like Quetico, Woodland Caribou and Wabakimi conjure up dreams of a trip you always wanted to take? These are only three options and with many qualified and knowledgable canoe outfitters, your trip planning can be relatively simple.

Cruise vast lakes on a houseboat. Lake of the Woods is located in Sunset Country are Lac Seul and Dog Lake. You can rent a houseboat on any of these lakes and take your floating cabin to a different location each day. Experience tremendous fishing, find your own secluded beach and relax in the beauty of the Canadian outdoors.

For the family that loves to go camping in Ontario, Sunset Country is the place in the Province to go. You can choose from a variety of private campgrounds across the region or stay in a Provincial Park. Bring your RV or your tent no matter, the guarantee we can provide is you will have a fun time!

Fishermen and familiy vacationers have a choice of many resorts and lodges in the Sunset Country travel region. For a truly unique experience, why not consider a trip to a remote fly-in outpost or lodge? You'll step aboard a bush plane and fly to a lake that has no roads into it and best of all, no other people!


If you are just traveling through Sunset Country on your way to another destination, then make sure to go through the many small towns and cities along the way. In these towns and cities you'll find a good selection of hotels, motels and bed and breakfast facilities.

What really makes our part of Canada special is how close we are to you! If you live in the U.S. Midwest, Western Canada and Southern Ontario, you can get here easily and in good time. For more information on how we can help you make it all happen, order your free Ontario Travel Guide and Map for Sunset Country, the Great Canadian Experience!

Time to Plan Your Summer Vacation

Vacations in Ontario's Sunset Country

Hey we know the economy's a real drag these days but perhaps a vacation would make you feel better? Sure it costs money to go on a trip but the great thing is there are loads of great resort and lodge packages, campgrounds and hotels up here in Ontario's Sunset Country. Your visit can be for a week renting a cabin along the lake, fishing and exloring the surroundings. Bring your trailer or RV and explore the many campgrounds and parks we have. Go hiking, swimming or canoeing. The great outdoors offers a wide choice of activities for the entire family.

To get you started you can use the links to the right to find the website with specific information on the vacation you are planning. All of the Travel Association's member business are listed on these websites so you have instant access to the people with the packages and services you're looking for.

Here's a list of some of the things you can do:

Rent a Cabin, Boat and Motor and Go Fishing

Rent a Houseboat

Go Camping

Take a Fly-in Fishing Trip

Go Canoeing in a Provincial Park

Try Scuba Diving in a Freshwater Lake

Sailing

Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking

Nature Photography and Wildlife Viewing

Experience Festivals and Go Shopping in Town

Enter a Bass Fishing Tournament

Wayfinding With a GPS

and lots,lots more...the key thing to remember is that a grand vacation is not far away from home - especially if you live in the Midwest States, the Prairie Provinces in Canada or right here in Ontario. We offer great value, great fun and great memories in Ontario's Sunset Country.

What Can I do in Ontario's Sunset Country?

What can I do up there in Canada?

For someone from the USA who's never been here before, that is a really good question to ask. The simple answer is LOTS! Our part of Canada is an outdoor paradise plain and simple! With our 70,000 freshwater lakes and thousands of square miles of Boreal forest, you'll see some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in North America.



The family will love a trip to our area. Go fishing on Canadian lakes where you can catch trout, walleye, bass, crappie, muskie and pike. The fishing is truly legendary and you can stay at a beautiful Canadian lodge or resort while you're here.



If you happen to own your own camper or RV, then Sunset Country is the "promised land" for the family or couple who love to camp. There are many campgrounds and RV Parks to choose from. Another option for the camper is to stay at one of our many Provincial Parks in the region.



Speaking of our Provincial Parks, if you always wanted to go on a wilderness canoe trip in Ontario then they are the destinations you should have in mind. There are many excellent Canadian canoe routes that wind their way through Sunset Country. Don't forget to bring your fishing pole and your camera!



If you love the lake and have always wanted to go on an extended cruise then you can realize that dream by taking advantage of the many houseboat rental businesses that are members of our Travel Association. This is the equivalent of renting a lakeside cottage with the exception that it floats and you get a different view from your deck every night of the week.



There are many interesting towns and cities you can visit in Northwestern Ontario. While visiting, make sure you take in all the action at a local festival or event as there is always something going on. Spend a few nights in town and stay at a local hotel, motel or B&B. Make sure you stop in at the local gift and souvenir shops so you can take home that special momento of your visit. There are also many good restaurants and eating establishments to please any palette.



These are just a few examples of the things you can do when you take a vacation in Ontario. We can help you plan your trip and answer any questions you may have. The best place to start is by ordering your free Ontario, Canada Travel Guide and Map. You can also call us on our toll free vacation information line at 1-800-665-7567.


See you next summer up in Sunset Country!