3 Northern Ontario road trips to try this fall

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One silver lining of the pandemic is the way it has inspired us to explore our own backyard. And what better place to go than Northern Ontario, home to some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the province? Given its vastness, the region is best explored by car, so we put together three road trip ideas for you to consider:

For nature lovers:

Toronto to Thunder Bay

This route is fantastic for families with older kids or couples who like to stop and enjoy nature. Clocking in at 15 hours, this is the longest road trip on the list if you’re starting from Toronto. It provides all sorts of opportunities to stop (and eat!) along the way.

Sudbury: There are plenty of places to stop and rest while driving, including larger cities such as Sudbury. Some great attractions include the Sudbury Nickel – a must for photo-opps – the interactive museum Science North, which is ideal for families, and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. If you’re simply looking to stretch your legs, consider exploring the AY Jackson lookout located about 30 minutes outside of Sudbury, or the gorgeous Chutes Provincial Park, which is just over an hour drive from the city. Before you leave town, stop for a meal at Verdicchio Ristorante, a modern Italian restaurant that combines traditional flavours with locally-sourced ingredients. Or, plan to grab dinner at The Voyageur’s Lodge and Cookhouse in Batchawana Bay, which is on the way from Sudbury to Wawa. A family-run resort known for its comfort food, the bannock, poutine and “munchers” – deep-fried potatoes topped with cheddar and jalapeño – are perfect road trip fuel.

Wawa: Wawa is about five hours from Thunder Bay. It’s home to the famous Wawa Goose Monument, which is pure Instagram gold. In fact, it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in North America. Not far from the Goose is Young’s General Store, where you can score everything from moccasins to fishing gear to snacks, including candy, homemade fudge and its famous pickle on a stick. From there, plan to stop at Old Women Bay to watch the sunrise or to have a picnic, or the Scenic High Falls of Magpie River, which is a beautiful spot to relax before getting back in the car.

Thunder Bay: Check out the Terry Fox Memorial (which also offers spectacular views of the city) and the Fort William fur trade post. You’ll also find plenty of natural wonders near Thunder Bay, including Kakabeka Falls, which is home to the second highest waterfall in Ontario, and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. If you’re planning to picnic, stop by The Fish Shop for locally-caught trout, whitefish, Northern pike, herring or walleye pickerel, which are smoked using traditional Finn methods, as well as to-go deli items like Finnish meat pies, karjalan piirakka (a savoury rice pudding pie), delicious baked goods and pickles and other preserves.

For camping enthusiasts:

Vaughan to Pukaskwa National Park

If you’re hoping to get in one more outdoor adventure before winter, consider traveling from Vaughan to Pukaskwa National Park. The total drive takes about 11 hours and this itinerary includes stops at provincial parks where you can spend a night – or more, depending on how much time you want to spend off the road.

Killarney Provincial Park: Located about four hours from Vaughan, the park is open year-round and permits camping in the winter. It’s known for inspiring great Canadian artists like The Group of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael and A.J. Casson. On your way there, plan a pitstop at Herbert Fisheries, a Sudbury restaurant that has been serving up some of the best fish and chips in Ontario since 1981. And on your way out of Killarney, try to make it to The Breakfast Pig in Sault Ste. Marie. There’s something for everyone at this breakfast-only spot, from seven versions of Eggs Benedict (including the hilariously named Notorious P.I.G., which comes with pulled pork), to crepes, French toast, waffles and even truffle mac and cheese.

Lake Superior Provincial Park: Leave one breathtaking park for another. Lake Superior Provincial Park offers incredible views including cliffs and waterfalls. Visitors can camp until October at one of two sites: Rabbit Blanket Lake and Agawa Bay campgrounds. The provincial park has kilometres of hiking trails of varying lengths as well as canoe routes. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to DIY every meal; Kinniwabi Pines Restaurant is only 15 minutes away from the park, and it’s well worth a visit. Try the bison rib-eye, wiener schnitzel or cabbage rolls and pierogies.

Pukaskwa National Park: On your way out of Lake Superior Provincial Park, check out Algoma Highlands Wild Blueberry Farm and Winery. Even though it’s well past blueberry season, you can schedule a winery tour to sample their fruit wines, including blueberry, strawberry and strawberry-rhubarb flavours. At Pukaskwa, the provincial park’s Hattie Cove campground is open until October 15. The campground has 67 campsites that are vehicle-accessible and fit up to six people in two tents. One must-visit attraction: White River Suspension Bridge Trail, which features 18 kilometres of “pristine ecoregion” and – you guessed it – a swaying suspension bridge.

For little kids:

Hamilton to Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin is the world’s largest freshwater lake island. It’s a fantastic destination for people looking to get out of the city, but who don’t want to spend days driving. There are two ways to get to Manitoulin: take Highway 400 north, then head west when you hit Sudbury, or take Highway 6 north toward Tobermory, then take the ferry over to the Island. Both take about six hours, but the Tobermory route is far more scenic and includes several natural stopping points, so that’s our recommendation, especially if you have younger kids.

Sauble Beach: Plan a pit stop or overnight break if you want to enjoy the town at Sauble Beach. It’s about a three-hour drive from Hamilton, making it a great half-way point. Aside from the water itself, Sauble Beach is home to Ascent Aerial Park, which is a kids’ paradise thanks to its rock climbing walls and free-fall experiences. There’s also some great restaurants and cute motels. Make sure you grab tacos at Casero Taco Bus – a literal double-decker bus, it’s possibly the most unique food ‘truck’ in Ontario, serving up chips and guac, burritos and burrito bowls and, of course, tacos. It’s also worth making a detour to The Flying Chestnut Kitchen in Flesherton, Ont., an Indigneous-owned spot offering up satisfying comfort food, including smoked meats, fried chicken, pot pies and even a few sweet treats.

Tobermory: Spend the day exploring this harbour village, or stop for lunch at one of its great restaurants. Tobermory Brewing Co. & Grill offers small-batch craft beer, delicious eats and beautiful views of the harbour, and after room, squeeze in nature walk on one of several nearby hikes, including at the Bruce Peninsula National Park. Until October, you can park your car in Tobermory and take the ferry over to Manitoulin Island.

Manitoulin Island: Once you get to the island, you might want a car to get around, as some of the sites can be far away from each other. Regardless, you’ll find a variety of scenic wonders on the island (Bridal Veil Falls, Providence Bay Beach), historic lighthouses (Mississagi Strait on the west side of the island offers incredible views), local art galleries and restaurants whipping up fresh fish from the surrounding waters. Don’t miss lunch at Maja’s in Mindemoya, where soups, salads and quiches often feature produce fresh from the bistro’s garden. You can also learn more about the history of Manitoulin Island by visiting Wikwemikong, the only unceded First Nations Reserve in Canada.

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