Atikokan, Ontario
Canoeing Capital of Canada - Sunset Country
Canoeing Capital of Canada
Atikokan, Ontario, Canada is located on the banks of the Atikokan River in Northwest Ontario, Canada in Sunset Country. The community is a wilderness and adventure destination defined by the canoe hence the name the "Canoeing Capital of Canada".
The community of Atikokan, Ontario is the main community when planning to explore in the Quetico Provincial Park located south of the community. The park is a top destination for canoe paddle routes in the province - some say country - consisting of 600+ lakes, 2000+ wilderness campsites and 80+ kilometres of portages. Long ago the Ojibwa and Chippewa First Nation people navigated the rivers and the lakes in the region for travel, hunting and fishing. They were known as the, "Oschekamega Wenenewak" meaning "People of the Cross Ridges". It is said the name Atikokan comes from the language of the Ojibway First Nation people meaning "caribou bones".
The region around Atikokan, Ontario includes the villages of Seine River and Sapawe. Located north of Atikokan is the community of Dryden, Ontario. Located east is the City of Thunder Bay and out west is the border town of Fort Frances, Ontario. The economic engines for the region of Atikokan, Ontario include forestry, power generation, tourism and a few select manufacturing businesses including designers of quality canoe paddles and wooden canoes.
Activities, Adventures and Things To Do in Atikokan, Ontario
Atikokan is full of summer adventures. Some of the more popular activities enjoyed include boating, camping, golfing, swimming, canoeing, flightseeing, kayaking, wilderness camping, off roading and fishing for bass, walleye and trout. The winter months transform the landscape of gravel roads, trails, lakes and rivers into fields of snow and frozen ice. It is an ideal landscape for ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. There is a local snowmobile club in town, as well as, a nordic club and a small ski hill nearby. All maintain a trail system.
Parks, Trails and Place of Interest to explore in Atikokan, Ontario
There are many great lakes, rivers, parks, picnic sites and sightseeing destinations in and around Atikokan including the White Otter/Turtle River Wilderness Area, Little Falls Park, Mount Fairweather (ski hill), Bunnel Park, the White Otter Castle and the famous Quetico Provincial Park.
The White Otter Castle is a red pine log house built by Alexander McQuot in the early 1900s. The log house is 3 stories high with 26 windows and a tower. Some of the materials were transported by canoe navigating over 15 portages equaling, something like, 32 kilometres (20 mi.). The site is best accessed via tour companies with boats and/or floatplanes.
Atikokan, Ontario Attractions
The community of Atikokan provides many of the services important to stay-and-play travelers and for those passing through restocking supplies. Services in the community include accommodations (including resorts, lodges, inns, B&Bs, campgrounds, outpost camps), restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, museum, art centre, gift shops, tours, outfitters, guides, attractions, liquor store, post office, internet, library and transportation services (airstrip, bus and taxi)
Atikokan outfitters are a good source of information for canoe routes and fishing. Better yet sign up for a guided canoe tour and/or fishing guide. There are single day and multi day guided fishing and canoeing tours. Long haul guided tours provide the added expertise, accommodations, equipment and meals.