Lake of the Woods Vacation Area Guide

The expansive forests, rugged typography and pristine lakes in the Lake of the Woods vacation area are an exciting and natural playground for hikes, rock climbers, mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts. The lakes and surrounding wilderness remain relatively untouched and unchanged allowing you to rediscover the area just as the first explorers encountered it many years ago.

The Lake of the Woods vacation area has endless tracts of freshwater lakes and rivers and is a “paddlers’ paradise”. Information on wilderness canoe routes is easily accessed from outfitters or the Ministry of Natural Resources allowing the adventurous canoeist to embark on a wilderness canoe trip through remote back country areas. Go for a day trip along the shores of the many lakes and rivers in a kayak. Many outfitters can set you up with everything you need for the paddling adventure.

The Lake of the Woods vacation area is a mecca for painters and photographers. The tranquility of this majestic area can be beautifully captured on canvas. Bald eagles, falcons, owls, herons, loons and song birds are just a few of the 280 species that call the Lake of the Woods home. You may even have an opportunity to see a bear, deer, moose or timber wolf in their natural habitat. Be sure to bring you camera!

The Lake of the Woods vacation area is rich in history and culture. You will have an opportunity to partake in a First Nations Pow Wow. Look for the ancient Indian rock paintings on the islands and lakes. Although the art is primitive, the durability of the materials used to create these 800-900 year old pictographs is not equaled in modern times. Visit the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre. The impressive Interpretive Centre and four of the burial grounds will give you an appreciation of an ancient civilization.

The historical beginnings of each of the communities in the Lake of the Woods vacation areas are diverse and fascinating. Kenora, formerly known as Rat Portage until 1905, sprang up as a result of the voyageur fur trade routes. The “Narrows” where the historical Sioux Narrows Bridge (longest, single-span, wooden bridge in the world) was once located is where a battle between rival tribes took place. The aggressive and dominating Sioux were secretly ambushed and defeated by the Cree and Ojibway at the narrows, hence the name Sioux Narrows.

From the rustic charm of Morson, to the thriving centre of Kenora, to the tranquility of Minaki in the north, to Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls – the Lake of the Woods vacation area has something for everybody who visits.