About Kenora

Kenora, a site of natural attractions, has visitors from all over the world year round. In the summer months visitors come to the area to undertake activities including swimming, biking, fishing, hiking, and boating.

Kenora’s tourist industry is also active during the winter months as visitors come not only to observe its natural environment but also to partake in ice fishing, snowboarding, skiing (both downhill and cross country) and snowmobiling.

Kenora is a small city situated on the Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada, close to the Manitoba boundary, and about 210 km (130 mi) east of Winnipeg by road.

Previously called Rat Portage, the history of the name extends beyond the time of settlers arriving in the region. The name Rat Portage had its origin in the Ojibwa name Waszush Onigum, which roughly translated, means portage to the country of the muskrats. A shortened and somewhat corrupted version, Rat Portage, was adopted by the Hudson’s Bay Company in naming their post, then located on Old Fort Island on the Winnipeg River. When the post was moved to the mainland and a town grew up around it, the name Rat Portage was assumed by the community.

The town of Rat Portage was renamed in 1905 by using the first two letters of itself and the neighbouring towns of Keewatin and Norman to form the present-day City of Kenora. In 2001, the towns of Kenora and Keewatin as well as the unincorporated communities of Norman and Jaffray Melick amalgamated under the Municipal Act, 2001.

Kenora is the administrative headquarters of the Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum, Obashkaandagaang Bay, and Washagamis Bay First Nations band governments.

Getting Here

Whether it’s by plane, train, bus or automobile, there are many ways to travel to Kenora year-round to explore what Sunset Country has to offer.

By vehicle

Take Trans-Canada Highway 1 to drive to get here. We are approximately 200 kms east of Winnipeg and 500 kms northwest of Thunder Bay. If you are travelling from the south, Highway 71 connects to the Trans-Canada Highway just outside of city limits. To finally reach the City of Kenora, you will need to take the by-pass Highway 17A. The by-pass runs directly through Kenora where you can refuel and rest.

By bus

Travel from Kenora to Winnipeg and within Northwestern Ontario with Kasper Transportation or Ontario Northland.

By train

Via Rail Canada provides train service to the Kenora Area. The station is located in Redditt, Ontario which is 30 minutes from downtown Kenora. You will need to arrange your own transportation to and from Redditt.

Accessibility needs

If you or someone you are travelling with has accessibility needs, please contact Tourism Kenora for help to find accommodations and services that will make our stay the most comfortable.

Kenora • Ontario • Canada

In the spirit of reconciliation, the City of Kenora acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Metis of Treaty #3. The City of Kenora was originally the land base of one collective First Nation community, which was separated into three communities now known as Wauzhushk Onigum, Niisaachewan, and Washagamis Bay First Nations. Kenora now sustains many others, all of whom have been welcomed to peacefully share and care for these ancestral Lands and Waters.

To support stewardship of the land, the City recognizes the importance of a strong relationship with our Treaty #3 partners. The City of Kenora acknowledges that our economy greatly benefits from the Anishinaabe and Metis that live in and around the city.

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