A spectacular outdoor summer adventure awaits you in Kenora!

Summer Adventures

A spectacular outdoor summer adventure awaits you in Kenora. Whether you want to hit up the trails, go camping or sightseeing, try some rock climbing or a round of golf, we’ve got something for everyone!

Hiking & Walking Trails

Local trail systems weave through urban landscapes, quiet wetlands and wilderness, varying structures, terrain, distances and usages.

Lake of the Woods Trail Guide

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A bridge spans the waterfall along the trail at Rushing River Provincial Park.

Rushing River Trails

Based at Rushing River Provincial Park, these trails will take you along the shores of Dogtooth Lake, past beaver ponds home to great blue herons, beavers, and fragrant water lilies, and across the iconic waterfall for which the park is named. Rushing River features four distinct hiking trails, which cover six kilometres and range from moderate to difficult.

A pair of owls in a nest tucked under a granite cliff face.

Kenora Nordic Trails

The Kenora Nordic Trails are a series of wilderness trails that are well signed and easy to follow. The trails intimately wind through mixed forest and rocky ridges. You may experience wet conditions in the fall and spring, and in the winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Kenora Nordic trails cover a range of terrain and difficulty levels, ranging from easy to difficult. The trail system is suitable for hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and skiing.

An eagle posts on a white pine, a common sight along our section of the Trans Canada Trail.

The Lake of the Woods Trail

Part of the Trans Canada Trail route, the Lake of the Woods trail includes portions of the Rat Portage Urban Trail and the Mink Bay Trail. This trail takes you past a number of attractions that celebrate the City’s cultural, historical and natural history. The Lake of the Woods Trail is ten kilometres of easy to moderate hiking in all seasons.

Rat Portage Urban Trail

This trail meanders along flat or gently rolling paved city streets with sidewalks of wood, interlocking brick or concrete starting at McLeod Park, through the downtown core to Anicinabe Park and then along Laurenson’s Creek and back to the city centre. The Rat Portage trail is an easy/moderate six to eight kilometre trail ideal for hikers looking to tour the City at their own pace.

Vernon Nature Area

A unique area that links three very diverse vegetation zones found within Canada. These designated trails will acquaint you with the transition between the Boreal Forest Region, the St. Lawrence-Great Lake Forest Region and the Prairie Grasslands. Access the trails by following the signs along Mackenzie Portage Road, off Highway 17 West. Vernon Nature Area features five kilometres of easy to moderate trails, great for hiking, cycling, skiing or snowshoeing.

Kids bike along the accessible portion of Rabbit Lake Trail.

Rabbit Lake Trail System

A partially inclusive, accessible and paved trail. The main and feeder trails provide access to the natural beauty and quiet of the south shore of Rabbit Lake. Following the shoreline, the trail meets up with Garrow Park and Beach. The Rabbit Lake trail is five kilometres of easy to moderate trail (though the feeder trails are moderate/high) and is perfect for hiking, cycling, skiing, or snowshoeing, and is wheelchair accessible.

Mink Bay Trail

A provincially designated wetland, Mink Bay Trail is beautifully nestled in the neighbourhood of Keewatin. The trail includes a grassy and well-worn forest trail, coupled with sidewalks and green spaces through Keewatin’s business district. Feeder trails include the Mink Rapids Trail & Slabtown Way, which incorporate a beautiful wooden walk bridge that leads you to over 82 acres of historically significant cultural landscape. The Mink Bay trail is just over four kilometres of easy to moderate trails (with alternate routes moderate to high difficulty) ideal for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing.

Hikers trek along the lakeside portion of the Tunnel Island Trail.

Waa’say’ Gaa Boo (Tunnel Island Trail)

A relationship gathering place with 8,000 years of history, a place where relationship is affirmed, confirmed and maintained. Stunning views of the Winnipeg River and Norman Dam can be seen along the series of trails which make up Tunnel Island. The trail also includes several lookouts and historic points of interest along its path. Please respect the heritage value of this sacred site while enjoying the land. The Tunnel Island trails span six to ten kilometres of rugged terrain rated moderate to high difficulty and are intended for hiking or biking.

Camping

Grab your camping gear and make your way into the heart of the Boreal Forest. Kenora is surrounded on all sides by towering pine trees, pristine lakes and rivers, and more expansive forest than you can shake a hiking stick at. You can rough it out in the backcountry or relax at one of our many campgrounds. We have camping adventures suitable for everyone.

Sightseeing

There’s so much to see while you’re in Kenora, and there’s more than one way to see all the best this City has to offer.

If you’re driving, be sure to stop by McLeod Park. You can’t miss the iconic Husky the Muskie, next to the Goodwill Geyser erupting every 15 minutes. From there, take the underpass and visit the James McMillan tugboat, a testament to Kenora’s lumber history. If your drive takes you west to the community of Keewatin, you can see (and tour) the Mather Walls House—the historical architecture is worth the trip, and the house is definitely not haunted.

However, if it’s haunted you’re looking for (and you’re feeling adventurous) rent a boat to sightsee right on the Lake. You can check out the haunted mine shafts on Sultana Island! Even if you’re not seeking a spooking, you can boat by the Devil’s Gap rock or visit Coney Island for a jaunt along the boardwalk.

The most spectacular way to see the sights in Kenora is from the air. Book a sightseeing tour on a float plane and experience the thrill of taking off from the water. Once you’re airborne you can’t miss a view of the Norman Dam, and while you’re touring the thousands of islands on Lake of the Woods by air, watch for the small, perfectly square island that is the abandoned Burley Mine in Bald Indian Bay.15

Rock Climbing

Situated on the southwest edge of the Canadian Shield—a bold expanse of granite cliffs, all that remains of a three billion year old mountain range—Kenora is the perfect landscape for rock climbers of all skill levels. For beginners and experienced climbers alike, the renowned Gooseneck Rocks to the north of Kenora boast almost 96 routes rated from moderate to extremely severe, is easily accessible, and offers climbs over 200ft. For veteran climbers seeking a challenge, the 130ft Redditt Airport cliffs and the 100ft Roadside cliffs to the east of Kenora (conveniently located right next to the highway) provide another 60 climbing routes to choose from.

New to climbing? Be sure to visit Green Adventures, or Kenora Rock Climbs for everything you need to get your outdoor summer adventure started.

Golfing

Kenora features two beautiful 18-hole golf courses and driving ranges. The Kenora Golf and Country Club is nestled on the shores of Lake of the Woods, and Beauty Bay Golf Course is situated on Black Sturgeon Lake. Both courses offer breathtaking views and challenging elevations. Surrounded by the vast reaches of the Boreal Forest, your time on the course will be spectacular—and provide plenty of the wildlife sightings that make golfing in Kenora a unique experience.

Wildlife

When you visit Kenora, be sure to have your camera ready at all times. With an abundance of wildlife both in and around the City, your chance at that picture-perfect wildlife shot could not be better. Start your outdoor summer adventure on one of our urban trail systems and you’ll likely find herons, otters, beavers, and foxes—you might even be lucky enough to spot a lynx or a wolf. Even downtown, you’re sure to see deer, bald eagles and flocks of geese. If you’re really keen to see all that the Boreal forest has to offer, head out into the backcountry for a chance sighting of a moose, bobcat, or any one of the many other mammals that make this beautiful region their home.

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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