Manitouwadge offers several distinct starting points for planning a trip: hiking trails and wildlife viewing, winter activities, waterfront spots, a museum and an annual summer festival. These offerings focus on different things and span different seasons. Rendezvous Days, Manitouwadge’s signature summer festival, features live entertainment, food and activities for all ages. Dates and programming vary from year to year; public skating times are also seasonal.
Hiking Trails and Wildlife Viewing
The Manitouwadge Hiking Trails System includes a variety of routes in and around the community. The options range from leisurely walks to more challenging hikes, so you can choose the kind of outing that best suits your plans. Trail conditions can vary by season, so it’s worth checking them before heading out.
The Perry Lake Trail offers views of the wetlands and wildlife around Perry Lake from interpretive lookout mounds. The trail is accessible. Great blue herons, bald eagles and ospreys are often spotted in the area; which animals you see can vary depending on the season and conditions. The Manitouwadge Superior Picnic Table is also located at the summit of the Manitouwadge Lookout Trail.
Winter Activities: Downhill Runs, Toboggan Hill and Ice
Kiwissa Ski Hill has 11 downhill runs and a toboggan hill, bringing together two different winter activities: skiing on downhill runs and tobogganing.
Another winter option is the arena at the Manitouwadge Community Centre. It provides space for public skating, hockey and other on-ice activities. If you’re planning to go public skating, check the seasonal schedule before your visit. The arena complements the activities at Kiwissa Ski Hill with on-ice options; which ones you choose depends on whether you’d rather spend time on the downhill runs, at the toboggan hill or on the ice.
Waterfront Spots and Views
Lion’s Beach combines a sandy beach with a play area for children, picnic tables and clean washrooms. If a particular amenity is important for your visit, check ahead to see whether it’s available. Prospector’s Park offers a different experience: the park is on the waterfront in the town centre and has panoramic views of the surrounding green hills. This gives you the choice between a beach with the amenities mentioned above and a centrally located park with views of the landscape.
Museum and Getting Oriented Locally
The Manitouwadge Museum is housed in the former Church of the Holy Spirit. Its wide-ranging artifacts and exhibits showcase the community’s culture and history; the exhibits may change over time. The museum’s former church setting provides a tangible historical context for a visit, while the exhibits turn the focus to Manitouwadge’s community history.
The Manitouwadge Tourist Information Centre is located in the Community Centre and provides local and regional tourism information, including details about attractions, hiking trails and events. This can be helpful for getting your bearings as you add activities or events to your trip plans. Together, the hiking options, seasonal activities, waterfront spots and cultural offerings provide different ways to explore Manitouwadge according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Nolalu, Amethyst Harbour, Nipigon, Thunder Bay, Kakabeka Falls.
For the broader travel overview: Thunder Bay District.
