Thirteen cliff-top lookouts, an old cedar forest and a 6.6-kilometre loop hike: the Deer Lake Mountain Trail reveals a striking side of Nipigon. There are also river views, local history and activities by the water. What suits your trip depends mainly on whether you’d rather hike, explore the town or make time for the water.

Forest Trails and River Views

The Deer Lake Mountain Trail winds through an old cedar forest and passes thirteen cliff-top lookouts. The loop hike is 6.6 kilometres long. The trail includes steep and unstable sections, so take this into account if you’re planning the hike. The route combines forest and views, without treating the individual lookouts as separate attractions.

The 40-foot-tall Bridgeview Lookout Tower offers a different perspective. It has 65 steps, and from the top, the 360-degree view stretches from Lake Helen across the Nipigon River Bridge to the marina and beyond. The Nipigon River Bridge also has a viewing platform facing the river. Trails pass over or under the bridge. The tower and bridge therefore offer different perspectives on the river area.

For a walk along the waterfront, a mostly flat trail runs 2 to 3 kilometres along the river from the starting point at Nipigon Marina. This section is suitable for an easy stroll. Compared with the 6.6-kilometre loop, it is shorter and flatter; the Deer Lake Mountain Trail, in turn, leads through the cedar forest to its cliff-top views. This lets you distinguish the two trails by length and scenery without assuming a walking time.

Local History and Exploring at Your Own Pace

The Nipigon Historical Museum offers a glimpse into life in the region, from ancient times to the present, through a small and varied collection of artifacts and local treasures. One notable exhibit is a life-size replica of a fish weighing 14.5 pounds and measuring 31.5 inches long. The original fly rod and reel used to catch it are also part of the exhibit. Remains of the original mount are on display too; it was badly damaged in a museum fire in 1970.

The Nipigon Historical Walking Tour is a self-guided route past significant places in town. Its stops are accessible by road and can be visited at your own pace. This makes the tour a different way to explore Nipigon than following a set hiking trail: you can visit the stops at your own pace, while the themes of local history and the museum exhibits offer complementary insights.

Water Activities and Beach Time

Paddle to the Sea Park in downtown Nipigon has a playground and a splash pad with playful water features and distinctive play structures for children. For families planning a visit to the park, playing by the water is the main attraction.

Paddling is also part of the range of activities in the greater Nipigon area. Options include calm inland waters and fast-flowing rivers, as well as river and sea kayaking. Flatwater and whitewater activities are both available. In the greater Nipigon area, paddling ranges from calm inland waters to fast-flowing rivers and includes river and sea kayaking, along with flatwater and whitewater options.

The Township of Nipigon also includes Lofquist Lake Beach. It sits on a small spring-fed lake with clear, calm water and a soft sandy shore for swimming and picnicking. Swimming is seasonal. Amenities include a change area, non-flush toilets, a fixed anchored jumping dock, benches, picnic tables and parking near the shore. Facilities are subject to local maintenance and seasonal operation.

Discover more destinations: Kakabeka Falls, Amethyst Harbour, Thunder Bay, Nolalu, Manitouwadge.

See the broader travel overview: Thunder Bay District.