North Bay, a lively little town on the north-east shore of Lake Nipissing, in a pleasant setting about 300 km (186 mi.) from Toronto, is popular with visitors for its long sandy beach, good lake fishing, wide range of leisure facilities, and, not least, the riches and beauties of the hinterland in the north-east of the province.
The town was once on the fur traders' route from the Ottawa River to Georgian Bay, and still plays an important part in the trade today, staging public auctions five times a year - January, March, April, June and December - where the skins of beaver, marten and other valuable Canadian fur animals are offered for sale.
Ontario Marine Service operates a cruise that is particularly to be recommended. The "Chief Commanda II" cruise traces the route of the early "voyageurs" over Lake Nipissing along the French River to the Dokis Indian Reserve, making it possible to enjoy North Bay and the shore land landscape from the lake.
Address: Chief Commanda II, 200 Memorial Drive, North Bay, ON P1B8K5, Canada
Phone: 1 (705) 494-8167, Fax: 1 (705) 495-0450
The original Dionne homestead in North Bay, now the Dionne Quints Museum, contains many artifacts from the Quint's early days and their growing years. These identicle quintuplets were born on May 28, 1934 and all survived.
The Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area is located on the Amable du Fond River. The most spectacular scenic feature is the Gorge itself, where the Amable du Fond flows between steep rock walls in a dramatic series of rapids and waterfalls. A log slide and dam were built on the property in the 1870's for the Mackey Lumber Company, in order to transport the huge pine logs around the fast water. Remnants of these structures are still visible.
A mixed forest covers most of the property with self-guided interpretive trails available.
Highway 11 towards Kirkland Lake, after a drive of about 60 km / 37 mi from North Bay, reaches the Marten River Provincial Park where there is the first opportunity to go for a good walk or enjoy some fishing.
Martin River Provincial Park is the site of a replica 19th C logging camp that brings a bygone era to life the times of the trappers and the fur trade.
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